co se týče + Genitive

Topic Frame with Co Se Týče

Level 5

The phrase co se týče is an elegant and highly common way to say 'as for,' 'regarding,' or 'when it comes to.' It is used to introduce or shift the topic of a sentence and must always be followed by the genitive case.

How It Works

The phrase co se týče is a core structural tool in Czech discourse, perfect for signaling a shift in topic, contrasting two subjects, or returning to a previously mentioned theme. The base verb týkat se means 'to concern' or 'to relate to'. Historically, it meant 'to touch', which explains why it inherently governs the genitive case—in Slavic languages, verbs of physical contact historically took the genitive to express a partitive concept (touching a part of something). It is also commonly used as a regular verb in everyday speech, not only meaning 'to concern' (e.g., To se tě netýká. – That doesn't concern you / That's none of your business) but also 'to apply to' (e.g., Tento zákon se týká všech. – This law applies to everyone).

Grammatical Rules:

  • Case requirement: The noun phrase immediately following must be in the genitive case.
  • No prepositions: Never insert prepositions like o or na between the phrase and the noun.
  • Reflexive pronoun: The word se is mandatory.
  • Pronoun placement: When using a personal pronoun, it is often placed between the words se and týče (e.g., co se mě týče), but placing it at the end (co se týče mě) is also completely standard and frequently used for emphasis.
  • Before a clause: To use this phrase before a full clause, you must insert the demonstrative pronoun toho in the genitive case (e.g., Co se týče toho, že... - As for the fact that...).

Co se týče vs. Co se týká:
You will frequently hear both co se týče and co se týká. A common myth among native speakers is that co se týká is non-standard or less educated. However, the Czech Language Institute (ÚJČ) explicitly states that both forms are fully standard, correct, and interchangeable. Co se týče is often perceived as slightly more elegant, while co se týká is ubiquitous in everyday speech.

Etymology Note:
Another widespread myth is that týče is an imperative or a subjunctive relic. Grammatically, this is false. Týče is simply the 3rd-person singular present indicative of an older, alternative conjugation class for the verb týkat se (similar to how plakat becomes pláče).

Similar Expressions:
Do not confuse the case requirements of similar topicalizers. While co se týče takes the genitive, pokud jde o requires the accusative case. Additionally, avoid redundantly combining it with the preposition ohledně, such as ❌ Co se týče ohledně financí.... You can also use pokud se týče or pokud se týká, which are fully standard and synonymous alternatives to co se týče / týká.

Examples (5)

  1. Co se týče financí, musíme být opatrní.

    As for finances, we must be careful.

    Word by Word: What itself concerns of-finances, we-must to-be careful.

    A standard usage introducing a new topic. Notice that 'finance' is in the genitive plural ('financí').

  2. Co se týče kvality, nemáme si na co stěžovat.

    When it comes to quality, we have nothing to complain about.

    Word by Word: What itself concerns of-quality, not-we-have to-ourselves on what to-complain.

    Here, the phrase frames the specific aspect ('kvalita' -> genitive 'kvality') being evaluated.

  3. Co se mě týče, já s tím návrhem souhlasím.

    As for me, I agree with the proposal.

    Word by Word: What itself of-me concerns, I with that proposal agree.

    It can be used with pronouns to contrast one's own opinion with others. The genitive pronoun 'mě' is often placed between 'se' and 'týče', though 'co se týče mě' is also standard and adds emphasis.

  4. Co se týče nového projektu, detaily probereme zítra.

    Regarding the new project, we will discuss the details tomorrow.

    Word by Word: What itself concerns of-new of-project, details we-will-discuss tomorrow.

    The entire noun phrase ('nový projekt') must decline into the genitive ('nového projektu').

  5. Můžeš si vybrat, co chceš, ale co se týče barvy, doporučuji modrou.

    You can choose what you want, but as for the color, I recommend blue.

    Word by Word: You-can to-yourself to-choose, what you-want, but what itself concerns of-color, I-recommend blue.

    Used mid-sentence to pivot the focus to a specific detail ('barva' -> genitive 'barvy').

Common Mistakes

  • Using the nominative or accusative case instead of the genitive.

    Co se týče ten projekt, detaily probereme zítra.
    Co se týče toho projektu, detaily probereme zítra.

    The phrase 'co se týče' strictly requires the following noun phrase to be in the genitive case. Using the nominative ('ten projekt') is a grammatical error.

  • Adding an unnecessary preposition like 'o' or 'ohledně'.

    Co se týče o rozpočet, musíme ho snížit.
    Co se týče rozpočtu, musíme ho snížit.

    Do not mix 'co se týče' with prepositions like 'o' (which belongs to 'pokud jde o') or 'ohledně'. It attaches directly to the genitive noun without any preposition.

  • Omitting the reflexive pronoun 'se'.

    Co týče kvality, je to výborné.
    Co se týče kvality, je to výborné.

    The verb 'týkat se' is inherently reflexive, so the 'se' cannot be dropped from the phrase.

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co se týče + GenitiveLevel 5Topic Frame with Co Se Týče

Learn This First

To learn 'co se týče + genitiv', a learner needs to understand the function of the pronoun 'co', the use of the reflexive particle 'se' with verbs, and must be proficient in forming the genitive case for various noun genders.

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co se týčetýkat