Adobe Systems
aVLCJ0181 Czech Language for Foreigners I
Accusative case (singular)
also in textbook, p. 28

Cases in czech language
Case
Basic function
Example
1. nominative
subject
Martin Punčochář, univerzita
2. genitive
after prepositions, of-function
Martina Punčocháře, univerzity
3. dative
indirect object, after prepositions
Martinu Punčochářovi, univerzitě
4. accusative
direct object, after prepositions
Martina Punčocháře, univerzitu
5. vocative
calling people by name
Martine Punčocháři
6. locative
expressing location
o Martinu Punčochářovi, na univerzitě
7. instrumental
expressing „with“
s Martinem Punčochářem, univerzitou

Forms
gender
adjectives
ending
nouns
endings
comment
M
ANIMATES (people, animals, fish…)
dobrého
moderního
ý > ého
í > ího
doktora, Martina, kamaráda
+A
masculine animates (hard endings: H, CH, K, R, D, T, N)
lékaře, učitele, Ondřeje
+E
masculine animates (soft endings: Ž, Š, Č, Ř, Ň, C, J + TEL ending)
M
INANIMATES (things, places, food...)
dobrý
moderní
SAME AS NOMINATIV

SAME AS NOMINATIV


F
dobrou
moderní
á > ou
í = í
kávu, zmrzlinu, vodu
A > U
feminines ending with A
rýži, restauraci, nemocnici
E > I
feminines ending with E
tramvaj, kancelář
SAME AS NOMINATIV
feminines ending with consonant
kost
feminines ending with ST
N
dobré
moderní
SAME AS NOMINATIV
jídlo, pivo, víno
SAME AS NOMINATIV
moře
kuře
nádraží, náměstí
https://is.muni.cz/auth/el/med/podzim2020/aVLCJ0181/um/martin_s_groups/singular_accusative.xlsx

Learning forms
§choose a phrase you use a lot
§use this phrase as a model
§
§Dám si černou kávu. Studuju medicínu.
§
§  To je (nominative →) hezký a inteligentní Martin Punčochář
→ Ne/mám rád/a hezkého a inteligentního Martina Punčocháře

Why does it have to change
§word order: kind of free in czech language → accusative identifies the object, nominative
identifies the subject §without different form, we wouldn‘t know who is the subject (the active
element, in charge of the action expressed with a verb) a who is the object (the passive element)

Situation: Let‘s have two people…
§Martin
§Martina
https://www.rct.uk/collection/405878/st-martin-dividing-his-cloak-0
https://www.glamour.com/story/most-powerful-female-athletes-of-all-time

Nominative so far… it will be underlined.
To je Martin.
To je Martina.

Nominative so far…
Martin je voják (soldier).
Martina je sportovkyně.

… and now the romance starts…



… for romance, we need accusative (that will be bold)
and the verb milovat (to love)


Martin miluje Martinu. = Martinu miluje Martin. = Miluje Martin Martinu.
Martin Martinu miluje. = Martinu Martin miluje. = Miluje Martinu Martin.


Martina miluje Martina. = Martina miluje Martina. = Miluje Martina Martina. =
Martina Martina miluje. = Martina Martina miluje. = Miluje Martina Martina.


… but Martina is actually lesbian



So…
To je taky Martina. Martina2.
To je Martina. Martina1.

Martina1 miluje Martinu2. = Martinu2 miluje Martina1. = Miluje Martina1 Martinu2.
Martina1 Martinu2 miluje. = Martinu2 Martina1 miluje. = Miluje Martinu2 Martina1.


Martina2 miluje Martinu1. = Martinu1 miluje Martina2. = Miluje Martina2 Martinu1.
Martina2 Martinu1 miluje. = Martinu1 Martina2 miluje. = Miluje Martinu1 Martina2.