je s to + Infinitive
Formal Capability Je S to
The phrase být s to is a formal, literary equivalent to být schopen (to be able to / capable of). It is formed with the conjugated verb být, the invariable phrase s to, and an infinitive.
How It Works
The pattern je s to + infinitiv is an advanced, highly formal (knižní), and somewhat archaic expression. You will encounter it in journalism, literature, and elevated public speaking, but rarely in casual everyday speech.
Grammatical Structure:
- být (conjugated for person and tense) + s to + infinitive
Pronunciation and Literal Meaning:
The phrase s to is pronounced together as a single phonetic unit [sto], sounding exactly like the Czech word for 'one hundred'. In this phrase, to is the demonstrative pronoun ten frozen in the neuter accusative form. The literal translation is roughly 'to be equal to that' or 'to be a match for that'.
The Historical Quirk & Spelling:
Because it sounds exactly like the number 100, native speakers frequently misspell it as a single word (sto) or as z to. The z to mistake happens because of phonetic assimilation: in spoken Czech, the preposition z before the voiceless consonant t is pronounced as a voiceless [s], making s to and z to sound identical. Remember that it must always be written as two separate words: s to.
However, s to is a perfectly correct, documented historical survival where the preposition s governs the accusative case (meaning "equal to" or "up to the task of"). It shares this rare grammatical quirk with only one other surviving Czech idiom: kdo s koho (who will defeat whom).
Key Takeaways:
- It is synonymous with být schopen but carries a more emphatic, elevated tone.
- The phrase s to never changes its form. Never decline the pronoun (e.g., toho) or change the preposition.
Examples (4)
- Nejsem s to odevzdat tu práci včas.
I am not able to hand in the work on time.
Word by Word: Not-am equal to-it to-hand-in that work on-time.
A standard first-person negative usage expressing an absolute inability to meet the deadline.
- Lékař nebyl s to pacientovi pomoci.
The doctor was unable to help the patient.
Word by Word: Doctor not-was equal to-it to-patient to-help.
Used in the past tense. Notice how 's to' remains completely unchanged.
- Karel je s to zapomenout i na vlastní svatbu.
Karel is capable of forgetting even his own wedding.
Word by Word: Karel is equal to-it to-forget even on own wedding.
An affirmative example showing that someone has the capacity (often in a negative or surprising sense) to do something extreme.
- Vláda není s to vyřešit současnou krizi.
The government is incapable of solving the current crisis.
Word by Word: Government not-is equal to-it to-solve current crisis.
A typical example of how this phrase appears in formal journalism or political commentary.
Common Mistakes
Writing the phrase as one word ('sto').
Nejsem sto to pochopit.Nejsem s to to pochopit.The word 'sto' means 'one hundred'. Although 's to' is pronounced identically as [sto], the phrase must be written as two separate words: the preposition 's' and the pronoun 'to'.
Using the wrong preposition ('z') or declining the pronoun ('toho').
Nebyl z to odpovědět.Nebyl s to odpovědět.Because of phonetic assimilation, 'z' before 't' is pronounced as [s], making 's to' and 'z to' sound identical. This leads people to mistakenly write 'z to'. Others might write 's toho' by false analogy with 'být schopen toho'. However, 's to' is a fixed historical idiom where 's' correctly takes the accusative case. It must never be altered.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The construction 'je s to + infinitiv' is a formal way to express capability. To understand it, a learner must be familiar with the conjugation of the verb 'být' (which changes according to the subject), the use of the demonstrative 'to', and how to attach an infinitive to a modal-like expression.
- s / se + InstrumentalInstrumental After S and Se
The construction uses the preposition 's', and understanding its basic usage helps contextualize the fixed phrase 's to'.
Level 2 - ten / ta / to (v pádech)Demonstrative Pronoun Agreement
The pattern uses the demonstrative 'to' as a fixed component of the capability expression.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- lze + InfinitiveImpersonal Possibility Lze
Both 'být s to' and 'lze' are highly formal ways to express ability or possibility, though 'lze' is impersonal while 'být s to' relates to a specific subject.
Level 6 - dá se + InfinitivePossibility with Dát Se
Another construction used to express that something is possible or can be done, serving as a less formal, impersonal alternative.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice je s to + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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