This page in your language
فارسی العربية Deutsch Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A1 verb 11 min read

pít

Examples pít in 30 Seconds
Explanation pít in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'pít' is taught as one of the essential verbs for daily life. Students learn to use it in the present tense to express basic needs and preferences. The focus is on the most common liquids: water (voda), beer (pivo), coffee (káva), and tea (čaj). A1 learners should be able to conjugate 'pít' in the present tense (piju, piješ, pije...) and understand the basic concept of the accusative case (changing 'voda' to 'vodu'). They use it to order drinks in a restaurant ('Dám si... Budu pít vodu') and to answer simple questions about their habits ('Piješ kávu?'). The emphasis is on clear, literal communication of a physical necessity or a simple social act. Vocabulary at this stage is limited to the most frequent nouns and the negative form 'nepiju' to express dislikes or limitations.
At the A2 level, learners expand their use of 'pít' to the past and future tenses. They can describe what they drank at a party or what they will drink at a meeting. The distinction between 'pít' (imperfective) and 'vypít' (perfective) begins to be introduced, though mastery is not expected. A2 students learn more complex beverage vocabulary (juice, wine, mineral water) and can use adjectives with the verb ('Piju studené pivo'). They also start to recognize the reflexive form 'napít se' in the context of thirst ('Mám žízeň, chci se napít'). Socially, they understand basic drinking etiquette in Czech culture, such as the 'Na zdraví' toast. They can participate in short conversations about drinking habits and health, such as 'Piju moc kávy, musím pít víc vody'.
Sign up free to read full explanation
By the B1 level, students should have a firm grasp of the aspectual difference between 'pít' and 'vypít'. They use 'pít' to describe habits, processes, and ongoing actions, and 'vypít' for completed actions ('Pila jsem víno, ale nevypila jsem celou láhev'). They become familiar with frequentative forms like 'popíjet' (to sip) and understand the nuance it adds to social descriptions. B1 learners can use 'pít' in conditional sentences ('Kdybych nepil tolik kávy, lépe bych spal') and in more complex grammatical structures. They also begin to learn common idiomatic expressions and the social connotations of saying 'On pije' (implying alcohol problems). Their vocabulary extends to more specific types of drinks and related verbs like 'nalít' (to pour) and 'objednat' (to order).
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the B2 level, the learner uses 'pít' with greater stylistic variety. They can distinguish between different registers, knowing when to use 'pít', 'popíjet', or the more informal 'nasávat' or 'chlastat' (though they use the latter with caution). They understand the metaphorical uses of the verb and its derivatives, such as 'propít se k něčemu' or 'vypít kalich hořkosti'. B2 students can discuss the sociological and cultural aspects of Czech beer culture in detail, using 'pít' as a central verb in these discussions. They are comfortable with all tenses, moods (imperative, conditional), and the passive voice if necessary. They also recognize the verb in literary contexts and news reports where it might be used more abstractly.
Sign up free to read full explanation
The C1 level involves a sophisticated understanding of 'pít' in all its forms, including archaic or highly literary uses. The learner can appreciate the wordplay in Czech literature and film that revolves around drinking. They understand the subtle differences between prefixed versions like 'upíjet', 'zapíjet', 'rozpít se', and 'propít'. C1 students can use the verb in academic or professional discussions about public health, addiction, or the economy of the beverage industry. They have a deep awareness of the cultural baggage the word carries in Czechia and can navigate complex social situations where drinking is involved, using the language with the precision of a native speaker. They can also use the verb in complex metaphorical constructions with ease.
Sign up free to read full explanation
At the C2 level, the learner has a near-native command of the verb 'pít'. They can use it to express the finest shades of meaning, from the crudest slang to the most elevated poetic language. They are familiar with obscure idioms and historical references related to drinking. A C2 speaker can analyze the role of the verb in Czech national identity and literature (e.g., in the works of Bohumil Hrabal). They can manipulate the verb and its many derivatives to create specific rhetorical effects. At this stage, the verb 'pít' is not just a word for consuming liquid, but a versatile tool for expressing a wide range of human experiences, social dynamics, and cultural nuances.
Sign up free to read full explanation
Examples

pít in 30 Seconds

  • Pít is the basic Czech verb for 'to drink', used for water, coffee, and alcohol.
  • It is an imperfective verb, focusing on the ongoing process of drinking.
  • The direct object of the verb must always be in the accusative case.
  • In social contexts, it often implies drinking alcohol unless specified otherwise.

The Czech verb pít is a fundamental building block of the language, categorized at the A1 level. At its most basic, it describes the physiological act of consuming liquids. However, in the context of Czech culture, the word carries significant weight, often acting as a gateway to social interaction. Whether you are talking about the essential need for water, the daily ritual of coffee, or the deeply rooted Czech tradition of beer consumption, pít is the verb you will reach for most frequently.

The Physical Act
In its simplest form, pít describes the biological necessity of taking in fluids. For example, 'Musím pít víc vody' (I must drink more water). Here, it is used as an imperfective verb, focusing on the ongoing or habitual nature of the action rather than its completion.
Social and Cultural Context
Czechia is famous for its beer culture. When someone asks, 'Půjdeme pít?' they are often specifically implying going out for alcoholic beverages. However, the verb is equally applicable to 'pít kávu' (drinking coffee) or 'pít čaj' (drinking tea), which are staples of social gatherings and office life. The verb implies a process—sitting down, enjoying a beverage, and often, engaging in conversation.
Habitual vs. Specific Instances
Because pít is imperfective, it is used to describe habits. 'Piješ kávu s mlékem?' (Do you drink coffee with milk?) refers to your general preference. If you want to describe the act of finishing a specific glass, you would switch to the perfective 'vypít'. Understanding this distinction is crucial for moving from A1 to B1 proficiency.

Každé ráno musím pít silný černý čaj, abych se probudil.

Every morning I must drink strong black tea to wake up.

In professional settings, the verb is used neutrally. A doctor might ask, 'Pijete alkohol?' (Do you drink alcohol?) as part of a medical history. In a restaurant, a waiter will ask, 'Co budete pít?' (What will you drink/be drinking?), which is the standard way to initiate the beverage order. The verb is versatile, spanning from the most casual pub talk to formal medical or legal inquiries.

Lékař mi řekl, že nesmím pít žádné slazené nápoje.

The doctor told me I must not drink any sweetened beverages.

Furthermore, pít is the root for many derived verbs. By adding prefixes, Czechs change the meaning slightly: dopít (to finish drinking), upíjet (to sip), zapít (to wash down food or medicine), and propít (to spend all one's money on drink). Mastering the base verb is the first step toward understanding this complex web of meanings.

Děti by měly pít hlavně čistou vodu bez bublinek.

Children should drink mainly pure non-carbonated water.

Using the verb pít correctly requires attention to two main things: the conjugation of the verb itself and the case of the object being consumed. In Czech, the object of the verb pít is always in the accusative case (4. pád).

Present Tense Conjugation
The verb follows a slightly irregular but common pattern:
  • Já piju (I drink)
  • Ty piješ (You drink)
  • On/ona/ono pije (He/she/it drinks)
  • My pijeme (We drink)
  • Vy pijete (You all drink)
  • Oni pijou / pijí (They drink)
Note: 'Pijou' is more common in spoken Czech, while 'pijí' is more formal.
Past Tense Formation
The past tense is formed using the l-participle:
  • Já jsem pil (masculine) / pila (feminine)
  • Ty jsi pil / pila
  • On pil / Ona pila / Ono pilo
  • My jsme pili (masculine animate) / pily (feminine/inanimate)
Example: 'Včera jsem pil pivo.' (Yesterday I drank beer.)
The Accusative Case
When you drink something, the noun changes. 'Voda' (water) becomes 'vodu'. 'Káva' (coffee) becomes 'kávu'. 'Pivo' (beer) stays 'pivo' because it is neuter. 'Čaj' (tea) stays 'čaj' because it is masculine inanimate. Always remember: Piju + [Accusative].

Nemůžu teď mluvit, právě piju horkou čokoládu.

I can't talk right now, I am currently drinking hot chocolate.

When expressing future intent with an imperfective verb like pít, we use the auxiliary verb 'být' in the future form: 'Budu pít'. This implies a continuous action in the future. 'Zítra budu pít jen vodu' (Tomorrow I will be drinking only water). If you want to say you will finish a drink, you use 'vypiju' (perfective).

Budete pít kávu tady, nebo si ji vezmete s sebou?

Will you drink the coffee here, or will you take it with you?

Negative sentences are formed simply by adding 'ne-' to the verb: 'Nepiju'. 'On nepije kávu' (He doesn't drink coffee). In Czech, the double negative is standard: 'Nikdy nepiju mléko' (I never drink milk). This is a common area where English speakers make mistakes, so pay close attention to the 'ne-' prefix.

Proč nepiješ ten džus? Je moc kyselý?

Why aren't you drinking that juice? Is it too sour?

The word pít is omnipresent in Czech daily life. From the moment you wake up to the late-night social scenes, this verb serves as the soundtrack to many interactions. In a country where hospitality often centers around beverages, knowing how to use and recognize pít is essential for survival and social integration.

In the 'Hospoda' (Pub)
This is arguably where you will hear 'pít' most often. Friends will ask, 'Co piješ?' (What are you drinking?) as they approach the bar. If a round is being bought, someone might say, 'Budeme pít pivo' (We will be drinking beer). It's the core verb for the entire evening's activity.
At the Workplace
Coffee culture is huge in Czech offices. You'll hear colleagues ask, 'Půjdeme pít kávu?' (Shall we go drink coffee?) during a break. It's a social invitation as much as a statement of intent. In meetings, you might see 'pitný režim' (drinking regime/hydration schedule) mentioned, referring to the availability of water for participants.
In Medical and Health Contexts
Doctors and pharmacists use 'pít' to give instructions. 'Musíte pít hodně tekutin' (You must drink a lot of fluids) is a standard phrase for anyone with a cold or fever. You might also see signs like 'Voda není pitná' (Water is not potable/drinkable) in certain areas.

V létě je důležité pít aspoň tři litry vody denně.

In summer, it is important to drink at least three liters of water a day.

In television and movies, 'pít' is often used to establish character traits. A character who 'pije první ligu' (drinks in the first league) is a heavy drinker. You'll also hear it in news reports concerning public health or alcohol taxes. It's a word that bridges the gap between the mundane (drinking water) and the culturally complex (drinking rituals).

Můj dědeček přestal pít alkohol už před deseti lety.

My grandfather stopped drinking alcohol ten years ago.

Lastly, in the context of parenting, you'll hear 'pít' constantly. Parents asking their children 'Chceš pít?' (Do you want to drink/Do you want a drink?) or 'Pij pomalu!' (Drink slowly!) are common refrains in any Czech household. The verb is one of the first that Czech children learn to conjugate correctly.

Už hodinu tady sedíme a nic nepijeme, pojďme jinam.

We've been sitting here for an hour and aren't drinking anything, let's go somewhere else.

Learning to use pít seems simple at first, but English speakers often fall into several common traps. These range from grammatical errors regarding aspect to social misunderstandings about the verb's implications.

Confusing Aspect: Pít vs. Vypít
This is the most frequent mistake. Pít is imperfective (the process), while vypít is perfective (the completed action). If you say 'Piju pivo,' you are currently drinking it. If you say 'Vypiju pivo,' you mean you will finish the whole thing. English speakers often use the present 'piju' when they mean they will finish something in the future, which sounds like they are habitually doing it.
The 'Drinking' Connotation
In English, 'He drinks' can be neutral. In Czech, 'On pije' without an object almost always implies 'He is an alcoholic' or 'He drinks heavily.' If you just want to say someone is currently consuming a beverage, specify what it is: 'On pije vodu' (He is drinking water).
Case Errors
English speakers often forget to decline the noun after the verb. Saying 'Piju káva' (Nominative) instead of 'Piju kávu' (Accusative) is a classic A1 mistake. While understandable, it marks you immediately as a beginner. Remember: the liquid is the direct object!

Špatně: Piju studená voda.
Správně: Piju studenou vodu.

Incorrect: I drink cold water (Nom). Correct: I drink cold water (Acc).

Another mistake involves the reflexive form napít se. Many learners use pít when they just want to take a single sip or a quick drink of water. In those cases, 'Chci se napít' is much more natural than 'Chci pít'. The latter sounds like you want to start a session of drinking.

Mám žízeň, musím se napít.

I am thirsty, I must have a drink (take a drink).

Finally, watch out for the verb kouřit (to smoke). In some languages, the same verb is used for both, but in Czech, they are strictly separate. You pijete liquids and kouříte cigarettes. This might seem obvious, but in the heat of a conversation, learners sometimes swap them!

On hodně pije, ale vůbec nekouří.

He drinks a lot, but he doesn't smoke at all.

While pít is the most common verb for drinking, Czech offers a rich palette of alternatives that convey specific nuances, volumes, or social registers. Choosing the right one can make your Czech sound much more authentic.

Napít se vs. Pít
Napít se is reflexive and perfective. It refers to the act of taking a drink to quench thirst. Pít refers to the ongoing activity. Comparison: 'Piju pivo' (I am drinking beer) vs. 'Napil jsem se vody' (I took a drink of water).
Popíjet vs. Pít
Popíjet is the frequentative/diminutive form. It means to sip slowly or to enjoy a drink over a long period. It sounds much more relaxed and sophisticated. 'Celý večer jsme popíjeli víno' (We sipped wine all evening).
Chlastat vs. Pít
Chlastat is a vulgar, slang term for drinking heavily or 'boozing'. It is used in informal settings among friends or to criticize someone's drinking habits. Avoid using this in polite company!
Loknout si vs. Pít
Loknout si means to take a gulp or a swig. It's very specific to the physical action of swallowing a large amount at once. 'Dej mi loknout' (Give me a swig).

Místo aby pracoval, tak jen celý den chlastá v hospodě.

Instead of working, he just guzzles/boozes in the pub all day.

There are also verbs like usrkávat (to sip noisily) and hltat (to gulp down greedily). These describe the *manner* of drinking. If you want to be more formal, you might use konzumovat (to consume), though this is mostly reserved for technical or official texts.

Babička pomalu popíjela svůj bylinkový čaj.

Grandmother was slowly sipping her herbal tea.

In summary, while 'pít' is your workhorse verb, don't be afraid to experiment with these alternatives as you become more comfortable with the language. They add color and precision to your descriptions of one of life's most basic activities.

Můžeš mi dát loknout tvojí limonády?

Can you give me a swig of your lemonade?
Sign up free to read full explanation

Examples by Level

1

Piju vodu.

I drink water.

Present tense, 1st person singular.

2

Piješ kávu?

Do you drink coffee?

Present tense, 2nd person singular question.

3

On nepije pivo.

He doesn't drink beer.

Negative present tense, 3rd person singular.

4

Pijeme čaj s medem.

We drink tea with honey.

Present tense, 1st person plural.

5

Co pijete?

What are you (plural/formal) drinking?

Present tense, 2nd person plural question.

6

Děti pijou mléko.

The children drink milk.

Present tense, 3rd person plural (informal form).

7

Musím pít víc.

I must drink more.

Infinitive after a modal verb.

8

Pijte vodu!

Drink water!

Imperative, 2nd person plural/formal.

1

Včera jsem pil víno.

Yesterday I drank wine.

Past tense, masculine singular.

2

Pila jsi tu limonádu?

Did you drink that lemonade?

Past tense, feminine singular question.

3

Budeme pít kávu v zahradě.

We will be drinking coffee in the garden.

Future tense (imperfective).

4

Oni nepili nic.

They didn't drink anything.

Negative past tense.

5

Chceš pít džus nebo vodu?

Do you want to drink juice or water?

Infinitive after 'chtít'.

6

Ona pije kávu každé ráno.

She drinks coffee every morning.

Habitual present tense.

7

Pili jsme pivo celou noc.

We were drinking beer all night.

Past tense, expressing duration.

8

Budeš pít ten čaj horký?

Will you drink that tea hot?

Future tense question.

1

Dříve jsem pil hodně kofoly.

I used to drink a lot of Kofola.

Past tense used for past habits.

2

Kdybych mohl, pil byste se mnou?

If I could, would you drink with me?

Conditional mood.

3

Při práci nesmíme pít alkohol.

We are not allowed to drink alcohol while working.

Modal 'nesmět' + infinitive.

4

Už nepiju tolik jako dřív.

I don't drink as much as I used to.

Present tense comparing habits.

5

Rád popíjím čaj při čtení.

I like sipping tea while reading.

Using the frequentative 'popíjet'.

6

Lékař mi zakázal pít kávu.

The doctor forbade me from drinking coffee.

Infinitive as a direct object of 'zakázat'.

7

Pili jsme na jeho zdraví.

We drank to his health.

Idiomatic use of 'pít na'.

8

Je těžké pít osm sklenic vody denně.

It is hard to drink eight glasses of water a day.

Infinitive as subject complement.

1

Pije první ligu, to je vidět.

He drinks in the first league, it's obvious.

Idiomatic expression for heavy drinking.

2

Budu pít, dokud nepadnu.

I will drink until I drop.

Hyperbolic future usage.

3

Piješ mi krev svými otázkami.

You are drinking my blood (annoying me) with your questions.

Idiomatic expression 'pít krev'.

4

Víno se má pít s úctou.

Wine should be drunk with respect.

Passive construction with 'se'.

5

Nemůžu pít na prázdný žaludek.

I can't drink on an empty stomach.

Prepositional phrase 'na prázdný žaludek'.

6

Všichni pili, co hrdlo ráčilo.

Everyone drank as much as their heart/throat desired.

Archaic/idiomatic 'co hrdlo ráčilo'.

7

Pije jako duha.

He drinks like a rainbow.

Common Czech idiom for heavy drinking.

8

Nesnáším, když někdo pije přímo z láhve.

I hate it when someone drinks directly from the bottle.

Subordinate clause with 'když'.

1

Pít z kalichu hořkosti je osudem každého hrdiny.

To drink from the chalice of bitterness is the fate of every hero.

Literary/metaphorical usage.

2

Propili se až k naprostému dnu.

They drank themselves to the absolute bottom.

Reflexive prefixed verb 'propít se'.

3

Pít vlažnou vodu je prý zdravé pro trávení.

Drinking lukewarm water is said to be healthy for digestion.

Infinitive as a gerund-like subject.

4

Pije, jen aby zapomněl na realitu.

He drinks only to forget reality.

Purpose clause with 'aby'.

5

Už od dětství pil vědomosti plnými doušky.

Since childhood, he drank in knowledge in full gulps.

Metaphorical use of 'pít' with knowledge.

6

Není radno pít s neznámými lidmi v cizím městě.

It is not advisable to drink with strangers in a foreign city.

Formal/proverbial 'není radno'.

7

Celý večer jen tak upíjela ze sklenky.

She just sipped from her glass all evening.

Using 'upíjet' for small sips.

8

Pít či nepít, to je oč tu běží.

To drink or not to drink, that is the question.

Play on Shakespeare's Hamlet.

1

Autor pije z pramene lidové moudrosti.

The author drinks from the spring of folk wisdom.

Highly metaphorical/literary.

2

Společnost pije plody své vlastní lhostejnosti.

Society is drinking the fruits of its own indifference.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

3

Pít do němoty je v určitých kruzích považováno za rituál.

Drinking until mute (blackout) is considered a ritual in certain circles.

Idiom 'pít do němoty'.

4

Piješ-li víno, piješ krev země.

If thou drinkest wine, thou drinkest the blood of the earth.

Archaic conditional '-li'.

5

Neustálé pití kávy se stalo jeho existenciální nutností.

Constant coffee drinking became his existential necessity.

Verbal noun 'pití'.

6

Pít vodu z otrávené studny je šílenství.

Drinking water from a poisoned well is madness.

Symbolic/allegorical usage.

7

Pije jako by zítřek neměl nikdy přijít.

He drinks as if tomorrow were never to come.

Subjunctive 'jako by'.

8

Pít z kalicha vítězství bývá opojné.

Drinking from the chalice of victory tends to be intoxicating.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Synonyms

popíjet chlastat usrkávat nasávat lokat konzumovat bumbat lemtat

Antonyms

jíst plivat žíznit abstinence

Common Collocations

pít vodu
pít kávu
pít pivo
pít na zdraví
pít s mírou
pít jako duha
pít z láhve
pít brčkem
pít nalačno
pít do dna

Common Phrases

Co budeš pít?

— What will you drink? Used when offering or ordering a drink.

Ahoj, co budeš pít?

Máš co pít?

— Do you have something to drink? Checking if someone is provided for.

Posaď se, máš co pít?

Pojďme něco pít.

— Let's go drink something. A general invitation to go out.

Je pátek, pojďme něco pít.

Nechci pít.

— I don't want to drink. Used to refuse a beverage, often alcohol.

Dneska řídím, nechci pít.

Pij pomalu.

— Drink slowly. Advice given especially for hot or alcoholic drinks.

Ten čaj je horký, pij pomalu.

Piješ to?

— Are you drinking that? Asking if someone is still working on their drink.

Už je to studené, ještě to piješ?

Nedá se to pít.

— It's undrinkable. Used when a drink tastes bad.

Ta káva je hrozná, nedá se to pít.

Pijeme na tebe.

— We are drinking to you. A toast in someone's honor.

Všechno nejlepší, pijeme na tebe!

Už nepiju.

— I don't drink anymore. Usually implies giving up alcohol.

Dva roky už vůbec nepiju.

Pije jako dán.

— He drinks like a Dane. A common idiom for heavy drinking.

Včera zase pil jako dán.

Idioms & Expressions

"pít někomu krev"

— To annoy or irritate someone intensely.

Tvoje chování mi pije krev.

informal
"pít jako duha"

— To drink a very large amount of alcohol.

Na té oslavě pil jako duha.

informal
"pít jako dán"

— To drink heavily (similar to 'drink like a fish').

Pije jako dán, měl by přestat.

informal
"pít do němoty"

— To drink until one is unable to speak or blacks out.

Včera se opil a pil do němoty.

informal
"vypít kalich hořkosti do dna"

— To endure a painful or difficult situation to the very end.

Musel ten kalich hořkosti vypít do dna.

literary
"pít z vlastního hnízda"

— To benefit from one's own resources (less common).

Pije z vlastního hnízda a nikoho nepotřebuje.

literary
"pít na sekeru"

— To drink on credit (at a pub).

Neměl peníze, tak pil na sekeru.

Sign up free to see all examples

Related Content

Was this helpful?

Comments (0)

Login to Comment
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!