ohledně + Genitive
Preposition Ohledně
The preposition ohledně means "regarding," "concerning," or "with respect to." It is used to introduce a specific topic of discussion, thought, or reference, and it always takes the genitive case.
How It Works
To become proficient in using ohledně, you need to understand its case government, its nuances compared to similar expressions, and a specific morphological quirk.
1. Case Government
Ohledně strictly governs the genitive case. Do not confuse its case requirements with the basic preposition o (which takes the locative) or na (which takes the accusative in phrases like dotaz na).
2. Nuance and Comparison
- vs. o + locative: O is the basic, neutral preposition for a topic (e.g., mluvit o smlouvě - to talk about the contract). Ohledně is slightly more specific and formal (ohledně smlouvy - regarding the contract).
- vs. co se týče: Both mean "regarding" or "as for." However, co se týče is a verbal phrase typically used to front a topic at the very beginning of a sentence. While ohledně integrates much more smoothly into the middle of a clause as a standard prepositional phrase, it can also perfectly well front a sentence if you want to establish the topic right away (e.g., Ohledně té smlouvy vám zavolám zítra. - Regarding that contract, I will call you tomorrow.).
- vs. vzhledem k + dative: Learners often confuse these because they share the root hledět (to look). Remember that vzhledem k introduces a cause or context ("given" or "due to"), whereas ohledně merely introduces a topic.
- vs. s ohledem na + accusative: Because they share the root ohled, learners frequently confuse their case requirements. Ohledně takes the genitive and means "regarding," while s ohledem na takes the accusative and means "with regard to" or "taking into account" (e.g., s ohledem na situaci - taking the situation into account).
3. Advanced Morphological Note & Usage Tip
Although ohledně is a secondary preposition (derived from a noun), it is fully stabilized in the language. Therefore, it strictly requires 3rd-person personal pronouns to take the prothetic n- (e.g., ohledně něj, ohledně něho, ohledně nich), just like primary prepositions.
Crucial Warning: Do not confuse personal pronouns with possessive pronouns. While you must say ohledně něj (regarding him), the n- is NEVER added to possessive pronouns (jeho, její, jejich) when they modify a noun. You must say ohledně jeho smlouvy (regarding his contract).
As a general usage tip, a highly frequent and useful combination is ohledně toho (regarding that / about that), which serves as a handy reference to a previously mentioned topic.
Examples (5)
- Můj názor ohledně plánované výstavby zůstává stejný.
My opinion regarding the planned construction remains the same.
Word by Word: My opinion regarding planned construction remains same.
A formal sentence demonstrating ohledně followed by the genitive feminine phrase 'plánované výstavby'.
- Mám několik otázek ohledně tvého plánu.
I have a few questions regarding your plan.
Word by Word: I-have several questions regarding your plan.
A common professional or everyday phrase. 'Tvého plánu' is in the genitive masculine inanimate.
- Rada sdílí obavy ohledně dobrých životních podmínek zvířat.
The Council shares the concerns regarding animal welfare.
Word by Word: Council shares concerns regarding good living conditions of-animals.
An administrative example showing ohledně framing a complex genitive plural noun phrase.
- Psala mi ohledně té nové smlouvy.
She wrote to me regarding that new contract.
Word by Word: She-wrote to-me regarding that new contract.
Shows that ohledně integrates smoothly into the middle of a standard clause.
- Ohledně něj se ještě musíme rozhodnout.
Regarding him, we still have to decide.
Word by Word: Regarding him ourselves still we-must decide.
Demonstrates the use of a 3rd-person personal pronoun. Because ohledně is a stabilized secondary preposition, it requires the prothetic n- form (ohledně něj or ohledně něho).
Common Mistakes
Using the locative or accusative case instead of the genitive.
Mám dotaz ohledně tom novém projektu.Mám dotaz ohledně toho nového projektu.Because learners associate 'ohledně' with 'o' (about) or 'dotaz na' (question about), they often mistakenly apply the locative or accusative case. Ohledně strictly requires the genitive case.
Confusing ohledně with vzhledem k.
Zrušili jsme to ohledně špatnému počasí.Zrušili jsme to vzhledem ke špatnému počasí.Ohledně introduces a topic ('regarding'), while vzhledem k introduces a cause or context ('given' or 'due to'). They cannot be used interchangeably despite sharing a similar root.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'ohledně' correctly, a learner must have a solid grasp of the genitive case endings for all genders. Since this preposition is primarily used in formal, administrative, and professional contexts, familiarity with abstract and verbal nouns is essential for constructing natural sentences.
- z / ze + GenitiveGenitive After Z and Ze
The pattern 'ohledně' requires the use of the genitive case, so the learner must already be familiar with basic genitive noun endings.
Level 2 - -ní / -tíVerbal Noun in -ní and -tí
The preposition 'ohledně' is frequently used in administrative contexts with verbal nouns (e.g., 'jednání ohledně...'), which are common at this level.
Level 4 - -ost / -nostAbstract Nouns in -ost and -nost
Professional and administrative Czech often uses 'ohledně' in combination with abstract nouns, which are introduced at higher levels.
Level 5
Related Patterns
- co se týče + GenitiveTopic Frame with Co Se Týče
Both expressions mean 'regarding' or 'as for', but 'co se týče' is a verbal phrase typically used to front a topic at the beginning of a sentence, while 'ohledně' acts as a standard preposition.
Level 5 - o / po / při + LocativeLocative After O, Po, And Při
The preposition 'o' (about) is the basic, neutral alternative to 'ohledně' for introducing a topic, but it requires the locative case instead of the genitive.
Level 2 - z hlediska + GenitivePerspective Preposition Z Hlediska
Another secondary preposition derived from a related root (hledisko), used to frame a topic from a specific perspective ('from the point of view of').
Level 6 - Personal pronouns in oblique cases
Understanding oblique pronouns is essential for using the correct prothetic n- forms (e.g., něj, něho, nich) required after stabilized secondary prepositions like ohledně.
Level 2
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