Thank You in Czech: Easy Phrases & Pronunciation

TL;DR

• “Thank you” in Czech is “Děkuji” (formal) and “Děkuju” (informal).
• You can also say “Díky” or “Dík” to mean “thanks.”
• To say “thank you very much,” use “Děkuji moc” or “Mockrát děkuju.”
• Czechs appreciate eye contact and a smile when expressing thanks.
• Reply with “Není zač” — it means “You’re welcome.”

How to Say “Thank You” in Czech?

The most common way to say thank you in Czech is “Děkuji” (pronounced DYEH-koo-yee).

This polite expression can be used in almost any situation — from restaurants to formal meetings.

As explained by CzechClass101, “Děkuji” comes from the verb děkovat, meaning to thank. It’s the safest and most neutral way to express gratitude in Czech culture.

If you’re speaking casually, you’ll often hear the softer variant “Děkuju.”
It carries the same meaning but sounds warmer and less formal — perfect among friends or when chatting with locals.

Pronunciation Guide: “Děkuji” and “Děkuju”

Both words start with “Dě,” pronounced softly with a palatalized d.
Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Dě sounds like dyyeh (soft d blended with ye).
• kuji → koo-yee
• kuju → koo-yoo

Try saying:
🗣️ Děkuji! — like “dyyeh-koo-yee.”
🗣️ Děkuju! — like “dyyeh-koo-yoo.”

You can listen to native pronunciation on Forvo to perfect your accent.

Different Ways to Say “Thank You” in Czech

Czech offers several variations depending on tone and context:

1. Děkuji moc / Děkuju moc — Thank you very much

The word moc means “a lot” or “very much.”
So “Děkuji moc” = “Thank you very much.”
💬 Example: Děkuju moc za pomoc! → “Thanks a lot for your help!”

2. Mockrát děkuju — Many thanks

Mockrát literally means “many times.”
This is similar to saying “Thanks so much!” in English.

3. Díky moc / Dík moc — Thanks a lot

Informal and friendly — used among peers.
💬 Example: Díky moc za dárek! → “Thanks a lot for the gift!”

4. Děkuji vám / Děkuju vám — Thank you (to you, formal)

Use vám when speaking to someone formally (e.g., a shop clerk, doctor, or stranger).

5. Děkuji ti / Děkuju ti — Thank you (to you, informal)

Use ti when addressing friends, family, or someone close.

💡 Tip: Combine them for emphasis — Moc vám děkuji! means “Thank you very much!” without sounding too stiff.

Cultural Etiquette: Saying Thank You in Czech Republic 🇨🇿

Politeness plays a subtle but important role in Czech culture.
As Radio Prague International notes, Czechs value sincere gratitude over exaggerated politeness.

When you say “Děkuji”:

• Maintain eye contact and a friendly smile.
• In formal settings, a handshake may follow.
• In informal situations, a smile or nod is enough.

According to CzechClass101, “a genuine děkuju with a smile will always be appreciated.”

Common occasions to say děkuju:

• When someone holds the door for you.
• After receiving your food at a restaurant.
• When paying for goods or services.
• When a friend helps or gives you something.

Informal Czech: “Díky” and “Dík”

Among friends, Czechs rarely use the full “Děkuji.” Instead, you’ll hear short, casual forms:

• Díky! → “Thanks!”
• Dík! → “Cheers!” or “Thanks!”

You might also hear the fun expression “Tisíceré díky!”, meaning “A thousand thanks!” — used playfully or when truly grateful.

How to Respond: “You’re Welcome” in Czech?

When someone thanks you, the most natural response is:

Není zač. — You’re welcome.

Literally, it means “It’s nothing,” or “Don’t mention it.”
Other polite replies include:

Example:
A: Děkuji moc za večeři!
B: Není zač! → “You’re welcome!”

Sample Mini-Dialogues

In a café ☕
– Děkuju za kávu! → “Thanks for the coffee!”
– Není zač. → “You’re welcome.”

At work 💼
– Mockrát děkuji za pomoc s projektem. → “Thanks a lot for your help with the project.”
– Rádo se stalo. → “My pleasure.”

With friends 🎉
– Díky moc!
– V pohodě! → “No problem!”

Quick Comparison with Other Slavic Languages

This linguistic closeness reflects Czech’s West Slavic heritage — many regional expressions share roots with děkovat (“to thank”).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. ❌ Overusing “Díky” in formal settings
   → Stick to Děkuji when speaking to elders, teachers, or service staff.
2. ❌ Saying “děkuji ti” to strangers
   → Reserve “ti” (you, informal) for friends and family.
3. ❌ Forgetting to smile
   → Politeness in Czech culture is quiet but genuine — not over-the-top.
4. ❌ Mixing gender agreement
   → Czech doesn’t change děkuji for gender, so don’t overcomplicate it.

FAQ: How to Say Thank You in Czech?

Q: How do you say thank you in Czech?
A: The formal way is “Děkuji.” The informal version is “Děkuju.”

Q: What’s the Czech word for “Thanks”?
A: You can say “Díky” or “Dík.”

Q: How do I say “Thank you very much”?
A: Use “Děkuji moc” or “Mockrát děkuju.”

Q: How do I respond when someone says “Děkuji”?
A: The common reply is “Není zač” — “You’re welcome.”

Q: Is “děkuju” used in writing?
A: “Děkuji” is preferred in writing, while “děkuju” is common in speech.

Conclusion

Knowing how to say thank you in Czech opens doors to friendlier interactions — whether you’re ordering coffee in Prague or chatting with locals in Brno.
Use Děkuji in formal moments, Děkuju or Díky with friends, and always pair your words with a smile.

As Czechs say:

“Moc vám děkuji!” — Thank you very much!

Continue your Czech learning journey:

• Basic Czech Words
• How to Say Hello in Czech Language: Complete Guide

References

1. CzechClass101 – Expressing Your Gratitude in Czech
2. CzechTime.cz – How to Say Thank You in Czech
3. Chapman University – Basic Czech Phrases
4. Radio Prague International – Czech Etiquette
5. Forvo – Czech Pronunciation Dictionary
6. BBC Languages – Czech Greetings Overview