Czech Case: Locative
In this article we'll talk about locative case, also known as the 6th case (šestý pád).
It is one of the seven cases in Czech grammar. It's used to indicate a location, where something happens or takes place.
It can also be used to talk "about" someone or something...that's why the standard questions used to refer to this case in Czech are "About whom? About what?" (O kom? O čem?)
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Locative Examples
Locative case is called "lokál" in Czech. We use the locative case when we want to express where an action is happening or where something is located.
Here are a few common situations where you'll encounter locative case:
Location of an Action
When describing where an action is taking place:
- Pijeme pivo v hospodě - We are drinking beer in the pub
- Tančíme na ulici - We are dancing in the street
Destination
When indicating the intended destination of a movement:
- Jdu do školy - I am going to school
- Jedeme do kina - We are going to the cinema
Topic
When talking about something or someone:
- Ten koníček - hobby (masculine inanimate gender, nominative case)
- Mluví o koníčku - He/she is talking about a hobby
- Ta funkce - feature (feminine gender, nominative case)
- Slyšeli o nové funkci - They heard about a new feature
When using locative case, we always need to use prepositions.
When we are talking about static verbs (to be, to live, to stay, to wait) we use the prepositions v (in) or na (on) and we change the ending of the noun which describes the location.
For example:
- Praha - Prague (nominative case)
- Bydlíme v Praze - We live in Prague (locative case)
Bydlíme is a static verb. Praha is changed to Praze (locative) and we put a preposition in between. Just like in English, we have to use the preposition "in" (v).
Here are a few more examples:
- To náměstí - The square (neuter gender, nominative case)
- Čeká na náměstí - He/she is waiting on the square
- kavárna - cafe (feminine gender, nominative case)
- Povídáme si v kavárně - We are chatting in a cafe
It does not make sense to say "Povídáme si kavárně" - it doesn't mean anything like this, it's just grammatically incorrect.
How to Use Locative Case
Here is how to change your nouns correctly to form locative case.
However, memorizing tables is not the best way to learn locative case! Practicing locative until you naturally memorize the pattern is easier, and you will remember to use the correct case without having to think logically about it. This is how you get fast enough to speak Czech!
You can use our locative case exercise to practice until you memorize the pattern.
| Noun ending (nominative) |
Noun ending (locative) |
Example |
| Masculine animate (hard consonant, ambivalent) |
-ovi | profesor - profesorovi |
| Masculine animate (soft consonant) |
-i | muž - muži |
| Masculine inanimate (hard consonant, ambivalent) |
-u | klub - klubu |
| Masculine inanimate (soft consonant) |
-ě | hrad - hradě |
| Feminine (ends with -a) |
-e, -ě | pošta - poště |
| Feminine (soft consonant, ends with -e) |
-i | restaurace - restauraci |
| Neuter (ends with -o) |
-ě | kino - kině |
| Neuter (ends with -í) |
no change | nádraží - nádraží |
Czech wouldn't be Czech if there weren't exceptions to the rule. For feminine and neuter words, there are some exceptions.
Feminine exceptions:
| Noun ending (nominative) |
Noun ending (locative) |
Example |
| Feminine (ends with -ka) |
-ce | doktorka - doktorce |
| Feminine (ends with -ra) |
-ře | hra - hře |
| Feminine (ends with -cha) |
-še | plocha - ploše |
| Feminine (ends with -ga or -ha) |
-ze | Praha - Praze synagoga - synagoze |
Neuter exceptions:
| Noun ending (nominative) |
Noun ending (locative) |
Example |
| Neuter (ends with -ro) |
-ru | vedro - vedru |
| Neuter (ends with -ko) |
-ku | Česko - Česku |
Summary
Locative case in Czech helps us specify where an action occurs, or where something is located, and lets us talk about things. By understanding when to use it and how to form it, you'll be better equipped to navigate the intricacies of Czech language.
Next time you're describing where you're going or what you're doing, remember to use the locative case and add that extra touch of precision to your Czech sentences!
Happy Learning!
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