What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "Nice day!"
Which one should you use?
While Hezký den! is a standard and polite way to wish someone a good day, you might use Měj se hezky! to say "Have a nice time" or "Take care!" when speaking to friends. Additionally, Mějte hezký den is a common formal version and Přeji pěkný den is a more formal and eloquent way to express the same sentiment.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Hezký den! is a safe, polite choice for strangers, shopkeepers or colleagues in a professional setting. For a more formal tone, you can use Mějte hezký den or the eloquent Přeji pěkný den.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Eastern Bohemia, you may encounter the informal variation Pěknej den, which means "Have a nice day".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is an elliptical construction, which means the verb "to have" is omitted. This is standard practice for this greeting in Czech.
Did you know?
- Despite the phrase being a greeting, it is strictly a parting wish. If you walk into a shop and say Hezký den!, you will sound like you are already leaving.
- The word hezký is a linguistic rarity in the Slavic world. While it means 'nice' or 'beautiful' in Czech, it has no direct, identical cognates in other major Slavic languages like Polish or Russian.
- Czech has no single word for 'goodbye' that covers every social situation. Instead, people use situational wishes like Hezký den! to signal the end of an encounter.
Examples in context
- Mějte hezký den, děkuji za váš časHave a good day, thank you for your time
- Přeji pěkný den, bylo mi potěšením spolupracovatI wish you a good day. It was a pleasure working together
- Hezký den, užij si slunné počasí!Have a good day, enjoy the sunny weather!
- Hezký den!Have a good day!
Example conversation
Kateřina and Jakub are saying goodbye after a quick meeting at a cafe.
- KateřinaAhoj, už musím jít.Bye, I have to go now.
- JakubDobře, hezký den!Okay, have a good day!
- KateřinaHezký den také, Jakube.Have a good day too, Jakub.
- JakubMěj se hezky.Take care.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (hezký, den) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries den, hezký, CC BY-SA 4.0.
