Mastering Czech Past Tense: Second Position (S02/E33 – daily podcast CZECH YOUR DAY)

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: ZIMNÍ OBLEČENÍ/WINTER CLOTHES

THE TRANSCRIPT/HANDOUT IS DOWN BELOW

n our last episode, all sentences began with the verb „NOSIT“ (to wear). But what happens when the sentence starts with a different element? Let’s explore this by checking these examples:

• Nosila jsem sukně a šaty. (I wore skirts and dresses.)
• Já jsem nosila sukně a šaty. (I wore skirts and dresses.)
• Nosil jsem zimní boty. (I wore winter boots.)
• Já jsem nosil zimní boty. (I wore winter boots.)
• Nosil jsi sandále? (Did you wear sandals?)
• Ty jsi nosil sandále? (Did you wear sandals?)
• Nosila kabát a kozačky. (She wore a coat and boots.)
• Ona nosila kabát a kozačky. (She wore a coat and boots.)
• Nosilo každý den čepici. (It wore a cap every day.)
• To dítě nosilo každý den čepici. (The child wore a cap every day.)
• Nosili jsme kabáty a zimní bundy. (We wore coats and winter jackets.)
• My jsme nosili kabáty a zimní bundy. (We wore coats and winter jackets.)
• Nosili jste zimní boty? (Did you wear winter boots?)
• Vy jste nosili zimní boty? (Did you wear winter boots?)
• Nosili rukavice, šály a čepice. (They wore gloves, scarves, and caps.)
• Oni nosili rukavice, šály a čepice. (They wore gloves, scarves, and caps.)

As you can see, there are no changes for third-person singular or plural (he, she, it, and they).

• Nosilo každý den čepici. (It wore a cap every day. – meaning the child – it’s neutral in Czech)
• To dítě nosilo každý den čepici. (The child wore a cap every day.)

Making Adjustments in Sentence Order

In Czech, the verb „to be“ (JSEM, JSI, JSME, JSTE) must find its place in the so-called second position of a sentence. This doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be the second word but rather, within the primary structure. For instance:

• Nosil jsem kalhoty. (I wore trousers. – masculine)
• Já jsem nosil kalhoty. (I wore trousers.)
• V zimě jsem nosil kalhoty. (I wore trousers in winter.)
• Každý den jsem nosil kalhoty. (I wore trousers every day.)

Additional Practice

Here’s a practical bonus for you: always compare the sentences and check the position of JSEM/jSI/JSME/JSTE:

• V létě jsem nosila sukně a kalhoty. (In the summer I wore skirts and trousers.)
• Nosila jsem sukně a šaty. (I wore skirts and dresses.)
• Co jsi nosila na jaře? (What did you wear in the spring?)
• Nosila jsi kalhoty? (Did you wear trousers?)
• My jsme v zimě nosili kabáty a zimní bundy. (We wore coats and winter jackets in the winter.)
• Nosili jsme kabáty a zimní bundy. (We wore coats and winter jackets.)
• Kdy jste nosili sandále? (When did you wear sandals? – asking a group)
• Nosili jste zimní boty? (Did you wear winter boots? – asking a group)