Prosím

Please and You Are Welcome

Level 1

Prosím is the "Swiss Army knife" of Czech politeness. While it often translates to "please," it is also the standard way to say "you're welcome," "here you are," "pardon?," "after you," and "yes?"

How It Works

Literally meaning "I ask" or "I beg" (it is the first-person singular of the verb prosit, to ask or request), prosím is an everyday essential used in both formal and casual situations. Intonation is crucial: a rising pitch (Prosím? ↗) signals a question or prompt, while a flat or falling pitch signals a statement, offering, or response. Here are its main functions:

  • Please: Used to soften a request. When ordering an item directly, the noun must be in the accusative case (e.g., using the feminine accusative to say Kávu, prosím). It can float freely in a sentence and is usually set off by commas when in the middle.
  • Yes, please: The standard way to accept an offer is Ano, prosím.
  • You're welcome: The automatic, standard response to thank you.
  • Here you are: Said when physically handing something to someone, like a barista giving you a coffee.
  • Pardon?: Said with a rising intonation to ask someone to repeat themselves. To express shock or offense ("Excuse me, what did you just say?!"), use Co prosím?!
  • Hello?: The standard way to answer the telephone. In formal or business contexts, it is often followed immediately by the speaker's surname (e.g., Prosím, Nováková).
  • After you / Go ahead: Used when holding a door open, offering a seat, or yielding the floor.
  • Yes? / Go ahead: Used to respond when someone calls your name or knocks on a door (acting as a prompt, though the standard word for "Come in!" is actually Dále!).

To politely get someone's attention or preface a request ("Excuse me..."), it pairs with a pronoun: prosím tě (informal) or prosím vás (formal/plural). Note that this cannot be used to apologize (for apologies, use Promiňte or Omlouvám se). However, it is heavily used as an exclamation of disbelief, dismissal, or exasperation (e.g., Ale prosím tě! meaning "Oh, please!").

Examples (6)

  1. Kávu, prosím.

    A coffee, please.

    Word by Word: Coffee, please.

    Used to make a polite request. Notice that 'káva' changes to 'kávu' (accusative case) because you are ordering it. When placed in the middle of a sentence, 'prosím' is set off by commas.

  2. Děkuji. — Prosím.

    Thank you. — You're welcome.

    Word by Word: I thank. — I ask.

    The standard, automatic response when someone thanks you. It is said with a flat or falling intonation.

  3. Dáš si kávu? — Ano, prosím.

    Would you like a coffee? — Yes, please.

    Word by Word: Will you give to yourself coffee? — Yes, please.

    The standard way to accept an offer.

  4. Prosím? Mohl byste to zopakovat?

    Pardon? Could you repeat that?

    Word by Word: Please? Could you it to repeat?

    With a rising intonation, it means 'Excuse me?' or 'Pardon?' when you didn't hear something.

  5. Co prosím?!

    Excuse me, what?!

    Word by Word: What please?!

    A common phrase used to express shock or offense at what someone just said.

  6. Ale prosím tě!

    Oh, please!

    Word by Word: But I ask you!

    Used as an exclamation of disbelief, dismissal, or exasperation.

Common Mistakes

  • Saying 'Co?' (What?) to a stranger or in a polite setting when you didn't hear something.

    Different MeaningCo? Neslyšel jsem tě.
    Prosím? Neslyšel jsem tě.

    Co? is fine among friends, but it sounds curt with strangers or in a polite setting. Say Prosím? (with rising intonation) to ask someone to repeat themselves.

  • Translating 'You're welcome' literally as 'Vítejte'.

    Děkuji. — Vítejte.
    Děkuji. — Prosím.

    'Vítejte' strictly means 'Welcome to this place' (greeting an arrival). To respond to thanks, you must use 'Prosím' (or 'Není zač').

  • Leaving thanks hanging or replying with 'Dobře' (OK).

    Děkuji. — Dobře.
    Děkuji. — Prosím.

    The usual answer to thanks is Prosím or Není zač. Replying Dobře (OK) is not a normal response and can sound unnatural.

How It Connects

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

ProsímLevel 1Please and You Are Welcome

Learn This First

Prosím is a foundational polite formula in Czech. To use it effectively, a learner should already be familiar with its counterpart 'Děkuji' (Thank you) to complete the social exchange. While it is a basic particle, familiarity with Czech spelling conventions helps in recognizing the word.

Words in This Pattern

prosím