I've read three Czech textbooks now (by Heim - 1982, Hola - recent, and Short 2nd edition) and I have noted a contradiction for the translation of 'friend'. Short would say that 'pritel (pritelkyne) is the closest friend and kamerad is not as close. Heim says just the opposite. Hola is quiet about the controversy. I've asked several Czechs (male and female) and have got mixed views about this. So, a poll - to the readership of this authoritative language forum and learners of Czech: which is the translation for the closest form of 'friend' in Czech and which means less of a friend and more of an acquaintance?
Ahoj, Well, I am only a learner too, but I thought that kamarád was less strong while přitel is the word for close friends and even boyfriend. But, as you, I also would like to have the opinion on this point. Nashled.:
I would say "přítel" is more literary expression than "kamarád" in case of "friend" meaning. Another meaning for "přítel" is also "boyfriend"
Přítel (přítelkyně) can also mean boy(girl)friend. Kamarád does not have this connotation. I'm Czech and I dont feel the difference in strongness of those two words. I use kamarád (and even kámoš) more often than přítel.
Ahoj, It is a important point for foreigners př- is not easy to me too... but, Glenn, we must do our best, otherwise there will be a looong list of words that we wont say all those před- ^^ But "kolega" is really "weaker", right? I can use it for classmate, work partners and so on? Nashled.:
Well, I'm also Czech from Prague but I for one would never use přítel/přítelkyně when I'm talking about friends. I (and most of other people I know) use it only when referring to a boyfriend/girlfriend. This applies only to the singlar form of the word friend (přítel/kamarád). For me, the plural "přátelé" has the exactly same meaning as "kamarádi" (although I still use "kamarádi" far more often).
My teacher told me to just say Kamerád as Přítel is quite old fashioned and has that confusing connotation of boyfriend.. But I don't know, sometimes she just makes things up on the spot!
I asked that just last Thursday in class! And i was told no... I know that in German you say my friend for boyfriend or girlfriend and a friend for friend.. but of course there's the lack of any indefinite article in Czech So I guess people just assume when it's an a member of the opposite sex and you say Přítel/přítelkyně that you're going out? It must be very awkward and confusing for gay people. I've also noticed this problem in teaching; where students refer to their friends in English as their girlfriends and boyfriends. I think my girlfriends works in English without suggesting you're dating but not my girlfriend, and only if you're female.
Myslim, ze nebudu rikat nikomu nic. Particularly it seems not to be a good idea to have a female as an acquaintance, friend or semi-friend because by the time I figure out how to address her, she will already be gone!
That's just what I've picked up in my two years here. Fortunately, I'm too old to have a přitel - 'boyfriend' sounds very young in English - as partner is easier to pronounce! (Although my tandem partner is kind enough to say that my ř is actually quite good - which is lucky as it makes up for my awful 'ch'!) And while I'm on, Ondras, can I just say welcome? That first post was a wonderful example of perfect English - no mistakes (apart from a slight typo, singlar for singular) and exactly as I would have said it!
My 2 cents The sexual undertones are mainly present when you speak about two people. Petr přišel na oslavu se svojí přítelkyní. Petra přišla na oslavu se svým přítelem. but also Petr přišel na oslavu se svým přítelem. If you intensify word "přítel" then it usually lost sexual undertones. Nejlepší přítel, velmi dobrý přítel ... Sometime you need to dismiss this undertone: (Oni) jsou jen přátelé. kamarád - has no sexual undertone but has slight childish undertone, it is less "intense" (because "kamarádství" is less then "přátelství", if you wish to express real friendship then you usually choose word "přítel"). "známý" - less then kamarád, there is no friendship, you only "know other exists". boyfriend/girlfriend Such words really do not exist in Czech but... 1. (for teenagers) - holka/kluk worry these words still not reached literacy czech so it is Common Czech holka (CC) = dívka (LC) = girl kluk (CC) = chlapec (LC) = boy "moje holka" = my girlfriend "můj kluk" = my boyfriend "Šla tam se svým klukem". so holka/kluk + jeho/její ... menas his/her boyfriend but Holky a kluci = "girls and boys" exception: "Máš (už) holku/kluka?" = "Do you have girlfriend?" with už (allready) it means always boy/girlfriend, without už it depends on context. ! If these words use older people then they most probably do not mean boyfriend/girlfriend but son/daughter instead.! "Ta moje holka dnes hodně zlobí" 2. (for teenagers + "after teenagers") - mladá/stará There is some ugly form of speaking about your husband (or partner) in Common Czech: example: "Jestli nepřijdu včas domů, tak moje stará bude pořádně naštvaná." vs. "Můj starej je zase v hospodě". it influenced vocabulary of male part of younger not-married pairs (couples) but it is used more "sensually": "Jestli nepřijdu včas domů, tak moje mladá bude pořádně naštvaná." so mladá (female form) means girlfriend BUT "mladej" (male form) does NOT mean boyfriend! "Můj mladej je zase v hospodě"- father speak about his son
I guess it is not as I know few who has no problems with it. MK, good job! Btw. sorry for not being here for a while.
MK....thanks for that thorough explanation of the přítel, kamarád, znamý, kluk, holka differences. I think I have a better grasp of it now. Welcome back Alexx, your posts have been absent.
Yes, MK, this is exactly what I needed on this question. Thank you so much for your time - to write all of that. With my typing skills (?), that would have taken me an hour I suppose.
Considering my two-fingers typing speed it should took me several days to write it but I somewhat managed to finish it sooner. I am glad it helped.