mít za to, že

Formal Stance Mít Za to

Level 6

The phrase mít za to, že is a highly formal way to express an opinion, assumption, or considered judgment. It translates to "to be of the opinion that" or "to consider that."

How It Works

This expression is a staple of formal, administrative, and literary Czech. It serves as a formal equivalent of the everyday phrase myslet si, že (to think that) and is a direct synonym of domnívat se, že (to assume/suppose that). You will frequently encounter it in legal texts (like court rulings), journalism, and academic writing.

Register and Tone:
Because it sounds authoritative and emotionally detached, it is generally too stiff for casual, everyday conversation. Using it to say "I think the beer is good" sounds unnaturally pompous.

Legal Presumption:
In legal contexts, you will frequently see the impersonal reflexive form má se za to, že... (it is assumed that... / there is a presumption that...). This is a specific linguistic marker in Czech law denoting a rebuttable legal presumption. By contrast, an irrebuttable legal presumption (where no proof to the contrary is allowed) is marked by the phrase platí, že... (it is established/dictated that...).

Important Distinctions:

  • Do not confuse it with moci za to, že (to be to blame for).
  • Do not confuse it with mít to za to, že (to receive a punishment/consequence because).
  • Do not confuse it with stát za to (to be worth it).

Spelling Note:
The phrase za to must always be written as two separate words. Writing it as one word (*zato) is a common orthographic error, even among native speakers, as zato is a completely different word meaning "but" or "on the other hand" (e.g., Je malý, zato silný).

Examples (5)

  1. Mám za to, že tento postup je v rozporu se zákonem.

    I am of the opinion that this procedure is in violation of the law.

    Word by Word: I-have for it, that this procedure is in violation with law.

    A typical formal usage, often found in legal or administrative contexts.

  2. Soud má za to, že obžalovaný jednal v sebeobraně.

    The court considers that the defendant acted in self-defense.

    Word by Word: Court has for it, that defendant acted in self-defense.

    Demonstrates the authoritative, objective tone used in official rulings.

  3. Měli jsme za to, že schůzka byla zrušena.

    We assumed that the meeting had been canceled.

    Word by Word: We-had for it, that meeting was canceled.

    Used in the past tense to express a formal assumption that turned out to be relevant or incorrect.

  4. Autor má za to, že současná opatření nejsou dostatečná.

    The author is of the opinion that the current measures are not sufficient.

    Word by Word: Author has for it, that current measures are-not sufficient.

    A common way to present an argument or stance in academic writing.

  5. Má se za to, že zásilka byla doručena třetí den po odeslání.

    It is presumed that the shipment was delivered on the third day after dispatch.

    Word by Word: Has itself for it, that shipment was delivered third day after dispatch.

    An example of the impersonal reflexive form used in legal and administrative texts to establish a rebuttable presumption.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the phrase in casual, everyday conversation.

    Different MeaningMám za to, že to pivo je docela dobré.
    Myslím si, že to pivo je docela dobré.

    Mít za to, že is highly formal and authoritative. Using it for trivial, everyday opinions sounds unnaturally pompous. Stick to myslet si for casual thoughts.

  • Writing "za to" as a single word ("zato").

    Mám zato, že se mýlíte.
    Mám za to, že se mýlíte.

    The Czech Language Institute strictly maintains that za to must be written as two words in this idiom. The word zato (written together) means "but" or "on the other hand."

  • Confusing it with "moci za to, že" (to be to blame for).

    Different MeaningMám za to, že jdeme pozdě.
    Můžu za to, že jdeme pozdě.

    'Mám za to, že jdeme pozdě' is correct, but it means 'I am of the opinion that we are late'. To say 'it is my fault that we are late', use 'Můžu za to, že jdeme pozdě' (moci za to = to be to blame).

How It Connects

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mít za to, žeLevel 6Formal Stance Mít Za to

Learn This First

To understand 'mít za to, že', a learner needs to be familiar with the basic conjugation of the verb 'mít', the use of the preposition 'za' with the accusative case, and how to form subordinate content clauses using the conjunction 'že'.

Words in This Pattern

mítzaten