dobře
[ˈdobr̝ɛ]
In Czech, the phrase "okay" is expressed as dobře.
Dobře is the standard way to say "okay" or "well". It functions as an adverb to express agreement or to indicate that something is being performed well. When used as a standalone response to a suggestion or an instruction, dobře acts as a concise way to say "Okay" or "All right".
Meaning: OK (intj)
Which one should you use?
While dobře is the standard adverb meaning "well" or "okay", the word jasně is a popular informal alternative used among friends to mean "clearly" or "sure".
How does it change in a sentence?
Although dobře is an adverb, you must use different forms if you wish to use the adjective "good" to modify a noun. For example, if you want to use the adjective "good" to modify a feminine noun in the accusative case, such as "good coffee", you would use dobrou instead of dobře.
Did you know?
- Czech has a high number of 'filler' words that can accompany dobře to change its tone, such as adding no at the beginning (no dobře), which can shift the meaning from a happy agreement to a reluctant 'fine, I guess'.
- While dobře means 'okay' or 'well', the phrase v pořádku is also used to say 'it is okay', which literally translates to 'in order'.
- The word dobře is a direct descendant of the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰabʰ-der, which evolved through Proto-Slavic before becoming the modern Czech form.
Examples in context
- Můžeme začít v deset?Can we start at ten o'clock?
- Dobře.Okay.
- V pořádku.Alright.
- Chceš jít ven?Do you want to go out?
- Jasně!Okay!
- Přijdeš dnes na oslavu?Are you coming to the party today?
- Fajn, uvidíme se tam!Okay, see you there!
- Všechno je dobře.Everything is okay.
- Dobře, rozumím.Okay, I understand.
Example conversation
Lukáš and Kateřina are deciding where to eat.
- LukášChceš jít na pizzu?Do you want to go for pizza?
- KateřinaDobře, to zní skvěle.Okay, that sounds great.
- LukášSetkáme se tam v šest?Shall we meet there at six?
- KateřinaAno, to mi vyhovuje.Yes, that works for me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry dobře, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dobře, CC BY-SA 4.0.
