zima
[ˈzɪma]feminine
The Czech word for winter is zima.
zima refers to the fourth season of the year, characterized by short days and the lowest temperatures. It can also refer to the state of being cold, depending on the context of your sentence.
Meaning: fourth season, marked by short days and the lowest temperatures (noun)
Which one should you use?
While zima is the standard noun for the season, zimní is the adjective form used to describe things related to winter. In certain contexts, zima can mean either the season or the sensation of cold.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
zima is a feminine noun. Its plural form is zimy. When zima is used as the direct object of a verb, such as in the phrase 'I love winter', it changes to the accusative form zimu.
Did you know?
- The Czech word zima is an ancient relative of the English word 'winter', as both share the same Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰéyōm.
- In Czech, the phrase je mi zima literally translates to 'it is winter to me', but it is the standard way to say 'I am cold'.
- Czech speakers often use the phrase zimovat to describe not just animals hibernating, but people spending a long, boring period of time indoors during the cold months.
Examples in context
- Už je tu zase zima.Winter is here again.This sentence shows how to express that winter has returned using zima.Tatoeba #8366196 by Ergulis, translation #8366198 by Ergulis
- Čeká nás tuhá zima.We're waiting for a severe winter.This sentence is useful for describing an upcoming severe winter using zima.Tatoeba #12271742 by aldar, translation #9271113 by captcrouton
- Není zima. Je léto.It isn't winter. It is summer.This sentence demonstrates the use of zima when stating that it is not currently winter.Tatoeba #13915249 by Ergulis, translation #13915255 by Ergulis
- Zimní olympiáda se koná v únoru.The Winter Olympics take place in February.
- Sněhová bouře je charakteristická pro zimu.Snowstorm is characteristic of winter.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukáš and Tereza are discussing the weather.
- LukášMáš ráda zimu?Do you like winter?
- TerezaNe, zima je pro mě moc dlouhá.No, winter is too long for me.
- LukášJá miluju sníh a mráz.I love snow and frost.
- TerezaJá raději počkám na jaro.I would rather wait for spring.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “winter” translations and entries zima, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zima, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
