Learning irregular verbs is one of the most challenging aspects of mastering Czech. Here, we’ll go over some of the most common irregular verbs and their conjugations in the past tense.
Common Irregular Verbs
Být (to be)
- Past: byl
- Present: je
Chtít (to want)
- Past: chtěl
- Present: chce
Číst (to read)
- Past: četl
- Present: čte
Jít (to go on foot)
- Past: šel
- Present: jde
Jíst (to eat)
- Past: jedl
- Present: jí
Krást (to steal)
- Past: kradl
- Present: krade
Mít (to have)
- Past: měl
- Present: má
Moct (can/be able to)
- Past: mohl
- Present: může
Obléknout (to put on)
- Past: oblékl
- Present/Future: oblékne (fut.)
Otevřít (to open)
- Past: otevřel
- Present/Future: otevře (fut.)
Péct (to bake)
- Past: pekl
- Present: peče
Pít (to drink)
- Past: pil
- Present: pije
Plést (to knit/confuse)
- Past: pletl
- Present: plete
Pomoci (to help)
- Past: pomohl
- Present/Future: pomůže (fut.)
Přijmout (to accept)
- Past: přijal
- Present/Future: přijme (fut.)
Psát (to write)
- Past: psal
- Present: píše
Růst (to grow)
- Past: rostl
- Present: roste
Říct (to say)
- Past: řekl
- Present/Future: řekne (fut.)
Sednout si (to sit down)
- Past: sedl si
- Present/Future: sedne si (fut.)
Spát (to sleep)
- Past: spal
- Present: spí
Umřít (to die)
- Past: umřel
- Present/Future: umře (fut.)
Vzít (to take)
- Past: vzal
- Present/Future: vezme (fut.)
Vést (to lead)
- Past: vedl
- Present: vede
Začít (to begin)
- Past: začal
- Present/Future: začne (fut.)
Zapomenout (to forget)
- Past: zapomněl
- Present/Future: zapomene (fut.)
Zavřít (to close)
- Past: zavřel
- Present/Future: zavře (fut.)
Past Tense Exceptions
Generally, the length mark from the infinitive disappears in the past tense. Here are a few examples:
- Psát (to write) → psal
- Brát (to take) → bral
- Nést (to carry) → nesl
- Pít (to drink) → pil
However, in some cases, the length mark stays:
- Bát se (to be afraid) → bál se
- Hrát (to play) → hrál
- Přát si (to wish) → přál si
- Smát se (to laugh) → smál se
Summary
Understanding irregular verbs in Czech can be tricky, but with practice, you’ll get the hang of it. Remember to pay attention to the changes in the length mark and the specific irregular conjugations. Happy learning!
Feel free to practice these verbs and try to use them in sentences to get more comfortable with their conjugations in the past tense. If you have any questions or need further explanations, don’t hesitate to ask!