Kromě programu potřebuji informace.

Here kromě means besides, apart from, or in addition to.

A useful thing to know is that kromě can sometimes also mean except for, depending on context. So it is a flexible word, and the exact English translation depends on the situation.

Because kromě requires the genitive case.

The basic dictionary form is program, but after kromě it changes to programu.

• nominative: program
• genitive: programu

So:

• kromě programu = besides the program

Yes. Kromě is a preposition that takes the genitive.

Some examples:

• kromě programu
• kromě školy
• kromě Petra

So if you learn kromě, it is a good idea to automatically connect it with the genitive case.

Potřebuji is the 1st person singular present tense of potřebovat.

So:

• potřebovat = to need
• potřebuji = I need

Other forms for comparison:

• potřebuješ = you need
• potřebuje = he/she/it needs
• potřebujeme = we need

Because here informace is most naturally accusative plural.

The verb potřebovat usually takes a direct object in the accusative case. With informace, the forms are:

• singular accusative: informaci
• plural accusative: informace

So:

• potřebuji informaci = I need one piece of information / one item of information
• potřebuji informace = I need information / I need some information

In Czech, plural informace is often used where English simply says information.

In this sentence, it is best understood as plural.

That may feel strange to an English speaker, because English information is usually uncountable. Czech often treats this idea more like pieces of information.

So although English says I need information, Czech very naturally says potřebuji informace.

Because Czech does not have articles.

English distinguishes between:

• a program
• the program
• information

Czech does not use separate words for a/an/the. The meaning is understood from context.

So programu could mean things like:

• of the program
• of a program

depending on the situation.

Because Czech punctuation does not follow English punctuation rules here.

In English, you might often write:

• Besides the program, I need information.

In Czech, a comma is usually not added after an initial prepositional phrase like Kromě programu.

So the normal Czech sentence is simply:

• Kromě programu potřebuji informace.

Yes, Czech word order is more flexible than English word order, but the natural emphasis changes.

The version you have:

• Kromě programu potřebuji informace.

puts kromě programu first, which gives that phrase some emphasis or sets the frame first.

You could also say:

• Potřebuji informace kromě programu.

but that may sound less natural in many contexts, and it can feel more ambiguous depending on what exactly is being emphasized.

So the original order is a very good, natural choice.

Usually, yes, when it has a noun as its direct object.

Examples:

• Potřebuji vodu.
• Potřebuji pomoc.
• Potřebuji informace.

It can also be followed by an infinitive:

• Potřebuji odejít. = I need to leave.

But with noun objects, accusative is the normal pattern.

Usually yes, but Czech program can cover several meanings depending on context, such as:

• a schedule
• a plan
• a programme of events
• a TV program
• a computer program

So the exact nuance depends on the situation. Grammatically, though, it behaves like a normal masculine noun here: program → programu after kromě.

A rough English-style guide would be:

KRO-mnye PRO-gra-moo PO-trzhe-boo-yee in-FOR-ma-tseh

A few notes:

• ě in kromě affects the preceding consonant, so it is not just a plain e
• ř in potřebuji is a special Czech sound with no exact English equivalent
• j in Czech is pronounced like English y

You do not need a perfect accent right away, but it is good to notice that Czech spelling is quite regular once you learn the sound rules.