pro + Accusative

For with Accusative

Level 1

The preposition pro means "for" when talking about the recipient of something (like a gift) or who benefits from an action. It is always followed by the accusative case.

How It Works

While English uses "for" in many different ways, Czech is more specific. Use pro when you want to say:

  • Who receives something: To je pro tebe. (That is for you.)
  • Who benefits: Dělám to pro rodinu. (I am doing it for my family.)
  • Fetching an object or person: Jdu pro pivo. (I am going to get beer.)
  • Being in favor of something: Jsem pro tento návrh. (I am for this proposal.) or Hlasovat pro ten zákon. (To vote for that law.)

Important Note: English speakers often confuse pro with kvůli (because of / for the sake of). Use pro when fetching someone (Jdu pro doktora. = I am going to get the doctor) but kvůli for reason or sake (Jdu tam kvůli doktorovi. = I am going there because of the doctor). Another common misconception is that pro is only used for people. This is not true! You can use it for abstract concepts (cvičit pro zdraví = to exercise for health) or inanimate objects (jít pro chleba = to go get bread; note that chleba is formally a genitive form that has become the default colloquial accusative).

Always remember to put the word following pro into the accusative case, such as the feminine accusative in -u.

Examples (5)

  1. Mám pro tebe dárek.

    I have a gift for you.

    Word by Word: I-have for you gift.

    Shows the intended recipient of the gift using an accusative pronoun.

  2. Tohle je pro děti.

    This is for the children.

    Word by Word: This is for children.

    Expresses who the item is intended for.

  3. Jdu pro doktora.

    I am going to fetch the doctor.

    Word by Word: I-go for doctor.

    Used with a verb of motion to mean "going to get" or "fetching" someone.

  4. Skoč pro chleba.

    Run and get some bread.

    Word by Word: Jump for bread.

    A common colloquial way to tell someone to quickly go fetch an inanimate object. Note that 'chleba' is formally a genitive form that acts as a colloquial accusative here.

  5. Cvičím pro zdraví.

    I exercise for health.

    Word by Word: I-exercise for health.

    Demonstrates that 'pro' can be used with abstract concepts as the beneficiary.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'pro' to say 'thank you for'.

    Děkuji pro všechno.
    Děkuji za všechno.

    In Czech, thanking is considered an exchange. For exchanges, prices, or gratitude, you must use za + accusative, not pro.

  • Using 'pro' for purpose or designation.

    Mám lístek pro vlak.
    Mám lístek na vlak.

    When 'for' indicates the purpose or designation of an object (like a ticket for a train) or an event (like going for the weekend), Czech uses na + accusative, not pro.

  • Using 'pro' to mean 'because of' or 'for the sake of'.

    Zůstal jsem doma pro nemoc.
    Zůstal jsem doma kvůli nemoci.

    When 'for' means 'because of' or 'for the sake of', Czech uses the preposition kvůli with the dative case, not pro. Use pro for beneficiaries or fetching.

How It Connects

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pro + AccusativeLevel 1For with Accusative

Learn This First

To use the preposition 'pro' correctly, a learner must first understand how to form the accusative case for nouns (across different genders) and personal pronouns, as this preposition always governs the accusative case.

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Words in This Pattern

pro