děkuji
[ˈɟɛkujɪ]
The Czech phrase for thank you is děkuji. Wiktionary also lists děkuji vám and děkuji ti.
Meaning: an expression of gratitude (intj)
Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA |
|---|---|
| děkuji | [ˈɟɛkujɪ] (narrow) |
| děkuji vám | [ɟɛkujɪ vaːm] (narrow) |
| děkuji ti | [ɟɛkujɪ cɪ] (narrow) |
děkuji is an expression of gratitude. To say "thank you for [something]", use the preposition za followed by the accusative case of the noun.
What does it mean word for word?
děkuji is the first-person singular form of the verb děkovat, which literally means "I thank".
Which one should you use?
While děkuji is a full verb, the word díky is a much more casual, shorthand way to say "thanks".
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the pronoun vám to děkuji makes the expression more formal or addresses a group of people. Adding the pronoun ti to děkuji makes the expression informal, used when speaking to a single friend or peer.
When do people say it?
The standard response to děkuji is není zač, which literally means "there is no reason [to thank me]."
Did you know?
- When refusing something politely, such as a second helping of food, a Czech person will say děkuji while shaking their head. In this context, it means 'no thank you' without needing to say 'no'.
- While děkuji is the standard for 'thank you', the phrase díky moc is used to express 'thanks a lot'. The word moc literally means 'power' or 'force' in other contexts.
- In many Czech regions, people might respond to a thank you with prosím, which serves as both 'please' and 'you are welcome'.
Examples in context
- Dobře, děkuji. A vy?Fine, thank you. And you?This example shows how to use děkuji when answering how you are doing.Tatoeba #3441099 by nueby, translation #239430 by sundown
- Děkuji ti za tvůj zájem.Thank you for your interest.This is useful for expressing gratitude for a specific thing using děkuji.Tatoeba #1142629 by tommy390, translation #18929 by CK
- Děkuji ti za tvůj email.Thank you for your email.Tatoeba #4270938 by Tirifto, translation #4263053 by JFMorais
- Děkuji Vám za pomoc.Thank you for your help.
- Moc vám děkuji za vaši pomoc.Thank you very much for your help.
- Děkuju za dárek!Thanks for the gift!
- Díky za pomoc!Thanks for the help!
- Děkuji vám za vaši pozornost!Thank you for your attention!
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tereza gives Lukáš a coffee in the office.
- LukášTerezo, máš pro mě kávu?Tereza, do you have a coffee for me?
- TerezaAno, tady máš.Yes, here you go.
- LukášDěkuji moc.Thank you very much.
- TerezaNení zač, Lukáši.You're welcome, Lukáš.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries děkuji, děkuji vám, děkuji ti, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
