City, Sister, Silver

Czech Pronunciation Guide

b, d, f, m, n, s, t, v, z — like in English

c — like ts in oats

č — like ch in child

ch — one letter; something like ch in loch

d’ — soft, like d in duty (see ě below)

g — always hard

h — like h in have, but more open

j — like y in you

l — like l in leave

ň — like n in new (see ě below)

p — like our p, but without aspiration

r — rolled

ř — pronounce r with tip of tongue vibrating against upper teeth, usually approximated by English speakers by combining r with s in pleasure

š — like sh in ship

t’ — soft, like t in Tuesday (see ě below)

ž — like s in pleasure

a — like u in cup, but more open

á — hold it longer

e — like e in set, but more open

é — hold it longer

ě — after b, m, n, p: usually approximated by English speakers by saying the consonant plus yeah; after d and t, soften the consonant by placing tongue at tip of upper teeth

i, y — like i in sit, but more closed

í, ý — hold it longer, like ea in seat

o — like o in not, but less open

ó — hold it longer, like aw in lawn

u — like oo in book

ú, ů — hold it longer, like oo in stool

ou, au, and eu are Czech dipthongs

Rule No. 1 — Always place accent on the first syllable of a word.

Rule No. 2 — Pronounce all letters.