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Czech Verb Conjugations

Complete conjugation tables for the 20 most essential Czech verbs. Each verb includes present, past (with gender forms), future, conditional, and imperative — plus aspect pair information and practical example sentences.

20
Essential Verbs
5
Tenses & Moods
60+
Example Sentences

How Czech Verb Conjugation Works

Czech is a West Slavic language with a verb system built around two key concepts: conjugation classes and verbal aspect.

Czech verbs are divided into conjugation classes based on their present tense endings:

  • Class I — includes several sub-patterns: -á- type (dělám), -e- type (píšu), -uje- type (pracuju)
  • Class II — -í- type with consonant stems (vidím, rozumím)
  • Class III — -í- type with -it infinitives (mluvím)

The aspect system distinguishes between imperfective (ongoing/repeated actions) and perfective (completed/one-time actions) verbs. Most verbs come in aspect pairs — for example, dělat (imperfective) / udělat (perfective). The past tense also shows gender agreement in the singular: dělal (masculine) vs. dělala (feminine).

Tenses & Moods Covered

Přítomný čas (Present)

Current actions and habits — 6 person forms

Minulý čas (Past)

L-participle + auxiliary být — with gender forms

Budoucí čas (Future)

budu/budeš/... + infinitive (imperfective)

Podmiňovací (Conditional)

Hypothetical actions with bych/bys/by

Rozkazovací (Imperative)

Commands for ty, my, and vy

Vidové dvojice (Aspect Pairs)

Imperfective/perfective partner verbs

Irregular Verbs (8)

The most frequent verbs in Czech — they don't follow standard conjugation patterns.

být to be
mít to have
jít to go (on foot) [→ přijít (perf.)]
jet to go (by vehicle) / to drive [→ přijet (perf.)]
chtít to want
moci to be able to / can
vědět to know (a fact)
jíst to eat [→ sníst (perf.)]

Class I Verbs (12)

The largest class — includes -á-, -e-, and -uje- subtypes.

dělat to do / to make [Class I (-á-)]
znát to know (be familiar with) [Class I (-á-)]
říkat to say / to tell [Class I (-á-)]
vidět to see [Class II (-í-)]
dávat to give [Class I (-á-)]
psát to write [Class I (-e-)]
číst to read [Class I (-e-)]
pít to drink [Class I (-e-)]
mluvit to speak / to talk [Class III (-í-)]
pracovat to work [Class I (-uje-)]
rozumět to understand [Class II (-í-)]
bydlet to live / to reside [Class II (-í-)]

Class II Verbs (4)

Verbs with -í- present tense endings and consonant stems.

vidět to see
mluvit to speak / to talk
rozumět to understand
bydlet to live / to reside

Class III Verbs (1)

Verbs with -it infinitives and -í- present tense pattern.

mluvit to speak / to talk