Czech, like many Slavic languages, has two primary verb aspects:
imperfective and perfective. These aspects refer to the nature of the action expressed by the verb—whether it is viewed as an ongoing or completed action. Understanding these aspects is crucial for mastering Czech verb conjugation, as they can change the meaning of a sentence.
Imperfective Verbs
These verbs describe actions that are continuous, habitual, repeated, or in progress. The focus is on the process of the action rather than its completion. Imperfective verbs can be used in all tenses, including the present, past, and future, to describe actions that are not completed.
Examples:
psát (to write) – I am writing (ongoing action)
číst (to read) – I am reading a book (habitual or ongoing)
pít (to drink) – He is drinking water (ongoing action)
Perfective Verbs
These verbs describe actions that are viewed as completed or as having a definite endpoint. The action isseen as whole or finished. Perfective verbs are generally used in the past and future tenses, not in the present tense (unless used in a future sense). They indicate that something has been achieved or completed.
Examples:
napsat (to write – perfective) – Napsala jsem dopis. =I wrote a letter (completed action)
přečíst (to read – perfective) – Tomáš přečetl knížku. = Tom read the book (finished action)
vypít (to drink – perfective) –Vypil vodu. = He drank the water (completed action)
How Are Imperfective and Perfective Verbs Formed?
Imperfective Verbs: These verbs often have a consistent pattern of conjugation in all tenses, and they frequently involve a root word with the endings -at, -it, or -ovat (e.g., psát, číst, pít). These verbs express actions that do not specify a completion and often convey habitual or repeated actions.
Perfective Verbs: These verbs are often derived from imperfective ones by prefixing or changing the verb form. For instance, adding prefixes such as na-, po-, u-, or do- can convert an imperfective verb into a perfective one. Sometimes, the change can also involve a vowel shift or other structural changes.
Examples:
psát (to write) → napsat (to write something and finish it)
jít (to go) → přejít (to cross, to go over)
dělat (to do) → udělat (to do and finish)
Once you grasp the basics of imperfective and perfective verbs, you can dive deeper into more advanced aspects of their use. This includes understanding when to use them for subtle differences in meaning, especially in narrative or descriptive contexts.
SEZNAM 40 VERB
IMPERFEKTUM | PERFEKTUM | PŘEKLAD |
chodit | jít | walk |
jezdit | jet | go |
přicházet | přijít | arrive |
létat | letět | fly |
číst | přečíst | read |
dělat | udělat | do |
psát | napsat | write |
jíst | sníst | eat |
zavírat | zavřít | close |
stavit | postavit | build |
procházet se | projít se | stroll |
poznávat se | poznat se | get to know |
volat | zavolat | phone |
pomáhat | pomoct | help |
scházet se | sejít se | meet |
vydávat | vydat | publish |
ukazovat | ukázat | show |
kupovat | koupit | buy |
brát | vzít | take |
najít | hledat | find / look for |
běhat | uběhnout / běžet | run |
dávat | dát | give |
mluvit | promluvit | speak |
mýt | umýt | wash |
platit | zaplatit | pay |
zůstávat | zůstat | stay |
kreslit | nakreslit | draw |
malovat | namalovat | paint |
opakovat | zopakovat | repeat |
opravovat | opravit | repair |
chválit | pochválit | praise |
snídat | nasnídat | have breakfast |
učit | naučit | teach |
začínat | začít | start |
říkat | říct | say |
péct | upéct | bake |
prát | vyprat | wash |
zvát | pozvat | invite |
vstávat | vstát | wake up |
poslouchat | slyšet | listen / hear |
Future with Perfective Verbs
In Czech, perfective verbs are used to express the future tense, while imperfective verbs describe ongoing or repeated future actions.
Imperfective: Budu psát. (I will be writing.)
Perfective: Napíšu dopis. (I will write a letter [and finish it].)
Describing Actions in Progress vs. Completed Actions
The imperfective aspect is often used when describing actions that are in progress, habitual actions, or ongoing states. On the other hand, perfective verbs are typically used to highlight actions that have already reached their completion, such as when telling a story or reporting an event.
Imperfective: Teď čtu knihu. (I am reading a book now.)
Perfective: Přečetl jsem knihu. (I have read the book.)
CVIČENÍ
1) Translate the following sentences from English into Czech, paying attention to the imperfective and perfective aspects.
1. I am drinking tea right now.
2. I have finished my homework.
3. She writes letters every week.
4. We are reading a book at the moment.
5. I have read two books this week.
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