The Czech alphabet uses the Latin script, but it is enriched with diacritic marks: the hook (háček) and the acute accent (čárka). These marks change the pronunciation of letters significantly.
Vowels and Accents (Čárka)
Vowels with an acute accent (á, é, í, ó, ú, ý) or a circle (ů) are simply pronounced longer than their short counterparts. The length of a vowel can change the meaning of a word, so it is important to pay attention to it.
Consonants and the Hook (Háček)
The háček (hook) softens consonants. For example: č is pronounced like 'ch' in English, š like 'sh', and ž like 's' in 'measure'. The letter ř is unique to Czech and requires pronouncing 'r' and 'zh' simultaneously.
| Letter | Czech Example | English Translation | Pronunciation Hint |
|---|---|---|---|
| č | čas | time | like 'ch' in chat |
| š | škola | school | like 'sh' in show |
| ž | život | life | like 's' in pleasure |
| ř | řeka | river | unique rolled 'r' + 'zh' sound |
| c | cesta | way / journey | like 'ts' in cats |
| ch | chléb | bread | like 'ch' in Scottish loch |
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