duch
[ˈdux]masculine
The English word ghost is translated into Czech as duch. Wiktionary also lists fantóm.
Meaning: spirit appearing after death (noun)
Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| duch | [ˈdux] (narrow) | masculine |
| fantóm | [ˈfantoːm] (narrow) |
duch is the general term for a spirit or a ghost. Beyond the supernatural, it is also used in an abstract sense to mean a spirit or soul, such as in the phrase duch kapitána (the spirit of the captain).
Which one should you use?
In contrast, fantóm refers to a more specific, often more mysterious or phantom-like apparition. přízrak can also be used to mean a ghost or apparition.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun duch is masculine. When duch is used as the direct object of a verb, such as in the phrase 'to see a ghost', it changes to its accusative form, ducha.
Did you know?
- The Czech word duch shares the same ancient root as the English word 'breath', because both words stem from the idea of a living spirit being defined by the act of breathing.
- The word duch is used to describe the 'spirit' of a person's intellect or wit, meaning a person can be described as having a 'quick' duch.
- If you are reading a scary story in Czech, you might encounter the word strašidlo, which refers to a ghost or a monster specifically used to frighten children.
Examples in context
- Vyprávěj nám duchařskou historku!Tell us a ghost story!This sentence shows how to use the word duch in the context of a ghost story.Tatoeba #6024229 by idle, translation #6024114 by Hybrid
- Sami se otočil a uviděl za sebou ducha.Sami turned around and saw a ghost behind him.This sentence demonstrates the accusative form ducha used after the verb 'to see'.Tatoeba #8990710 by Ergulis, translation #7229399 by OsoHombre
- Celou noc jsme byli vzhůru a vyprávěli si duchařské historky.We stayed awake all night telling ghost stories.This sentence shows the use of the adjective form related to duch in the context of telling ghost stories.Tatoeba #8886956 by Ergulis, translation #4420052 by XenoKat
- Věříte v duchy?Do you believe in ghosts?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucie and Jakub are walking through a dark, old forest at night.
- LucieMyslím, že v tom lese straší duch.I think there is a ghost haunting this forest.
- JakubTo je jen tvůj strach, Lucie.That is just your fear, Lucie.
- LucieAle viděla jsem stín, který vypadal jako duch!But I saw a shadow that looked like a ghost!
- JakubŽádný duch tu nemůže být.There cannot be any ghost here.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ghost” translations and entries duch, fantóm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries duch, fantóm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
