k / ke + Dative (Direction)

Toward with K

Level 1

In Czech, the preposition k (or ke) means 'toward' or 'up to'. It is always followed by the dative case. Crucially, it is the only correct preposition to use when you are going to visit a person.

How It Works

English uses the word 'to' for almost any destination, but Czech is much more specific. You must choose your preposition based on the nature, category, or physical geometry of the destination:

  • Use do + genitiv when you are going inside an enclosed space (a building, a city, a country).
  • Use na + accusative when you are going to an open space, an event, an island, or certain public institutions and services (like the post office or train station).
  • Use k / ke + dativ when you are going toward a place (approaching its edge) or when you are going to a person (which also means going to that person's home or workplace).

For example, if you say jdu k nemocnici, it means you are walking toward the hospital building, but not going inside. However, if you say jdu k doktorovi (I am going to the doctor) or jdu k babičce (I am going to grandma's house), this is the natural and correct way to say you are visiting them or their place. Just as do (into) pairs with z (out of) and na (to) pairs with z (from, e.g., jdu na poštu -> jdu z pošty), k (toward) pairs with od (away from).

Spelling note: Always write ke mně (to me) with an n. Writing ke mě is a very common spelling mistake, even among native speakers!

Examples (5)

  1. Zítra musím k zubaři.

    Tomorrow I have to go to the dentist.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow I-must to dentist.

    When the destination is a person, 'k' is mandatory.

  2. Jdu k babičce na oběd.

    I'm going to grandma's for lunch.

    Word by Word: I-go to grandma for lunch.

    Another example of going to a person. Notice the dative ending '-e' on 'babička'.

  3. Postav tu židli ke stolu.

    Put that chair by the table.

    Word by Word: Put that chair to table.

    Uses 'ke' because 'stolu' starts with a consonant cluster (st-). It means placing it right up to the edge of the table.

  4. Pojď ke mně!

    Come to me!

    Word by Word: Come to me!

    The preposition 'ke' is always used before the dative pronoun 'mně'.

  5. Jdeme k lesu.

    We are walking toward the forest.

    Word by Word: We-go toward forest.

    This means approaching the forest, but not necessarily entering it.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'do' (into) when going to a person.

    Jdu do doktora.
    Jdu k doktorovi.

    Because English uses 'to' for both places and people, learners often use 'do' for humans. In Czech, 'do' means going physically inside something. Always use 'k / ke' when going to a person.

  • Misspelling 'ke mně' as 'ke mě'.

    Přijď ke mě.
    Přijď ke mně.

    The dative form of 'já' after a preposition is 'mně'. Writing 'mě' is a frequent spelling error, even for native speakers.

How It Connects

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

k / ke + Dative (Direction)Level 1Toward with K

Learn This First

To understand the use of 'k/ke' for direction, learners should first be familiar with basic verbs of motion and the concept of expressing direction, which is often introduced alongside other directional prepositions like 'do'.

Words in This Pattern

ke