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How not to get into an awkward situation: dangerous words for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic

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How not to get into an awkward situation: dangerous words for Ukrainians in the Czech Republic

Some Ukrainian words in the Czech Republic can cause surprise, laughter or even offense because of their unexpected meaning in Czech. Find out which words to avoid to avoid getting into an awkward situation and how to replace them in a conversation

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine
An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine
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Ukrainians who are planning a trip to the Czech Republic or moving to work or study should be careful about using some words from their native language. After all, words that sound absolutely innocent to us can have a completely different and sometimes vulgar meaning in Czech, Channel 24 writes.


We will tell you about Ukrainian words that can cause surprise or even offend Czechs in the article.


Trap words: what Ukrainian expressions can put you in an awkward position in the Czech Republic


Wait


A word that is quite commonplace for us in Czech has a very unexpected meaning. The fact is that the word “wait” in the Czech Republic is similar to the slang expression for defecation. To avoid embarrassing situations, it is better to replace this word with the Czech “počkejte” (pochkejte), which corresponds to our “wait”.


Seek


Another word that can cause misunderstandings. In Czech, it has a vulgar meaning, so you should absolutely not use it. Instead, you can say “hledám”, which is the Czech equivalent of “looking for” or “looking for”.




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Stove


At first glance, a completely familiar word for a stove or oven has an extremely obscene meaning in the Czech Republic. In Czech, it is a crude word for female genitals, so it should be avoided in conversation.


He went to the grove


For a Ukrainian, this phrase sounds quite natural, but in Czech it evokes completely different associations. The Czechs have an expression “jít do háje”, which translates to “go to hell”. Therefore, it is better to be careful with this expression so as not to cause surprise among your interlocutors.


Chicken.


The word we often use to refer to poultry sounds very similar to a Czech swear word. That's why it's better to use the Czech word “kuře” to avoid misunderstandings.


Why is it worth knowing these nuances?


Understanding language differences can help you avoid awkward situations, especially when you are in another country. Czechs are usually quite tolerant of foreigners, but the use of certain words can cause unpredictable reactions. Therefore, if you are planning to stay in the Czech Republic, take some time to learn the basic language features and substitutes for words that may cause misunderstandings.


Following these simple recommendations will make your stay in the Czech Republic much more comfortable.


We remind you!
 The Czech Republic is already thinking about the living conditions for Ukrainian refugees after the end of a full-scale war. We told you about the options offered by the Czech government.



Photo: depositphotos


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Frequantly

asked questions

How to apply for temporary protection in the Czech Republic?

If you have arrived in the Czech Republic after 24 February 2022, you must apply for temporary protection at one of the Regional Centres for Assistance to Ukraine. If you are a family member of a Ukrainian citizen, regardless of citizenship, and you are travelling with them, you should also apply to them.

Who is not entitled to temporary protection in the Czech Republic?

When will temporary protection in the Czech Republic expire?

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