-u

Feminine Accusative in -u

Level 1

When a singular feminine noun ending in -a becomes the direct object of a sentence, the -a changes to -u.

How It Works

The accusative case marks the direct object of transitive verbs like mít (to have), vidět (to see), or chtít (to want). It answers the questions Koho? (Whom?) and Co? (What?).

How to form it:

  • Take a singular feminine noun ending in -a (e.g., žena, voda, škola).
  • Remove the -a and add -u (e.g., ženu, vodu, školu).

Important Rules:

  • Modifiers Agreement: Don't forget to change hard adjectives, demonstrative pronouns, possessive pronouns, and the numeral jedna (one) too! Ta dobrá káva becomes tu dobrou kávu, moje/má rodina becomes moji/mou rodinu, and jedna žena becomes jednu ženu. However, "soft" adjectives ending in -í (like moderní or inteligentní) stay exactly the same.
  • Names and Places: Proper nouns (names of people and cities) ending in -a also change to -u. Because English speakers aren't used to changing names, beginners frequently forget to decline them! For example, Praha becomes Prahu (Mám rád Prahu) and Anna becomes Annu (Vidím Annu).
  • Not for all feminines: Feminine nouns ending in -e or -ě (like restaurace), -í (like paní), or a consonant (like kost) do NOT take the -u ending.
  • Beware of neuter nouns: Words of Greek origin ending in -ma (like téma, drama, or klima) look like feminine nouns, but they are actually neuter. They do NOT change to -u in the accusative (e.g., Mám zajímavé téma, NOT tému).
  • Bonus rule: Masculine animate nouns ending in -a (like turista or kolega) also take the -u ending (e.g., turistu, kolegu). However, any adjectives or pronouns describing them must use masculine animate endings, not feminine ones (e.g., toho dobrého kolegu, NOT tu dobrou kolegu).
  • Prepositions: You will also use this ending after certain prepositions, such as pro (for), or for motion and direction with prepositions like na (to/onto, e.g., jdu na kávu).

Because English relies on word order rather than word endings for direct objects, remembering to change the ending is a major milestone in getting comfortable with Czech!

Examples (5)

  1. Dám si kávu, prosím.

    I'll have a coffee, please.

    Word by Word: I will give to myself coffee, please.

    The noun 'káva' changes to 'kávu' because it is the direct object being ordered.

  2. Mám novou knihu.

    I have a new book.

    Word by Word: I have new book.

    Notice that both the adjective (nová → novou) and the noun (kniha → knihu) change to match.

  3. Vidím tu ženu na rohu.

    I see that woman on the corner.

    Word by Word: I see that woman on corner.

    The demonstrative pronoun 'ta' becomes 'tu', and 'žena' becomes 'ženu'.

  4. Hledám lékárnu.

    I am looking for a pharmacy.

    Word by Word: I look for pharmacy.

    'Lékárna' (pharmacy) is the direct object of the verb 'hledat' (to look for).

  5. Mám pro tebe dobrou zprávu.

    I have good news for you.

    Word by Word: I have for you good news.

    'Zpráva' (news) changes to 'zprávu' because it is the direct object of 'mít' (to have).

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to change the adjective or pronoun to match the noun.

    Mám dobrá kávu.
    Mám dobrou kávu.

    When the noun changes to the accusative case, any adjectives or pronouns describing it must also change. 'Dobrá' becomes 'dobrou'.

  • Applying the -u ending to neuter nouns ending in -o.

    Vidím autu.
    Vidím auto.

    Neuter nouns ending in -o (like 'auto' or 'pivo') do not change in the accusative case. They look exactly the same as in the nominative.

  • Leaving the noun in the nominative case after a transitive verb.

    Chci voda, prosím.
    Chci vodu, prosím.

    English relies on word order for direct objects, but Czech requires the noun ending to change. 'Voda' must become 'vodu'.

How It Connects

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-uLevel 1Feminine Accusative in -u

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