Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(as in “cats”). The little accent
(háček)
above the
č, š,
or
ž
makes it
sound like “ch,” “sh”, or “zh” (as in
“leisure”), respectively. A
háček
over
ě
makes it sound like “yeh.”
Czech has one sound that
occurs in no other language:
ř
(as
in “Dvořák ”), which sounds like
a cross bet ween a rolled “r” and
“zh.” Another unusual sound is
ň,
which is pronounced “ny” (as in
“canyon”). These sounds are notori-
ously impossible for foreigners to
duplicate; it's easiest just to replace them with simple “r” and “n”
sounds (as we've done in the phonetics).
Give it your best shot. Use the phrases in this chapter. The
locals will appreciate your efforts.
Czech Place Names
Here's a rough pronunciation key for places mentioned in this
book. For pronunciation help for specific sights and neighborhoods
in Prague, see page 38.
Name
Pronounced
Beskydy (mountains)
BEH-skih-dee
Brno
BURR-noh
České Budějovice
CHESS-keh BOO-dyeh-yoh-vee-tseh
Český Krumlov
CHESS-key KROOM-loff
Karlštejn (castle)
KARL-shtayn
Konopiště (castle)
KOH-noh-peesh-tyeh
Křivoklát (castle)
KREE-vohk-laht
Kroměříž
KROH-myehr-eezh
Kutná Hora
KOOT-nah HO-rah
Lednice
LEHD-nee-tseh
Litoměřice
LEE-toh-myer-zhee-tseh
Mikulov
MEE-kuh-lohv
Moravský Krumlov
MOH-rahv-skee KROOM-loff
Mucha (artist)
MOO-kah
Olomouc
OH-loh-moats
Pálava (hills)
PAH-lah-vah
Pavlov
PAHV-lohv
Pustevny
POO-stehv-nee
Rožnov
ROHZH-nohv
Slavonice
SLAH-voh-neet-seh
Šumava (mountains)
SHOO-mah-vah
Telč
telch
