čtu / čteš

Present Verbs Like Číst

Level 1

The verb číst (to read) is one of the most common verbs in Czech. In the present tense, it drops the 'ís' from the infinitive and uses the special stem čt-.

How It Works

The verb číst (to read) is a classic example of the 'Three Stems' concept in Czech, meaning its stem changes depending on the form: the infinitive uses čí- (číst), the present tense uses čt- (čtu, čteš), and the past tense uses čet- (četl, četla, četlo for singular, and četli, četly, četla for plural). In the present tense, it takes Class I (-e- type) endings (-u, -eš, -e, -eme, -ete, -ou).

Because Czech does not have a separate continuous tense, a form like čtu translates to both 'I read' (habitually) and 'I am reading' (right now). To talk about the future, you will use the imperfective future tense formed with the future of 'být' and the infinitive: budu číst (I will read / I will be reading). The present stem is also used to form the imperative: čti (read! - singular), čtěte (read! - plural/formal), and čtěme (let's read!). When forming the past tense, remember that the 1st and 2nd persons require the auxiliary verb 'být' (e.g., četli jsme for 'we read', not just 'my četli'). The past stem is also used to form the conditional mood with the conditional auxiliary (e.g., četl bych - I would read).

Case Government: The verb číst (and přečíst) takes a direct object in the accusative case (e.g., Čtu dobrou knihu - I am reading a good book). You can also optionally use the dative case to indicate who you are reading to (e.g., Čtu dětem pohádku - I am reading a fairy tale to the children).

Important note on aspect: Be careful not to confuse číst with its perfective partner přečíst, where the prefix pře- adds the specific nuance of 'to read completely' or 'to read all the way through'. As you learn about aspectual verb pairs, remember that perfective verbs cannot express the present tense. If you use the present endings on přečíst (přečtu), it means 'I will read it' (and finish it) in the future! Note that přečíst inherits the exact same three irregular stems with a prefix attached (přečíst -> přečtu -> přečetl).

Examples (5)

  1. Čtu zrovna skvělou knížku.

    I'm reading a great book right now.

    Word by Word: I-read right-now great book.

    The form 'čtu' expresses an ongoing action happening right now.

  2. Co čteš?

    What are you reading?

    Word by Word: What you-read?

    The ending '-eš' is used for the informal singular 'you' (ty).

  3. Ona čte dopis.

    She is reading a letter.

    Word by Word: She reads letter.

    The ending '-e' is used for he, she, or it.

  4. My čteme noviny každý den.

    We read the newspaper every day.

    Word by Word: We read newspaper every day.

    Here, 'čteme' expresses a habitual action (every day).

  5. Děti si čtou v posteli.

    The children are reading in bed.

    Word by Word: Children to-themselves read in bed.

    The ending '-ou' is used for 'they' (oni/ony/ona).

Common Mistakes

  • Attaching present tense endings directly to the infinitive or past stem.

    Já čístu knihu.
    Já čtu knihu.

    The infinitive is číst and the past stem is čet-, but the present tense uses the special stem čt-. Never add endings directly to the infinitive.

  • Using the perfective form for the present tense.

    Teď přečtu knihu.
    Teď čtu knihu.

    Přečíst is a perfective verb. In Czech, perfective verbs cannot express the present tense. Přečtu means 'I will read (and finish) it' in the future. Use čtu for ongoing present actions.

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čtu / čtešLevel 1Present Verbs Like Číst

Learn This First

To learn the conjugation of 'číst' (čtu, čteš), you first need to know the personal pronouns (I, you, he/she) and have experience with simpler, regular verb patterns like 'dělat'. Understanding how to negate verbs is also essential for basic communication.

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číst