A hectic day

Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech – Radio Prague’s language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by Hana Zagorová and it is called Perný den – which is the phrase to listen out for today.

“Perný den”–is the Czech expression for hectic day – although you may also hear it called “hektický den”– no need to say where that came from. And there are plenty of ways to express that depending on who you are talking to. For formal conversations you can use “mám nabitý den”– my day is full – or “mám plný diář”– my diary is full. Or else “mám velmi napilno”– I am extremely busy.

If you are talking to a friend you can use a more colourful expression –for instance “mám dnes blázinec” means my day is a madhouse. “Mám fofr” means I’m in a rush - I can’t stop to chat. “Mám to dnes na knap”– translates as “my schedule is stretched to the limit” – I can’t take on anything more. And “dneska si máknu” means I will have to work in high gear today.

Other typical Czech expressions which you may find rather perplexing are “nevím kde mi hlava stojí” meaning I don’t know where my head is. “Nevím kam dřív skočit”– is easier to figure out and means – I don’t know which way to jump first – “lítám jako hadr na holi” translates as I am flying back and forth like a rag on a broomstick – referring to cleaning up when the rag goes back and forth non-stop. Or, something which is likely to be totally incomprehensible to foreigners – “lítám jako fretka” I am running back and forth like a ferret – just a Czech saying – don’t ask me why.

And finally if you have had a really trying day – it could leave you “utahaný jako kůň”– tired as a horse or “totálně vyšťavený”– completely out of juice. Definitely time for a rest. This is Daniela Lazarová saying thanks for learning Czech with me and na shledanou.