The Czech verb "mít" corresponds to the English verb "have" and is one of the most essential verbs in the Czech language. Like its English counterpart, "mít" expresses possession, but it also appears in many idiomatic expressions and serves various grammatical functions that may differ from English usage. As an irregular verb, "mít" requires special attention to its conjugation patterns.
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FAQ Schema Question: What does "have" mean in Czech? Answer: The Czech word for "have" is "mít". It is an irregular verb used to express possession, obligation (with infinitive), age expressions, and various idiomatic phrases. The present tense conjugation is: mám (I have), máš (you have), má (he/she/it has), máme (we have), máte (you plural/formal have), mají (they have).
In this lesson, you will encounter "mít" in various contexts: expressing simple possession, describing physical and emotional states, indicating obligations, stating ages, and forming idiomatic expressions. The examples progress from basic possessive statements to more complex constructions, helping you understand how Czech speakers naturally use this versatile verb.
Educational Schema Name: Czech Language Lesson - The Verb "Have" (mít) Description: A comprehensive lesson teaching the Czech verb "mít" (have) to English speakers through interlinear glossing, complete sentences, grammar explanations, and cultural context. Educational Level: Beginner to Intermediate Czech Learning Resource Type: Language Learning Lesson In Language: English Teaches: Czech Language Keywords: Czech verb mít, have in Czech, Czech grammar, Czech for English speakers
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"Mít" is an irregular verb with unique conjugation patterns that must be memorized -
Czech uses "mít" + noun for many expressions where English uses "to be" + adjective -
Age expressions always use "mít" + accusative case ("Je mi X let" is also common) -
The verb requires direct objects to be in the accusative case -
"Mít" forms numerous idiomatic expressions that don't translate literally to English
11.1 Mám I-have nový new počítač computer
11.2 Má she-has hodně many přátel friends ve in škole school
11.3 Děti children mají they-have rádi gladly zmrzlinu ice-cream
11.4 Máte you-have čas time na for kávu coffee?
11.5 Bratr brother má he-has modré blue oči eyes
11.6 Nemáme we-don't-have dost enough peněz money
11.7 Kdo who má has moje my klíče keys?
11.8 Máš you-have hlad hunger?
11.9 Sestra sister má she-has dnes today narozeniny birthday
11.10 Mají they-have velký big dům house u by moře sea
11.11 Kolik how-many máš you-have let years?
11.12 Máme we-have radost joy z from vašeho your úspěchu success
11.13 Učitel teacher má he-has pravdu truth/right
11.14 Máte you-have nějaké some otázky questions?
11.15 Nemám I-don't-have tušení idea kde where je is
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11.1 Mám nový počítač. I have a new computer.
11.2 Má hodně přátel ve škole. She has many friends at school.
11.3 Děti mají rády zmrzlinu. Children like ice cream. (literally: Children have gladly ice cream)
11.4 Máte čas na kávu? Do you have time for coffee?
11.5 Bratr má modré oči. My brother has blue eyes.
11.6 Nemáme dost peněz. We don't have enough money.
11.7 Kdo má moje klíče? Who has my keys?
11.8 Máš hlad? Are you hungry? (literally: Do you have hunger?)
11.9 Sestra má dnes narozeniny. My sister has a birthday today.
11.10 Mají velký dům u moře. They have a big house by the sea.
11.11 Kolik máš let? How old are you? (literally: How many years do you have?)
11.12 Máme radost z vašeho úspěchu. We are happy about your success. (literally: We have joy from your success)
11.13 Učitel má pravdu. The teacher is right. (literally: The teacher has truth/right)
11.14 Máte nějaké otázky? Do you have any questions?
11.15 Nemám tušení, kde je. I have no idea where it is.
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11.1 Mám nový počítač.
11.2 Má hodně přátel ve škole.
11.3 Děti mají rády zmrzlinu.
11.4 Máte čas na kávu?
11.5 Bratr má modré oči.
11.6 Nemáme dost peněz.
11.7 Kdo má moje klíče?
11.8 Máš hlad?
11.9 Sestra má dnes narozeniny.
11.10 Mají velký dům u moře.
11.11 Kolik máš let?
11.12 Máme radost z vašeho úspěchu.
11.13 Učitel má pravdu.
11.14 Máte nějaké otázky?
11.15 Nemám tušení, kde je.
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The Czech verb "mít" is an irregular verb that corresponds to English "have." Understanding its conjugation and usage patterns is essential for Czech language learners.
Present Tense Conjugation of mít: -
já mám (I have) -
ty máš (you have - informal singular) -
on/ona/ono má (he/she/it has) -
my máme (we have) -
vy máte (you have - plural/formal) -
oni/ony mají (they have)
Negative Forms: The negative is formed by adding "ne-" prefix: -
nemám (I don't have) -
nemáš (you don't have) -
nemá (he/she/it doesn't have) -
nemáme (we don't have) -
nemáte (you don't have) -
nemají (they don't have)
Past Tense Formation: Past tense uses the past participle "měl/měla/mělo" + auxiliary verb (often omitted): -
měl jsem / měla jsem (I had - male/female) -
měl jsi / měla jsi (you had - male/female) -
měl / měla / mělo (he/she/it had) -
měli jsme / měly jsme (we had) -
měli jste / měly jste (you had) -
měli / měly (they had)
Case Requirements: Direct objects of "mít" must be in the accusative case. This is crucial for proper Czech grammar.
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Using nominative instead of accusative: English speakers often forget to change the noun to accusative case after "mít" -
Wrong: Mám bratr (using nominative) -
Correct: Mám bratra (using accusative) -
Literal translation of English expressions: Many English "to be" expressions use "mít" in Czech -
English: I am hungry -
Wrong Czech: Jsem hladový -
Correct Czech: Mám hlad (I have hunger) -
Forgetting aspect in compound tenses: Czech distinguishes between completed and ongoing actions -
"Měl jsem auto" (I had a car - no longer have it) -
"Mívat jsem auto" (I used to have a car - habitual past) -
Incorrect word order in questions: Questions with "mít" follow specific patterns -
Correct: Máš čas? (Do you have time?) -
Also correct but more formal: Čas máš?
Unlike English, Czech uses "mít" in many expressions where English uses "to be": -
Mám hlad (I have hunger) = I am hungry -
Mám žízeň (I have thirst) = I am thirsty -
Mám strach (I have fear) = I am afraid -
Mám radost (I have joy) = I am happy -
Mám pravdu (I have truth/right) = I am right
Age expressions always use "mít" in Czech: -
Kolik máš let? (How many years do you have?) = How old are you? -
Mám dvacet let (I have twenty years) = I am twenty years old
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Identify the subject and conjugate "mít" accordingly -
Determine the direct object and put it in accusative case -
Check for idiomatic usage - is this a "mít" expression in Czech? -
Apply proper word order - typically Subject-Verb-Object, but flexible -
Add any necessary prepositions with their required cases
"Mít" is a transitive verb requiring: -
Accusative case for direct objects -
Genitive case after certain quantity expressions (hodně přátel - many friends) -
Special constructions for age, feelings, and states -
Compound tenses formed with past participle + auxiliary -
Modal usage with infinitive for obligation (mám jít = I have to go)
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Understanding how Czechs use "mít" provides insight into Czech thought patterns and cultural expressions. The verb appears in many fixed expressions that reflect Czech worldview and communication style.
Czech culture places emphasis on states and conditions rather than inherent qualities, which explains why many emotional and physical states use "mít" (have) rather than "být" (be). This linguistic feature suggests a view of states as temporary possessions rather than permanent attributes.
Common social expressions with "mít" include: -
"Mít se dobře" (to have oneself well) means "to be doing well" -
"Mít někoho rád" (to have someone gladly) means "to like/love someone" -
"Mít na něco chuť" (to have appetite for something) expresses desire
In Czech hospitality, offering something often uses "mít": -
"Máte chuť na kávu?" (Do you have appetite for coffee?) is a polite way to offer coffee -
"Co máte rádi?" (What do you have gladly?) asks about preferences
The expression "mít pravdu" (to have truth/right) reflects a Czech tendency toward directness in communication. Czechs value being correct and truthful, and this expression is commonly used in discussions and debates.
Age-related expressions using "mít" show how Czechs conceptualize age as something one possesses rather than something one is. This extends to experience: "mít zkušenosti" (to have experiences) emphasizes the accumulation of knowledge over time.
In formal situations, Czechs often use "mít" in polite constructions: -
"Máte chvilku?" (Do you have a moment?) before making a request -
"Nemáte náhodou...?" (You don't happen to have...?) for polite inquiries
Understanding these cultural nuances helps English speakers use "mít" more naturally and appropriately in various social contexts.
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From "Babička" by Božena Němcová (1855):
"Babička měla ráda všechny své děti, ale přece měla z Barunky větší radost než z ostatních. Byla nejstarší, měla dobré srdce a bystrý rozum, babička v ní měla pomocnici a společnici."
Babička grandmother měla had ráda gladly všechny all své her děti children, ale but přece still měla she-had z from Barunky Barunka větší greater radost joy než than z from ostatních the-others. Byla she-was nejstarší oldest, měla she-had dobré good srdce heart a and bystrý sharp rozum mind, babička grandmother v in ní her měla had pomocnici helper a and společnici companion.
Babička měla ráda všechny své děti, ale přece měla z Barunky větší radost než z ostatních. Byla nejstarší, měla dobré srdce a bystrý rozum, babička v ní měla pomocnici a společnici.
Grandmother loved all her children, but still she took greater joy in Barunka than in the others. She was the oldest, she had a good heart and a sharp mind, grandmother had in her a helper and companion.
Babička měla ráda všechny své děti, ale přece měla z Barunky větší radost než z ostatních. Byla nejstarší, měla dobré srdce a bystrý rozum, babička v ní měla pomocnici a společnici.
This excerpt demonstrates several important uses of "mít": -
"měla ráda" - a common expression meaning "loved/liked," literally "had gladly" -
"měla... radost" - "had joy" = "took joy in," showing emotional state as possession -
"měla dobré srdce" - "had a good heart," describing character traits -
"měla pomocnici" - "had a helper," showing relationship through possession
The passage uses "mít" four times in just two sentences, demonstrating its frequency in Czech. Note how the past tense "měla" agrees with the feminine subject "babička." The construction "mít radost z" (to have joy from) requires the genitive case (z Barunky, z ostatních), showing how "mít" interacts with Czech case system.
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11.16 Ráno morning mám I-have vždy always málo little času time
11.17 Pavel Pavel má has dnes today důležitou important schůzku meeting
11.18 Máme we-have nový new rozvrh schedule na for tento this týden week
11.19 Studenti students mají they-have přestávku break v at deset ten hodin hours
11.20 Máš you-have zítra tomorrow volno free-time?
11.21 Šéf boss má has pro for nás us nový new úkol task
11.22 V on pondělí Monday máme we-have poradu meeting
11.23 Nemám I-don't-have dnes today chuť appetite pracovat to-work
11.24 Máte you-have nějaké some plány plans na for víkend weekend?
11.25 Kolega colleague má has dovolenou vacation celý whole měsíc month
11.26 Ráno morning mají they-have snídani breakfast v at sedm seven
11.27 Máš you-have ještě still hodně much práce work?
11.28 Firma company má has nové new pracovní working hodiny hours
11.29 V in práci work máme we-have teď now hodně much stresu stress
11.30 Zítra tomorrow mám I-have celý whole den day volný free
11.16 Ráno mám vždy málo času. In the morning I always have little time.
11.17 Pavel má dnes důležitou schůzku. Pavel has an important meeting today.
11.18 Máme nový rozvrh na tento týden. We have a new schedule for this week.
11.19 Studenti mají přestávku v deset hodin. Students have a break at ten o'clock.
11.20 Máš zítra volno? Do you have free time tomorrow?
11.21 Šéf má pro nás nový úkol. The boss has a new task for us.
11.22 V pondělí máme poradu. On Monday we have a meeting.
11.23 Nemám dnes chuť pracovat. I don't feel like working today. (literally: I don't have appetite to work)
11.24 Máte nějaké plány na víkend? Do you have any plans for the weekend?
11.25 Kolega má dovolenou celý měsíc. My colleague has vacation for the whole month.
11.26 Ráno mají snídani v sedm. In the morning they have breakfast at seven.
11.27 Máš ještě hodně práce? Do you still have a lot of work?
11.28 Firma má nové pracovní hodiny. The company has new working hours.
11.29 V práci máme teď hodně stresu. At work we have a lot of stress now.
11.30 Zítra mám celý den volný. Tomorrow I have the whole day free.
11.16 Ráno mám vždy málo času.
11.17 Pavel má dnes důležitou schůzku.
11.18 Máme nový rozvrh na tento týden.
11.19 Studenti mají přestávku v deset hodin.
11.20 Máš zítra volno?
11.21 Šéf má pro nás nový úkol.
11.22 V pondělí máme poradu.
11.23 Nemám dnes chuť pracovat.
11.24 Máte nějaké plány na víkend?
11.25 Kolega má dovolenou celý měsíc.
11.26 Ráno mají snídani v sedm.
11.27 Máš ještě hodně práce?
11.28 Firma má nové pracovní hodiny.
11.29 V práci máme teď hodně stresu.
11.30 Zítra mám celý den volný.
In the context of daily routines and time management, "mít" exhibits several specific patterns:
Time Expressions with "mít": -
"mít čas" (to have time) - fundamental for discussing schedules -
"mít volno" (to have free time) - literally "to have free" -
"mít dovolenou" (to have vacation) - uses accusative case
Common Workplace Constructions: -
"mít schůzku" (to have a meeting) -
"mít poradu" (to have a conference) -
"mít práci" (to have work) -
"mít úkol" (to have a task)
Expressing Schedules and Plans: When discussing schedules, Czech often places time expressions at the beginning or end of sentences: -
"Ráno mám..." (In the morning I have...) -
"Mám... zítra" (I have... tomorrow)
Quantity Expressions in Time Context: -
"málo času" (little time) - genitive case after quantity -
"hodně práce" (much work) - genitive case after quantity -
"celý den" (whole day) - accusative case as direct object
Idiomatic Time-Related Expressions: -
"mít chuť" + infinitive (to feel like doing something) -
"mít stres" (to have stress/to be stressed) -
"mít plány" (to have plans)
Word Order Flexibility: Czech word order is flexible, but in daily routine contexts: -
Time expressions often come first for emphasis -
Direct objects usually follow the verb -
Prepositional phrases can move for emphasis
This genre demonstrates how "mít" functions as a scheduling and planning verb, essential for discussing daily activities and time management in Czech.
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The Latinum Institute has been creating innovative online language learning materials since 2006, pioneering self-directed learning approaches for classical and modern languages. These lessons follow the Institute's proven methodology of interlinear texts, comprehensive grammar explanations, and cultural immersion.
Each lesson in this Czech course is structured to support autodidactic learning through: -
Granular word-by-word glossing that helps beginners understand sentence structure -
Natural language examples that demonstrate real-world usage -
Progressive difficulty that builds confidence -
Cultural context that deepens understanding -
Literary excerpts that expose learners to authentic Czech texts
The interlinear method, refined over nearly two decades at the Latinum Institute, allows learners to read Czech texts immediately while gradually internalizing grammar patterns. This approach has proven particularly effective for self-directed learners who want to progress at their own pace without formal instruction.
The course design recognizes that adult learners bring analytical skills and life experience to language learning. Rather than infantilizing content, these lessons present sophisticated concepts in accessible ways, respecting the learner's intelligence while providing necessary support.
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These lessons are continuously refined based on learner feedback and advances in language pedagogy, maintaining the Latinum Institute's commitment to excellence in online language education.
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