How to Say “Love” in Czech

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láska
[ˈlaːska]feminine
The English word 'love' is translated into Czech as láska.
The noun láska refers to strong affection. When you want to express the action of loving, there are different verbs depending on the intensity and context. The verb milovat is used for intense, romantic or profound love. In a romantic or passionate context, you might also use zbožňovat, which means to adore or to worship. For a euphemistic way to say 'to make love' or 'to have sex with', you can use the reflexive verb milovat se.
Meaning: strong affection (noun)

Which one should you use?

While milovat expresses intense and profound passion, usually reserved for romantic partners, the phrase mít rád is the standard way to say you like someone or have affection for them without that heavy romantic weight. To express 'to adore' or 'to worship' in a highly romantic way, use zbožňovat.

Related words

(euphemistic): to have sex with (verb): milovat se.

Have a strong affection for (verb): milovat, mít rád.

How does it change in a sentence?

Láska is a feminine noun. Its genitive singular form (often used after prepositions) and its nominative plural form is lásky. If you are addressing someone directly as 'love' or calling out to 'love' itself, use the vocative form lásko. For the verb milovat, the first person singular conjugation is miluji.

What mistakes should you avoid?

English speakers often over-use the verb milovat for friends or family. In Czech, it is more natural to use mít rád for friends and use milovat specifically for romantic partners or very close family.

Did you know?

  • The word láska shares an ancient root with the English word 'leisure'. Both words trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root *leh₂s-, which relates to the idea of being at rest or being at ease.
  • The verb zbožňovat is derived from the word božstvo, which means 'deity'. To adore someone in Czech is literally to treat them as a god.
  • In Czech culture, saying miluji tě is considered a heavy emotional commitment and is used far less frequently than 'I love you' in English.

Examples in context

  • Láska jde mimo rozum.
    Love is beyond reason.
    Tatoeba #9577161 by Ergulis, translation #326282 by Dejo
  • Láska se nikdy nemýlí.
    Love is never wrong.
    Tatoeba #10316873 by aldar, translation #6031682 by PERCE_NEIGE
  • Ví Tom, co je to láska?
    Does Tom know what love is?
    Tatoeba #9549815 by Ergulis, translation #9549817 by Ergulis
  • Miluji tě.
    I love you.
  • Miluji Prahu.
    I love Prague.
  • Zbožňuji tě.
    I adore you.
  • Zbožňuji tenhle předmět.
    I love this object.
  • Mám tě moc rád/ráda.
    I love you very much.
  • Miluji tuhle krajinu.
    I love this countryside.
  • 30 more sentences on Tatoeba

Example conversation

Jana and Jakub are talking about their relationship.

  1. Jana

    Moje láska k tobě je velmi silná.
    My love for you is very strong.
  2. Jakub

    Já cítím totéž, Jano.
    I feel the same, Jana.
  3. Jana

    Věřím, že pravá láska vše překoná.
    I believe that true love overcomes everything.
  4. Jakub

    S tebou už tím víc věřím.
    With you, I believe it even more.

Sources

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Virginia Rosie
Virginia RosieHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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