Episode 16 (daily podcast CZECH YOUR DAY) transcript included

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC: DOUBLE NEGATIVE IN CZECH

THE TRANSCRIPT/HANDOUT IS DOWN BELOW

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the nuances of using double negatives in Czech. Unlike English, where double negatives can be a faux pas, Czech thrives on them.

Let’s start with the basics: double negatives within a single sentence. By the end of this journey, you’ll handle these double negatives like a pro, I guarantee it.

Understanding Essential Czech Expressions

In today’s session, you’ll gain familiarity with six crucial expressions in Czech that will help you use DOUBLE NEGATIVE in Czech like a pro.

Here are the Czech expressions you need to master:

• Nikdy: Never
• Nikdo: Nobody
• Nic: Nothing
• Nijak: In no way, in any way
• Nikde: Nowhere
• Nikam: To nowhere

Foreign learners get often confused by Nikde and Nikam. Nikde is about location, while Nikam refers to direction. Let’s make sense of these through practice.

Practical Examples

It’s time to put these expressions into practice with sentences:

• Where were you this weekend? Nowhere. We stayed at home.
  • Kde jste byli o víkendu? Nikde. Zůstali jsme doma.
• Where are you going on holiday? Nowhere. I’ll be at home.
  • Kam pojedeš na dovolenou? Nikam. Budu doma.
• Who came home? Nobody.
  • Kdo přišel domů? Nikdo.
• What’s Jana doing now? Nothing. She’s bored.
  • Co teď dělá Jana? Nic. Nudí se.
• How did you handle it last night? Not at all. It didn’t work.
  • Jak si to včera vyřešil? Nijak. Nešlo to.
• When have you been to Australia? Never.
  • Kdy jsi byla v Austrálii? Nikdy.

Yes, I know – no DOUBLE NEGATIVES so far. No worries. You need to digest this first to be able to use them correctly. You will learn more in the upcoming episodes and by the end of the week you will understand a special episode full of DOUBLE NEGATIVES and IDIOMS 😉