na zdraví
/ˈna zdɾaviː/
The Czech phrase for "bless you" is na zdraví.
na zdraví is used to wish someone good health after they have sneezed. It also serves as a common way to make a toast.
Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "to health".
Which one should you use?
While English speakers distinguish between saying "Bless you" for a sneeze and "Cheers" for a toast, Czechs use na zdraví for both situations.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈna zdɾaviː/
When do people say it?
When someone sneezes, you say na zdraví to wish them well. Because it also means "to your health" and is used for toasts, it is a versatile expression of goodwill.
Did you know?
- In a formal setting, if you use na zdraví as a toast, it is customary to maintain eye contact with the person you are clinking glasses with. Avoiding eye contact during this specific phrase can sometimes be perceived as unfriendly or untrustworthy.
- The word zdraví is closely related to the English word 'sound', as in a 'sound mind' or 'sound body'. Both derive from the concept of being whole, healthy, and unbroken.
- If you are in a group and someone sneezes, it is considered polite to say na zdraví immediately. However, if the person who sneezed is a stranger in a very quiet environment, some people prefer to stay silent to avoid drawing more attention to the person.
Examples in context
- Na zdraví!God bless you!This example shows how to use na zdraví as an exclamation.Tatoeba #871498 by vita, translation #269618 by CM
Example conversation
Lucie and Tomáš are sitting in a quiet living room.
- Lucie*sneezes**sneezes*
- TomášNa zdraví, Lucie.Bless you, Lucie.
- LucieDěkuji, Tomáši.Thank you, Tomáš.
- TomášNení zač.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bless you” translations and entries na zdraví, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries na, na zdraví, zdraví, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
