Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:38:00 +0200Thu, 18 Jun 2026 09:22:42 +0200https://english.radio.cz© 2026 Radio Prague InternationalRadio Prague International - Topic «Czech language course»enNewscr@radio.cz (Cesky Rozhlas)webmaster@radio.cz (CRo Webmaster) https://english.radio.cz/?timestamp= https://english.radio.cz Radio Prague International Radio Prague International radio.prague.int@gmail.com clean 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 https://english.radio.cz/essential-tips-learning-czech-linguist-and-his-new-book-history-alphabet-8866673 Danny Bate, a former member of Radio Prague and linguist, has just published his first book, titled Why Q Needs U. In it, he dives into the history of the English alphabet and invites readers to see language as a collaborative project shaped by its speakers from day to day. The self-taught Czech speaker, writer, and perennial Czechophile, also shares practical advice for learning the language, including how to master the notoriously difficult ‘ř’ sound.  Thu, 23 Oct 2025 09:38:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8866673 Danny Bate, a former member of Radio Prague and linguist, has just published his first book, titled Why Q Needs U. In it, he dives into the history of the English alphabet and invites readers to see language as a collaborative project shaped by its speakers from day to day. The self-taught Czech speaker, writer, and perennial Czechophile, also shares practical advice for learning the language, including how to master the notoriously difficult ‘ř’ sound.  00:27:09https://english.radio.cz/university-vienna-celebrates-250-years-czech-language-teaching-8861666 The University of Vienna is marking a remarkable milestone this year: 250 years since Czech was first taught there. In fact, Czech was introduced as a field of study in Vienna 18 years earlier than at any Czech University. Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:11:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8861666 The University of Vienna is marking a remarkable milestone this year: 250 years since Czech was first taught there. In fact, Czech was introduced as a field of study in Vienna 18 years earlier than at any Czech University. 00:02:59https://english.radio.cz/word-week-kost-bone-8861197 Kost is the Czech word for ‘bone’, a word with an unclear prehistory, but it offers us a couple of avenues for doing linguistic archaeology. Sat, 30 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8861197 Kost is the Czech word for ‘bone’, a word with an unclear prehistory, but it offers us a couple of avenues for doing linguistic archaeology. https://english.radio.cz/word-week-teply-warm-8859501 As the summer sun finally begins to shine over Czechia, a useful word to know is teplý, an Czech adjective meaning ‘warm’. Sat, 16 Aug 2025 10:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8859501 As the summer sun finally begins to shine over Czechia, a useful word to know is teplý, an Czech adjective meaning ‘warm’. https://english.radio.cz/word-week-losos-salmon-8858392 Losos is the Czech name for the salmon fish, which, unhelpfully for learners, looks nothing like English salmon. The Czech word, however, is part of a big and ancient family of words, some members of which English speakers may know.   Sat, 02 Aug 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8858392 Losos is the Czech name for the salmon fish, which, unhelpfully for learners, looks nothing like English salmon. The Czech word, however, is part of a big and ancient family of words, some members of which English speakers may know.   https://english.radio.cz/word-week-pater-spine-8857903 What have prayers got to do with the human backbone? There’s a connection, at least in the mind of Czech speakers! The Czech word for the spine is páteř , a term in fact inspired by rosaries – those strings of beads that assist praying for Catholics.   Sat, 26 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8857903 What have prayers got to do with the human backbone? There’s a connection, at least in the mind of Czech speakers! The Czech word for the spine is páteř , a term in fact inspired by rosaries – those strings of beads that assist praying for Catholics.   https://english.radio.cz/word-week-skrin-cupboard-8857225 A skříň in Czech is a cupboard or a cabinet, like the type you find in a kitchen. Yet this ordinary Czech word has an English cousin that’s had a religious conversion.   Sat, 19 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8857225 A skříň in Czech is a cupboard or a cabinet, like the type you find in a kitchen. Yet this ordinary Czech word has an English cousin that’s had a religious conversion.   https://english.radio.cz/word-week-tajemnik-secretary-8856671 Many organisations have the position of tajemník , a secretary, such as the United Nations’ Generální tajemník (in English: Secretary-General). This Czech term is another case of other languages inspiring the structure or formation of Czech vocabulary.   Sat, 12 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8856671 Many organisations have the position of tajemník , a secretary, such as the United Nations’ Generální tajemník (in English: Secretary-General). This Czech term is another case of other languages inspiring the structure or formation of Czech vocabulary.   https://english.radio.cz/word-week-plny-full-8855992 Plný , which means ‘full’ in Czech, is an ordinary word, but with ancient origins. We can easily trace its family tree back to the prehistoric source of the Indo-European languages.   Sat, 05 Jul 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8855992 Plný , which means ‘full’ in Czech, is an ordinary word, but with ancient origins. We can easily trace its family tree back to the prehistoric source of the Indo-European languages.   https://english.radio.cz/word-week-vlak-train-8855153 Compared with English’s word, train, there are no obvious and helpful similarities with Czech vlak . However, a bit of linguistics can illuminate what the two terms have in common.   Sat, 28 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8855153 Compared with English’s word, train, there are no obvious and helpful similarities with Czech vlak . However, a bit of linguistics can illuminate what the two terms have in common.   https://english.radio.cz/word-week-ty-you-8853920 Ty is one of the ways to say ‘you’ in Czech, specifically the singular, informal version. It’s part of a big family of related words for ‘you’, all descending from one ancient source. You can find one relative in French: tu . It’s also there in Spanish as tú .   Mon, 16 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8853920 Ty is one of the ways to say ‘you’ in Czech, specifically the singular, informal version. It’s part of a big family of related words for ‘you’, all descending from one ancient source. You can find one relative in French: tu . It’s also there in Spanish as tú .   https://english.radio.cz/word-week-clo-tariff-8853266 Tariffs are a topical concept at the moment, and the Czech word clo is similar to the German over the border: Zoll . It was from medieval German that Czech took the word clo .   Mon, 09 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8853266 Tariffs are a topical concept at the moment, and the Czech word clo is similar to the German over the border: Zoll . It was from medieval German that Czech took the word clo .   https://english.radio.cz/word-week-mlyn-mill-8852633 The Romans called a mill a molīna , literally a ‘grinder’, as the root of the word is the Latin verb molere ‘to grind’ (see also: your molar teeth).  Mon, 02 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8852633 The Romans called a mill a molīna , literally a ‘grinder’, as the root of the word is the Latin verb molere ‘to grind’ (see also: your molar teeth).  https://english.radio.cz/day-czech-returns-enthuse-and-educate-about-czech-language-and-literature-8852274 On May 27th, the ‘Day of Czech’ ( Den češtiny ) is serving up a multi-genre programme of linguistic events, designed to inform Czech speakers about their language and help them to look at it with new eyes. Aimed in the morning at school groups, and later on the general public, the Day of Czech is being held in Prague’s Kampus Hybernská, where Danny Bate met with one of the team behind the event, Dr. Ondřej Dufek. Tue, 27 May 2025 13:20:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8852274 On May 27th, the ‘Day of Czech’ ( Den češtiny ) is serving up a multi-genre programme of linguistic events, designed to inform Czech speakers about their language and help them to look at it with new eyes. Aimed in the morning at school groups, and later on the general public, the Day of Czech is being held in Prague’s Kampus Hybernská, where Danny Bate met with one of the team behind the event, Dr. Ondřej Dufek. 00:05:44https://english.radio.cz/word-week-ocet-vinegar-8851978 The primary component of vinegar is acetic acid, both words of which derive from the Latin verb acēre ‘to be sour’. Mon, 26 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8851978 The primary component of vinegar is acetic acid, both words of which derive from the Latin verb acēre ‘to be sour’. https://english.radio.cz/word-week-chvile-while-8851318 Sometimes, a language can get a word from another language, and preserve aspects of the word that are changed in the original source.  Mon, 19 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8851318 Sometimes, a language can get a word from another language, and preserve aspects of the word that are changed in the original source.  https://english.radio.cz/word-week-dvanact-twelve-8850637 Dvanáct is the number ‘twelve’ in Czech. The dva- bit of the word is the number ‘two’ on its own, while - náct is the part that it shares with the other ‘teen’ numbers: jedenáct (11), třináct (13), čtrnáct (14) and so on. But where does this - náct bit come from? English - teen looks like ten , yet - náct does not much like the Czech for ‘ten’: deset . Mon, 12 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8850637 Dvanáct is the number ‘twelve’ in Czech. The dva- bit of the word is the number ‘two’ on its own, while - náct is the part that it shares with the other ‘teen’ numbers: jedenáct (11), třináct (13), čtrnáct (14) and so on. But where does this - náct bit come from? English - teen looks like ten , yet - náct does not much like the Czech for ‘ten’: deset . https://english.radio.cz/word-week-slon-elephant-8849814 Experts have argued over the exact origins of Czech’s distinctive word for ‘elephant’. It shares this word with other Slavic languages (for example, Polish słoń , Russian слон ), but where Slavic as a whole got it from is a linguistic puzzle. Mon, 05 May 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8849814 Experts have argued over the exact origins of Czech’s distinctive word for ‘elephant’. It shares this word with other Slavic languages (for example, Polish słoń , Russian слон ), but where Slavic as a whole got it from is a linguistic puzzle. https://english.radio.cz/word-week-tresen-cherry-8848809 The Czech word for the cherry tree or fruit ( třešeň ) may now begin with a T, but it can be reconstructed back to a prehistoric Slavic word like * čerša . Mon, 28 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8848809 The Czech word for the cherry tree or fruit ( třešeň ) may now begin with a T, but it can be reconstructed back to a prehistoric Slavic word like * čerša . https://english.radio.cz/word-week-osel-donkey-8848772 This stubborn but useful animal was much liked by the Romans, who depended on donkeys for transporting goods around their empire. Mon, 21 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8848772 This stubborn but useful animal was much liked by the Romans, who depended on donkeys for transporting goods around their empire. https://english.radio.cz/essential-words-czech-easter-8848732 Easter is upon us, and with it comes a host of Czech traditions. Czechia is known internationally for its unique selection of Easter activities, some of which may raise a concerned eyebrow among foreigners. To help you understand what happens over this holiday period in Czechia, here’s a special edition of our Czech Word of the Week series . This is our list of essential Easter vocabulary, providing you with the meaning and a bit of word history for six typically Czech seasonal terms. Fri, 18 Apr 2025 08:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8848732 Easter is upon us, and with it comes a host of Czech traditions. Czechia is known internationally for its unique selection of Easter activities, some of which may raise a concerned eyebrow among foreigners. To help you understand what happens over this holiday period in Czechia, here’s a special edition of our Czech Word of the Week series . This is our list of essential Easter vocabulary, providing you with the meaning and a bit of word history for six typically Czech seasonal terms. https://english.radio.cz/word-week-sloka-verse-8848268 Sloka may seem like a humble Czech word, referring to the verse of a song or a stanza of poem, but it has a very distinct origin. It’s also a testament to how individuals can have a big impact on a language, if the conditions are right. Mon, 14 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8848268 Sloka may seem like a humble Czech word, referring to the verse of a song or a stanza of poem, but it has a very distinct origin. It’s also a testament to how individuals can have a big impact on a language, if the conditions are right. https://english.radio.cz/prague-primary-school-transforms-teaching-czech-foreigners-innovative-textbooks-8848141 Teachers at a Prague primary school are changing how the Czech language is taught to foreign children, and have produced new textbooks that implement their method. Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:39:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8848141 Teachers at a Prague primary school are changing how the Czech language is taught to foreign children, and have produced new textbooks that implement their method. 00:02:36https://english.radio.cz/word-week-krida-chalk-8846237 Křída is another one of those humble Czech words with a Roman origin. It goes all the way to Latin crēta , which likewise referred to chalk, and which also developed into the Italian and French words for the soft, white rock: creta and craie . Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8846237 Křída is another one of those humble Czech words with a Roman origin. It goes all the way to Latin crēta , which likewise referred to chalk, and which also developed into the Italian and French words for the soft, white rock: creta and craie . https://english.radio.cz/word-week-narodni-national-8846810 Národní is a Czech adjective that translates to ‘national’. Just like in English, underlying the adjective národní is the Czech word for ‘nation’, národ. Mon, 31 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8846810 Národní is a Czech adjective that translates to ‘national’. Just like in English, underlying the adjective národní is the Czech word for ‘nation’, národ. https://english.radio.cz/word-week-dekovat-thank-8846241 Děkuji is among the first words that Czech learners tend to pick up. After all, we all want to be polite! Děkovat means ‘to thank’, and it has an associated noun, dík ‘thanks’. Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8846241 Děkuji is among the first words that Czech learners tend to pick up. After all, we all want to be polite! Děkovat means ‘to thank’, and it has an associated noun, dík ‘thanks’. https://english.radio.cz/word-week-kupovatkoupit-buy-8845433 A lowly tradesman in Roman times was a caupō , and to trade or barter was to caupōnārī . From either the noun or the verb, the modern Germanic languages of Swedish, Dutch and German get their words for ‘to buy’: köpa , kopen and kaufen . What’s more, the capital of Denmark is the related ‘merchant-harbour’, Copenhagen . Mon, 17 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8845433 A lowly tradesman in Roman times was a caupō , and to trade or barter was to caupōnārī . From either the noun or the verb, the modern Germanic languages of Swedish, Dutch and German get their words for ‘to buy’: köpa , kopen and kaufen . What’s more, the capital of Denmark is the related ‘merchant-harbour’, Copenhagen . https://english.radio.cz/word-week-host-guest-8844876 'Host' might be a challenge for English-speaking Czech learners, since the word looks like the opposite of what it means – not a guest, but a host! Mon, 10 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8844876 'Host' might be a challenge for English-speaking Czech learners, since the word looks like the opposite of what it means – not a guest, but a host! https://english.radio.cz/word-week-kostel-church-8844167 In their Latin language, the Romans had the word castellum , which meant ‘fortress’. This is straightforwardly the origin of English castle , but in Czech it has taken on a religious meaning. Mon, 03 Mar 2025 07:00:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8844167 In their Latin language, the Romans had the word castellum , which meant ‘fortress’. This is straightforwardly the origin of English castle , but in Czech it has taken on a religious meaning. https://english.radio.cz/become-a-superdialectologist-young-linguists-help-record-czechias-dialects-8840673 The Czech Academy of Sciences’ Institute of the Czech Language is recruiting young language enthusiasts to document dialects and the endangered speech of older generations. Wed, 22 Jan 2025 13:17:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8840673 The Czech Academy of Sciences’ Institute of the Czech Language is recruiting young language enthusiasts to document dialects and the endangered speech of older generations. 00:02:51https://english.radio.cz/czech-class-germany-six-bilingual-schools-be-established-bavarian-border-area-8833270 Bavaria wants to deepen its neighbourly relationship with Czechia, and therefore intends to improve the teaching of the Czech language in the region around their shared border. Six German-Czech bilingual schools are to be established in the next school year. Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:30:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8833270 Bavaria wants to deepen its neighbourly relationship with Czechia, and therefore intends to improve the teaching of the Czech language in the region around their shared border. Six German-Czech bilingual schools are to be established in the next school year. https://english.radio.cz/internet-transforming-language-czech-youth-8826047 Czech children and teenagers are crafting their own language, filled with slang and new expressions, often borrowed from English. The internet speeds up the creation of new words and phrases, which can be confusing for people who aren't active online. In particular, it can be difficult for their parents and grandparents to understand. Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:59:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8826047 Czech children and teenagers are crafting their own language, filled with slang and new expressions, often borrowed from English. The internet speeds up the creation of new words and phrases, which can be confusing for people who aren't active online. In particular, it can be difficult for their parents and grandparents to understand. 00:02:37https://english.radio.cz/its-familiar-music-my-brain-czech-summer-course-students-learning-language-8823611 As every year, dozens of students from all over the world arrived in Czechia to take part in this year’s edition of the annual Summer Czech Course for Expats organised by Charles University's Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies. For the past few years, the course has been held in the charming spa town of Poděbrady in Central Bohemia. We caught up with some of them to find out about their motivation to study Czech. Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:32:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8823611 As every year, dozens of students from all over the world arrived in Czechia to take part in this year’s edition of the annual Summer Czech Course for Expats organised by Charles University's Institute for Language and Preparatory Studies. For the past few years, the course has been held in the charming spa town of Poděbrady in Central Bohemia. We caught up with some of them to find out about their motivation to study Czech. 00:10:24https://english.radio.cz/hantec-enthusiasts-seek-make-brno-sociolect-part-unesco-list-8822296 The promoters of hantec, a unique Czech language variety, spoken by the lower classes of Brno during the 19th and early 20th centuries, would like get it inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List. They are hoping that this might prevent the famous sociolect from completely dying out. Tue, 09 Jul 2024 12:32:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8822296 The promoters of hantec, a unique Czech language variety, spoken by the lower classes of Brno during the 19th and early 20th centuries, would like get it inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible World Heritage List. They are hoping that this might prevent the famous sociolect from completely dying out. 00:03:57https://english.radio.cz/linguist-danny-bate-best-motivation-learning-czech-a-mother-law-8791215 British linguist Danny Bate divides his time between Prague and Edinburgh, where he is completing a PhD. Given his academic background, the 26-year-old has many fascinating things to say on the Czech language, which he himself is studying. But I also asked Bate – who, incidentally, helps shape Czechia’s “maturita” school-leaving exam – about his experience of living in the country to date. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 11:00:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8791215 British linguist Danny Bate divides his time between Prague and Edinburgh, where he is completing a PhD. Given his academic background, the 26-year-old has many fascinating things to say on the Czech language, which he himself is studying. But I also asked Bate – who, incidentally, helps shape Czechia’s “maturita” school-leaving exam – about his experience of living in the country to date. 00:15:25https://english.radio.cz/czech-and-slovak-languages-or-dialects-8771400 “A language is a dialect with an army and a navy.” This is the maxim often cited to explain the sometimes arbitrary distinctions between languages and dialects. So what about the case of Czech and Slovak, which are generally considered to be mutually intelligible? Were they always considered to be separate languages, even when Czechoslovakia was one country? And has anything changed linguistically since the nations went their separate ways politically? Thu, 05 Jan 2023 11:10:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8771400 “A language is a dialect with an army and a navy.” This is the maxim often cited to explain the sometimes arbitrary distinctions between languages and dialects. So what about the case of Czech and Slovak, which are generally considered to be mutually intelligible? Were they always considered to be separate languages, even when Czechoslovakia was one country? And has anything changed linguistically since the nations went their separate ways politically? 00:15:44https://english.radio.cz/meryl-streepova-or-streep-dailys-move-sparks-debate-over-surname-endings-8771124 On moving to the Czech Republic, many foreigners are surprised to find famous women such as Hillary Clinton and Meryl Streep referred to in the Czech media as ‘Hillary Clintonová’ and ‘Meryl Streepová’. Now one Czech news outlet has sparked debate on the matter, after dropping this practice for foreign women’s surnames. Mon, 02 Jan 2023 13:59:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8771124 On moving to the Czech Republic, many foreigners are surprised to find famous women such as Hillary Clinton and Meryl Streep referred to in the Czech media as ‘Hillary Clintonová’ and ‘Meryl Streepová’. Now one Czech news outlet has sparked debate on the matter, after dropping this practice for foreign women’s surnames. 00:03:21https://english.radio.cz/linguist-i-dont-czechia-i-think-it-will-be-adopted-8766969 Proponents of “Czechia” got a boost this month, when Olympic officials in Prague asked the International Olympic Committee to register it in its database of country names. But will the short name ever replace the official “the Czech Republic” in common speech? I discussed the matter with leading Czech linguist Karel Oliva. Mon, 14 Nov 2022 12:30:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8766969 Proponents of “Czechia” got a boost this month, when Olympic officials in Prague asked the International Olympic Committee to register it in its database of country names. But will the short name ever replace the official “the Czech Republic” in common speech? I discussed the matter with leading Czech linguist Karel Oliva. 00:03:04https://english.radio.cz/what-does-jan-hus-have-do-czech-spelling-8754833 If you live in the Czech Republic, you’ll have been enjoying two extra days off from work due to a pair of consecutive public holidays this week. 5th July, Saints Cyril and Methodius day, and 6th July, Jan Hus day, both have a connection to the way Czech is written – but what is it? And is Czech really easier to learn to read and write than other languages? Our reporter and amateur linguistics enthusiast, Anna Fodor, spoke to well-known Czech linguist Karel Oliva, to find out. Wed, 06 Jul 2022 11:14:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8754833 If you live in the Czech Republic, you’ll have been enjoying two extra days off from work due to a pair of consecutive public holidays this week. 5th July, Saints Cyril and Methodius day, and 6th July, Jan Hus day, both have a connection to the way Czech is written – but what is it? And is Czech really easier to learn to read and write than other languages? Our reporter and amateur linguistics enthusiast, Anna Fodor, spoke to well-known Czech linguist Karel Oliva, to find out. 00:25:19https://english.radio.cz/nazdar-czech-greeting-has-fascinating-history-8734154 November 21 is World Greeting Day. One particular Czech greeting – Nazdar – has a colourful history. Sun, 21 Nov 2021 00:05:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/node/8734154 November 21 is World Greeting Day. One particular Czech greeting – Nazdar – has a colourful history. https://english.radio.cz/czech-women-may-finally-be-able-decide-about-their-own-surname-8719344 After years of heated debates, Czech women may finally be able to make their own decision about the form of their surname. On Tuesday the Chamber of Deputies approved an amendment to the law on birth registers, names and surnames, allowing them to drop the ending –ová and use the masculine form instead. Thu, 03 Jun 2021 13:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/node/8719344 After years of heated debates, Czech women may finally be able to make their own decision about the form of their surname. On Tuesday the Chamber of Deputies approved an amendment to the law on birth registers, names and surnames, allowing them to drop the ending –ová and use the masculine form instead. 00:03:17https://english.radio.cz/vit-benesovsky-youtuber-who-teaches-foreigners-czech-8105947 With a strong economy and cities that few can rival in their beauty, the Czech Republic has become an increasingly popular country for foreigners from across the world. This has naturally led to a demand in Czech language courses. One of those who are leading the pack in online Czech teaching is YouTuber Vít Benešovský. Tue, 10 Mar 2020 14:46:02 +0100https://english.radio.cz/vit-benesovsky-youtuber-who-teaches-foreigners-czech-8105947 With a strong economy and cities that few can rival in their beauty, the Czech Republic has become an increasingly popular country for foreigners from across the world. This has naturally led to a demand in Czech language courses. One of those who are leading the pack in online Czech teaching is YouTuber Vít Benešovský. 00:03:36https://english.radio.cz/new-debate-erupts-over-use-ova-suffix-czech-female-surnames-8120934 Should Czech women be able to choose whether or not to use the ending -ová in their surname? A debate over the question has flared up again after the cabinet approved a draft law on birth registers, which denies women the possibility to do so. The Pirate Party calls it discriminatory and wants to reverse the decision in the Lower House. Thu, 12 Sep 2019 14:18:36 +0200https://english.radio.cz/new-debate-erupts-over-use-ova-suffix-czech-female-surnames-8120934 Should Czech women be able to choose whether or not to use the ending -ová in their surname? A debate over the question has flared up again after the cabinet approved a draft law on birth registers, which denies women the possibility to do so. The Pirate Party calls it discriminatory and wants to reverse the decision in the Lower House. 00:03:36https://english.radio.cz/slavonic-studies-students-school-session-8153886 Today marks the midway point for students at the 62nd Summer School of Slavonic Studies in Prague, a month-long program for academics and enthusiasts of Slavic language and culture. I spoke with program coordinators to learn more about the school and its international student body. Fri, 10 Aug 2018 15:02:22 +0200https://english.radio.cz/slavonic-studies-students-school-session-8153886 Today marks the midway point for students at the 62nd Summer School of Slavonic Studies in Prague, a month-long program for academics and enthusiasts of Slavic language and culture. I spoke with program coordinators to learn more about the school and its international student body. 00:02:59https://english.radio.cz/learners-czech-meet-brno-50th-time-8185832 The city of Brno is one of a number of venues where summer schools of Czech take place every year and bring together students from across the world. Now in its fiftieth year, the Masaryk University Summer School of Slavonic Studies offers its students much more than just language lessons. Sat, 05 Aug 2017 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/learners-czech-meet-brno-50th-time-8185832 The city of Brno is one of a number of venues where summer schools of Czech take place every year and bring together students from across the world. Now in its fiftieth year, the Masaryk University Summer School of Slavonic Studies offers its students much more than just language lessons. 00:11:58https://english.radio.cz/vojtech-merunka-part-language-creating-team-discusses-benefits-interslavic-8188645Vojtěch Merunka, an associate professor who teaches at the Czech University of Life Sciences and also the Czech Technical University in Prague is one of a team of creators behind Interslavic – a language designed to make communication possible for anyone with Slav roots. Speak Czech but not any Russian? Bulgarian but no Polish? Interslavic, he says, is the alternative; at a conference in June, he and fellow team members put the language to the test.Fri, 30 Jun 2017 12:51:19 +0200https://english.radio.cz/vojtech-merunka-part-language-creating-team-discusses-benefits-interslavic-8188645Vojtěch Merunka, an associate professor who teaches at the Czech University of Life Sciences and also the Czech Technical University in Prague is one of a team of creators behind Interslavic – a language designed to make communication possible for anyone with Slav roots. Speak Czech but not any Russian? Bulgarian but no Polish? Interslavic, he says, is the alternative; at a conference in June, he and fellow team members put the language to the test.00:13:21https://english.radio.cz/bohemist-ivana-bozdechova-dropping-ova-ending-has-bigger-consequences-these-8202652Charles University academic Ivana Bozděchová has taught Czech and Czech Studies in several corners of the world, including in the United States and in the South Korean capital Seoul. When we spoke, the conversation took in everything from the particular difficulties Czech tends to throw up for English speakers to Czechia to the use of -ová surname endings. But I first asked Ms. Bozděchová about her experiences of teaching at the University of Nebraska in 1990, right after the fall of communism.Mon, 23 Jan 2017 14:48:45 +0100https://english.radio.cz/bohemist-ivana-bozdechova-dropping-ova-ending-has-bigger-consequences-these-8202652Charles University academic Ivana Bozděchová has taught Czech and Czech Studies in several corners of the world, including in the United States and in the South Korean capital Seoul. When we spoke, the conversation took in everything from the particular difficulties Czech tends to throw up for English speakers to Czechia to the use of -ová surname endings. But I first asked Ms. Bozděchová about her experiences of teaching at the University of Nebraska in 1990, right after the fall of communism.00:10:51https://english.radio.cz/czechs-borrow-widen-vocabulary-8203189 How has the Czech language developed over the past four decades? What expressions do we borrow from other languages and which words have fallen into oblivion? These are just some of the question I asked Martin Prošek, the head of the Institute of the Czech language, which has just started to release a new monolingual dictionary of Czech. Its first chapter, containing words starting with the letter A, has just been published in electronic form. Tue, 17 Jan 2017 15:07:23 +0100https://english.radio.cz/czechs-borrow-widen-vocabulary-8203189 How has the Czech language developed over the past four decades? What expressions do we borrow from other languages and which words have fallen into oblivion? These are just some of the question I asked Martin Prošek, the head of the Institute of the Czech language, which has just started to release a new monolingual dictionary of Czech. Its first chapter, containing words starting with the letter A, has just been published in electronic form. 00:10:31https://english.radio.cz/bureaucrats-holding-czechia-back-name-will-catch-says-professor-petr-pavlinek-8216510Earlier this year the Czech government made international news with its plan to promote “Czechia” as a snappy alternative to the cumbersome “the Czech Republic”. So far how has successful has this rebranding exercise actually been? I discussed that question and more with Professor Petr Pavlínek, a geographer who teaches at Charles University and at the University of Nebraska. He’s a member of the group Civic Initiative Czechia, which began by advocating for the Czech-language name Česko before focusing on its English equivalent. I first asked Professor Pavlínek what were the key arguments in favour of using “Czechia”.Mon, 22 Aug 2016 13:57:19 +0200https://english.radio.cz/bureaucrats-holding-czechia-back-name-will-catch-says-professor-petr-pavlinek-8216510Earlier this year the Czech government made international news with its plan to promote “Czechia” as a snappy alternative to the cumbersome “the Czech Republic”. So far how has successful has this rebranding exercise actually been? I discussed that question and more with Professor Petr Pavlínek, a geographer who teaches at Charles University and at the University of Nebraska. He’s a member of the group Civic Initiative Czechia, which began by advocating for the Czech-language name Česko before focusing on its English equivalent. I first asked Professor Pavlínek what were the key arguments in favour of using “Czechia”.00:13:01https://english.radio.cz/heaven-and-hell-8216777 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song, sung by Markéta Konvičková, is called Z ráje jsem utekla – I ran away from heaven. The words to listen out for are ráj and peklo. Sat, 20 Aug 2016 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/heaven-and-hell-8216777 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song, sung by Markéta Konvičková, is called Z ráje jsem utekla – I ran away from heaven. The words to listen out for are ráj and peklo. 00:04:01https://english.radio.cz/until-end-time-8218052 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. The word for today is věk – meaning a time or age. We will be listening to the song V blbým věku sung by Xindl X and Olga Königová. Sat, 06 Aug 2016 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/until-end-time-8218052 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. The word for today is věk – meaning a time or age. We will be listening to the song V blbým věku sung by Xindl X and Olga Königová. 00:03:31https://english.radio.cz/our-street-8219821 Hello and welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we will be listening to the song V naší ulici, or in our street, sung by Voxel. The word to listen out for is ulice – meaning street. Sat, 16 Jul 2016 00:05:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/our-street-8219821 Hello and welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we will be listening to the song V naší ulici, or in our street, sung by Voxel. The word to listen out for is ulice – meaning street. 00:03:31https://english.radio.cz/bohemia-czechia-8220362On May 2, 2016, the government of the Czech Republic decided to notify Czechia to the UN as the short alternative of the country´s English name, and on July 1, it was officially entered into the UN databases. Heated discussions preceded this resolution, with many considering the word „ugly“, and with even more erroneously believing that it was to replace „the Czech Republic“. So what´s in the name?Tue, 12 Jul 2016 10:05:32 +0200https://english.radio.cz/bohemia-czechia-8220362On May 2, 2016, the government of the Czech Republic decided to notify Czechia to the UN as the short alternative of the country´s English name, and on July 1, it was officially entered into the UN databases. Heated discussions preceded this resolution, with many considering the word „ugly“, and with even more erroneously believing that it was to replace „the Czech Republic“. So what´s in the name?https://english.radio.cz/tons-angels-8221181 Welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. The word for today is anděl – an angel. We will be listening to a song performed by Czech singer Aneta Langerová called Spousta andělů – Tons of Angels. Sat, 02 Jul 2016 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/tons-angels-8221181 Welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. The word for today is anděl – an angel. We will be listening to a song performed by Czech singer Aneta Langerová called Spousta andělů – Tons of Angels. 00:04:16https://english.radio.cz/cat-and-mouse-8221895 Hello and welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we will be listening to the song “Jaký to je” or “How it is” sung by Ewa Farna. The words to listen out for are šedá myš - a grey mouse. Sat, 25 Jun 2016 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/cat-and-mouse-8221895 Hello and welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we will be listening to the song “Jaký to je” or “How it is” sung by Ewa Farna. The words to listen out for are šedá myš - a grey mouse. 00:03:30https://english.radio.cz/looking-catch-a-bird-8222308 Welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Some days you may find yourself being convinced to do something, perhaps against your better judgement. If so, the Czech band ‘Kabát’ or ‘The Coat’ has just the song for you called Když ptáčka lapají. Sat, 18 Jun 2016 00:05:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/looking-catch-a-bird-8222308 Welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Some days you may find yourself being convinced to do something, perhaps against your better judgement. If so, the Czech band ‘Kabát’ or ‘The Coat’ has just the song for you called Když ptáčka lapají. 00:02:41https://english.radio.cz/north-carolina-language-school-becomes-meeting-point-czech-and-slovak-expats-8222863 How to teach your children the Czech language and maintain it in an environment where everyone speaks English? That is a big question for the Czech expatriate community living in the United States. Marta McCabe, a Czech teacher who moved to North Carolina, decided to deal with the issue by establishing a Czech and Slovak School in the town of Durham – the first organisation of its kind in that state. I met Marta McCabe on her recent visit to Prague to talk about the Czech community in North Carolina and about the school she founded. But I first asked her how she herself ended up living in the United States: Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:42:36 +0200https://english.radio.cz/north-carolina-language-school-becomes-meeting-point-czech-and-slovak-expats-8222863 How to teach your children the Czech language and maintain it in an environment where everyone speaks English? That is a big question for the Czech expatriate community living in the United States. Marta McCabe, a Czech teacher who moved to North Carolina, decided to deal with the issue by establishing a Czech and Slovak School in the town of Durham – the first organisation of its kind in that state. I met Marta McCabe on her recent visit to Prague to talk about the Czech community in North Carolina and about the school she founded. But I first asked her how she herself ended up living in the United States: 00:10:44https://english.radio.cz/disappear-8222963 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. The word for today is zmizet, which means to disappear. We will be listening to a song by Helena Vondráčková called Kam zmizel ten starý song – where did that old song disappear to. Sat, 11 Jun 2016 00:05:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/disappear-8222963 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. The word for today is zmizet, which means to disappear. We will be listening to a song by Helena Vondráčková called Kam zmizel ten starý song – where did that old song disappear to. 00:04:11https://english.radio.cz/just-cough-it-8223881 Hello and welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we will be listening to the song “Chemie” or “Chemistry” by Czech singer and songwriter Xindl X. The phrase we are listening out for is “Vykašli se na to”. Sat, 04 Jun 2016 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/just-cough-it-8223881 Hello and welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we will be listening to the song “Chemie” or “Chemistry” by Czech singer and songwriter Xindl X. The phrase we are listening out for is “Vykašli se na to”. 00:02:36https://english.radio.cz/a-night-out-town-8224675 Hello and welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we will be learning words and phrases related to a night out on the town. The song we will be listening to is “Hospoda U Mámy”, or “The Pub at Mother’s Place”, sung by Jaromír Nohavica. Sat, 28 May 2016 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/a-night-out-town-8224675 Hello and welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we will be learning words and phrases related to a night out on the town. The song we will be listening to is “Hospoda U Mámy”, or “The Pub at Mother’s Place”, sung by Jaromír Nohavica. 00:04:07https://english.radio.cz/czechia-wins-top-backing-opposition-voiced-shortened-name-czech-republic-8228523Czechia in English, and other variants of the name Česko in other languages, has taken a big step forward towards becoming the shorthand name for the Czech Republic at official meetings and international sporting events in the future.Fri, 15 Apr 2016 12:21:41 +0200https://english.radio.cz/czechia-wins-top-backing-opposition-voiced-shortened-name-czech-republic-8228523Czechia in English, and other variants of the name Česko in other languages, has taken a big step forward towards becoming the shorthand name for the Czech Republic at official meetings and international sporting events in the future.00:03:40https://english.radio.cz/czechia-front-runner-shortened-name-czech-republic-8228717 The Czech Republic’s top officials are meeting to try and agree on a shortened name for the Czech Republic. The frontrunner in English appears to be the name Czechia and that could soon be popping up all over the place. Wed, 13 Apr 2016 14:10:35 +0200https://english.radio.cz/czechia-front-runner-shortened-name-czech-republic-8228717 The Czech Republic’s top officials are meeting to try and agree on a shortened name for the Czech Republic. The frontrunner in English appears to be the name Czechia and that could soon be popping up all over the place. 00:03:25https://english.radio.cz/everyone-needs-a-friend-8229848 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is sung by Hana Zagorová and the word to listen out for is kamarád, meaning friend. Sat, 02 Apr 2016 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/everyone-needs-a-friend-8229848 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is sung by Hana Zagorová and the word to listen out for is kamarád, meaning friend. 00:04:10https://english.radio.cz/forget-8232360 All of us have found ourselves in situations when everything goes wrongs, days we would like to forget. When you get canned from work, get the boot from your partner, or get evicted from your apartment. Sometimes all three at once. Mňága & Zďorp have just the song for you called: Zapomenout (To Forget). Listen for the line chtěl bych zapomenout – I’d like to forget. Sat, 05 Mar 2016 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/forget-8232360 All of us have found ourselves in situations when everything goes wrongs, days we would like to forget. When you get canned from work, get the boot from your partner, or get evicted from your apartment. Sometimes all three at once. Mňága & Zďorp have just the song for you called: Zapomenout (To Forget). Listen for the line chtěl bych zapomenout – I’d like to forget. 00:04:09https://english.radio.cz/bored-death-8233628 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is called Statistika je nuda by Jaroslav Uhlíř and Zdeňek Svěrák who composed it for a Czech children’s movie in 1980. The word to listen out for is nuda. Sat, 20 Feb 2016 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/bored-death-8233628 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is called Statistika je nuda by Jaroslav Uhlíř and Zdeňek Svěrák who composed it for a Czech children’s movie in 1980. The word to listen out for is nuda. 00:03:57https://english.radio.cz/be-tongue-tied-8234959 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn interesting Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the singer and song writer Michal Prokop. It’s called Blues o spolykaných slovech or Blues about swallowed words and the phrase to listen out for is slova váznou na jazyku: Sat, 06 Feb 2016 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/be-tongue-tied-8234959 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn interesting Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the singer and song writer Michal Prokop. It’s called Blues o spolykaných slovech or Blues about swallowed words and the phrase to listen out for is slova váznou na jazyku: 00:04:07https://english.radio.cz/come-hell-or-high-water-8236241 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech –Radio Prague’s Czech language crash course in which you can learn new idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song, sung by Václav Neckář and Helena Vondráčková, is from a popular Czech fairy tale and is called Kdyby na sůl nebylo – if we couldn’t even afford salt. Sat, 23 Jan 2016 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/come-hell-or-high-water-8236241 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech –Radio Prague’s Czech language crash course in which you can learn new idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song, sung by Václav Neckář and Helena Vondráčková, is from a popular Czech fairy tale and is called Kdyby na sůl nebylo – if we couldn’t even afford salt. 00:04:31https://english.radio.cz/we-are-all-going-nuts-8237553 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of Sound Czech, in which you can learn Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the popular Czech band Chinaski. It is called Zadarmo / For Free and it is literally packed with interesting idioms and phrases. Let’s have a look at some of them: Sat, 09 Jan 2016 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/we-are-all-going-nuts-8237553 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of Sound Czech, in which you can learn Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the popular Czech band Chinaski. It is called Zadarmo / For Free and it is literally packed with interesting idioms and phrases. Let’s have a look at some of them: 00:02:59https://english.radio.cz/have-something-under-thumb-8241225 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn interesting Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the singer songwriter Jaromír Nohavica. It’s called Kdybych byl ředitelem zeměkoule – If I was Director of the World and the phrase to listen out for is mít všechno pod palcem: Sat, 28 Nov 2015 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/have-something-under-thumb-8241225 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn interesting Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the singer songwriter Jaromír Nohavica. It’s called Kdybych byl ředitelem zeměkoule – If I was Director of the World and the phrase to listen out for is mít všechno pod palcem: 00:14:16https://english.radio.cz/when-day-breaks-8242517 Welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, our Czech language mini-series in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we’ll hear a song by Jana Kratochvílová called V stínu kapradiny – in the shadow of the fern and the phrase to listen out for is když lámal se den. Sat, 14 Nov 2015 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/when-day-breaks-8242517 Welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, our Czech language mini-series in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we’ll hear a song by Jana Kratochvílová called V stínu kapradiny – in the shadow of the fern and the phrase to listen out for is když lámal se den. 00:03:56https://english.radio.cz/give-me-your-hand-8247927 Welcome to Radio Prague’s Czech language course SoundCzech in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s phrases revolve around the word ruka, meaning hand. Here is Vaclav Neckar with a song called give me your hand - Podej mi ruku. Sat, 19 Sep 2015 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/give-me-your-hand-8247927 Welcome to Radio Prague’s Czech language course SoundCzech in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s phrases revolve around the word ruka, meaning hand. Here is Vaclav Neckar with a song called give me your hand - Podej mi ruku. 00:04:00https://english.radio.cz/quiet-foam-8251968 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of Sound Czech, in which you can learn interesting Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today's song is by the Czech singer song writer Karel Plíhal and it is called Kde jsou or Where Are They. The phrase to listen out for is tiše jako pěna. Sat, 08 Aug 2015 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/quiet-foam-8251968 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of Sound Czech, in which you can learn interesting Czech idioms with the help of song lyrics. Today's song is by the Czech singer song writer Karel Plíhal and it is called Kde jsou or Where Are They. The phrase to listen out for is tiše jako pěna. 00:03:35https://english.radio.cz/consistent-usage-ova-ending-best-possible-approach-says-czech-language-institute-8263803Just like society in general, Czech has changed markedly since the Velvet Revolution, says Karel Oliva, director of the Institute of the Czech Language. There is now greater informality in Czech – and a divisive trend of women with foreign husbands not using the traditional “ová” surname ending.Tue, 07 Apr 2015 15:56:26 +0200https://english.radio.cz/consistent-usage-ova-ending-best-possible-approach-says-czech-language-institute-8263803Just like society in general, Czech has changed markedly since the Velvet Revolution, says Karel Oliva, director of the Institute of the Czech Language. There is now greater informality in Czech – and a divisive trend of women with foreign husbands not using the traditional “ová” surname ending.00:11:37https://english.radio.cz/neres-let-it-drop-8269095 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech –Radio Prague’s Czech language series in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by a rapper going by the name of Johnny Machette – it is called Neřeš to – meaning don’t deal with this, or drop it –and that’s the phrase to look out for today. Sat, 14 Feb 2015 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/neres-let-it-drop-8269095 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech –Radio Prague’s Czech language series in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by a rapper going by the name of Johnny Machette – it is called Neřeš to – meaning don’t deal with this, or drop it –and that’s the phrase to look out for today. 00:04:03https://english.radio.cz/ploughed-mice-8270643 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song, called OK, is by the band Alkehol, and it is literally packed with interesting idioms and phrases: Sat, 31 Jan 2015 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/ploughed-mice-8270643 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song, called OK, is by the band Alkehol, and it is literally packed with interesting idioms and phrases: 00:02:46https://english.radio.cz/i-dont-have-a-clue-8273266 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, where you can learn Czech words and idioms through song lyrics. The expression to listen out for today is nemá ani šajna, which is a colloquial way to say that someone doesn’t have a clue. The title of the song is “Dítě školou povinné”, or Schoolchild, and it was written by the 1960s legendary Czech duo Jiří Suchý and Jiří Šlitr. Sat, 03 Jan 2015 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/i-dont-have-a-clue-8273266 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, where you can learn Czech words and idioms through song lyrics. The expression to listen out for today is nemá ani šajna, which is a colloquial way to say that someone doesn’t have a clue. The title of the song is “Dítě školou povinné”, or Schoolchild, and it was written by the 1960s legendary Czech duo Jiří Suchý and Jiří Šlitr. 00:04:15https://english.radio.cz/merry-christmas-8273814 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we are playing a Christmas carol called Veselé Vánoce – or Merry Christmas. Sat, 27 Dec 2014 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/merry-christmas-8273814 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we are playing a Christmas carol called Veselé Vánoce – or Merry Christmas. 00:04:09https://english.radio.cz/world-rubbing-salt-our-wounds-8275719 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s programme explaining Czech vocabulary through song lyrics. Today’s song is the 1969 Czech cover of “Hey Jude” by The Beatles. It is sung by Marta Kubišová and the Czech lyrics were written by Zdeněk Rytíř. We shall concentrate on the chorus which features a number of idioms. Let’s start by listening to the whole chorus which begins by the line Svět je krásnej, svět je zlej, hej, Jude, věř v něj meaning “the world is beautiful, the world is evil, hey Jude, trust in it”. Sat, 06 Dec 2014 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/world-rubbing-salt-our-wounds-8275719 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s programme explaining Czech vocabulary through song lyrics. Today’s song is the 1969 Czech cover of “Hey Jude” by The Beatles. It is sung by Marta Kubišová and the Czech lyrics were written by Zdeněk Rytíř. We shall concentrate on the chorus which features a number of idioms. Let’s start by listening to the whole chorus which begins by the line Svět je krásnej, svět je zlej, hej, Jude, věř v něj meaning “the world is beautiful, the world is evil, hey Jude, trust in it”. 00:05:09https://english.radio.cz/catch-nightjars-8279951 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the famous singer-songwriter Karel Plíhal. The song is called Lelek and the phrase to listen out for is chytat lelky: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/catch-nightjars-8279951 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the famous singer-songwriter Karel Plíhal. The song is called Lelek and the phrase to listen out for is chytat lelky: 00:03:34https://english.radio.cz/cross-eyed-hunger-8282052 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech in which you can learn Czech words and sayings through song lyrics. In today’s episode the word to look out for is šilhat, meaning to have squint-eye, slang for the medical condition known as strabismus, where one eye wanders. The word is found in the song Balada O Rozhodujícím úderu šilhavého řezníka Josky about a pig slaughter and a squint-eyed butcher Joska. Sat, 04 Oct 2014 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/cross-eyed-hunger-8282052 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech in which you can learn Czech words and sayings through song lyrics. In today’s episode the word to look out for is šilhat, meaning to have squint-eye, slang for the medical condition known as strabismus, where one eye wanders. The word is found in the song Balada O Rozhodujícím úderu šilhavého řezníka Josky about a pig slaughter and a squint-eyed butcher Joska. 00:03:47https://english.radio.cz/black-eyes-8283606 Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. This week the music is from an old black and white movie starring comic Vlasta Burian who is presenting his own “Russian” version of Black Eyes –Oči černé. Sat, 20 Sep 2014 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/black-eyes-8283606 Hello and welcome to this week’s edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. This week the music is from an old black and white movie starring comic Vlasta Burian who is presenting his own “Russian” version of Black Eyes –Oči černé. 00:04:02https://english.radio.cz/czech-expats-seek-strengthen-language-links-8283810 Czech expats from around the world gathered in Prague last week for a conference on maintaining their native language skills abroad. Czechoslovak exiles who fled the country after the war or after the Soviet-led invasion of 1968, descendants of the old Czech settlers, as well as members of the younger community of Czechs who went abroad to study or work met for a two-day event held in the National Museum building in the centre of Prague to discuss their cultural and linguistic heritage. Tue, 16 Sep 2014 16:00:19 +0200https://english.radio.cz/czech-expats-seek-strengthen-language-links-8283810 Czech expats from around the world gathered in Prague last week for a conference on maintaining their native language skills abroad. Czechoslovak exiles who fled the country after the war or after the Soviet-led invasion of 1968, descendants of the old Czech settlers, as well as members of the younger community of Czechs who went abroad to study or work met for a two-day event held in the National Museum building in the centre of Prague to discuss their cultural and linguistic heritage. 00:09:36https://english.radio.cz/its-splashing-his-lighthouse-8284901 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the legendary rock group Jasná Páka and the phrase to listen out for is šplouchá mu na maják, which is repeated several times in the songs’ chorus: Sat, 06 Sep 2014 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/its-splashing-his-lighthouse-8284901 Hello and welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech, in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the legendary rock group Jasná Páka and the phrase to listen out for is šplouchá mu na maják, which is repeated several times in the songs’ chorus: 00:04:02https://english.radio.cz/words-words-words-8286411 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the group Spiritual Kvintet and the phrase to listen out for is “správné slovo”. Sat, 23 Aug 2014 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/words-words-words-8286411 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the group Spiritual Kvintet and the phrase to listen out for is “správné slovo”. 00:04:11https://english.radio.cz/summer-school-dobruska-brings-together-czech-expats-around-world-8286480 Each summer the small eastern Bohemian town of Dobruška becomes a home to dozens of people from around the world who come to reconnect with the language and customs of their Czech ancestors. The summer programme, organized by Prague’s Charles University and supported by the Czech government, offers intensive language courses as well as an insight into Czech culture and way of life. Thu, 21 Aug 2014 16:48:20 +0200https://english.radio.cz/summer-school-dobruska-brings-together-czech-expats-around-world-8286480 Each summer the small eastern Bohemian town of Dobruška becomes a home to dozens of people from around the world who come to reconnect with the language and customs of their Czech ancestors. The summer programme, organized by Prague’s Charles University and supported by the Czech government, offers intensive language courses as well as an insight into Czech culture and way of life. 00:11:46https://english.radio.cz/its-drawing-a-close-8287963 Welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which we explain idioms and phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is called “Malovaný džbánku” and is sung by the Czech pop-music diva Helena Vondráčková. Sat, 09 Aug 2014 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/its-drawing-a-close-8287963 Welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which we explain idioms and phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is called “Malovaný džbánku” and is sung by the Czech pop-music diva Helena Vondráčková. 00:04:06https://english.radio.cz/i-have-what-it-takes-do-you-8290602 Welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can lean new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the rock group Natural and is called Já na to mám. Sat, 12 Jul 2014 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/i-have-what-it-takes-do-you-8290602 Welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can lean new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the rock group Natural and is called Já na to mám. 00:03:51https://english.radio.cz/students-introduced-all-things-czech-summer-school-slavonic-studies-prague-8617125 This year's Summer School of Slavonic studies is in full swing at Prague's Charles University. Almost 250 people are immersed in the study of Czech language, culture, and life. Students from all over the world - around 40 countries in all - and all degrees of education come together to brave the difficulties of learning Czech. Fri, 06 Jun 2014 22:04:26 +0200https://english.radio.cz/students-introduced-all-things-czech-summer-school-slavonic-studies-prague-8617125 This year's Summer School of Slavonic studies is in full swing at Prague's Charles University. Almost 250 people are immersed in the study of Czech language, culture, and life. Students from all over the world - around 40 countries in all - and all degrees of education come together to brave the difficulties of learning Czech. 00:07:33https://english.radio.cz/living-life-full-8294171 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by Dalibor Janda and it is called Žít jako kaskadér - Living like a stuntman. Sat, 31 May 2014 00:05:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/living-life-full-8294171 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by Dalibor Janda and it is called Žít jako kaskadér - Living like a stuntman. 00:04:23https://english.radio.cz/have-butter-your-head-and-a-dumpling-your-throat-8296746 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by a singer going by the name of Xindl X and it’s called Poslední večeře - The Last Supper. Sat, 03 May 2014 00:05:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/have-butter-your-head-and-a-dumpling-your-throat-8296746 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by a singer going by the name of Xindl X and it’s called Poslední večeře - The Last Supper. 00:03:45https://english.radio.cz/i-am-full-steam-and-going-strong-8298160 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song by Michal Tučný and is called Mam Páru – and that is the phrase to listen out for. Sat, 19 Apr 2014 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/i-am-full-steam-and-going-strong-8298160 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song by Michal Tučný and is called Mam Páru – and that is the phrase to listen out for. 00:04:08https://english.radio.cz/world-rubbing-salt-our-wounds-8299580 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s programme explaining Czech vocabulary through song lyrics. Today’s song is the 1969 Czech cover of “Hey Jude” by The Beatles. It is sung by Marta Kubišová and the Czech lyrics were written by Zdeněk Rytíř. We shall concentrate on the chorus which features a number of idioms. Let’s start by listening to the whole chorus which begins by the line Svět je krásnej, svět je zlej, hej, Jude, věř v něj meaning “the world is beautiful, the world is evil, hey Jude, trust in it”. Sat, 05 Apr 2014 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/world-rubbing-salt-our-wounds-8299580 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s programme explaining Czech vocabulary through song lyrics. Today’s song is the 1969 Czech cover of “Hey Jude” by The Beatles. It is sung by Marta Kubišová and the Czech lyrics were written by Zdeněk Rytíř. We shall concentrate on the chorus which features a number of idioms. Let’s start by listening to the whole chorus which begins by the line Svět je krásnej, svět je zlej, hej, Jude, věř v něj meaning “the world is beautiful, the world is evil, hey Jude, trust in it”. 00:05:10https://english.radio.cz/i-dont-have-a-clue-8302308 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, where you can learn Czech words and idioms through song lyrics. The expression to listen out for today is nemá ani šajna, which is a colloquial way to say that someone doesn’t have a clue. The title of the song is “Dítě školou povinné”, or Schoolchild, and it was written by the 1960s legendary Czech duo Jiří Suchý and Jiří Šlitr. Sat, 08 Mar 2014 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/i-dont-have-a-clue-8302308 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, where you can learn Czech words and idioms through song lyrics. The expression to listen out for today is nemá ani šajna, which is a colloquial way to say that someone doesn’t have a clue. The title of the song is “Dítě školou povinné”, or Schoolchild, and it was written by the 1960s legendary Czech duo Jiří Suchý and Jiří Šlitr. 00:04:15https://english.radio.cz/dogs-and-wolves-8539803 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech – Radio Prague's Czech language series in which we explore idioms through song lyrics. Today, we'll be listening to a song called "Nikdy nic nikdo nemá" (or “Noone should ever”) by the pre-World War II comic duo, Jan Werich and Jiří Voskovec. The phrase to listen out for is "život je pes". Sat, 08 Feb 2014 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/dogs-and-wolves-8539803 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech – Radio Prague's Czech language series in which we explore idioms through song lyrics. Today, we'll be listening to a song called "Nikdy nic nikdo nemá" (or “Noone should ever”) by the pre-World War II comic duo, Jan Werich and Jiří Voskovec. The phrase to listen out for is "život je pes". 00:03:28https://english.radio.cz/merry-christmas-8541050 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we are playing a Christmas carol called Veselé Vánoce – or Merry Christmas. Sat, 14 Dec 2013 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/merry-christmas-8541050 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today we are playing a Christmas carol called Veselé Vánoce – or Merry Christmas. 00:04:10https://english.radio.cz/not-so-golden-oldies-8541322 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, where you can learn Czech words or expressions through song lyrics. The key word in today's edition is starý (starej in the colloquial) meaning old. The name of the song, by Czech hard rock band Kabát, is Starej bar – old bar. In it frontman Pepa Vojtek sings about stumbling into an old, mostly empty dive, with only a jukebox, a few stools or chairs, and an ancient barman who convinces the song's protagonist to have a drink. Sat, 30 Nov 2013 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/not-so-golden-oldies-8541322 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, where you can learn Czech words or expressions through song lyrics. The key word in today's edition is starý (starej in the colloquial) meaning old. The name of the song, by Czech hard rock band Kabát, is Starej bar – old bar. In it frontman Pepa Vojtek sings about stumbling into an old, mostly empty dive, with only a jukebox, a few stools or chairs, and an ancient barman who convinces the song's protagonist to have a drink. 00:04:32https://english.radio.cz/president-zeman-revives-debate-one-word-name-czech-republic-8542427 The Czech Republic –or Czechia – a dilemma that Czechs have been unable to resolve since the 1993 Czech-Slovak divorce left the country without a one-word name that would roll of the tongue easily and that the public could identify with. On a state visit to Israel this week, President Miloš Zeman revived a twenty-year-old debate on an informal English name for his country, publicly thanking his host, President Simon Perez, for using the informal name Czechia rather than the official Czech Republic. I discussed the proposal with the head of the Czech Language Institute of the Academy of Sciences, Karel Oliva. Thu, 10 Oct 2013 15:17:28 +0200https://english.radio.cz/president-zeman-revives-debate-one-word-name-czech-republic-8542427 The Czech Republic –or Czechia – a dilemma that Czechs have been unable to resolve since the 1993 Czech-Slovak divorce left the country without a one-word name that would roll of the tongue easily and that the public could identify with. On a state visit to Israel this week, President Miloš Zeman revived a twenty-year-old debate on an informal English name for his country, publicly thanking his host, President Simon Perez, for using the informal name Czechia rather than the official Czech Republic. I discussed the proposal with the head of the Czech Language Institute of the Academy of Sciences, Karel Oliva. 00:05:05https://english.radio.cz/im-a-rush-8542696 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by Hana Zagorová and is called Spěchám –the word to listen out for today. Sat, 28 Sep 2013 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/im-a-rush-8542696 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by Hana Zagorová and is called Spěchám –the word to listen out for today. 00:04:22https://english.radio.cz/lazing-day-away-8543863 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech. In today's edition we look at at expressions using the word 'líný' or ‘línej’(informal) - featured in the song Jsem tak línej by the legendary Czech pop group Olympic. Yawn. What could be more appropriate for the lazy days of summer, on a weekend when temperatures are expected to hit around 35 degrees Celsius! Sat, 03 Aug 2013 14:27:02 +0200https://english.radio.cz/lazing-day-away-8543863 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech. In today's edition we look at at expressions using the word 'líný' or ‘línej’(informal) - featured in the song Jsem tak línej by the legendary Czech pop group Olympic. Yawn. What could be more appropriate for the lazy days of summer, on a weekend when temperatures are expected to hit around 35 degrees Celsius! 00:04:26https://english.radio.cz/living-life-full-8544163 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by Dalibor Janda and it is called Žít jako kaskadér - Living like a stuntman. Sat, 20 Jul 2013 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/living-life-full-8544163 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by Dalibor Janda and it is called Žít jako kaskadér - Living like a stuntman. 00:04:04https://english.radio.cz/no-tip-toeing-around-issue-8544473 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, our series where you can learn Czech expressions through song lyrics. Today we feature the expression chodit po špičkách, which translates as walking on one's toes or tippy toes. Sat, 06 Jul 2013 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/no-tip-toeing-around-issue-8544473 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, our series where you can learn Czech expressions through song lyrics. Today we feature the expression chodit po špičkách, which translates as walking on one's toes or tippy toes. 00:04:10https://english.radio.cz/have-no-fear-8545798Welcome to SoundCzech, a mini-series where we teach you Czech words and phrases with the help of Czech musicians. This week we will talk about fear and how to handle it, and we will listen to a part of a song Vyvolený, by the punk-rock group Jaksi Taksi.Sat, 04 May 2013 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/have-no-fear-8545798Welcome to SoundCzech, a mini-series where we teach you Czech words and phrases with the help of Czech musicians. This week we will talk about fear and how to handle it, and we will listen to a part of a song Vyvolený, by the punk-rock group Jaksi Taksi.00:04:14https://english.radio.cz/animals-spotlight-8546084 Welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is a 1970’s Semafor Theatre hit called Máme radi zvířata and the singer is Jitka Molavcová. The word to listen out for is “zvířata”. Sat, 20 Apr 2013 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/animals-spotlight-8546084 Welcome to a fresh edition of SoundCzech in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is a 1970’s Semafor Theatre hit called Máme radi zvířata and the singer is Jitka Molavcová. The word to listen out for is “zvířata”. 00:05:19https://english.radio.cz/grim-toother-8546396 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech. In today’s edition we’ll be hearing a song called called Zubatá by the legendary Czech band Pražský výběr. The root of the word Zubatá is zub, which means tooth. Zubatá, could be loosely translated as ‘Ol’ Toothy’ or the ‘Grim Toother’, referring to the Grim Reaper and his unflinching skeletal grin. One difference is that in Czech, Death is female. Sat, 06 Apr 2013 02:01:00 +0200https://english.radio.cz/grim-toother-8546396 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech. In today’s edition we’ll be hearing a song called called Zubatá by the legendary Czech band Pražský výběr. The root of the word Zubatá is zub, which means tooth. Zubatá, could be loosely translated as ‘Ol’ Toothy’ or the ‘Grim Toother’, referring to the Grim Reaper and his unflinching skeletal grin. One difference is that in Czech, Death is female. 00:03:38https://english.radio.cz/words-words-words-8546679 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the group Spiritual Kvintet and the phrase to listen out for is “správné slovo”. Sat, 23 Mar 2013 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/words-words-words-8546679 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech in which you can learn Czech phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by the group Spiritual Kvintet and the phrase to listen out for is “správné slovo”. 00:04:23https://english.radio.cz/sun-came-out-today-8547307 Hello and welcome to the newest edition of SoundCzech. To help you shake off the winter blues, and learn a bit of Czech in the process, we will listen today to Jaromír Nohavica’s song Ahoj, Slunko, which translates as “Hi, sun”. And it is the sun, often elusive at this time of year, that we will be talking about today, and also a bit about compliments. So listen to how the song begins, with Nohavica addressing the sun – ‘slunko’ – and giving it a first compliment. Sat, 23 Feb 2013 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/sun-came-out-today-8547307 Hello and welcome to the newest edition of SoundCzech. To help you shake off the winter blues, and learn a bit of Czech in the process, we will listen today to Jaromír Nohavica’s song Ahoj, Slunko, which translates as “Hi, sun”. And it is the sun, often elusive at this time of year, that we will be talking about today, and also a bit about compliments. So listen to how the song begins, with Nohavica addressing the sun – ‘slunko’ – and giving it a first compliment. 00:03:03https://english.radio.cz/smart-vs-dumb-8547590 Welcome to another new edition of SoundCzech our long-running language series in which you can learn words and idioms through song lyrics. Today's song is by the Czech pop group Chinaski and is called 'chytrej kluk'. Chytrej is the ungrammatical version of chytrý and chtrej kluk means smart boy or smart guy. Sat, 09 Feb 2013 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/smart-vs-dumb-8547590 Welcome to another new edition of SoundCzech our long-running language series in which you can learn words and idioms through song lyrics. Today's song is by the Czech pop group Chinaski and is called 'chytrej kluk'. Chytrej is the ungrammatical version of chytrý and chtrej kluk means smart boy or smart guy. 00:03:59https://english.radio.cz/when-every-vote-counts-8547891Welcome to this week’s SoundCzech, a series where we teach you useful Czech words and phrases through songs. Today we will listen to Tomáš Klus’s song Panu bohu do oken. And since this is the presidential election weekend, we will focus on words connected with voting. The word you want to look for first is "volič".Sat, 26 Jan 2013 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/when-every-vote-counts-8547891Welcome to this week’s SoundCzech, a series where we teach you useful Czech words and phrases through songs. Today we will listen to Tomáš Klus’s song Panu bohu do oken. And since this is the presidential election weekend, we will focus on words connected with voting. The word you want to look for first is "volič".00:05:10https://english.radio.cz/another-rotten-day-8548199 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech – Radio Prague’s language course in which you can pick up useful phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is called Další blbej den (the Czech version of Nick Cave’s Death is Not the End ) and is sung by the duo Aleš Brychta and Pavla Kapitanová. The phrase to listen out for is actually hard to miss because it is simply everywhere : blbej den. Sat, 12 Jan 2013 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/another-rotten-day-8548199 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech – Radio Prague’s language course in which you can pick up useful phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is called Další blbej den (the Czech version of Nick Cave’s Death is Not the End ) and is sung by the duo Aleš Brychta and Pavla Kapitanová. The phrase to listen out for is actually hard to miss because it is simply everywhere : blbej den. 00:05:38https://english.radio.cz/dziny-hamburgry-and-komputry-czech-under-threat-english-8557815‘English is attacking Czech from all sides’ one newspaper columnist recently despaired, while others talk of Czech’s ‘battle for survival’ in a world in which ever more English is spoken. From terms like ‘setobox’, ‘vygooglovat’ and ‘mobil’ on the one hand to words like ‘sorry’, ‘byzy’ and ‘lůzr’ on the other, English does seem to be making an impact on today’s Czech. But are these English borrowings really a threat to the Czech language, or do they enrich it instead? I asked some Czechs for their opinion: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 16:04:42 +0100https://english.radio.cz/dziny-hamburgry-and-komputry-czech-under-threat-english-8557815‘English is attacking Czech from all sides’ one newspaper columnist recently despaired, while others talk of Czech’s ‘battle for survival’ in a world in which ever more English is spoken. From terms like ‘setobox’, ‘vygooglovat’ and ‘mobil’ on the one hand to words like ‘sorry’, ‘byzy’ and ‘lůzr’ on the other, English does seem to be making an impact on today’s Czech. But are these English borrowings really a threat to the Czech language, or do they enrich it instead? I asked some Czechs for their opinion: 00:10:12https://english.radio.cz/czech-expats-around-world-come-dobruska-connect-their-heritage-8561001 Every summer the north-east Bohemian town of Dobruška turns truly cosmopolitan, opening its doors to Czech language students from around the world. The Czech language summer school organized by Charles University lasts for a month and is specially tailored for Czech expats and people who have developed an interest in the Czech language and culture. Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:49:30 +0200https://english.radio.cz/czech-expats-around-world-come-dobruska-connect-their-heritage-8561001 Every summer the north-east Bohemian town of Dobruška turns truly cosmopolitan, opening its doors to Czech language students from around the world. The Czech language summer school organized by Charles University lasts for a month and is specially tailored for Czech expats and people who have developed an interest in the Czech language and culture. 00:10:33https://english.radio.cz/dictionary-communist-totalitarianism-decodes-language-propaganda-8565167 How did communist propaganda brainwash people? What were the most frequent words used in the communist press? And was it at all possible to learn any real news from the censored newspapers? These are some of the questions a team of Czech linguists is trying to answer in their Dictionary of Communist Totalitarianism. Thu, 17 Mar 2011 00:05:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/dictionary-communist-totalitarianism-decodes-language-propaganda-8565167 How did communist propaganda brainwash people? What were the most frequent words used in the communist press? And was it at all possible to learn any real news from the censored newspapers? These are some of the questions a team of Czech linguists is trying to answer in their Dictionary of Communist Totalitarianism. 00:08:46https://english.radio.cz/i-need-get-out-hole-8566445 Welcome to SoundCzech our long-running language series in which you can learn Czech idioms through song lyrics. Today’s final edition looks at the expression vypdanout z týhle díry – to get out of this hole. The expression features in a song by Mňága a Žďorp a very popular alternative rock band from Valašské Meziříčí, called Ve 4 rano – At four in the morning. The setting is a bar or club just before closing: the music has come to an end, no one has anything left to smoke and the tables are dirty from spilled drinks. Sat, 29 Jan 2011 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/i-need-get-out-hole-8566445 Welcome to SoundCzech our long-running language series in which you can learn Czech idioms through song lyrics. Today’s final edition looks at the expression vypdanout z týhle díry – to get out of this hole. The expression features in a song by Mňága a Žďorp a very popular alternative rock band from Valašské Meziříčí, called Ve 4 rano – At four in the morning. The setting is a bar or club just before closing: the music has come to an end, no one has anything left to smoke and the tables are dirty from spilled drinks. 00:04:06https://english.radio.cz/delicacies-you-and-you-8566578 English speaking foreigners to the Czech Republic who are interested in the language are often befuddled or even annoyed by the feature of formal and informal speech in Czech grammar, called vykání and tykání - that is, the formal, plural “you” and the informal, singular “you”. Nowhere is that characteristic more frowned upon than in multinational companies, where new employees, called “formal you” at the job interview, are renamed “demotic you” on their first day of work, and told to address everyone else accordingly. Sun, 23 Jan 2011 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/delicacies-you-and-you-8566578 English speaking foreigners to the Czech Republic who are interested in the language are often befuddled or even annoyed by the feature of formal and informal speech in Czech grammar, called vykání and tykání - that is, the formal, plural “you” and the informal, singular “you”. Nowhere is that characteristic more frowned upon than in multinational companies, where new employees, called “formal you” at the job interview, are renamed “demotic you” on their first day of work, and told to address everyone else accordingly. 00:03:15https://english.radio.cz/yay-work-8567497Welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, our long-running series looking at sayings and expressions through song lyrics. Today’s expressions all have to do with the Czech word for work – práce – at a time when people either don’t have enough or have too much, trying to clear their desk ahead of the holidays. Featured is a song by 1990s punk band E!E called Práce. In the tune, the group sings “práce, jé práce, práce, je práce”, which translates as work, yay work, work there’s work. The accent on the “e” in the first jé makes all the difference.Sat, 18 Dec 2010 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/yay-work-8567497Welcome to a new edition of SoundCzech, our long-running series looking at sayings and expressions through song lyrics. Today’s expressions all have to do with the Czech word for work – práce – at a time when people either don’t have enough or have too much, trying to clear their desk ahead of the holidays. Featured is a song by 1990s punk band E!E called Práce. In the tune, the group sings “práce, jé práce, práce, je práce”, which translates as work, yay work, work there’s work. The accent on the “e” in the first jé makes all the difference.00:03:39https://english.radio.cz/life-a-heap-8567898 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, our popular miniseries in which you can learn some interesting Czech phrases while listening to music. Today’s song is by Vladimír Mišík and it’s called “Co ti dám”. The phrase to listen out for is “na hromádce”. Sat, 04 Dec 2010 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/life-a-heap-8567898 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, our popular miniseries in which you can learn some interesting Czech phrases while listening to music. Today’s song is by Vladimír Mišík and it’s called “Co ti dám”. The phrase to listen out for is “na hromádce”. 00:03:04https://english.radio.cz/blood-and-milk-meets-thunderbasher-8568062Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is a traditional Czech folk song sung by Standa Hložek – and it’s called “When I used to come to your house.” The phrase to listen out for is “krev a mlíko”.Sat, 27 Nov 2010 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/blood-and-milk-meets-thunderbasher-8568062Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is a traditional Czech folk song sung by Standa Hložek – and it’s called “When I used to come to your house.” The phrase to listen out for is “krev a mlíko”.00:03:24https://english.radio.cz/hey-dont-brag-8568278 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, our long-running language series which looks at popular Czech sayings through song lyrics. The expression in today’s episode is Hele, nemachruj (Hey, don’t brag) featured in a song of the same name by 1980s Czech pop icon Michal David. Sat, 20 Nov 2010 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/hey-dont-brag-8568278 Welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, our long-running language series which looks at popular Czech sayings through song lyrics. The expression in today’s episode is Hele, nemachruj (Hey, don’t brag) featured in a song of the same name by 1980s Czech pop icon Michal David. 00:03:09https://english.radio.cz/have-butter-your-head-and-a-dumpling-your-throat-8568458 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by a singer going by the name of Xindl X and it’s called Poslední večeře - The Last Supper. Sat, 13 Nov 2010 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/have-butter-your-head-and-a-dumpling-your-throat-8568458 Hello and welcome to another edition of SoundCzech, Radio Prague’s Czech language course in which you can learn new phrases with the help of song lyrics. Today’s song is by a singer going by the name of Xindl X and it’s called Poslední večeře - The Last Supper. 00:03:45https://english.radio.cz/having-no-steam-8568699 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, the only programme on global airwaves in which you can learn something interesting about the Czech language while listening to song lyrics. In this edition, we’ll hear the track “Ani k stáru”, part of the music score for the popular Czech film, “Vratné lahve”, or Empties. The phrase to listen out for is “nemám páru”. Sat, 06 Nov 2010 02:01:00 +0100https://english.radio.cz/having-no-steam-8568699 Hello and welcome to SoundCzech, the only programme on global airwaves in which you can learn something interesting about the Czech language while listening to song lyrics. In this edition, we’ll hear the track “Ani k stáru”, part of the music score for the popular Czech film, “Vratné lahve”, or Empties. The phrase to listen out for is “nemám páru”. 00:03:54