Accusative singular
Mám sestru. Vidím psa. Čekám na tramvaj.
In short
This is the case for whatever you have, see, want or need. Feminine words swap -a for -u. Men and animals add -a (or -e after a soft letter). Things and neuter words don't change at all, which is nice.
- Mám sestru.sestra → sestru
- Vidím psa.pes → psa
- Znám Tomáše.Tomáš → Tomáše
- Mám auto. · Vidím hrad.no change
Full explanation
Whenever something is the object of your sentence (the thing you have, see, buy, love…), you need the accusative. Czechs find it by asking koho? co? (whom? what?).
| Gender | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masc. animate (people, animals) | hard -a · soft -e · -a → -u | bratr → bratra, muž → muže, táta → tátu |
| Masc. inanimate (things) | no change | hrad, pokoj, klíč |
| Feminine -a | -u | žena → ženu |
| Feminine -e | -i | židle → židli |
| Feminine consonant | no change | píseň, kost, tramvaj |
| Neuter | no change | auto, moře, kuře |
You'll also use it after a few prepositions that point somewhere or at something: na (onto, to), pro (for), za (in exchange for), přes (across). For example: Čekám na tramvaj. (I'm waiting for the tram.)
Keep an eye out for the disappearing e: pes → psa, Pavel → Pavla.