Czech cases
Core idea
Case shows the role of a phrase in the sentence.
Czech usually shows the phrase's role by changing endings in the whole phrase.
Compare
Czech Language
Endings show each phrase's role, so word order can move.
vs
English Language
Word order usually shows who does what.
Different order, same meaning
actor first
Petr vidí Janu.
Petr sees Jana.
same as
target first
Janu vidí Petr.
Petr sees Jana.
actor first
Jana vidí Petra.
Jana sees Petr.
same as
target first
Petra vidí Jana.
Jana sees Petr.
actor — who does ittarget — who receives it
How to choose a case
Start with the clue. If there is a preposition, check it first; without one, ask what role the phrase has.
- Cluesubject / name / labelUse when the phrase is who or what the sentence names.1.Nominative
- Cluewithout / from / owner / amountUse for absence, source, possession, or quantity.2.Genitive
- Cluereceiver / to someoneUse when someone receives, gets, or benefits from it.3.Dative
- Cluedirect object / thing affectedUse for the thing or person the action hits or wants.4.Accusative
- Cluecalling someoneUse when you address a person directly.5.Vocative
- Clueplace or topic after prepositionUse for location or topic clues after certain prepositions.6.Locative
- Cluewith / tool / by meansUse for company, tools, means, or transport.7.Instrumental
The whole phrase changes
It is not only the noun: the words around it shift their endings together. In Czech, nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and numerals decline.
| Case | Pattern |
|---|---|
| 1. Nominative | nový studentnew student To je nový student.This is a new student. |
| 2. Genitive | nový studentnew student Jdu bez nového studenta.I am going without the new student. |
| 3. Dative | nový studentnew student Pomáhám novému studentovi.I am helping the new student. |
| 4. Accusative | nový studentnew student Vidím nového studenta.I see the new student. |
| 5. Vocative | nový studentnew student Nový studente, pojď sem!New student, come here. |
| 6. Locative | nový studentnew student Mluvím o novém studentovi.I am talking about the new student. |
| 7. Instrumental | nový studentnew student Mluvím s novým studentem.I am speaking with the new student. |
| Case | Base | In sentence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Nominative | nový studentnew student | To je nový student.This is a new student. | |
| 2. Genitive | nový studentnew student | Jdu bez nového studenta.I am going without the new student. | |
| 3. Dative | nový studentnew student | Pomáhám novému studentovi.I am helping the new student. | |
| 4. Accusative | nový studentnew student | Vidím nového studenta.I see the new student. | |
| 5. Vocative | nový studentnew student | Nový studente, pojď sem!New student, come here. | |
| 6. Locative | nový studentnew student | Mluvím o novém studentovi.I am talking about the new student. | |
| 7. Instrumental | nový studentnew student | Mluvím s novým studentem.I am speaking with the new student. |