Aspect Pairsdf in Czech

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs
Introductory information by
FACTUM CZ, s.r.o.
ASPECT PAIRS
OF CZECH VERBS
Karel Tahal
FACTUM CZ, s.r.o., 2011
www.factumcz.cz
more than 800 entries

of verbs in aspect pairs
infinitives and
conjugation patterns
SUPPLEMENT
Karel Tahal
Czech Verb Aspect

at the end of the compendium
www.factumcz.cz
ASPECT PAIRS
OF CZECH VERBS
Karel Tahal
www.factumcz.cz
Written by: doc. PhDr. Karel Tahal, CSc.

Factum CZ, s.r.o., 2011
www.factumcz.cz
INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION
The exposition of verb aspect is based on the same principles as in the handbook
A GRAMMAR OF CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE http://www.factumcz.cz/
See also the supplement at the end of this compendium.
The entries are arranged in the alphabetic order of imperfective verbs.
Czech Alphabet:
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
ch
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
r
u
v
z
The imperfective verb (nedokonav sloveso) is always introduced on the upper line, its
perfective (dokonav) counterpart on the lower line. The two verbs correspond to one lexical
unit in other (non-Slavonic) languages. E.g.
pekldat
translate
peloit
<
< otvrat
otevt
open
If a verb only exists in the imperfective aspect (monoaspective imperfective = imperfectivum

tantum), the absence of the perfective aspect is indicated by a zero sign on the lower line,
e.g.
need
potebovat
0
<
If, on the contrary, the verb only exists in the perfective aspect (monoaspective perfective =
perfectivum tantum), the absence of the imperfective counterpart is indicated by a zero sign
on the upper line, e.g.
0
fall ill
onemocnt
<
If one of the aspects is either rarely used or if it has a slightly different lexical meaning, the
unusual item is bracketed. (The exact reasons are not discussed. See also the supplement at
the end of this compendium.) E.g.
rozumt
understand
(porozumt)
<
se)
< (rodit
narodit se
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be born
Apart from presenting the aspect pairs in the infinitive forms, even the information about the
present tense conjugation is mentioned according to the folowing principles:
Regular formal relations between the infinitive and the present tense forms are indicated by
underlining the infinitive suffixes -et, -t, -it, -at, -ovat, -nout , the verbs being conjugated as
explained in chapter 13 of A Grammar of Czech as a Foreign Language, i.e.:
INFINITIVE
vidt
slyet
mluvit
PRESENT TENSE ENDINGS
PAST PARTICIPLE
-,
-me,
-te,
dlat
-m, -,
-,
-me,
-te, -aj
potebovat
-uji, -uje, -uje, -ujeme, -ujete, -uj
poteboval
-nu, -ne, -ne, -neme, -nete, -nou
odmtl
(after a consonant
prominul (after a vowel)
odmtnout
prominout
vidl
slyel
mluvil
-m, -,
dlal
Mind that the present form of a perfective (dokonav) verb refers to futurity!
- See A GRAMMAR OF CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, chapter 16, as well as the supplement
at the end of this compendium.
Verbs with other relations between the infinitive and the present forms are arranged like this:
1: the infinitive,
2: the 3rd person singular with the ending underlined (-e, -, -),
3: the past participle.
In such cases, the present tense forms follow one of the three regular patterns mentioned in
A GRAMMAR OF CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE, chapter 13, i.e.
-u
-e
-e
-eme -ete -ou
-m
-me
-m
-me -te -aj
e.g.:
st, te, etl
stt, stoj, stl
znt, zn, znal
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-te -
(certain verbs -j)
---The aspect and conjugation patterns are presented systematically.

Marginally, additional grammatical information is provided:
With verbs that always have a reflexive form (reflexiva tantum), the pronoun se or si
respectively, is underlined, e.g.
dvat se
look
podvat se
<
si
< pedstavovat
pedstavit si
imagine
(More information about reflexive verbs in A Grammar , chapters 19 and 50.)

Irregular imperatives are indicated by the exclamation mark, e.g.
pjovat
lend
pjit; pj!
(Imperative see A Grammar , chapter 44.)
<
Irregular passive participles are presented after the abbreviation pas., e.g.
pijmat
accept
pijmout, pijmu, pijal; pas.: pijat
(Passive voice see A Grammar , chapter 48.)
<
With some verbs requiring a syntactic object not in the Accusative, but in another
grammatical case (pd), the appropriate case questions (= interrogative pronouns) are used,
i.e.
who
what
Nominative
N
KDO
CO
Accusative
A
KOHO
CO
Genitive
G
KOHO
EHO
Dative
D
KOMU
EMU
Locative
L
(o) KOM
(o) EM
Instrumental
I
KM
M
(For the survey of declensions see A Grammar , chapter 33.)
E.g.:
rozumt
komu/emu
(porozumt)
<
se, ptm se, ptal se

< ptt
zeptat se, zeptm se, zeptal se
koho (G) na koho/co (A)
The English translation serves for basic orientation only.

More detailed explanations can be found in dictionaries.
**********************
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understand sb./sth.
ask sb.about sb./sth.
< akreditovat
0
accredit
< aktivovat
0
activate
< aktualizovat
(zaktualizovat)
update
< analyzovat
0
analyze
< argumentovat
0
argue
< artikulovat
0
articulate
< balit
zabalit
pack, wrap
< barvit
nabarvit
colour
= obarvit
< bt0 se, boj se, bl se
koho/eho
fear, be afraid of sb/sth
(se)
< bavit
pobavit (se)
amuse (oneself)
< bhat
0
run (= move with quick steps)

(iterative)
< bet
0
run (= move with quick steps)
< bt,0 bije, bil
beat, strike
blahopeje, blahopl
< blahopt,
poblahopt, poblahopeje, poblahopl
congratulate
< blikat
bliknout
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twinkle
se = pibliovat se
< blit
piblit se
approach
< bloudit
zabloudit
stray, lose ones way
se
< blskat
zablesknout se = blsknout se
lighten
< bojovat
0
fight, struggle
< bolet
0
< boit
zboit
ache I have a headache.
Bol m (A) hlava (N).
demolish, pull down
= rozboit
(se)
< brnit
ubrnit (se)
defend, resist
resist successfully
bere, bral
< brt,
vzt, vezme, vzal
take
weep, cry
< breet
0
< brousit
nabrousit
pas.: brouen
pas.: nabrouen
sharpen
skate
< bruslit
0
< brzdit
zabrzdit
apply the breaks
< budovat
vybudovat
build, construct
< bydlet
0
live (= reside)
< bt,0 jsem, jsi, je, jsme, jste, jsou; byl; bu!
be
< cestovat
0
travel
< ctit
(poctit = uctit)
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feel
< citovat
(ocitovat)
quote, cite
< couvat
couvnout
back (= move backwards)
< cviit
(procviit)
exercise, practise
< ekat
pokat
na koho/na co (A)
wait for
(se), ee (se), esal (se)

< esat
uesat (se), uee (se), uesal (se)
comb sb., comb (oneself)
< init
uinit
do, amount,
< slovat
oslovat
number
te, etl
< st,
pest, pete, peetl
pas.: ten
pas.: peten
read
< istit
vyistit
pas.: itn
pas.: vyitn
clean
= rozleovat
< lenit
rozlenit
subdivide, structure, break up
D
present (= donate)
< darovat
0
se
< dait
0
Da se mu (D) dobe.
He is well off.
se
< dait
podait se
succeed
< dvat
dt, d, dal
komu (D) co (A)
give sb. sth.
< dvat
dt, d, dal
co (A) kam
put / place sth. somewhere
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10
< ddit
zddit
inherit
< dkovat
podkovat
komu (D) za co (A)
< dlat
udlat
=
< dlit
rozdlit
thank sb. for sth.

do, make
rozdlovat
divide
demonstrate
< demonstrovat
0
< diskutovat
(prodiskutovat)
discuss
< dt0 se, dje se, dlo se
happen, occur
se
< dvat
podvat se
na koho/na co
look at sb./sth.
se
< divit
podivit se
komu/emu
marvel, be surprised at
< dobvat
dobt, dobude, dobyl
conquer
< dodvat
dodat
1: add ; 2: supply
< dodrovat
dodret
keep, follow (promise, law)
dodr!
< dohnt
dohnat, doene, dohnal
catch, make up for
se
< dohadovat
dohodnout se
bargain
come to an agreement
< dohlet
dohldnout
supervise
< dokazovat
dokzat, doke, dokzal
prove, evidence
se
< domlouvat
domluvit se
make oneself understood

assume
se
< domnvat
0
< dopadat
dopadnout
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1: fall down, 2: go off
11
si
< dopisovat
0
keep up a correspondence
< doplovat
doplnit
complete, supplement
< doporuovat
doporuit
recommend
< dopravovat
dopravit
transport
< doruovat
doruit
deliver (mail)
< dostvat
dostat, dostane, dostal
get, receive
se
< dostvat
dostat se, dostane se, dostal se
kam
get to a place
se
< dotkat
dotknout se
koho/eho
touch
hope
< doufat
0
< dovet
dovzt, doveze, dovezl; pas.: dovezen
import
se
< dovdat
dovdt se, dov se, dovdl se
get to know
< dovolovat
dovolit
allow, permit
dr!
< dret
(udret)
hold
< dchat
(dchnout)
breathe, respire
< emigrovat
0
emigrate
< existovat
0
exist
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12
< filmovat
zfilmovat = nafilmovat
shoot a film
finance
< financovat
0
< foukat
(fouknout = zafoukat)
blow
function, operate
< fungovat
0
G
< gratulovat
pogratulovat
congratulate
< hdat
uhodnout
guess
guess right
se
< hdat
(pohdat se)
quarrel
=
< hjit
obhjit
defend
< hasit
uhasit
obhajovat
pas.: haen
pas.: uhaen
extinguish, quench
< hzet
hodit
= ohlaovat
< hlsit
ohlsit
throw, cast
pas.: hlen
pas.: ohlen
report, announce
vote
< hlasovat
0
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13
< hledat
0
search, look for
se
< hodit
0
suite, come in handy
< hodnotit
zhodnotit
pas.: hodnocen
pas.: zhodnocen
evaluate, assess
hunt, chase
< honit
0
< hoet
shoet
burn (intransitive)
< hovoit
(pohovoit)
talk
hraje, hrl
< hrt,
(zahrt, zahraje, zahrl)
1: play; 2: act
< hrozit
(pohrozit)
threaten, menace
heje, hl = ohvat
< ht,
(oht, oheje, ohl)
warm, heat
hbe, hbal
< hbat,
hnout, hne, hnul
1: move sth; 2: move (oneself)
1:m 2: se
CH
chpe, chpal
< chpat,
pochopit
comprehend
< chladnout
vychladnout
cool, get cold
se
< chlubit
pochlubit se
boast
< chodit
0
go, walk (iterative)
< chovat
0
raise, breed animals
se
< chovat
0
behave
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14
chra!
< chrnit
ochrnit ochra!
protect
chci, chce chtj; chtl

< chtt,
0
want
= ochutnvat
< chutnat
ochutnat
(transitive) taste, degust
< chutnat
0
(intransitive) like (the taste of)

I like the meal.
To (N) mi (D) chutn.
< chvlit
pochvlit
praise
be missing
< chybt
0
< chytat
chytit
catch
< imitovat
0
imitate
< informovat
0
inform
< instalovat
(nainstalovat)
install
invest
< investovat
0
J
< jednat
0
o em
act, proceed, treat
se
< jednat
0
o koho/o co
be concerned
< jet,0 jede, jel ; je!
go (car, train )
< jezdit
0
go (car, train ) (iterative)
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15
j jed; jedl jez!

< jst,(transit.)
sn snd; sndl snz!
< (intransit.)snst,
najst se, naj se , najedl se
eat
< jt,0 jde, el
fut.: pjde
go, walk
< jmenovat
0
koho (A) km (I)
name, appoint
se
< jmenovat
0
be called
Jmenuje se
His name is
K
kale, kalal
< kalat,
zakalat, zakale, zakalal
cough
ke, kzal
< kzat,
0
preach
< kazit
zkazit
spoil
se = uklnt se
< klant
uklonit se
bow, curtsey
klepe, klepal
< klepat,
zaklepat, zaklepe, zaklepal
knock, tap
< klesat
klesnout
sink, fall
< koktat
(zakoktat)
stammer, stutter
< kolsat
(zakolsat)
waver, fluctuate
< kombinovat
zkombinovat
combine
< komplikovat
zkomplikovat
complicate
< konat
vykonat
perform, accomplish
< kontrolovat
zkontrolovat
check
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16
converse (talk)
< konverzovat
0
kope, kopal
< kopat,
kopnout
1: dig; 2: kick
(se), koupe (se), koupal (se)

< koupat
vykoupat (se), vykoupe (se), vykoupal (se)
bath, bathe
< kouit
(zakouit si)
smoke
koue, kousal
< kousat,
kousnout
bite
< krjet
ukrojit
cut, carve, slice
krade, kradl
< krst,
ukrst, ukradne, ukradl
steal
< kreslit
nakreslit
draw (pictures)
< krmit
nakrmit
feed
kryje, kryl = pikrvat

< krt,
pikrt, pikryje, pikryl
cover
< kiet
kiknout
shout
< kupovat
koupit
buy
kve, kval
< kvat,
kvnout
nod
< ladit
naladit
tune
< ladit
sladit
coordinate
< lkat
(zlkat)
allure
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17
lme, lmal
< lmat,
zlomit
break, fracture
< lit
vylit
cure
si
< lehat
lehnout si
lie down
se
< lekat
leknout se
koho/eho
get scared of
< lepit
slepit
glue
se
< lesknout
0
glisten
< ltat
0
fly (iterative)
< lett
0
fly
< lzt,0 leze, lezl
creap, crawl
< leet
0
lie (= be at rest)
le, lhal
< lht,
0
lie (make false statement)
< lbat
polbit
< lbit0 se
kiss
Ta kniha (N) se mu(D) lbila.
< liit0 se
od koho/od eho
like
He liked the book.
differ from
lije, lil = nalvat

< lt,
nalt, nalije, nalil
pour
< litovat
(politovat)
regret, be sorry
se
< louit
rozlouit se
take leave
< luxovat
vyluxovat
hoover, vacuum clean
< lyovat
(zalyovat si)
ski
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18
< malovat
namalovat
paint
< mvat
zamvat
= mvnout
wave
mae, mazal
< mazat,
smazat, smae, smazal
delete
mae, mazal
< mazat,
namazat, namae, namazal
lubricate
< mit
zmit
measure (trans.)
measure (intrans.)
< mit
0
< mchat
zamchat
mix, blend, stir
< milovat
0
love
< mt, m, ml
have
< mizet
zmizet
< mlet
0
disappear
ml!
be silent
mele, mlel
< mlt,
umlt, umele, umlel
grind, mill
< mluvit
(promluvit)
speak, talk
me, mohl
< moct,
0
can
< moit
vymoit se
urinate
must (modal verb)
< muset
0
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(modal verb)
19
se
< mlit
zmlit se
be mistaken, err
think
< myslet
0
(se), myje (se), myl (se)
< mt
umt (se), umyje (se), umyl (se)
wash (oneself)
< nabzet
nabdnout
offer
< nahrvat
nahrt, nahraje, nahrl
record, tape, upload
< nahrazovat
nahradit
replace
< nachzet
najt, najde, nael
find
0
< nachladnout
catch a cold
< najmat
najmout, najme, najal;
hire
pas.: najat
< nakldat
naloit
load
se
< naklnt
naklonit se
incline, lean
< nakupovat
nakoupit
buy, purchase
< nalzat
nalzt, nalezne, nalezl
= nachzet
= najt, najde, nael
find
< napodobovat
napodobit
imitate
< naizovat
nadit
order, command; set up (a

device)
< nastvat
nastat, nastane, nastal
occur, turn up
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20
< nastupovat
nastoupit
get on, board
< natet
natoit
roll up, shoot a film
< navrhovat
navrhnout
suggest, propose
pas.: navren
< navtvovat
navtvit
visit
< nechvat
nechat
leave, let, quit
< nenvidt
0
hate, detest
nese, nesl
< nst,
0
carry, bear
< niit
zniit
destroy
< nosit
0
carry, bear (iterative)
se
< nudit
0
be bored
pas.: nucen
< nutit
pinutit pas.: pinucen = donutit pas.: donucen
force, compel
O
admire
< obdivovat
0
0
< obdret
obtain, receive
< obdvat
naobdvat se
have lunch
sacrifice, devote
< obtovat
0
< obchzet
obejt, obejde, obeel
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1: walk around; 2: evade
21
< obhajovat
obhjit
defend
< obhat
obhnout
circulate
< objednvat
objednat
order, book
< objevovat
objevit
discover
se
< objevovat
objevit se
appear, turn up
< objmat
obejmout, obejme, objal
embrace
se
< oblkat
oblknout se
clothe, dress
pas. obleen
< obnovovat
obnovit
renew
se
< obouvat
obout se, obuje se, obul se
put on shoes
(se)
< obracet
obrtit (se)
turn round
< obsahovat
(obshnout
contain
pas. obsaen)
< obsazovat
obsadit pas. obsazen
occupy
< obsluhovat
obslouit
attend, serve
< obstarvat
obstarat
provide, supply
trouble, bother
< obtovat
0
< obviovat
obvinit
accuse, blame
< oceovat
ocenit
appreciate
expect
< oekvat
0
< odboovat
odboit
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turn, deviate
22
< oddlovat
oddlit
separate
se
< odehrvat
odehrt se, odehraje se, odehrl se
take place
< odeslat
odeslat, odele, odeslal
send
< odhadovat
odhadnout
estimate
< odhalovat
odhalit
disclose, reveal
< odhazovat
odhodit odho!
throw away
pas.: odhozen
se
< odhlaovat
odhlsit se pas.: odhlen
log out
< odchzet
odejt, odejde, odeel
go away, leave (on foot)

go away, depart (car, train ..)
< odjdt
odjet, odjede, odjel
< odkldat
odloit
1: postpone; 2: lay aside
< odltat
odlett
depart (airplane)
< odliovat
odliit
distinguish, differentiate
< odmovat
odmnit
reward
< odmtat
odmtnout
refuse, reject
< odmykat
odemknout, odemkne, odemkl
unlock
< odnet
odnst, odnese, odnesl
carry away
< odpovat
odpoinout si
relax, take a rest
< odpojovat
odpojit
disconnect
< odpoutt
odpustit odpus! pas.: odputn
forgive
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23
< odpovdat
odpovdt, odpov, odpovdl,
odpovz!
answer
< odpovdat
0
emu
conform to, agree with sth.
< odpovdat
0
za koho / za co
be responsible for
< odstraovat
odstranit
< odsuzovat
odsoudit
remove, delete
condemn, sentence
pas.: odsouzen
< odvet
odvzt, odveze, odvezl
carry away (ba car )
< ohraniovat
ohraniit
confine, demarcate
< ochutnvat
ochutnat
taste, degust
< omezovat
omezit
restrict, constrain
se
< omlouvat
omluvit se
apologize
0
< onemocnt
fall ill
< opakovat
zopakovat
repeat
se
< opalovat
oplit se
sunbathe
operate
< operovat
0
se
< oprat
opt se, ope se, opel se
lean
< opisovat
opsat, ope, opsal
copy
< opoutt
opustit opus! pas.: oputn
leave, abandon
< opravovat
opravit
1: correct; 2: repair
< organizovat
zorganizovat
organize
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< oslavovat
oslavit
celebrate
< oslovovat
oslovit
address, speak to
< ospravedlovat
ospravedlnit
justify
< oetovat
oetit
nurse, tend
< otvrat
otevt, oteve, otevel
open
< ovldat
ovldnout
control, master
< ovlivovat
ovlivnit
inluence, affect
< oznaovat
oznait
mark, indicate
< oznamovat
oznmit
announce
se
< ozvat
ozvat se, ozve se, ozval se
1: reverberate; 2: make o.s. heard
< padat
spadnout
fall down
0
< padlat
falsify, forge
< pchat
spchat
commit
stink
< pchnout
0
< plit
split
www.factumcz.cz
burn
25
remember
(si)
< pamatovat
(zapamatovat si)
< parkovat
zaparkovat
park (a car)
< paovat
propaovat
smuggle
< ptrat
0
po kom/po em
search for
< patit
0
komu / k emu
belong
< pstovat
vypstovat
to sb. / to sth.
cultivate, grow
engage in, go in for
< pstovat
0
< pskat
psknout = zapskat
whistle
pije, pil
< pt, (transit.)
vypije, vypil; pas.: vypit
< (intransit.)vypt,
napt se, napije se, napil se
drink
ple, plakal
< plakat,
(zaplakat, zaple, zaplakal)
cry, weep
< plnovat
naplnovat
plan
< platit
zaplatit
pay
pas.: placen
pas.: zaplacen
be valid, hold good
< platit
0
plave, plaval
< plavat,
(zaplavat si, zaplave si, zaplaval si)
swim
se, plete se, pletl se

< plst
splst se, splete se, spletl se
make a mistake
si, plete si, pletl si

< plst
splst si, splete si, spletl si
< plnit
splnit
co (A) s m (I)
pl!
spl!
fulfil
pluje, plul
< plout,
0
www.factumcz.cz
confuse sth. with sth.
float; sail
26
< pltvat
0
waste sth.
< potat
spotat = vypotat
count, calculate
< podvat
podat
hand, pass
< podceovat
podcenit
underestimate
< podepisovat
podepsat, podepe, podepsal; podepi!
sign
< podezrat
0
suspect
= podezvat
< podnikat
podniknout
undertake, take (an action)

carry business
< podnikat
0
se
< podobat
0
komu/emu
resemble
< podotkat
podotknout
point out
< podporovat
(podpoit)
support
< podvdt
podvst, podvede, podvedl
deceive, cheat
< pohybovat
pohnout
move sth.
se
< pohybovat
pohnout se
< pochybovat
0
move
o em
doubt sth.
< pojiovat
pojistit
pas.: pojitn
insure
< pokldat
poloit
lay, put down
< pokldat
0
koho (A) za koho (A)
consider sb for, consider sb to be

tempt
< pokouet
0
www.factumcz.cz
27
se
< pokouet
pokusit se
< pokraovat
0
try, attempt
v em
continue, go on
< polykat
polknout
swallow
< pomhat
pomoct, pome, pomohl; pomoz!
komu/emu
help sb./sth.
< popisovat
popsat, pope, popsal; popi! pas.: popsn
describe
< poret
porazit
defeat
pas.: poraen
< porouet
poruit
order, command
< porovnvat
porovnat
compare
< poruovat
poruit
break, infringe
< podat
uspodat
arrange
< poslat
poslat, pole, poslal
send
< poskytovat
poskytnout
provide, render
< poslouchat
(poslechnout si)
listen
< poslouchat
poslechnout
obey
< pospchat
(pospit si
hurry
posp si!)
se
< potit
zapotit se
sweat, perspire
< potkvat
potkat
meet
need
< potebovat
0
< potvrzovat
potvrdit potvr!
www.factumcz.cz
doing sth.
confirm, acknowledge
pas.: potvrzen
28
< pouovat
pouit
< poutt
pustit
instruct
let go, release
pus!
< pouvat
pout, pouije, pouil; pouij!
< povaovat
0
use, apply
koho/co(A) za koho/co (A
consider sb./sth. for
< povdat
povdt, pov povd, povdl; povz!
talk, tell, narate
< povzbuzovat
povzbudit
pas. povzbuzen
encourage
< pozdravovat
0
koho (A) od koho (G)
give ones regards to
< poznamenvat
poznamenat
remark
< poznvat
poznat
recognize
< pozorovat
(zpozorovat)
observe,
watch
< pracovat
0
work
< pramenit
0
spring, rise, issue
notice
pere, pral
< prt,
vyprat, vypere, vypral
launder
se, pere se, pral se

< prt
poprat se, popere se, popral se
fight,, scuffle, clash
< probhat
probhnout
proceed
< probouzet
probudit
(se)
(se)
wake
pas.: probuzen
< prodvat
prodat
sell
< prodluovat
prodlouit
prolonge, extend
(si)
< prohlet
prohldnout (si)
examine, inspect; sightsee
www.factumcz.cz
29
< prohrvat
prohrt, prohraje, prohrl
lose (battle, match)
< projednvat
projednat
discuss, treat
< projevovat
projevit
display, demostrate, show
< promjet
prominout
excuse
promi!
< pronajmat
pronajmout, pronajme, pronajal ; pas.: pronajat
let on hire, let on lease

persecute
< pronsledovat
0
< prosit
poprosit
beg, ask
protest
< protestovat
0
< provdt
provst, provede, provedl; pas.: proveden
carry out, pursue
< provokovat
(vyprovokovat)
provoke, incite
conduct, practice ( carry on)
< provozovat
0
< prozrazovat
prozradit prozra!
reveal, disclose
pas.: prozrazen
< provat
prot, proije, proil
experience, live through

rain
pr, prelo
< pret,
0
peje, pl
< pt,
popt, popeje, popl
komu (D) co (A)
si, peje si, pl si

< pt
0
wish sb. sth.

wish, desire
< peceovat
pecenit
overestimate, overrate
< pedlvat
pedlat
do again, re-make
< pedjdt
pedjet, pedjede, pedjel ; pedje!
overtake (car)
www.factumcz.cz
30
< pedplcet
pedplatit
subscribe
pas.: pedplacen
suppose
< pedpokldat
0
< pedpovdat
pedpovdt, pedpov, pedpovdl
forecast, foretell, predict
< pedstavovat
pedstavit
introduce, present
si
< pedstavovat
pedstavit si
imagine
pretend, simulate
< pedstrat
0
< pedvdt
pedvst, pedvede, pedvedl
show, demonstrate, perform

foresee, anticipate
< pedvdat
0
< pehnt
pehnat, peene, pehnal
exaggerate
< pehodnocovat
pehodnotit pas.: pehodnocen
re-value
< pehrvat
pehrt, pehraje, pehrl
replay
< pechzet
pejt, pejde, peel
cross, go over
< peket
0
obstruct, be in the way
< pekldat
peloit
1: ranslate; 2: reload
< pekvapovat
pekvapit
surprise
< pemhat
pemoct, peme, pemohl; pas.: pemoen
overcome, overpower
< pemlouvat
pemluvit
persuade
think, ponder, contemplate
< pemlet
0
< pepisovat
pepsat, pepe, pepsat
www.factumcz.cz
re-write
31
< peruovat
peruit
interrupt
< peskakovat
peskoit
jump over, skip
< pestvat
pestat, pestane, pestal ; pesta!
+ infinitive
stop cease,
< pestupovat
pestoupit ; pestup!
change (train)
< pesvdovat
pesvdit
convince
(se)
< pevlkat
pevlknout (se)
change ones clothes
; pas.: pevleen
< pevldat
pevldnout
prevail
< pevracet
pevrtit
turn over, reverse
pas. pevrcen
(se)
< pezouvat
pezout (se), pezuje (se), pezul (se)
change ones shoes
se
< pibliovat
piblit se
approach
= blit se
se
< pihlaovat
pihlsit se pas.pihlen
register, log in
< pichzet
pijt, pijde, piel
come (walking)
< pijmat
pijmout, pijme, pijal;
accept
pas.: pijat
< pijdt
pijet, pijede, pijel
arrive, come (car, train )
< pikazovat
pikzat, pike, pikzal ; pika!
command, order
< pikrvat
pikrt, pikryje, pikryl
cover
< piltat
pilett
arrive (airplane)
< pinet
pinst, pinese, pinesl
bring
komu co
< pipomnat
pipomenout, pipomene, pipomnl; pipome!
remind sb. of sth.
www.factumcz.cz
32
< pipojovat
pipojit
connect
< pipravovat
pipravit
prepare
< pirovnvat
pirovnat
koho/co ke komu/k emu
compare sb./sth. with sb./sth.
< pispvat
pispt, pispje, pispl
contribute
< pistvat
pistt, pistane, pistl
land (aircraft), disembark
< pistupovat
pistoupit
step nearer; proceed
< pitahovat
pithnout
attract
< piznvat
piznat
confess, admit, concede
< pizpsobovat
pizpsobit
adapt
pe, psal; pi!

< pst,
napsat, nape, napsal; napi!
write
se, pt se, ptal se

< ptt
zeptat se
ask, inquire
koho (G) na koho/na co
publish
< publikovat
0
< pjovat
pjit; pj!
lend
si = vypjovat si
< pjovat
pjit si
= vypjit si
borrow
< plit
rozplit
bisect, half
< psobit
zpsobit
cause, bring along

operate, work
< psobit
0
www.factumcz.cz
33
< radit
poradit
komu
advise, councel
se
< radit
poradit se
s km o em
consult
se
< radovat
(zaradovat se)
rejoice
< (zraovat)
zranit = ranit
hurt, wound
< reagovat
(zareagovat)
react
< recitovat
zarecitovat
recite, declaim
< referovat
(poreferovat)
report
< registrovat
zaregistrovat
register
< reorganizovat
zreorganizovat
reorganize
< rezavt
zrezavt
corrode, get rusty
< rodit
porodit
give birth
se
< rodit
narodit se
be born
pas.: narozen
< rovnat
srovnat
straighten; adjust
< srovnvat
srovnat
compare
< rozbjet
rozbt, rozbije, rozbil
break, smash
se
< rozilovat
rozlit se
get angry, lose temper
< rozdvat
rozdat
hand out
< rozdlovat
rozdlit
divide
www.factumcz.cz
34
< rozebrat
rozebrat, rozebere, rozebral
analyse, take into parts
se
< rozednvat
rozednt se, rozedn se, rozednlo se
dawn
< rozeznvat
rozeznat
distinguish
< rozhazovat
rozhzet
scatter, disarray
(se)
< rozhodovat
rozhodnout (se)
decide, determine
se
< rozchzet
rozejt se, rozejdou se, rozeli se
disperse, go asunder
se
< rozjdt
rozjet se
start moving (vehicle)
< rozkazovat
rozkzat, rozke, rozkzal
command
< rozliovat
rozliit
distinguish
= rozeznvat
= rozeznat
se
< rozpadat
rozpadnout se
fall apart, decay
< rozsvcovat
rozsvtit
switch on light
pas.: rozsvcen
< roziovat
rozit
broaden, proliferate
< rozumt
(porozumt)
understand
< rozvjet
rozvinout
develop
roste, rostl = vyrstat

< rst,
vyrst, vyroste, vyrostl
grow
=
< ruit
vyruit
disturb, interfere
vyruovat
< ruit
zruit
< ruit
0
www.factumcz.cz
cancel, abolish
(rdio)
jam (radio)
35
< adit
seadit
range, line up
rage
< dit
0
< eit
vyeit
solve
ee, ezal
< ezat,
(znout)
cut, saw
< dit
0
i! pas.: zen
< kat
ct, ekne, ekl
operate, manage, drive (a car)
say, tell
; pas.: een
< sahat
shnout
reach, touch, grasp
< szet
zasadit
plant
(se)
< szet
vsadit (se)
make a bet, gamble
< sbrat
sebrat, sebere, sebral
pick up
collect
< sbrat
0
< stat
sest, sete, seetl
add (together, up)
< sdlovat
sdlit
inform, communicate
si
< sedat
sednout si
sit down
sit
< sedt
0
www.factumcz.cz
36
< selhvat
selhat, sele, selhal
< seazovat
seadit
fail
= adit
range, line up
pas.: seazen
< sestavovat
sestavit
set together, compile
< sestupovat
sestoupit
descend
se
< setkvat
setkat se
meet
(se)
< seznamovat
seznmit (se)
acquaint
< shnt
sehnat, seene, sehnal
hunt for, search

lay hand on, find
se
< shodovat
shodnout se
conform, agree
< shrnovat
shrnout
sum up
(se)
< shromaovat
shromdit (se)
gather, assemble
se
< schzet
sejt se, sejdou se, seli se
gather, meet
< schovvat
schovat
hide
< schvalovat
schvlit
approve, endorse
< slit
zeslit
become strong, amplify
= zesilovat
seje, sel
< st,
zast, zaseje, zasel
< sjednocovat
sjednotit
sow
unite, unify
pas.: sjednocen
ske, skkal
< skkat,
skoit
jump
< skldat
sloit
make up, compose
se
< skldat
0
www.factumcz.cz
z eho
consist of
37
< sklzet
sklidit
reap, harvest
pas.: sklizen
< skrvat
skrt, skryje, skryl
hide
< slbnout
zeslbnout
grow weak, fade
< sladit
osladit
sweeten
pas.: slazen
pas.: oslazen
< (slaovat)
sladit
pas.: sladn
accord, coordinate
< slavit
oslavit
celebrate
= oslavovat
observe, persue
< sledovat
0
< slibovat
slbit
komu (D) co (A)
promise sb. sth.
< slouit
(poslouit)
serve
< sluovat
slouit
fuse, combine
< sluet
0
suit(a dress) The shirt suits you.
Ta koile (N) ti (D) slu.
< slyet
(uslyet)
hear
se, smje se, sml se ; smj se! komu/emu

< smt
zasmt se, zasmje se, zasml se ; zasmj se!
= mazat, mae, mazal ; ma!
< smazvat
smazat, smae, smazal; sma!
laugh at
erase, delete
< smt
0
may
< snit
snow
< sndat
nasndat se
have breakfast
sn, snil
< snt,
0
dream, fantasize
< sniovat
snit
www.factumcz.cz
lower, cut down
38
< solit
osolit
salt
< soudit
0
judge
< souhlasit
0
agree
< sousedit
0
s km/s m
neighbour upon
(se)
< sousteovat
soustedit (se)
concentrate
compete
< soutit
0
< souviset
0
< spalovat
split
s km / s m
hang together, interrelate
= plit
burn (transitive)
sp, spal
< spt,
(vyspat se, vysp se, vyspal se)
se
< specializovat
0
=
< spchat
(pospit si)
sleep
na co
specialize in
pospchat
hurry
0
< spiknout
se
proti komu
conspire
< splcet
splatit
pas.: splacen
repay
< spojovat
spojit
connect, link together
se)
< (spokojovat
spokojit se
be satisfied
(se)
< spolhat
spolehnout (se)
na koho/na co
rely on
coperate
< spolupracovat
0
< spoit
uspoit
save (money)
< spotebovvat
spotebovat
consume
www.factumcz.cz
39
< spravovat
spravit
repair, mend
administer, manage
< spravovat
0
se
< sret
srazit se
1: knock togehter; 2: shrink
< srovnvat
srovnat
compare
< stait
0
To sta.
suffice Thats enough.
< stahovat
sthnout
se
< starat
postarat se
se
< starat
0
download
o koho/ o co
take care of
worry Dont worry about it.
Nestarej se o to.
se
< stvat
stt se, stane se, stalo se
se km/m
< stvat
stt se, stane se, stal se
intrans. Co se stalo?
Stal se uitelem.
< stavt
postavit
What happened?
become
He became a teacher.
build
be on strikes
< stvkovat
0
se
< sthovat
pesthovat se
si
< stovat
(postovat si)
happen
move house, migrate

na koho/ na co
complain of
prosecute
< sthat
0
< (sthat)
stihnout
catch up with (a bus)
stele, stlal
< stlt,
ustlat, ustele, ustlal
make the bed
se
< stmvat
setmt se
get dark
< stoupat
stoupnout
uprise, mount
www.factumcz.cz
40
< strkat
strit
shove, stick, shoulder
< stdat
vystdat
alternate
< sthat
osthat
cut with scissors
< stlet
stelit
shot, fire
study
< studovat
0
se
< stydt
(zastydt se)
se
< stkat
0
be shy, feel ashamed
s km
se
< stskat
0
be in touch with sb.
Stsk se mi (D) po tob (L).
miss I miss you.
< suit
usuit
dry
< svait
nasvait se
have a snack
< svdit
0
witness, bear evidence
< svtit
0
shine
se
< svlkat
svlknout se
take off cltohes, strip
sype, sypal
< sypat,
nasypat, nasype, nasypal
strew
< eptat
zaeptat
whisper
< etit
0
< etit
uetit
www.factumcz.cz
= naetit
economize
(penze)
save (money)
41
(se)
< it
rozit (se)
widen, spread
ije, il
< t,
ut, uije, uil
sew
< kodit
ukodit
harm
< kolit
(vykolit)
train, school
lapu, lapal
< lapat,
lpnout
step, tread
< plhat
vyplhat
climb
< tkat
tknout = zatkat
bark
T
pull, draw (iterative)
< tahat
0
< thnout
0
pas.: taen
pull, draw
< tancovat
(zatancovat si)
dance
< tankovat
natankovat
tank, fill
flow, stream, run
tee, tekl
< tct,
0
< telefonovat
zatelefonovat
komu
phone, ring up sb.
< tit
potit
se
< tit
0
delight
na koho/co
look forward to sb./sth.

extract, exploit
< tit
vytit
< tisknout
stisknout
www.factumcz.cz
squeeze
42
< tisknout
vytisknout
(knihy, noviny)
print, press
push
< tlait
0
< tlumoit
(petlumoit)
(se) =
< toit
otoit (se)
interpret
otet (se)
< touit
(zatouit)
turn round, rotatet
po kom/po em
long for sb./sth.
< trvit
strvit
spend (time)
< trvit
otrvit
otravovat
poison; trouble, bother

hit the target
< trefit
0
< trestat
potrestat
punish
< trhat
(utrhnout)
tear, pick
si
< troufat
troufnout si
dare, venture
< trpt
0
suffer from
last , take time
< trvat
0
(se), tese (se), tsl (se)
< tst
zatst (se), zatese (se), zatsl (se)
shake, shiver
se
< tpytit
zatpytit se
twinkle, glitter
< tuit
(vytuit)
suspect, anticipate
< tvoit
utvoit
create
= vytvoit = stvoit
< tvrdit
(potvrdit)
< tykat
0
www.factumcz.cz
assert, affirm
komu
address sb. as ty
43
se koho/eho
< tkat
0
concern
< trat
utrat
torment, maltreat
< ukat
zaukat
tap
= uknout
< ubrat
ubrat, ubere, ubral
< ubliovat
ublit
take away, reduce

komu
se =
< astnit
zastnit se
zastovat se
harm sb.
eho
participate
< uit
nauit
teach
se
< uit
nauit se
learn
< udvat
udat
indicate
< ujiovat
ujistit pas.: ujitn
assure
< ukazovat
ukzat, uke, ukzal
show; point
uka!
< ukldat
uloit
save, deposit
< uklidovat
uklidnit
calm, tranquilize
< uklzet
uklidit
tidy up
pas.: uklizen
< ulehovat
ulehit
www.factumcz.cz
facilitate
44
know how to do sth.
< umt
0
< umrat
umt, ume, umel = zemt, zeme, zemel
die
< unavovat
unavit
tire, make weary
< upozorovat
upozornit
warn, alert
(se)
< uret
urazit (se)
offend
pas.: uraen
< urovat
urit
determine, fix
< usnat
usnout, usne, usnul
fall asleep
< uskuteovat
uskutenit
realize, implement
se
< usmvat
usmt se, umje se, usml se
smile
< usnadovat
usnadnit
facilitate
< utkat
utct, utee, utekl
run away, fly from
< utrat
utt, ute, utel
wipe
< toit
zatoit
attack
< utrcet
utratit
spend
pas.: utracen
< uvdt
uvst, uvede, uvedl
introduce; mention
pas.: uveden
< uvaovat
(uvit)
deliberate, cogitate
si
< uvdomovat
uvdomit si
be aware of
se
< uzdravovat
uzdravit se
convalesce, recover
< uznvat
uznat
acknowledge, recognize
www.factumcz.cz
45
< uvat
ut, uije, uil
= pouvat
= pout, pouije, pouil
use
< vadit
0
komu
obstruct, interfere
< vhat
(zavhat)
hesitate
< varovat
0
koho (A) ped km/ped m (I)
< vait
uvait
cook
ve, vzal
< vzat,
(pivzat, pive, pivzal)
< vit
zvit
warn sb. against sb./sth.
bind
(both transitive and intransitive)

(transitive only)
weigh (transitive)
weigh (intransitive)
< vit
0
si
< vit
0
koho/eho
respect, esteem
se
< vdvat
vdt se, vd se, vdala se
get married (female)
< vdechovat
vdechnout
breathe in
< veeet
naveeet se
have a supper
vm v v vd, vdl
< vdt,
0
know
< vnovat
0
dedicate
se
< vnovat
0
www.factumcz.cz
komu co
(komu)/emu
attend to, go in for
46
< vit
(uvit)
komu/emu
vede, vedl
< vst,
0
< vet
povsit
believe
pas.: veden
lead
pas.: poven
hang (transitive)
< vtrat
vyvtrat
air, ventilate
< vznit
uvznit
imprison
veze, vezl
< vzt,
0
pas.: vezen
carry (car, train)
< vchzet
vejt, vejde, veel
enter
0
< vejt
se, vejde se, veel se
get in, hold
< vidt
(uvidt)
see
hang (intransitive)
< viset
0
< vtat
pivtat
welcome
= uvtat
< vtzit
zvtzit
win
< vkldat
vloit
put in, insert
vldne, vldl
< vldnout,
0
govern, rule
(se)
< vlvat
vlt (se), vlije, vlil
pour in, flow to
< vnikat
vniknout
penetrate, brek into
< vnmat
0
perceive
< vodit
0
lead, conduct (iterative)
< volat
zavolat
www.factumcz.cz
call
47
< volit
zvolit
elect
< vont
(zavont)
smell good
cary (means of travel) (iterative)
< vozit
0
< vracet
vrtit vra!
give back, return
pas.: vrcen
se
< vracet
vrtit se
< vradit
zavradit
oome back, return

murder
pas.: zavradn
< vstvat
vstt, vstane, vstal
rise, get up
vsta!
< vstupovat
vstoupit
kam
enter (place) join ( organization)
si
< vmat
vimnout si
koho/eho
notice
< vybrat
vybrat, vybere, vybral
< vytat
vyst, vyte, vyetl
choose, pick out

komu (D) co (A)
reproach sb. for sth.
< vydvat
vydat
give out; publish
< vydechovat
vydechnout
breathe out
< vydlvat
vydlat
earn, make profit
< vyhazovat
vyhodit
pas.: vyhozen
throw out
< vyhlaovat
vyhlsit
pas.: vyhlen
proclaim, declare
< vyhrvat
vyhrt, vyhraje, vyhrl
win
se
< vyhbat
vyhnout se
avoid sb./ sth., get out of the way
komu / emu
< vychzet
vyjt, vyjde, vyel
www.factumcz.cz
go out; appear
48
< vychovvat
vychovat
bring up, foster
< vyjadovat
vyjdit
express
< vyjednvat
vyjednat
negotiate
< vykat
0
komu
address sb. as vy
< vykldat
vyloit
1: unload; 2: explain
< vykrdat
vykrst, vykrade, vykradl
rob, pick
< vymovat
vymnit
(ex)change
= mnit
< vymrat
vymt, vyme, vymel
die out
se
< vymlouvat
vymluvit se
make false excuse
< vymlet
vymyslet
think out
< vynalzat
vynalzt, vynalezne, vynalezl pas.: vynalezen
invent
< vynechvat
vynechat
leave out, omit
< vynikat
vyniknout
excel
< vypnat
vypnout
switch off
< vyplcet
vyplatit
pay out, pay off
pas.: vyplacen
se
< vyplcet
vyplatit se
be worth while
< vyplovat
vyplnit
fill in
< vyprvt
0
si
< vypjovat
vypjit si
www.factumcz.cz
narrate, tell
= vypravovat
= pjovat si
= pjit si
borrow
49
< vyrbt
vyrobit
< vyizovat
vydit
produce
settle, clear
pas.: vyzen
< vyizovat
vydit
komu (D) co (A)
< vyslat
vyslat
deliver a message
send out
broadcast
< vyslat
0
< vyslovovat
vyslovit
pronounce
< vystupovat
vystoupit
get out; appear
< vysvtlovat
vysvtlit
komu (D) co (A)
< vytet
vytoit
explain
turn out, dial
teach, give lessons
< vyuovat
0
< vyuvat
vyut, vyuije, vyuil
make use of, utilize
< vyvet
vyvzt, vyveze, vyvezl
export
< vyvjet
vyvinout
develop
se
< vyznaovat
0
se)
< (vyznvat
vyznat se
be characterized by
v em
be acquainted with sth.
< vyzvat
vyzvat, vyzve, vyzval
challenge, call
(se)
< vzbouzet
vzbudit (se)
wake up
= probouzet (se)
= probudit (se)
se
< vzdvat
vzdt se, vzd se, vzdal se
give up
< vzdlvat
vzdlat
educate
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50
< vzkazovat
vzkzat, vzke, vzkzal
let know by message
< vznikat
vzniknout
originate, rise
< vzpomnat
vzpomenout, vzpomenu, vzpomnl/vzpomenul
recollect
< vzrstat
vzrst, vzroste, vzrostl
grow uo, increase
< zabjet
zabt, zabije, zabil
kill
< zabraovat
zabrnit
se
< zabvat
0
komu (D) v em (L)

m
prevent sb. from doing sth.

deal with
< zanat
zat, zane, zaal
start, begin
< zahajovat
zahjit
open, launch
< zahrnovat
zahrnout
include
< zahbat
zahnout, zahne, zahnul
bend, turn
< zachovvat
zachovat
preserve
< zachraovat
zachrnit
zachra!
save, rescue
< zajmat
zajmout, zajme, zajal
www.factumcz.cz
pas.: zajat
51
capture, take sb. prisoner
< zajmat
0
To (N) m (A) zajm.
se
< zajmat
0
o co
concern, interest Its interesting

for me.
be interested in
< zajiovat
zajistit
ensure
< zakazovat
zakzat, zake, zakzal
prohibit, ban
< zakldat
zaloit
found, establish
< zalvat
zalt, zalije, zalil
water
< zleet
0
na em
matter
(se)
< zamovat
zamit (se)
na co
concentrate on
< zamstnvat
zamstnat
employ
< zametat
zamst, zamete, zametl
sweep
< zamykat
zamknout
lock
pas.: zamen/zamknut
< zanikat
zaniknout
become extinct
< zapalovat
zaplit
set fire, ignite

fight, combat
< zpasit
0
< zapnat
zapnout
switch on
< zaprat
zapt, zape, zapel
deny
< zapisovat
zapsat, zape, zapsal
write down, log
< zaplavovat
zaplavit
inundate
< zapomnat
zapomenout, zapomnl/zapomenul
forget
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52
< zaruovat
zaruit
guarantee
< zaizovat
zadit
settle, arrange
pas.: zazen
< zasahovat
zashnout
interfere, intervene
< zsobovat
zsobit
supply
(se)
< zastavovat
zastavit (se)
stop, halt
< zastupovat
zastoupit
substitute, deputize
< zatet
zatoit
turn off
< zatkat
zatknout
arrest
< zavdt
zavst, zavede, zavedl
< zvidt
0
komu
envy
< zavrat
zavt, zave, zavel
< zviset
0
introduce, establish
pas.: zaveden
close
pas.: zaven
depend on
na em
se
< zbavovat
zbavit se
koho/eho
get rid of
< zbvat
zbt, zbude, zbyl
remain, rest
se, zd se, zdl se

< zdt
0
seem
(se)
< zdokonalovat
zdokonalit (se)
improve
< zdravit
pozdravit
greet, salute
< zdraovat
zdrait
raise price
(se)
< zdrovat
zdret (se)
delay
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53
< zdrazovat
zdraznit
stress, emphasize
< zesilovat
zeslit
strengthen, amplify, tone up
< zeslabovat
zeslbnout
weaken, tone down
< zhasnat
zhasnout
switch off light
(se)
< zhorovat
zhorit (se)
worsen
< zskvat
zskat
gain, acquire, profit
< zjednoduovat
zjednoduit
simplify
< zjiovat
zjistit
find out
pas.: zjitn
< (zklamvat)
zklamat, zklame, zklamal
disappoint
< zkoumat
prozkoumat
investigate, inquire
< zkouet
zkusit
attempt, try
< zkouet
vyzkouet
examine
< zkracovat
zkrtit
pas.: zkrcen
shorten
< zlepovat
zlepit
improve
se
< zlobit
rozzlobit se
be angry
get angry
< (zmekvat)
zmekat
se
< zmiovat
zmnit se
vlak, pednku
o kom/ o em
miss (train, lecture )

mention sb/sth
< znamenat
0
mean, signify
zn, znal
< znt,
0
know
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54
< zneiovat
zneistit
pollute
pas.: zneitn
< zneuvat
zneut, zneuije, zneuil
misuse, abuse
zn, znl
< znt,
zaznt, zazn, zaznl
sound
< zodpovdat
zodpovdt, zodpov, zodpovdl
< zodpovdat
0
otzky
za koho/za co
answer (questions)
be responsible for sb./sth.
(se)
< zouvat
zout (se), zuje (se), zul (se)
take off ones shoes
< zpvat
zazpvat
sing
< zpomalovat
zpomalit
slow dow
< zprostedkovvat
zprostedkovat
mediate
< zpsobovat
zpsobit
cause, bring along
= psobit
< zrychlovat
zrychlit
speed up
< ztovat
ztit
make more difficult
< ztrcet
ztratit
lose
pas.: ztracen
(se)
< ztotoovat
ztotonit (se)
< zstvat
zstat, zstane, zstal
s km/s m
identify with sb./sth.

stay
zsta!
zve, zval
< zvt,
pozvat, pozve, pozval
invite
< zvaovat
zvit
deliberate
< zvedat
zvednout
lift, heave
< zveejovat
zveejnit
publish
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55
< zvonit
zazvonit
ring
si
< zvykat
zvyknout si
na koho/na co
get accustomed to sb./sth.
< zvyovat
zvit
heighten, raise
< dat
podat
request
< alovat
zaalovat
= obalovvat
= obalovat
< rlit
0
sue, complain
na koho (A)
be jealous of sb.
beg
< ebrat
0
se
< enit
oenit se
s km
get married (male)
< ertovat
(zaertovat si)
joke
< t,0ije, il
live, be alive
< vkat
0
chew
*****
www.factumcz.cz
56
CZECH VERB ASPECT

Karel Tahal
Keywords: verb aspect, imperfective, perfective, monoaspective verbs, aspect and tense,
prefixation, motion verbs, semantic characteristics, telic, atelic, lexical dependence, context
dependence, duration, completion, recurrence, temporal clauses, English continuous forms
*
The linguistic term VERB ASPECT is often used even in other languages to indicate various
characteristics of actions and states (e.g. the English opposition of simple vs. continuous). In
spite of certain similarities, such distinctions cannot be confused with the category of aspect
in Czech (and in other Slavonic languages). Verb aspect in Czech means distinguishing the
opposition IMPERFECTIVE vs. PERFECTIVE.
Unlike the other grammatical categories of Czech verbs, aspect is an inherent property of a
verb as a lexical unit. Every Czech verb (with marginal exceptions of bi-aspectual verbs) is
either imperfective or perfective not only in a particular speech act, but even on the lexical
level. This fact is reflected in the indiscriminate use of the terminology NEDOKONAV VID vs.
DOKONAV VID (IMPERFECTIVE ASPECT vs. PERFECTIVE ASPECT) as well as NEDOKONAV
SLOVESO vs. DOKONAV SLOVESO (IMPERFECTIVE VERB vs. PERFECTIVE VERB).
Mostly, there are two Czech verbs with identical lexical meaning.
One of them is called NEDOKONAV SLOVESO (= IMPERFECTIVE VERB),
DOKONAV SLOVESO (=
PERFECTIVE VERB).
the other one
The two verbs constitute an aspect pair (in Czech VIDOV DVOJICE), e.g.:
(imperfective)
pst
to write
( perfective)
napsat
The category of aspect is closely interrelated with the category of tense. The intrinsic
temporal characteristics are illustrated in the following survey.
NEDOKONAV
(= IMPERFECTIVE)
(=
DOKONAV
PERFECTIVE)
MINUL AS
PTOMN AS
BUDOUC AS
INFINITIVE
(past tense)
(present tense) (future tense)
pst
psal
pe
bude pst
napsat
napsal
nape
Comment on the chart:

The perfective verb (= dokonav sloveso) has no present tense. Its present form
refers to futurity. The auxiliary budu, bude, bude can never be connected
with the infinitive of any perfective verb.
For topical present (i.e. states and events that refer to the point now) the only
possible form is the imperfective verb (= nedokonav sloveso).
(See also chapter 16 in A GRAMMAR OF CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.)
***
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57
FORMAL CHARACTERISTICS
Most Czech verbs come in aspect pairs, i.e. two lexical items corresponding to one verb in
other (non-Slavonic) languages, e.g.
<
dvat
dt
imperf.
perf.
} give
<
kupovat
koupit
imperf.
perf.
} buy
<
pekldat
peloit
imperf.
perf.
} translate
Some verbs only occur as monoaspective imperfective (imperfectiva tantum), without any
perfective counterpart, e.g.
<
bydlet
0
imperf.
live (= reside)
<
hledat
0
imperf.
look for
<
cestovat
0
imperf.
travel
Few verbs only occur as monoaspective perfective (perfectiva tantum), without any
imperfective counterpart, e.g.
<
0
onemocnt
perf.
fall ill
<
0
obdret
perf.
obtain
Bi-aspectual verbs (obouvidov slovesa), i.e. those functioning as both imperfective and
perfective, e.g.
vnovat
imperf.+ perf.
dedicate
aktivovat
imperf.+ perf.
activate
emigrovat
imperf.+ perf.
emigrate
are rather unstable and, moreover, those that are borrowed from other languages sometimes
form a new perfective verb, not entirely embodied in the aspectual system, e.g. aktivovat
(zaktivovat), = activate, emigrovat (vyemigrovat) = emigrate.
(In our compendium, bi-aspectual verbs are treated as monoaspective imperfective.)
*
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58
Complete aspect pairs are characteristic for most Czech verbs.

The two verbs may differ in root vowels or consonants, e.g. kupovatkoupit = buy,
nahrazovatnahradit = replace, pekldatpeloit = translate.
Rarely, the two verbs are suppletive, i.e. there is no morphonological similarity between the
roots, e.g. brtvzt = take.
A very frequent formal relation is the prefixation of perfective verbs, e.g. dlatudlat =
make, do, stpest = read, platitzaplatit = pay.
Remark on prefixation:
A prefix is not always a marker of perfective aspect. Apart from perfectivization, prefixes are
used for word formation, i.e. lexical modification of both imperfective and perfective verbs,
e.g. pechzetpejt = cross, pivatpit = sew on , odvazovatodvzat = unbind,
vhazovat-vhodit = throw in, vyvovat-vyvsit = hang out, etc.
(See chapter 69 in A GRAMMAR OF CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.)
In this connection, it may be useful to review the elementary aspectual situation of motion
verbs:
(See chapters 17 and 68 in A GRAMMAR OF CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.)
The unprefixed verbs of motion are monoaspective imperfective (= imperfectiva tantum).
They do not indicate any direction of the movement. There is, however, a specific distinction
that can be explained -in as simplified way- as particular vs. usual (sometimes known as
iterative). This concerns especially the following verbs:
p a r t i c u l a r
usually (iterative)
o c c a s i o n
infin.
present past
future
jt
0
jde
el
pjde
go, walk
chodit
0
jet
0
jede
jel
pojede
go (car, train )
jezdit
0
nst
0
nese
nesl
ponese
carry, bear
nosit
0
vzt
0
veze
vezl
poveze
transport (by car)
vozit
0
vst
0
vede
vedl
povede
lead
vodit
0
lett
0
let
letl
polet
fly
ltat
0
bet
0
bel pob
run
bhat
0
www.factumcz.cz
(regular conjugations)
59
The meaning of approaching, leaving, crossing, entering, etc. is expressed by means of the
prefixes pi-, od-, pe-, v- and others. The prefixed verbs come in regular aspect pairs, i.e.
<
pichzet
pijt
come
< odchzet
odejt
go away, leave
<
pijdt
pijet
arrive
< odjdt
odjet
depart
<
pinet
pinst
bring
< odnet
odnst
carry away
<
pivet
pivzt
< odvet
odvzt
<
pivdt
pivst
< odvdt
odvst
<
piltat
pilett
< odltat
odlett
<
pibhat
pibhnout
< odbhat
odbhnout
etc.
Even other verbs can be modified by prefixes in a similar way.

(See chapter 69 in A GRAMMAR OF CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.)
*
Using a prefix as a means of perfectivization can bring about some problems in arranging the
aspect pairs. Sometimes, the perfective verb can be formed by more prefixes, e.g.
filmovat
shoot a film
zfilmovat = nafilmovat
<
malovat
paint
namalovat = vymalovat
often used in different collocations, e.g. namalovat obraz = paint a picture, vymalovat
pokoj = paint a room.
<
Sometimes, the prefix may form a secondary imperfective verb, which results in two
imperfective synonyms, e.g.
<
rst = vyrstat
vyrst
grow
<
blit se = pibliovat se
piblit se
approach
***
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60
SEMANTIC CHARACTERISTICS
It should be kept in mind that language units, categories and constructions are mediated
through human cognition. Semantic relations are sometimes fairly simple, sometimes more
intricate. Thus, e.g. the grammatical category of number is essentially constructed on the
distinction one vs. more than one, in spite of various specific discrepancies in a particular
language. The category of verb tense is based on the general perception present past
future, even if more elaborate systems of grammatical tenses exist in many languages.
The category of verb aspect is an abstraction of a higher degree, lacking any unambigous
foundation on the extralinguistic level.
There are no straightforward relations between the language category of aspect and the
extralinguistic phenomena, nor is there any one-to-one correspondence between Czech and
other (non-Slavonic) languages. A native Czech speaker uses the aspect intuitively, often not
being able to tell whether the verb is imperfective or perfective. The aspect choice in a speech
act is made subconsciously, in accordance with the speakers personal view. Sometimes, more
interpretations of an utterance are possible, depending on the overall situation.
The imperfective aspect (= nedokonav vid) views the process as ongoing, progressing.
The perfective aspect (= dokonav vid) views the process as complex, without duration.
Compare the following examples:
imperfective
(nedokonav):
Co jsi dlal vera?
What did you do yesterday?

What were you doing yesterday?
(i.e.: How did you spend your time?)
perfective
(dokonav):
Co ji udlal vera?
What did you do yesterday?

(i.e.: What did you accomplish?)
imperfective
(nedokonav):
Vera jsem psal jeden lnek.
I wrote a paper yesterday.

I was writing a paper yesterday.
i.e.: (only the activities are mentioned,
not the result)
perfective
(dokonav):
Vera jsem napsal jeden

lnek.
I wrote a paper yesterday.

(i.e.: the paper is finished)
Analogically, in the future:

imperfective
(nedokonav):
Ztra budu pst ten lnek.
I will write the paper tomorrow.

I will be writing the paper tomorrow.
(i.e.: information about my intended
actvities, about the way I am going to
spend the time)
perfective
(dokonav):
Ztra napu ten lnek.
I will write the paper tomorrow.

(i.e.: I intend to write the whole paper.)
*
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61
Aspectual oppositions can be observed in the past tense (dlal udlal), future tense (bude
dlat udl), infinitive (dlat udlat), imperative (dlej udlej), passive participle
(dln udln), passive adjective (dlan udlan), verbal noun (dln udln),
transgressive (dlaje udlav). Due to the defective conjugational pattern of perfective
verbs, the distinctions cannot be applied to the topical present (aktuln ptomnost), i.e.
events happening at the moment of speech.
The grammatical category of aspect is firmly rooted in vocabulary. The aspectual distinctions
exist even in the lexical entry. A verb is either imperfective or perfective in all its grammatical
forms (with the exception of somewhat marginal bi-aspectual verbs).
Aspect cannot be confused with the purely lexical clustering of verbs as ingressive,
terminative, durative, etc., usually known under the German name of Aktionsart (in Czech
zpsob slovesnho dje). Even such verbs are inevitably imperfective or perfective, i.e
perceived as either ongonig or complex, usually occurring in complete aspect pairs, e.g.
rozbhat se
start running
rozbhnout se
<
dodlvat
finish doing
dodlat
where the ingressive stage of running and the terminative stage of doing can be expressed by
both the imperfective and the perfective verb.
<
*
In principle, the two members of an aspect pair convey identical lexical meaning. Sometimes,
however, one of them is slightly different.
E.g. in the aspect pair
vidt
see
(uvidt)
the perfective form uvidt expresses the idea of catching sight of.
<
In the aspect pair

vhat
hesitate
(zavhat)
the perfective form zavhat refers to a momentary act of hesitation.
<
The perfective verb in the pair

plavat
swim
(zaplavat si)
can usually be felt as bearing a connotation of pleasant experience of swimming.
<
The lexical meaning of such perfective verbs is confined to certain specific features, and in
speech acts they occurs less frequently than the corresponding imperfective verbs.
(Our compendium places such perfective verbs in brackets, not discussing the reasons.)
***
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62
Telic - atelic
Various aspectual shades are influenced by lexical semantics of a particular verb.
An important part is played by telicity which is an inherent feature of the lexical meaning of
a verb, not necessarily manifested overtly, and depending also on the context.
Telic verbs (sometimes called conclusive verbs) express processes that tend towards a goal.
E.g. the event of writing a letter can be interpreted as a chain of minor actions, with an
implicit beginning, followed by different stages of writing, tending towards the completion of
having written the letter.
As examples of such verbs, we can mention
pst
opravovat
pijdt
repair
arrive
napsat write
opravit
pijet
and many others.
<
<
<
We can imagine a person repairing a car and then being either successful or unsuccessful.
The perfective verb in Petr opravil to auto indicates a successful action, i.e. Peter repaired /
has repaired the car. (= The car is in order now.) The imperfective verb in Petr opravoval to
auto is focused on the persons activities, without saying anything about the result. The
English continuous form P. was repairing the car may be more suitable here. If not only the
information about the persons activities is relevant, but subsequently even the information
about the result, it can be expressed explicitly, as either a podailo se mu to = and he
succeeded, or ale nepodailo se mu to = but he did not succeed. The wording Petr
opravoval to auto, ale neopravil ho, in spite of its stylistic clumsiness, expresses explicitly
the distinction between incompleted and completed activities.
The perfective verb in Vlak pijel views the arrival of the train as a completed event, i.e. The
train arrived, in the sense of reaching a destination.
The imperfective verb in Vlak pijdl views the arrival of the train as an ongoing process,
not mentioning the conslusion. There may follow the statement A pak se stalo to netst,
which indicates the incompletion of the process, i.e. the train has not successfully reached the
station. The train was arriving. And then the accident happened.
The notion of tending towards a goal, achieving a conclusion may have different
connotations, connected with the lexical semantics of a particular verb. The interplay of the
grammatical meaning of aspect and the lexical-semantic telicity of a particular verb can
sometimes affect the meaning of the members of an aspect pair in such a degree that the
question of two lexical units may be posed. The verbs opalovat seoplit se, for example,
are treated as members of one aspect pair, and yet, the imperfective refers to the process of
sunbathing, while the perfective indicates the result or consequence, i.e. getting sun-tanned.
Contrasting the two verbs in one sentence sounds quite normal, e.g. Opalovala se dva dny,
ale jet se neoplila She was sunbathing for two days, but she has not got tanned yet.
Similarly, the aspect pair dohadovat sedohodnout se in the sentence Dlouho se
dohadovali, ale na niem se nedohodli They were bargaining for a long time, but they
did not achieve any agreement. The same applies to the aspect pair brnit se defend, resist
ubrnit se resist successfully, and some others.
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Atelic verbs (sometimes called non-conclusive verbs), in virtue of their lexical meaning, refer
to processes not tending towards any goal. In Czech, some of them lack the perfective form,
i.e. they are monoaspective imperfective (= imperfectiva tantum), e.g.
< doufat
0
hope
< obdivovat
0
admire
se
< jmenovat
0
be called
Many atelic verbs, however, do come in pairs, e.g.
< zvonit
zazvonit
ring
usmvat se
< usmt
se
smile
ukazovat
< ukzat
show
With such verbs, the perfective and the imperfective cannot be contrasted like with the telic
verbs. It would be nonsense to say *Zvonek zvonil, ale nezazvonil. The imperfective verb
zvonit leaves no doubt about the action of ringing having taken place as a whole, in the
same way as the perfective verb zazvonit. Similarly, it is impossible to say *Usmvala se,
ale neusmla se, *Ukazoval mi fotku, ale neukzal mi ji. The actions of ringing, smiling,
showing do not aim at achieving any conclusion.
The question readily occurs about the aspectual difference of atelic verbs. The answer can be
illustrated by the following examples:
Zvonek zvonil.
Zvonek zazvonil.
Ona se usmvala.
Ona se usmla.
Ukazoval mi fotku.
Ukzal mi fotku.
The imperfective aspect views events as having longer duration, while the perfective aspect
views events without a connotation of any temporal dimension. This distinction does not
reflect real duration of events. It is a subjective impression.
The distinction telic : atelic is not an unchallenged criterion. The wording tending towards
a goal, achieving a conclusion can be misleading with some verbs. For instance, if we are
looking for something, the desirable goal is undoubtedly the finding. It is possible to say He
has been looking for a job, but he has not found any. = Hledal prci, ale dnou nenael. Yet,
this is not only the matter of aspect, but the two verbs differ essentially in their lexical
meaning. The aspect pairs should be presented like this:
<
hledat
0
<
nachzet
najt
look for, search
find
The perfective verb najt clearly indicates the desired goal. The imperfective verb nachzet,
however, cannot be interpreted as any action tending towards finding. The two members of
the aspect pair refer to atelic events. Even the imperfective verb implies finding, but it has a
strong connotation of recurrence, repeated process.
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The connotation of recurrence prevails also in the imperfective forms of some other verbs,
e.g.:
<
potkvat
potkat
meet
<
ztrcet
ztratit
lose
and others.
***
The importance of context
The mentioned examples have shown that the grammatical category of aspect is influenced by
the lexical meaning of a particular verb. Apart from being lexical-dependent, aspect is even
context-dependent. The lexical dependence of the verb aspect is inherently rooted in the
language system.
The context dependence is manifested in speech acts. The aspect choice by the speaker and
its impact on the listener are determined by the interplay of general aspectual semantics,
lexical semantics of a particular verb, and various circumstances of the context and situation.
Verbal aspect potentially contains more components. Some of them may be highligted and
others suppressed in a speech act. It is not unusual for an utterance to be perceived in various
ways.
E.g. the imperfective verb in the sentence
Vysvtloval mi to
can be interpreted as
(a) laying stress on the duration of the process of explaining
(b) the mentioned persons efforts of explaining it to me (probably with negative result)
(c) the repeated events of explaining (the result being irrelevant)
The components are not mutually exclusive, all of them may be included, in accordance with
the overall situation of a speech act. If the listener lacks sufficient background knowledge of
the circumstances, the speakers intention can sometimes be misinterpreted, and subsequent
explicit explanation may be needed.
The perfective verb in the sentence
Vysvtlil mi to
can be interpreted as
(a) global view of the act of explanation, with any duration irrelevant
(b) successful result
(c) singularity of the event of explanation which, however, can be multiplied by
explicit lexical data, e.g. Vysvtlil mi to tikrt.
Again, the components are not mutually exclusive, all of them may be included.
*
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65
The following paragraphs try to display some of the factors that can modify the interpretation
of aspectual oppositions.
The verbs in the sentences
(1-a) Dlala kvu
(1-b) Udlala kvu
make an aspect pair with identical lexical meaning, the difference being aspectual, both in the
sense of ongoing vs. complete and some duration vs. zero duration.
In the sentences
(2-a) Dlala zkouku
(2-b) Udlala zkouku
the connotation of ongoing vs. complete in combination with the syntactic object zkouka
(exam) is so strong that a crucial semantic difference is felt. The (a) sentence refers to taking
an exam, while the (b) sentence reports passing the exam. In a real dialogue, it is probable that
the response to the announcement Dlala zkouku would be followed by the question A
udlala ji? The aspectual contradiction in the complex sentence Dlala zkouku, ale
neudlala ji (= She took the exam, but she did not pass) is -linguistically- not illogical. (A
similar aspectual contraposition *Dlala kvu, ale neudlala ji would sound strange.)
In the examples
(3-a) Uil m nminu
(3-b) Nauil m nminu
(3-c) Uil nminu
the (a) sentence mentions him as a person who gave me German language lessons, without
indicating whether I can or cannot speak German;
the (b) sentence implies my knowledge of German;
the (c) sentence presents him as a German language teacher.
An important part may be played by the singularity or plurality of a syntactic object. Compare
the following sentences:
(4-a) Prodval auto.
(4-b) Prodal auto.
(4-c) Prodval auta.
(4-d) Prodal auta.
In connection with the singular object, the (a) sentence expresses the ongoing process of
selling the car, whereas the (b) sentence refers to the total completed process, implying that
the person in question is no longer the owner of the mentioned car.
The (d) sentence differs from (b) in the plurality of the cars.
The (c) sentence suggests either the same interpretation as the (a) sentence, differing only in
the plurality of the objects of selling, or it may be understood as the expression of a series of
repeated events. Apart from the connotations of ongoing, and therefore not mentioning the
completion, another semantic component of the imperfective aspect is included, that of
recurrence. Without any further context, the interpretation may be both He sold his cars one
after another, and Selling cars were his habitual activities, e.g. in a car shop.
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66
The notion of recurrence, as opposed to single events, often makes a component part of the
aspectual opposition, e.g.
(5-a) Potkval jsem ho na ndra. (I used to meet him at the station.)
(5-b) Potkal jsem ho na ndra.
(I met him at the station.)
This can also be illustrated in the future tense, e.g.
(6-a) J vm budu podvat ty knihy. (i.e. passing the books one by one)
(6-b) J vm podm ty knihy.
(i.e. passing the books as a complex event)
as well as in connection with modal verbs, e.g.
(7-a) Musm se dvat do slovnku.
(7-b) Musm se podvat do slovnku.
or in the imperative, e.g.
(8-a) Zavrejte dvee.
(8-b) Zavete dvee.
The opposition recurrent events : single event is one of potential aspectual meanings that
can go hand in hand with the oppositions progressing : completed and longer : shorter timespan. In a speech act, some of these connotations may be felt as prevailing, in conformity
with the lexical meaning of a particular verb and with the overall context.
***
Remarks on present tense:
The perfective aspect is unable to refer to topical present, i.e. events happening at the moment
of speech. In certain situations, however, even a perfective verb can refer to repeated events,
especially when accompanied by frequency adverbials, e.g.
(9) Nkdy udlm takovou chybu.
I sometimes make such a mistake.
They are always late.
(10) Oni vdycky pijdou pozd.
The perfective verb is also used for expressing timeless ability or capacity, e.g.
(11) Tohle petu bez brl.
I can read this without eye-glasses.
(12) Pelo to?
Are you able to translate it?
Remarks on completion:
In certain contexts, even the imperfective aspect of telic verbs may express an event viewed
as completed. It carries identical information as the perfective aspect, and moreover evokes a
feeling of vividness. E.g.:
(13-a) To jsem psal j.
(13-b) To jsem napsal j.
It was me who wrote it.

--
(14-a) Kdo vm to kal?

(14-b) Kdo vm to ekl?
Who told you that?

--
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67
(15-a) Bral sis lky?

(15-b) Vzal sis lky?
Have you taken your medicine?

--
(16-a) Vera jsem vstval v sedm.

(16-b) Vera jsem vstal v sedm.
I got up at seven yesterday.

-***
Aspect in temporal clauses

The choice of imperfective or perfective plays a prominent part in complex sentences, where
the aspectual distinctions strongly influence the perception of temporal relations as either
simultaneous or subsequent as illustrated in the following examples.
imperfective
imperfective
Kdy jsem psal ten lnek,

When (while) I was writing the paper,
poslouchal jsem rdio.
I was listening to the radio.
i.e.: two simultaneous events
imperfective
perfective
Kdy jsem psal ten lnek,

When (while) I was writing the paper,
nkdo otevel okno.
somebody opened the window.
i.e.: writing is a background for the shorter action of opening
perfective
imperfective
Kdy jsem napsal ten lnek,

When I had written the paper,
pekldal jsem ho do anglitiny. I was translating it into English.
i.e.: the first action finished, I was doing sth. else
perfective
perfective
Kdy jsem napsal ten lnek,

When I had written the paper,
peloil jsem ho do anglitiny.
I translated it into English.
i.e.: having accomplished one action, I accomplished even the other one;
The same examples could analogically be transferred into the future with an important
difference concerning the conjunction: Instead of kdy, the future uses the conjunction a,
e.g.:
When (while) I write the paper,
imperfective A budu pst ten lnek,
imperfective
budu poslouchat rdio.
I will be listening to the radio.
perfective
perfective
A napu ten lnek,

pelom ho do anglitiny.
When (after) I have written the paper,

I will translate it into English.
(See also chapter 16 in A GRAMMAR OF CZECH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.)

The extrinsic temporal interpretation of the above mentioned examples may be explained as
the result of intrinsic temporal qualities of aspectual distinctions, especially the inability of the
imperfective verb to express topical present, and the complex view of the perfective verb.
***
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68
Remarks on duration
The aspect distinction is often interpreted as the inability of a perfective verb to express the
duration of an event, and the impossibility to be combined with the question jak dlouho
how long. Essentially, this is correct with some amendments.
It is not unusual to find sentences like
Postavili ten dm za pl roku.
They built the house within six months.
Peetl jsem celou knihu bhem dvou dn. I read the whole book in the course of 2 days.
Zem se oto kolem sv osy za 24 hodin. The Earth turns round its axis in 24 hours.
Such constructions are enabled by the particular expressions that specifically refer to the time
span or frequency of completed events (mostly the prepositions za, bhem, v prbhu ).
Neither here is it possible to ask *Jak dlouho postavili ten dm? etc. The question should
be Za jak dlouho postavili ten dm? (within what time period). The time specification in
connection with the perfective verb does not express the view of duration, but the total time
recquired for completing the event. Compare the following sentences:
Stavli ten dm dva roky.
impossible * Postavili ten dm dva roky.
Postavili ten dm za dva roky.
imperf. + duration
* perf. + duration
perf. + total time
Even more conspicuous is a restricted number of perfective verbs that can express duration
without any special aids. We can mention the verbs ekat pokat = wait, zstvat
zstat = stay, nechvat nechat = leave, and a marginal group of a few monoaspective
perfective verbs with the prefix po-, e.g. posedt, postt, pohovoit.
Examples (all of them containing perfective verbs):
Pokal jsem asi pl hodiny a pak jsem el dom.
Zstaneme v Praze dva dny.
Nechala si tu knihu doma vc ne ti msce.
Chvli jsme posedli a pohovoili.
These few verbs go so far that they do enable the explicit use of the question jak dlouho =
how long. Neither these verbs, however, could be connected with the temporal conjunction
zatmco = while or kdy = when. It is impossible to say *Zatmco jsem pokal, ,
*Zatmco jsme tam zstali, .
Instead of reasoning about zero duration, a modified wording would be more appropriate: A
perfective verb cannot refer to events that express background for other events happening
simultaneously. This seems to be the essential semantic feature of all perfective verbs, no
matter whether the different events are expressed explicitly, as in our earlier mentioned sets of
temporal sentences, or whether this concept is an implicit notion in the heads of the language
users. It should be stressed again that aspect is a highly abstract language category. The Czech
name for aspect is VID, which suggests its relation to the verb VIDT (= see, view).
***
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69
ENGLISH CONTINUOUS FORMS AND CZECH ASPECT

Certain comparisons of Czech aspect to the English verb opposition continuous : simple can
be made. Similarities are obvious in examples like
Nkdo otvral dvee.
Nkdo otevel dvee.
Somebody was opening the door.

Somebody opened the door.
Ukazovala na m.
Ukzala na m.
She was pointing at me.

She pointed at me.
The English continuous forms can only have their Czech counterparts in the imperfective
aspect (= nedokonav vid). The continuous reference to temporary processes is incompatible
with the complex view of the Czech perfective verb.
The Czech perfective aspect can only correspond to the English simple form. Its complex
view is incompatible with the temporary reference of the continuous form.
The equivalence, however, is not unambiguous. The Czech imperfective aspect may
correspond to the English simple form, and vice versa, e.g.
Ukazovala na m.
She pointed at me.
Kdo ji doprovzel?
Who accompanied her?
Mutual relations are illustrated in this diagram:

NEDOKONAV
CONTINUOUS
DOKONAV
SIMPLE
Examples:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Pekldala to do nminy.
Dvali se na ns.
Pechzel ulici.
Budeme ekat dole.
She was translating it into German.

They were looking at us.
He was crossing the street.
Well be waiting downstairs.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Peloila to do nminy.
Podvali se na ns.
Peel ulici.
Pokme dole.
She translated it into German.

They looked at us.
He crossed the street.
Well wait downstairs.
Mutual comparison between Czech aspect and the English oppositon simple : continuous can
be best made in the past tense. No comparison is possible on the level of topical present, due
to the defective pattern of the Czech perfective verb. Expressing futurity may be complicated
by using periphrastic constructions both in Czech and in English, often accompanied by
various kinds of modality.
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The English opposition simple : continuous is a purely grammatical category. It is a binary

opposition, with the continuous as the marked member. It occurs in the present tense (does : is
doing), present perfect (has done : has been doing), past (did : was doing), past perfect (had
done : had been doing), future (will do : will be doing), future perfect (will have done : will
have been doing). The distinction can also be observed in the passive voice (is done : is being
done ; was done : was being done , etc.) The opposition does not exist in non-finite verb
forms, i.e. gerund (doing), active participle (doing), passive participle (done). All the verb
forms, both finite and non-finite, belong to the same lexical unit.
An English verb as a lexical unit is aspectullay indifferent. The opposition simple : continuous
is the matter of grammatical forms of one verb. The Czech aspect is inseparably connected
with a particular verb as a lexical unit.
Every Czech verb (with the marginal exception of bi-aspectual verbs) in all its forms is
inevitably either imperfective or perfective. The aspectual distinctions exist both in finite and
in non-finite forms, i.e. infinitive (dlat udlat, prodvat prodat, zavrat zavt),
imperative (dlej udlej, prodvej prodej, zavrej zavi), passive participle (dln
udln, prodvn prodn, zavrn zaven), as well as passive adjective (dlan
udlan, prodvan prodan, zavran zaven).
(Bi-aspectual verbs, e.g. vnovat, demonstrovat, rezignovat, are rather unstable and limited in
number. In a speech act, even they function as either imperfective or perfective.)
The Czech verb bears the aspectual distinction even on the lexical level. In this sense, Czech
aspect is a lexico-grammatical category. The lexical dependence of the grammatical aspect
should not be confused with the purely lexical semantic clustering of verbs, such as
ingressive, terminative, durative, momentary, etc. Even such verbs are either imperfective or
perfective.
A foreign learner of English has to get acquainted with the way how to construct continuous
verb forms. A foreign learner of Czech has to memorize two lexical items, i.e. the members of
an aspect pair, and to learn their conjugation patterns. Even in case of monoaspectual verbs, it
is necessary to know whether the verb is imperfective or perfective.
***
*********************
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Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

FACTUM CZ, s.r.o., 2011

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

more than 800 entries

Czech Verb Aspect

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

Written by: doc. PhDr. Karel Tahal, CSc.

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

If a verb only exists in the imperfective aspect (monoaspective imperfective = imperfectivum

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

PRESENT TENSE ENDINGS

-uji, -uje, -uje, -ujeme, -ujete, -uj

-nu, -ne, -ne, -neme, -nete, -nou

-eme -ete -ou

-me -te -aj

(certain verbs -j)

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

---The aspect and conjugation patterns are presented systematically.

(More information about reflexive verbs in A Grammar , chapters 19 and 50.)

se, ptm se, ptal se

koho (G) na koho/co (A)

The English translation serves for basic orientation only.

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

< bt0 se, boj se, bl se

fear, be afraid of sb/sth

run (= move with quick steps)

run (= move with quick steps)

< bt,0 bije, bil

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

stray, lose ones way

ache I have a headache.

Bol m (A) hlava (N).

demolish, pull down

apply the breaks

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

back (= move backwards)

(se), ee (se), esal (se)

comb sb., comb (oneself)

subdivide, structure, break up

komu (D) co (A)

give sb. sth.

put / place sth. somewhere

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

komu (D) za co (A)

thank sb. for sth.

< dt0 se, dje se, dlo se

keep, follow (promise, law)

catch, make up for

make oneself understood

1: fall down, 2: go off

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

search, look for

suite, come in handy

1: move sth; 2: move (oneself)

cool, get cold

go, walk (iterative)

raise, breed animals

Karel Tahal: Aspect pairs of Czech verbs

chci, chce chtj; chtl

(transitive) taste, degust