koupel
[ˈkou̯pɛl]feminine
The English word "bath" can be translated into Czech as either koupel or koupání.
Meaning: act of bathing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| koupel | [ˈkou̯pɛl] (narrow) | feminine |
| koupání | [ˈkou̯paːɲiː] (narrow) | neuter |
Both forms refer to the act of bathing, but they are used in different contexts depending on whether you are describing a specific event or a general activity.
Which one should you use?
Use koupel (a feminine noun) when referring to a specific event or a physical experience, such as a hot bath. Use koupání (a neuter noun) to refer to the activity or the process of bathing in a more general sense, such as "taking a bath".
How does it change in a sentence?
koupel is a feminine noun, while koupání is a neuter noun.
Did you know?
- In Czech, the verb koupat is used for both bathing a person and swimming in a body of water, making koupání the word for both a bath and a swim.
- In a metaphorical sense, koupel can be used to describe a sudden immersion in something, such as a koupel v krvi meaning a 'bath of blood' in historical or literary contexts.
- Czech has a specific term vanečka for a baby's bath, which uses a diminutive suffix to evoke smallness and affection.
Examples in context
- Je čas ke koupání.It's time to take a bath.This sentence is useful for expressing that it is time for the activity of bathing using koupání.Tatoeba #8368621 by Ergulis, translation #64042 by CK
- V koupelně nikdo není.No one's in the bath.This sentence is useful for stating that no one is in the bathroom using koupel.Tatoeba #8085996 by aldar, translation #2733562 by CK
- Horká koupel ji uvolnila.The hot bath relaxed her.This sentence is useful for describing how a specific physical experience of a bath relaxed someone using koupel.Tatoeba #11068738 by aldar, translation #282092 by CK
- mám raději teplou vanuI prefer a warm bath
- vezmu si osvěžující koupelI'll take a refreshing bath
- Začnu koupánímI'll start bathing
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tereza and Jakub are talking in their living room after a long work day.
- TerezaJakub, potřebuješ dnes večer relaxační koupel?Jakub, do you need a relaxing bath tonight?
- JakubAno, ta horká koupel by mi velmi pomohla.Yes, that hot bath would help me a lot.
- TerezaTak ti ji hned připravím.Then I will prepare it for you right away.
- JakubDěkuji ti, Terezo, jsi moc milá.Thank you, Tereza, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bath” translations and entries koupel, koupání, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
