Czech B1 key terms

A block of text separated from the next block by an empty line or by starting on a new line. Questions often ask which paragraph contains a specific piece of information.

The short title printed above an article or section that tells the reader what the text is about. Matching headings to paragraphs is a common reading task type.

The central point the author wants the reader to take away from a whole text or paragraph, as opposed to a small supporting detail mentioned only once.

A single specific fact in a text, such as a time, price, name or number. Many reading and listening tasks require you to find the exact detail in the passage.

A short published notice offering or requesting something, for example a flat for rent, a job or a used item for sale. Candidates must identify the offer, the conditions and the contact details.

A brief official or public message informing people about something, such as a change of opening hours, a cancelled event or a new rule. The key is to find who is affected and when.

An instruction telling the reader what to do, for example how to use a device or what steps to follow in a procedure. Instructions are usually written in the imperative.

An electronic message with a greeting, body and closing. Reading tasks ask about the writer's purpose, the requested action and the tone of the message.

The opening phrase of a letter or e-mail that names the addressee, such as Dobrý den, pane Nováku or Vážená paní. It signals whether the register is formal or informal.

The polite, neutral way of writing used for offices, institutions and strangers, using full forms, titles and formal greetings. It contrasts with the casual language used with friends and family.

Relaxed everyday language used in messages to friends, family and people you know well, often with shortened forms, colloquial words and direct address.

Addressing one person with the pronoun ty and the corresponding verb form, normal among friends, relatives, children and peers. Using it with a stranger can sound rude.

Polite address to one person using the pronoun vy and plural verb forms, standard with strangers, officials, older people and in formal writing. It shows respect and distance.

A word naming a person, thing, place or idea, such as student, stůl, Praha or láska. In Czech each noun has a gender and changes form for case and number.

A word describing a noun, such as nový, velká or dobré. In Czech it must agree with the noun in gender, number and case.

A word expressing an action or state, such as jít, myslet or být. Czech verbs carry information about person, number, tense, aspect and often reflexive pronouns.

One of the seven grammatical cases of Czech nouns, adjectives and pronouns, each linked to a set of endings and to a typical function such as subject, object or location.

Changing the ending of nouns, adjectives and pronouns to show their case and number, for example Praha, Prahy, Praze. Correct endings are essential for accurate writing and speaking.

Changing the ending of a verb to agree with the subject in person and number, for example dělám, děláš, dělá. It also covers tense forms such as budu dělat.

The grammatical distinction between completed actions and ongoing or repeated actions, shown by verb pairs such as napsat and psát. Choosing the wrong aspect is a frequent error.

The grammatical category placing an action in the past, present or future, expressed in Czech by verb endings and by forms of být in the future. Aspect interacts closely with tense.

A short word placed before a noun phrase to express relations such as place, time or direction, for example v, na, do, z, s. Each preposition governs a particular case.

A word joining words or clauses, such as a, ale, protože, že or když. Choosing the right connector is important for coherent writing and for understanding cause and contrast.

A sentence made of two or more clauses linked by conjunctions or punctuation. Writing tasks at this level expect several well-linked clauses rather than only short simple sentences.

A clause that cannot stand alone and depends on a main clause, for example the part after protože or který. It is introduced by a conjunction or a relative pronoun.

Agreement between sentence elements, especially an adjective or verb matching its noun or subject in gender, number and person. Errors in agreement are penalised in writing and speaking.

The category of masculine, feminine and neuter that every Czech noun belongs to and that determines adjective and verb endings. Masculine nouns are further divided into animate and inanimate.

The verb form used for commands, requests and instructions, such as Pojď, Dejte and Napište. It has separate forms for informal and polite address.

The verb form used for polite requests, wishes and unreal situations, formed with bych, bys, by and the past participle, as in Chtěl bych. It softens requests in formal writing.

A personal view or judgement about something, introduced in Czech by phrases such as myslím, že, podle mě or souhlasím. Expressing and justifying opinions is central to the speaking and writing tasks.

A reason or piece of evidence given to support an opinion, often introduced by protože, proto or například. The exam rewards clearly linked reasons rather than isolated statements.

Agreement with another speaker's view, expressed by phrases such as souhlasím, máte pravdu or to je pravda. It is a standard function in interactive speaking tasks.

Polite disagreement with another speaker, expressed by phrases such as nesouhlasím, ale myslím si or to je pravda, ale. The exam expects softening rather than blunt rejection.

A short restatement of the main points of a text or conversation. Summarising in a few sentences is a common task after reading or listening.

Any continuous written passage, such as an article, letter, notice or advertisement, that the candidate must read and understand. Tasks differ by text type and purpose.

The skill of understanding spoken Czech, tested through recordings such as announcements, dialogues and interviews. Candidates answer questions about content, purpose and speaker attitude.

A conversation between two or more speakers, common in listening tasks. Candidates must follow who says what and identify the outcome of the exchange.

A spoken passage delivered by one speaker, such as a radio report, a message on an answering machine or a short talk. Listeners usually identify the topic and key details.