A headstart in Czech
Hello and welcome to our new Czech language series in which we look at Czech from head to toe and it is the word head we'll start with today. In Czech it is hlava and just like in English, the word is the core of many idioms. In fact, so many, that only a tiny fraction can fit into our programme today. But you don't have to lose your head - ztrácet hlavu - because many of them are quite similar in the two languages.
Hello and welcome to our new Czech language series in which we look at Czech from head to toe and it is the word head we'll start with today. In Czech it is hlava and just like in English, the word is the core of many idioms. In fact, so many, that only a tiny fraction can fit into our programme today. But you don't have to lose your head - ztrácet hlavu - because many of them are quite similar in the two languages. The word hlava in Czech symbolises someone who stands in relation to others somewhat as the head does to the other parts of the body, such as in the expression hlava státu or head of state. Another idiom which works in the same way in both languages is "head in the clouds" - hlava v oblacích, describing someone who is daydreaming and not very practical. If people bury their heads in the sand - strkat hlavu do písku - in both English and Czech they refuse to see, hear and understand problems. If people put their heads together - dát hlavy dohromady, they have more chance to find a solution in a difficult situation than one person alone. Another Czech idiom with a similar meaning is víc hlav víc ví or more heads know more. But if there are too many heads, that is people, around, Czechs say hlava na hlavì or "head on head", which means the place is really overcrowded. If success makes someone too proud, makes them think they are too important, we say that is has gone to his or her head. In Czech the idiom goes stouplo mu to do hlavy, or it has "risen" to his head. Alcohol just like success can go to your head or stoupá do hlavy. But the word head in idioms does not always have stand for a human head. For example, to hit the nail on the head translates as - udeøit høebíèek na hlavièku, literally to hit a little nail on the little head, meaning to get to the heart of the problem. I had better stop before I talk my head off and you start feeling we are trying to beat Czech idioms into your head. We hope you'll join us next week again. Until then, na shledanou, good-bye.
See also Living Czech
