Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA |
|---|---|
| děkuji | [ˈɟɛkujɪ] (narrow) |
| děkuji vám | [ɟɛkujɪ vaːm] (narrow) |
| děkuji ti | [ɟɛkujɪ cɪ] (narrow) |
The phrase is used to express gratitude. If you wish to be more emphatic and say "thank you very much", you can say děkuji mockrát.
What does it mean word for word?
The 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 the standard way to say "thank you", the shorter díky is a common informal alternative.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
děkuji is a standard and formal way to say thank you. For a more casual and colloquial version used among friends and peers, you can use díky or the phrase díky moc, which means "thanks a lot".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Prague, you might hear the word díky more frequently than děkuji.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can direct your thanks to specific people by adding pronouns: děkuji vám is used when addressing a group of people or when being formal to a single person, whereas děkuji ti is used when addressing a single person informally. To specify what you are thankful for, use the preposition za followed by the accusative case, such as in děkuji za… (thank you for…).
Did you know?
- In some formal settings, a Czech person might respond to děkuji with prosím, which is the same word used for 'please' and 'you are welcome'.
- While děkuji is the standard word, some Czechs use the phrase díky za trpělivost as a polite way to apologize for taking up too much of someone's time.
- When thanking someone for a meal, it is a common custom to use děkuji za jídlo specifically, as thanking the cook is a strong social expectation.
Examples in context
- Dobře, děkuji. A vy?Fine, thank you. And you?This sentence shows how to use děkuji in a short response.Tatoeba #3441099 by nueby, translation #239430 by sundown
- Děkuji ti za tvůj zájem.Thank you for your interest.This sentence demonstrates how to use děkuji to express thanks for an interest.Tatoeba #1142629 by tommy390, translation #18929 by CK
- Děkuji ti za tvůj email.Thank you for your email.This sentence shows how to use děkuji when thanking someone for an email.Tatoeba #4270938 by Tirifto, translation #4263053 by JFMorais
- Děkuji vám za vaši pomoc.Thank you for your help.
- Díky moc za všechno!Thanks a lot for everything!
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jan brings a coffee to Kateřina at her office.
- KateřinaDěkuji za kávu, Jane.Thank you for the coffee, Jan.
- JanNení zač, Kateřino.You're welcome, Kateřina.
- KateřinaJe to opravdu chutné.It is really tasty.
- JanRádo se stalo.It was my pleasure.
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.
