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The
structure of Czech complex or compound sentences (sentences that consist
of two or more clauses or "sub-sentences") and the relationships
between the clauses within a sentence determine the use of commas
in
those sentences. There are strict rules for using commas in Czech and
you will often see a comma placed in front of a conjunction.
Example
of a simple sentence:
Rád jsem vás poznal. ("It was nice meeting
you.")
Example of a complex sentence:
Rád
jsem vás poznal a doufám, že se opět brzy uvidíme.
("It was nice meeting you and I hope that we
will see each other again soon.") - this sentence consists of three
clauses (sentences within that sentence), which are separated by the
conjunctions "a (and)" and "že (that)".
a
- and
Never preceded by a comma, unless required
by sentence structure or when part of a composite conjunction, such
as "a proto".
Ivana je doma a Michal je venku.
Ivana is at home and Michael is outside.
i - and (usually connects words rather than sentences, e.g.
in "both...and...")
Usually not preceded by a comma, unless
required by sentence structure or when part of a composite conjunction,
such as "i když".
Ivana i Michal jsou doma.
Both Ivana and Michael are at home.
aby
- to, in order to, so that
Always preceded by a comma.
Ivana šla domů, aby mohla studovat.
Ivana went home so that she could study.
For more
information, see Constructions with "aby"
ale - but
Always preceded by a comma.
Ivana je doma, ale Michal je venku.
Ivana is at home but Michael is outside.
že - that
Always preceded by a comma.
Michal říká, že Ivana je doma.
Michael says that Ivana is at home.
protože/neboť
(bookish) - because
Always preceded by a comma.
Ivana je doma, protože venku prší.
Ivana is at home because it is raining outside.
když
- when
Always preceded by a comma, except
when used as the composite conjunction "i
když" - the comma is then in front of the "i".
Ivana je doma, když venku prší.
Ivana is at home when it rains outside.
až
- as late as/not before/when (in the future)
Always preceded by a comma when connecting
two sentences.
Ivana půjde ven, až přestane pršet.
Ivana will not go out before it stops raining.
Ivana will go out when it stops raining.
jestli/jestliže (bookish)/pokud - if/whether/provided that
Always preceded by a comma.
Ivana půjde ven, jestli/jestliže/pokud přestane pršet.
Ivana will go out if it stops raining.
kdyby - if, in case
Always preceded by a comma.
Ivana by šla ven, kdyby přestalo pršet.
Ivana would go out if/in case it stopped raining.
nebo/anebo/či
(bookish) - or
May or may not be preceded by a comma
(rules apply).
Chci mluvit s Ivanou nebo s Michalem.
I'd like to speak with Ivana or with Michael.
buď...,
nebo.../anebo... - either... or...
Always separated by a comma.
V sobotu je Ivana buď doma, nebo/anebo (je) venku.
On Saturdays, Ivana is either at home or (she is) outside.
(a)
proto - (and) that is why, (and) so, (and) for that reason
Always preceded by a comma.
Venku prší, (a) proto je Ivana doma.
It is raining outside, (and) so/that is why Ivana is at home.
i
když/přestože - although/in spite of
Always preceded by a comma.
Ivana je venku, i když/přestože prší.
Ivana is outside although it is raining.
ani..., ani... - neither..., nor...
Always separated by a comma.
Ani Ivana, ani Michal nejsou doma.
Neither Ivana nor Michael are at home.
nejen
- ale i / jak - tak: both - and / not only - but also
Always separated by a comma.
Doma je nejen Ivana, ale i Michal.
Both Ivana and Michael are at home.
který/jenž
(bookish) - who/which/that
Always preceded by a comma, both
change with gender and declension.
Ivana má knihu, kterou dostala od Michala.
Ivana has a book which/that she got from Michael.
aniž
- without ...ing
Always preceded by a comma.
Ivana odešla, aniž by se rozloučila.
Ivana left without saying goodbye.
než
- than
Always preceded by a comma when connecting
sentences. Not preceded by a comma when connecting words.
Ivana přišla dřív, než jsme čekali.
Ivana arrived earlier than we expected.
Ivana je starší než Michal.
Ivana is older than Michael.
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