Top 10 Mistakes Czech Learners Make When Learning English
Czech learners often speak excellent English, but "Czenglish" false friends can cause confusion! A "Chef" is not a boss, and a "Smoking" is not a suit. Here are the most common mistakes.
Top 10 Mistakes
1
β Typical learner sentence:
"I asked my chef for a promotion."
π€ Why learners say this:
Czech 'Ε Γ©f' means Boss. In English, a 'Chef' is a professional cook in a restaurant!
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you work in a kitchen and asked the cook for more money.
β
Natural English version:
"I asked my boss for a promotion."
2
β Typical learner sentence:
"I go to the gymnasium."
π€ Why learners say this:
Czech 'GymnΓ‘zium' is a high school. In English, a 'Gym' (Gymnasium) is where you exercise/lift weights.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you are going to work out, not study maths and history.
β
Natural English version:
"I go to high school / grammar school."
3
β Typical learner sentence:
"I have a hunger."
π€ Why learners say this:
Direct translation of 'MΓ‘m hlad'. English uses 'To Be' + Adjective.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Very poetic, but unnatural. We say I AM hungry.
β
Natural English version:
"I am hungry."
π― Practice: Which Word?
You want to talk to the manager. You say:
A) Can I speak to the chef?
B) Can I speak to the boss?
4
β Typical learner sentence:
"I need to control the document."
π€ Why learners say this:
Czech 'Kontrolovat' means to check/verify. English 'Control' means to dominate or have power over.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like the document is a wild animal you need to restrain!
β
Natural English version:
"I need to check the document."
5
β Typical learner sentence:
"He wore a smoking to the ball."
π€ Why learners say this:
Czech 'Smoking' means a Tuxedo/Dinner Jacket. In English, 'Smoking' is the action of using a cigarette.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Impossible! You can't wear an action.
β
Natural English version:
"He wore a tuxedo (US) / dinner jacket (UK)."
6
β Typical learner sentence:
"According to me, it is good."
π€ Why learners say this:
Czech 'Podle mΔ'. In English, 'According to' is usually for facts/others. For ourselves, we say 'In my opinion'.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
A bit arrogant, like you are quoting yourself as an expert source.
β
Natural English version:
"In my opinion, it is good."
π― Practice: Fix the Sentence
"Please control if the door is locked."
7
β Typical learner sentence:
"We went into the nature."
π€ Why learners say this:
Czech 'PΕΓroda' means outdoors/countryside. In English, 'Nature' is the abstract concept of life.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like you entered a philosophical concept. Use 'Countryside' or 'Outdoors'.
β
Natural English version:
"We went to the countryside."
8
β Typical learner sentence:
"I actual live in Prague."
π€ Why learners say this:
Czech 'AktuΓ‘lnΔ' means Currently. English 'Actual' means Real/True.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Confusing. Use 'Currently' for time.
β
Natural English version:
"I currently live in Prague."
9
β Typical learner sentence:
"He has a nice dress." (About a football player)
π€ Why learners say this:
Czech 'Dres' is a sports jersey. In English, a 'Dress' is a woman's garment (skirt/top combined).
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Like the football player is wearing women's clothing!
β
Natural English version:
"He has a nice jersey / kit."
10
β Typical learner sentence:
"I learn English 10 years."
π€ Why learners say this:
Czech uses present tense for duration. English needs Present Perfect Continuous + For.
π¬π§ What it sounds like to a Brit:
Grammatically incorrect.
β
Natural English version:
"I have been learning English for 10 years."
π― Practice: Fix the Sentence
"The football player wore a red dress."
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