včetně + Genitive
Inclusive Preposition Včetně
Včetně is a highly frequent preposition used to specify that someone or something is included in a previously mentioned group, limit, or whole. It always takes the genitive case.
How It Works
1. Meaning and Usage
Včetně translates to "including" or "inclusive of." It is fully standard and neutral, frequently used in formal, written, and administrative contexts. In writing, it is very commonly abbreviated as vč. (e.g., cena je 500 Kč vč. DPH – "the price is 500 CZK incl. VAT"). In administrative contexts, its direct antonym is bez (e.g., cena bez DPH – "price excl. VAT"). While kromě can mean "except" or "excluding," it can also mean "besides" or "in addition to." In informal spoken Czech, speakers often prefer the alternative i s + instrumental (e.g., i s bratrem instead of včetně bratra).
2. Grammatical Rules
As a preposition, it must precede the noun phrase and strictly governs the genitive case. Because it already contains vowels and forms its own phonological word, it never undergoes vocalization (it never changes form, unlike v/ve or s/se). However, due to voicing assimilation, the initial v- followed by the voiceless -č- is pronounced as an f, making the pronunciation [fčetňe].
3. Preposition vs. Adverb
Včetně can also function as an adverb meaning "inclusively." When used this way, it is placed after the noun phrase and does not govern its case. This adverbial function is almost exclusively reserved for ranges and intervals, such as dates, times, or page numbers (e.g., do pátku včetně – "up to Friday inclusive").
4. Punctuation (The Comma Myth)
Many native speakers mistakenly believe a comma must always (or never) precede včetně. According to the Czech Language Institute (ÚJČ), a comma is used if the phrase is a loose, parenthetical afterthought, but omitted if it is tightly integrated into the core meaning of the sentence. Crucially, if a loose včetně phrase is inserted into the middle of a sentence, it must be isolated by commas on both sides (e.g., Všechny, včetně bratra, zaměstnal ve své firmě. – "He employed everyone, including his brother, in his company.").
Examples (4)
- Cena je 560 Kč včetně dopravy.
The price is 560 CZK including shipping.
Word by Word: Price is 560 CZK including shipping.
The feminine noun 'doprava' (shipping) changes to the genitive 'dopravy' after 'včetně'.
- Nepřítel zajal většinu posádky včetně kapitána.
The enemy captured most of the crew, including the captain.
Word by Word: Enemy captured majority of-crew including captain.
The masculine animate noun 'kapitán' takes the genitive ending '-a'.
- K protestu se připojila řada lidí, včetně nás.
A number of people joined the protest, including us.
Word by Word: To protest reflex. joined number of-people, including us.
A comma is used here because 'včetně nás' is added as a loose, parenthetical afterthought. 'Nás' is the genitive of the pronoun 'my'.
- Budeme tam od prvního do pátého května včetně.
We will be there from the first to the fifth of May inclusive.
Word by Word: We-will-be there from first to fifth of-May inclusively.
Here, 'včetně' functions as an adverb meaning 'inclusively'. It is placed after the noun phrase and does not govern its case.
Common Mistakes
Failing to decline the included noun into the genitive case.
Všichni tam byli, včetně můj bratr.Všichni tam byli, včetně mého bratra.Advanced learners sometimes mistakenly leave the noun in the nominative or try to match the case of the broader group. Včetně strictly requires the genitive case.
Placing the adverbial 'včetně' before the limit instead of after it.
Máme otevřeno včetně do pátku.Máme otevřeno do pátku včetně.When used to mean 'inclusively' at the end of a time or numerical range, včetně acts as an adverb and must follow the noun phrase.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'včetně' correctly, a learner must be comfortable with the genitive case (both singular and plural) for nouns and adjectives, as this preposition governs that specific case regardless of the surrounding sentence structure.
- z / ze + GenitiveGenitive After Z and Ze
Understanding the genitive case endings for nouns and adjectives is essential, as 'včetně' functions as a preposition requiring this case.
Level 2 - pět a více + Genitive PluralFive and Higher with Genitive Plural
The pattern 'včetně' is frequently used with plural lists, requiring knowledge of genitive plural forms.
Level 4
Related Patterns
- s / se + InstrumentalInstrumental After S and Se
Contrasts with 'včetně': 's' denotes accompaniment (A and B together), while 'včetně' denotes inclusion (B is a subset of A).
Level 2 - bez + GenitiveGenitive After Bez
A semantic opposite of 'včetně' (excluding vs. including), which also strictly governs the genitive case, similar to the antonym 'kromě'.
Level 2 - do + GenitiveGenitive After Do
Often paired with the adverbial use of 'včetně' to express inclusive limits (e.g., 'do pátku včetně').
Level 2 - Personal pronouns in oblique cases
Essential for forming phrases like 'včetně mě' (including me) or 'včetně nich' (including them) using correct genitive pronouns.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice včetně + Genitive in Bubblegum
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