Slovesa dokonavá a nedokonavá (completed and
incompleted verbs)
In the Czech language, verbs are divided into two basic categories based
on aspect: dokonavý (perfective) and nedokonavý (imperfective). This
distinction helps express whether an action is completed or ongoing. Here’s
an easy way to understand it:
1. Nedokonavý (Imperfective): Ongoing, habitual, or
repeated actions
These verbs describe actions without focusing on whether they are
completed. They can express:
Ongoing actions: Something happening right now.
o Dělám domácí úkol. = I am doing homework.
Habitual actions: Something you do regularly.
o Každý den chodím do školy. = I go to school every day.
Unfinished actions: When the focus is not on finishing.
o Četl jsem knihu. = I was reading a book (but we don’t know if I
finished).
Nedokonavý verbs can also be used in all tenses (past, present,
future).
2. Dokonavý (Perfective): Completed or one-time
actions
These verbs focus on actions that have been (or will be) completed.
They often answer the question "What happened?"and are used for:
One-time, finished actions: Something that has a clear endpoint.
o Udělám domácí úkol. = I will do (complete) my homework.
Results: When the action is finished, and the result matters.
o Přečetl jsem knihu. = I read (and finished) the book.
Dokonavý verbs do not have a present tense. If you try to express
the present with a perfective verb, it will imply the future:
Půjdu do školy. = I will go to school.
How to Recognize Them
Often, the same verb root has two forms: one imperfective and one
perfective. The perfective form is usually created by adding prefixes or
slightly modifying the root.
o psát (to write, imperfective) → napsat (to write, perfective)
o číst (to read, imperfective) → přečíst (to read, perfective)
If you're not sure which to use:
Use nedokonavý for everyday or ongoing activities.
o Učím se češtinu. = I am learning Czech.
Use dokonavý for specific goals or completed actions.
o Naučil jsem se češtinu. = I have learned Czech (I’m done).
How to Distinguish Dokonavý vs. Nedokonavý
Prefixes: Many perfective verbs are formed by adding
prefixes to an imperfective root. Common prefixes include:
1. na-, po-, z(e)-, vy-, do-, pře-, od-, etc.
1. psát (to write, imperfective) → napsat (to write, perfective)
2. jíst (to eat, imperfective) → sníst (to eat up, perfective)
Suffixes: Sometimes, a suffix can indicate imperfective verbs
derived from a perfective verb.
1. napsat (perfective) → napisovat (imperfective)
2. přečíst (perfective) → přečítat (imperfective)
Present Tense Test:
1. If a verb can be used in the present tense, it is imperfective
(nedokonavý).
1. Čtu knihu. (I am reading a book) → Imperfective.
2. If a verb in the “present tense” expresses the future, it is
perfective (dokonavý).
1. Přečtu knihu. (I will read the book) → Perfective.
Focus of the Sentence:
1. If the focus is on the process or duration, it’s imperfective.
1. Maloval obraz celý den. = He was painting the picture all
day.
2. If the focus is on the result or completion, it’s perfective.
1. Namaloval obraz během jednoho dne. = He painted
(finished) the picture in one day.
Některá slovesa tvoří tzv. vidové dvojice:
chytit (dokonavý) vs. chytat (nedokonavý) (TO CATCH)
koupit (dokonavý) vs. kupovat,kupuju (nedokonavý) (TO BUY)
rozhodnout (dokonavý) vs. rozhodovat (nedokonavý) (TO DECIDE)
sednout (dokonavý) vs. sedět (nedokonavý) (TO SIT)
splatit (dokonavý) vs. splácet (nedokonavý) (TO PAY BACK)
dát (dokonavý) vs. dávat (nedokonavý) (TO GIVE)
pomoct (dokonavý) vs. pomáhat (nedokonavý) (TO HELP)
dát (dokonavý)-dávat (nedokonavý) (TO GIVE)
vynést (dokonavý) – vynášet (nedokonavý) (TAKEOUT, TO BRING (IN))
připojit (dokonavý) – připojovat (nedokonavý) (TO CONNECT)
spravit (dokonavý) – spravovat (nedokonavý) (TO REPAIR)
hodit (dokonavý) – házet (nedokonavý) (TO THROW)
napustit (dokonavý) – napouštět (nedokonavý) (TO FILL)
mýt (dokonavý)-umýt (nedokonavý) (TO WASH)
učesat (dokonavý)-česat (nedokonavý) (TO COMB)
oholit (dokonavý)-holit (nedokonavý) (TO SHAVE)
pozvat (dokonavý)-zvát (nedokonavý) (TO INVITE)
zčervenat (dokonavý)-červenat (nedokonavý) (TO BECOME RED)
zežloutnout (dokonavý)- žloutnout (nedokonavý) (TO BECOME YELLOW)
Některá slovesa jsou tzv. obouvidová, což znamená, že svým tvarem
vyjadřují oba vidy.
Př. absolvovat (ABSOLVE), věnovat (TO DONATE, TO DEDICATE TO
DEVOTE) , obětovat (TO SACRIFICE), aplikovat (TO APPLY), akceptovat
(TO ACCEPT)
