Customer Reviews

Czech: Lonely Planet Phrasebook

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It's true what they say; the natives are friendlier when you make an effort!

I have purchased a variety of language guides for a number of languages (Czech, Italian, French, German), and I have always found the LonelyPlanet phrasebooks to be the best. Their size makes them very portable and discrete, they are very well organized, and have good, easy to use 2-way dictionaries for when you're in a pinch. They also don't take themselves too seriously, and include sometimes laughable - though potentially very useful - sections on things like clubbing, and "intimate" times. The guides claim to be "more essential than socks (and lighter on the nose)." I think this sums them up nicely.

In particular, I found that the Czech language guide did a fantastic job hand-holding the reader through the admittedly arduous task of learning to pronounce all the different consonant- and vowel sounds with their plethora of accents. Be sure to start there.

In short, this is an indispensable guide, and an absolute MUST for anyone traveling to the Czech Republic.

Five stars.



P.S. One word of warning: no book can really teach English speakers the infamous [r-with-upside-down-^] or "rzh" sound - as in the Czech composer Dvo['rzh]ak - since the sound does not exist in our language. You'll see what I mean, no doubt. I suggest searching online for an audio clip of this consonant. The word [rzh]eka, for river, is an excellent example, if you can find it. Happy traveling!

Although the version of this phrase book that I used was a 2004, assuming that they have not changed it much, I would certainly recommend this book. I used it extensively when I was in Prague and the Czech Republic for three months, and most of the time it proved to be just what I required. It is very portable -- fits well in a back pocket -- and was easy to use on the whole.

Of all the Czech language aids I have, this phrasebook is the best organized and the easiest to understand. This is an excellant book for the beginner in the language, but also very useful for someone with a bit of familiarity with the language. It will be my pocket companion on my next trip to Prague.

I used this book for a week in Prague. I found this book to be very well organized and useful. It is also small enough to through in your bag or purse for the day. It is definately helpful to learn a few greetings and such as the people seemed much more helpful when you were putting an effort into trying their language.

This book is really handy for traveling to Prague - It gives good advice that you might not think of otherwise. Definitely worth the money!!

This is a fantastic guide to the Czech language! I learned the few words that I was able to use while in Prague from this book! It's kinda tough to use it in conversation. 50% of Czechs speak english anyway, so you won't be totally lost, but it's always nice to make the effort to say a few words in their language. Na shledanou!

Easy to navigate, well laid out, very useful so that you know all the right things to say (and do) - great

Excellent little pocket book that has proven useful for looking up day to day phrases and finding alternative words when 'stuck' in conversation!

This is the best book I've come across for a quick, useful introduction to Czech. There's a bundle of useful phrases, words, and sentences, all of which include phonetic guides to help with pronunciation (very useful for beginners). The layout of the book is very user-friendly. It's also travel friendly and will fit in a pocket. This is a must have for anyone wanting a great introduction to the language or/and traveling to the beautiful country!

I love this phrasebook, it is easy to go thru and very helpful to pronounce the language. Kimberly Riha