Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'Ty' for friends and family, and 'Vy' for strangers, elders, or in formal settings to show respect.
- Use 'Ty' (singular informal) with friends, family, and children: 'Jak se máš?' (How are you?)
- Use 'Vy' (plural/formal) with strangers, teachers, and colleagues: 'Jak se máte?' (How are you?)
- The verb ending changes to match the pronoun: 'Ty děláš' vs 'Vy děláte'.
Verb Conjugation: Ty vs Vy
| Pronoun | Register | Verb (Být - to be) | Verb (Mít - to have) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Ty
|
Informal
|
jsi
|
máš
|
|
Vy
|
Formal
|
jste
|
máte
|
Meanings
The distinction between informal and formal address, known as 'tykání' and 'vykání'.
Informal (Tykání)
Used for friends, family, peers, and children.
“Jak se máš?”
“Co děláš?”
Formal (Vykání)
Used for strangers, superiors, elders, and in professional settings.
“Jak se máte?”
“Co děláte?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Informal
|
Ty + 2nd sing
|
Ty jsi doma.
|
|
Formal
|
Vy + 2nd plur
|
Vy jste doma.
|
|
Question (Inf)
|
Verb + Ty
|
Jsi doma?
|
|
Question (Form)
|
Verb + Vy
|
Jste doma?
|
|
Negative (Inf)
|
Ne + Verb (Ty)
|
Nejsi doma.
|
|
Negative (Form)
|
Ne + Verb (Vy)
|
Nejste doma.
|
正式程度
Jak se máte? (Greeting)
Jak se máte? (Greeting)
Jak se máš? (Greeting)
Jak to jde? (Greeting)
Address System
Informal
- Ty You (singular)
Formal
- Vy You (plural/polite)
按水平分级的例句
Ahoj, jak se máš?
Hi, how are you?
Dobrý den, jak se máte?
Good day, how are you?
Ty jsi můj kamarád.
You are my friend.
Vy jste velmi laskavý.
You are very kind.
Co děláš o víkendu?
What are you doing this weekend?
Co děláte o víkendu?
What are you doing this weekend?
Nejsi unavený?
Aren't you tired?
Nejste unavený?
Aren't you tired?
Můžeme si tykat?
Can we use 'ty'?
Přeji vám hezký den.
I wish you a nice day.
Těší mě, že tě vidím.
Nice to see you.
Těší mě, že vás vidím.
Nice to see you.
Dovolte, abych vám poděkoval.
Allow me to thank you.
Jsem rád, že jsi přišel.
I'm glad you came.
Jsem rád, že jste přišel.
I'm glad you came.
Vážím si vaší pomoci.
I appreciate your help.
Nabízím vám tykání.
I offer you the informal address.
Vaše rozhodnutí je pro mě důležité.
Your decision is important to me.
Doufám, že se ti to bude líbit.
I hope you will like it.
Doufám, že se vám to bude líbit.
I hope you will like it.
Považuji za vhodné přejít na tykání.
I consider it appropriate to switch to informal.
Vaše laskavost je příkladná.
Your kindness is exemplary.
Tvé názory jsou velmi podnětné.
Your opinions are very stimulating.
Vaše názory jsou velmi podnětné.
Your opinions are very stimulating.
容易混淆
Learners often use 'ty' because they think it's 'you'.
Forgetting that 'vy' takes plural verbs.
Thinking the adjective changes for 'vy'.
常见错误
Ty máte
Ty máš
Vy máš
Vy máte
Ahoj (to a stranger)
Dobrý den (to a stranger)
Vy (to a child)
Ty (to a child)
Jak se máš? (to a boss)
Jak se máte? (to a boss)
Ty jsi laskavý (to a stranger)
Vy jste laskavý (to a stranger)
Vy jsi (incorrect conjugation)
Vy jste (correct conjugation)
Using 'ty' without asking
Asking 'Můžeme si tykat?'
Forgetting to switch to 'ty' after being invited
Using 'ty' after invitation
Using 'vy' with a close friend
Using 'ty' with a close friend
Inconsistent register in a long text
Consistent register
Using 'ty' in a formal speech
Using 'vy' in a formal speech
Misusing 'vy' in a very intimate setting
Using 'ty' in an intimate setting
句型
Jak se ___?
___ jsi unavený?
___ jste unavený?
Co ___ o víkendu?
Real World Usage
Ahoj, jak se máš?
Jaké máte zkušenosti?
Dám si kávu.
Kde máte hotel?
Co děláš?
Vážený pane,
When in doubt, use Vy
Don't switch too early
Observe others
Ask if unsure
Smart Tips
Start with 'Vy'.
Always use 'Vy'.
Ask 'Můžeme si tykat?'.
Use 'Vy' throughout.
发音
Intonation
Questions with 'vy' often have a slightly rising intonation at the end.
Formal Inquiry
Jak se máte? ↗
Polite interest
记住它
记忆技巧
T is for Tiny (one person, informal), V is for Vast (many people/respect, formal).
视觉联想
Imagine a small 'T' for a friend you can touch, and a big 'V' for a respectful distance.
Rhyme
Use 'Ty' for a friend you see, use 'Vy' for the person you want to be polite to, you see.
Story
Petr meets a stranger. He says 'Vy'. They become friends. Now he says 'Ty'.
Word Web
挑战
Try to address 3 people today using the correct register.
文化笔记
Vykání is a sign of respect and professional distance. It is expected in almost all public interactions.
Similar to Czech, 'vykání' is the standard for formal address.
In some rural areas, 'vykání' is used even with family members as a sign of extreme respect.
The use of the plural 'vy' for a singular person is a common European honorific practice.
对话开场白
Jak se máte?
Jak se máš?
Můžeme si tykat?
Co děláte v Praze?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
___ jsi můj přítel.
Vy ___ (být) laskavý.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ty máte hlad.
Jak / se / máte / ?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
You are talking to your boss.
Ty ___ (dělat) úkol.
Find and fix the mistake:
Vy bydlíš v Praze.
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercises___ jsi můj přítel.
Vy ___ (být) laskavý.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ty máte hlad.
Jak / se / máte / ?
Match 'Ahoj' and 'Dobrý den'.
You are talking to your boss.
Ty ___ (dělat) úkol.
Find and fix the mistake:
Vy bydlíš v Praze.
Score: /8
常见问题 (8)
It's a way to show respect by addressing someone as if they were multiple people.
No, it is considered rude.
Ask 'Můžeme si tykat?'
No, you use 'ty'.
Yes, when addressing one person.
Apologize and switch to 'vy'.
Only after a long time or invitation.
Yes, 'ty' takes singular, 'vy' takes plural.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Du/Sie
German 'Sie' is always capitalized.
Tu/Vous
French 'vous' is used for plural and formal singular.
Tú/Usted
Spanish uses 3rd person for formal, Czech uses 2nd person plural.
Anata/Omae
Japanese relies on honorifics attached to names.
Anta/Antum
Arabic has gendered pronouns for 'you'.
Ni/Nin
Chinese does not conjugate verbs.
