Thou is the 12th skill (assuming read left to right) of the Czech language tree. It has 2 lessons and is the only skill in the entire tree devoted to teaching the use of the vocative case.
Grammar Notes[]
The Vocative case[]
The vocative form of a name is used when addressing someone directly. For example the vocative of Fratišek is Františku and one would say: "Františku, proč nepiješ vodu?" (František, why aren't you drinking water?).
Only four names are taught here and each represents an example from each of the male animate and female paradigms.
| Nominative | Accusative | Vocative | |
|---|---|---|---|
| František | Františka | Františku | pán paradigm |
| Matěj | Matěje | Matěji | muz paradigm |
| Kateřina | Kateřinu | Kateřino | žena paradigm |
| Žofie | Žofii | Žofie | růže paradigm |
Formal vs informal address[]
The vy or formal manner of addressing someone goes beyond the use of first names. In some intermediate situations, even when first names are used, e.g. in an online forum, the vy forms are appropriate. In the vy form, verbs and personal pronouns take on the plural, but adjectives remain singular e.g. Kateřino, (vy) jste krásná.
Two new nouns[]
- přítel = friend (masculine animate - follows the soft-consonant paradigm muž with some deviations in the plural)
- přítelkyně = female friend (feminine - růže paradigm)
Lessons[]
Lesson 1[]
- Kateřino, kde jste = Kateřina, where are you
- Matěji, proč jíte kočky a psy = Matěj, why do you eat cats and dogs
- Matěji, vy jste dobrý přitel = Matěj, you are a good friend
- Kateřino, chcete novéhp manžela = Kateřina, do you want a new husband
- Jste dobrá žena, Kateřino = You are a good woman, Kateřina
Lesson 2[]
- Žofíe, ty jste dobré přitelkyně = Žofíe, you are a good friend
- Jste mladý muž, Františku = You are a young man, František
- Jste vysoký, Františku = You are tall, František
- Františku, čí je to pták = František, whose bird is it
References[]