TL;DR
The official language of the Czech Republic is Czech, spoken by around 10.7 million people. It’s a West Slavic language, closely related to Slovak and Polish. Minority and regional languages like Slovak, Romani, and German are also spoken, while English proficiency is among the highest in Central Europe, making communication easier for travelers.
Introduction: What Language Is Spoken in Czech Republic?
If you’re asking what language is spoken in Czech Republic, the straightforward answer is Czech. Known locally as čeština, it’s the official language used in government, schools, and everyday life. But this answer only scratches the surface. The Czech Republic is also home to recognized minority languages, immigrant communities, and impressive foreign language skills.
In this guide, we’ll explore the history, status, and role of Czech, compare it with other Slavic tongues, and explain how minority and foreign languages shape daily communication in the country.
Czech: The Official Language
The Czech language belongs to the West Slavic branch of the Indo-European family. It is mutually intelligible with Slovak and closely related to Polish.
Key Features
- Alphabet: Latin script with diacritics (e.g., č, š, ž, ě, ň, ř).
- Unique sound: The letter ř is famously difficult for foreigners to pronounce.
- Grammar: Czech uses a case system with seven cases, similar to other Slavic languages.
Historical Background
Czech evolved from Old Church Slavonic and Old Czech, flourishing in medieval Bohemia. A pivotal figure was Jan Hus, the 15th-century religious reformer who also shaped the Czech written standard by introducing diacritics. By the 19th century, the Czech National Revival reinforced the language as a symbol of national identity after centuries of German dominance in administration and education.
According to the Czech Statistical Office, Czech is widely spoken by nearly the entire population today, making it the cornerstone of national life.
Slovak and Mutual Intelligibility
Because of shared history in Czechoslovakia (1918–1993), Czech and Slovak remain mutually intelligible.
- Slovaks can easily understand Czech television and films, and vice versa.
- Many older Czechs still speak Slovak fluently due to decades of coexistence.
This relationship resembles the closeness between Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, where mutual comprehension is high despite national differences. For learners of Czech, this connection opens a wider Slavic communication circle.
Minority and Regional Languages
Beyond Czech, several minority languages enjoy protection under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.
Officially Recognized
- Slovak – Largest minority due to geographic and historical ties.
- Polish – Concentrated in the region of Zaolzie near the Polish border, where German Polish cultural interactions also shaped history.
- German – Once dominant in Bohemia, still spoken by smaller communities.
- Romani – Spoken among Roma communities.
Community Use
In areas with significant minorities, schools may offer bilingual education, and cultural associations preserve heritage. This mirrors similar arrangements in Denmark, where German holds minority status in Southern Jutland (see our Denmark language guide).
English and Foreign Languages in the Czech Republic
A standout feature of the Czech Republic is its high English proficiency.
- Ranked 15th globally in the EF English Proficiency Index.
- English is taught from an early age in schools.
- Widely used in business, tourism, and higher education.
Other foreign languages also play key roles:
- German language – Historically important due to Austria and Germany being major trade partners.
- Russian – Taught widely during the communist era, still spoken by older generations.
- French and Spanish – Popular as third foreign languages.
For practical Czech phrases, see our guide on how to say hello in Czech language, which breaks down greetings like Dobrý den by formality and context.
Czech Dialects and Regional Speech
Though standardized Czech dominates, dialectal variation remains.
- Bohemian dialects (spoken in western regions).
- Moravian dialects (eastern areas, closer to Slovak).
These differences are part of what linguists sometimes call Modern Czech—the evolving form influenced by media, youth slang, and urban speech. Dialects can affect pronunciation and vocabulary, though national education has unified usage. In Moravia, greetings like Zdravím are common, adding local flavor.
Comparison with Neighbor Languages
Czech vs. Slovak
- Vocabulary and grammar are extremely close.
- Pronunciation differences exist but rarely block understanding.
Czech vs. Polish
- More distant than Slovak, though many shared roots.
- False friends (similar words with different meanings) can confuse learners.
Czech vs. German
- German loanwords entered Czech during centuries of contact.
- Some older Czechs still speak German natively, especially in border regions.
For learners exploring Czech alongside other tongues, our basic words in Czech guide shows how essential vocabulary overlaps across Slavic languages.
Language Use in Daily Life
In practice, Czech is the default language everywhere:
- Government, healthcare, and schools operate in Czech.
- Media broadcasts, literature, and signage are primarily Czech.
- Minority languages are used in local contexts but don’t replace Czech nationally.
For travelers, English often works in major cities, but in smaller towns, basic Czech phrases go a long way. In fact, Czech emigrant communities in the United States continue to preserve the language, with heritage groups maintaining Czech schools, cultural clubs, and traditional festivals.
FAQ: What Language Is Spoken in Czech Republic?
Q: Is Czech the only language spoken in the country?
A: No, minority languages like Slovak, Polish, and Romani also exist.
Q: Do most Czechs speak English?
A: Yes, especially younger generations and city residents.
Q: Is Czech hard to learn?
A: Yes, but it becomes easier with practice and immersion.
Q: Can Slovaks and Czechs understand each other?
A: Generally yes, due to mutual intelligibility.
Conclusion
So, what language is spoken in Czech Republic?
The clear answer is Czech, but the full picture includes Slovak, Polish, Romani, German, and widespread foreign language skills. For learners, this means you’ll encounter Czech everywhere, but English and German can also help you get by.
By understanding the country’s linguistic diversity—from Modern Czech to minority languages—you not only learn words but also gain insight into Czech history, culture, and identity. From the reforms of Jan Hus to the way Czech is still widely spoken among diaspora communities in the United States, the language continues to evolve while staying deeply tied to national identity.