přítelkyně
[ˈpr̝̊iːtɛlkɪɲɛ]feminine
The Czech word for girlfriend is přítelkyně. Wiktionary also lists holka.
Meaning: a female partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| přítelkyně | [ˈpr̝̊iːtɛlkɪɲɛ] (narrow) | feminine |
| holka | [ˈɦolka] (narrow) | feminine |
The word is used to refer to a female partner in a romantic relationship.
Which one should you use?
The standard term for a romantic partner is přítelkyně, whereas holka literally means girl and is used colloquially to mean girlfriend.
How does it change in a sentence?
přítelkyně is the nominative singular form. When the girlfriend is the indirect object (dative) or the direct object (accusative) of a verb, the form changes to přítelkyni.
Did you know?
- Historically, the word holka is analyzed as coming from the root holý, meaning 'hairless'. This originally referred to the smooth skin of a child before they grew adult hair.
- In very formal settings, a Czech speaker might avoid holka entirely and use partnerka. This shifts the tone from a casual relationship to a more mature or committed partnership.
- Because přítelkyně can mean both 'female friend' and 'girlfriend', a Czech speaker might say 'my přítelkyně' to mean a platonic female friend, which would confuse an English speaker.
Examples in context
- Moje přítelkyně je trans.My girlfriend is trans.This sentence shows how to use přítelkyně to describe someone's identity.Tatoeba #13407682 by imboreeed, translation #13100821 by rul
- Mary je stále moje přítelkyně.Mary is still my girlfriend.This sentence shows how to use přítelkyně to indicate a current relationship status.Tatoeba #8067448 by Ergulis, translation #8066761 by CK
- Byla to moje první přítelkyně.She was my first girlfriend.This sentence shows how to use přítelkyně to refer to a past partner.Tatoeba #9750602 by Ergulis, translation #1654333 by Spamster
- Toto je moje přítelkyněThis is my girlfriend
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jakub is introducing his partner to Tereza at a party.
- TerezaKdo je ta dívka vedle tebe?Who is that girl next to you?
- JakubTo je moje přítelkyně Lucie.This is my girlfriend Lucie.
- TerezaTěší mě, Lucie!Nice to meet you, Lucie!
- JakubTěší mě také.Nice to meet you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “girlfriend” translations and entries přítelkyně, holka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries holka, přítelkyně, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
