ktorý / ktorá / ktoré

Which: Ktorý

Level 2

Use ktorý when the listener has to pick one from a group: Ktorý autobus? Ktorá je tvoja?

How It Works

Ktorý asks someone to choose from a group they can see or already know about. Match it to the noun:

  • ktorý with masculine nouns: Ktorý autobus ide do centra? (Which bus goes to the centre?)
  • ktorá with feminine nouns: Ktorá taška je tvoja? (Which bag is yours?)
  • ktoré with neuter nouns: Ktoré auto je vaše? (Which car is yours?)

It changes for case like pekný: ktorého, ktorej, ktorému, ktorú, ktorom, ktorým, ktorou. Na ktorej zastávke vystupujeme? (Which stop do we get off at?) Ktorú chceš? (Which one do you want?)

In the plural, use ktoré for most nouns and ktorí for groups of men: Ktorí študenti prišli? (Which students came?)

To say which of them, add z and the genitive: Ktorý z nich je tvoj brat? (Which of them is your brother?)

Ktorý or aký? Ktorý autobus? asks for one particular bus, like number 31. Aký autobus? asks what the bus is like, for example big or old.

Ktorý can also join two sentences, meaning who or which, as in the man who... That use has its own lesson.

Examples (6)

  1. Ktorý autobus ide do centra?

    Which bus goes to the centre?

    Autobus is masculine, so the form is ktorý.

  2. Ktorá je tvoja?

    Which one is yours?

    Ktorá stands alone because the noun is clear, for example a bag (taška).

  3. Ktoré auto je vaše?

    Which car is yours?

    Auto is neuter, so the form is ktoré.

  4. Na ktorej zastávke vystupujeme?

    Which stop do we get off at?

    After na with the locative, ktorá becomes ktorej.

  5. Ktorú knihu si vyberieš?

    Which book will you choose?

    Kniha is the object, so ktorá becomes ktorú.

  6. Ktorý z nich je tvoj brat?

    Which of them is your brother?

    Z plus the genitive means of them.

Common Mistakes

  • Not matching ktorý to the noun's gender.

    Ktorý kniha je tvoja?
    Ktorá kniha je tvoja?

    Kniha is feminine, so the question word must be ktorá.

  • Leaving ktorý in the nominative after a preposition.

    Na ktorá zastávka vystupujeme?
    Na ktorej zastávke vystupujeme?

    Na with a place takes the locative, so both words change: ktorej zastávke.

  • Leaving ktorý in the nominative when it is an object.

    Ktorá knihu chceš?
    Ktorú knihu chceš?

    Kniha is the object here, so ktorá changes to the accusative ktorú, like knihu.

How It Connects

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

ktorý / ktorá / ktoréLevel 2Which: Ktorý

Learn This First

Before Which: ktorý, learn What Kind Of: aký. ktorý declines like aký and asks which one.

Words in This Pattern