soudě podle

Fixed Expression Soudě Podle

Level 4

Soudě podle translates to judging by or judging from. It is used to introduce observable evidence that leads you to a conclusion.

How It Works

At Level 4, it is important to understand the exact mechanics of this phrase:

  • Morphology: Historically, soudě is the masculine singular present transgressive of the verb soudit (to judge). However, in modern Czech, it acts as an invariable chunk (a fossilized expression). You do not need to conjugate it. Note that you might also encounter the form soudíc (historically the feminine/neuter form). Today, both soudě and soudíc are accepted as valid fossilized adverbs, so do not assume soudíc is being actively conjugated for a feminine speaker.
  • Syntax (The Dangling Modifier): Unlike regular transgressives, which must share the subject of the main clause, soudě podle operates independently. The implied "judger" is always the speaker or observer. For example, in Soudě podle mraků, bude pršet, the clouds aren't judging—the speaker is.
  • Attachment: It attaches to a noun or pronoun in the genitive case, governed by the preposition podle. Alternatively, it frequently pairs with the preposition z + genitive (soudě z - judging from). To attach it to a whole clause, use the demonstrative pronoun to in the genitive: soudě podle toho, že/jak... (judging by the fact that / how...).
  • Punctuation: Commas are optional. While the phrase can be treated as a secondary preposition without a comma, using a comma to set it off as a loose sentence modifier is extremely common and officially modeled in dictionaries by the Czech Language Institute (ÚJČ).
  • Register: This phrase has a slightly formal or bookish (knižní) flavor. It is a highly articulate, elevated alternative to purely colloquial phrasing like Podle toho, jak vypadá... (Depending on how it looks...).

Nuance: Do not confuse it with simply podle (according to). Podle Petra means Petr is the source of the information. Soudě podle Petra means you are looking at Petr and making a deduction based on his appearance or behavior.

Examples (4)

  1. Soudě podle mraků, bude pršet.

    Judging by the clouds, it's going to rain.

    Word by Word: Judging according-to clouds, will rain.

    A classic example where the speaker makes a deduction based on a physical observation. Notice the comma separating the adverbial phrase, which is common but optional.

  2. Soudě podle jeho úsměvu to nebylo tak zlé.

    Judging by his smile, it wasn't that bad.

    Word by Word: Judging according-to his smile it not-was so bad.

    Here, the comma is optionally omitted. This is perfectly acceptable when treating the phrase more like a secondary preposition rather than a loose modifier.

  3. Soudě z jejích reakcí se jí ten dárek nelíbil.

    Judging from her reactions, she didn't like the gift.

    Word by Word: Judging from her reactions self to-her that gift not-pleased.

    This example demonstrates the alternative preposition 'z' (from) with the genitive case, which is also very common.

  4. Soudíc podle toho, co říkal, plán funguje.

    Judging by what he said, the plan is working.

    Word by Word: Judging according-to that, what he-said, plan works.

    This uses the alternative fossilized form 'soudíc'. It also shows how to connect the phrase to a subordinate clause using the demonstrative pronoun 'toho'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong case after 'soudě podle' or 'soudě z'.

    Soudě podle ten výraz, je naštvaný.
    Soudě podle toho výrazu, je naštvaný.

    The prepositions podle and z always require the genitive case. Make sure to decline the following noun or pronoun accordingly.

  • Mixing up 'soudě podle' and 'podle'.

    Different MeaningSoudě podle zpráv, zítra bude sněžit.
    Podle zpráv zítra bude sněžit.

    'Soudě podle zpráv, zítra bude sněžit' is a good sentence: it means 'judging by the reports, it will snow', so you are drawing the conclusion yourself. Podle zpráv (according to the news) just passes on what the source says.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

soudě podleLevel 4Fixed Expression Soudě Podle

Learn This First

To understand 'soudě podle', a learner needs to recognize that 'soudě' is a fossilized transgressive (present participle) form. They must also be familiar with the preposition 'podle' and its requirement for the genitive case, as well as the general concept of how transgressives can become fixed idiomatic expressions in Czech.

Words in This Pattern

souditpodle