Giving Advice in Czech: měl bys, stojí za to, neboj se
Yesterday's conditional turns into counsel: the conditional of mít is how Czech says should — and the aspect system decides how your commands land.
You Should: měl bys
Měl bys + infinitive — you should: Měl bys jít k doktorovi. Feminine: Měla bys. Negative: Neměl bys tolik pracovat — you shouldn't work so much.
Měl by ses učit česky každý den.
You should study Czech every day.
Note: bys + se fuse into by ses — the clitics share slot two politely.
I Advise, I Recommend
Radím ti + infinitive — I advise you to… Doporučuju — I recommend: Doporučuju ten film. Ask back: Poradíš mi? — can you advise me?
| Czech | English |
|---|---|
| Měl bys… | you should… |
| Radím ti… | I advise you to… |
| Doporučuju… | I recommend… |
| Radši… | better / rather… |
| Neboj se! | don't worry! |
Worth It or Not
Stojí to za to — it's worth it. Nestojí to za to — it isn't. And the comparative shortcut: radši — better/rather: Radši zůstaň doma — better stay home.
Sněžka? Stojí to za to. Ale radši ne v zimě.
Sněžka? It's worth it. But better not in winter.
Note: stojí za to endorses; radši redirects.
Commands with Care
The aspect rule from Chapter 4 becomes etiquette: one-off positive advice takes the perfective imperative — Zavolej jí! (do call her); warnings and don'ts take ne + imperfective — Nevolej jí! Neboj se — don't worry.
Bolí mě hlava a mám moc práce.
My head hurts and I've got too much work.
Měl by sis odpočinout. A nepij tolik kávy.
You should rest. And don't drink so much coffee.
A co práce?
And the work?
Neboj se. Počká.
Don't worry. It'll wait.
Common Mistakes
- Musíš as advice. musíš orders; měl bys advises. Friends prefer the second.
- Nezavolej jí for "don't call her". Prohibitions run imperfective: nevolej jí.
- měl bys from a woman to a woman. Agreement both ways: měla by sis odpočinout.
What You Can Do Now
You can advise, recommend, warn and reassure — calibrated from gentle měl bys to firm radši ne — with the aspect of every command chosen on purpose.