Ptám se, zda program existuje.

Because the verb is ptát se, not plain ptát in this meaning.

In Czech, ptát se means to ask. The little word se is a fixed part of the verb here. It does not literally mean myself in the English sense. So:

• ptám se = I ask / I am asking
• infinitive: ptát se

If you remove se, it is no longer the normal verb for to ask in this context.

Ptám is the 1st person singular present tense form of ptát se.

So:

• ptám se = I ask / I am asking
• ptáš se = you ask
• ptá se = he/she/it asks

The ending -ám is what gives you I here.

Zda means whether.

It introduces an indirect yes/no question:

• Ptám se, zda program existuje.
• I ask whether the program exists.

So the structure is:

• main clause: Ptám se = I ask
• subordinate clause: zda program existuje = whether the program exists

Yes. In most everyday situations, jestli is more common in speech.

So you can also say:

• Ptám se, jestli program existuje.

Both mean the same thing. A useful distinction is:

• zda = a bit more formal, written, neutral-careful style
• jestli = very common, conversational

So a learner should recognize both.

Because zda program existuje is a subordinate clause, and Czech normally separates subordinate clauses with a comma.

So:

• Ptám se, zda program existuje.

This is standard Czech punctuation.

Here program is the subject of the subordinate clause, so it stays in the nominative:

• program existuje = the program exists

The verb existuje needs a subject, and program is that subject.

If you said programu, that would be a different case and would not fit this sentence as the subject.

Existuje is the 3rd person singular present tense of existovat.

So:

• existuji = I exist
• existuješ = you exist
• existuje = he/she/it exists

Because program is singular, Czech uses the singular verb form:

• program existuje = the program exists

Yes, in some contexts that is a natural English translation.

Literally, Ptám se means I ask or I am asking, but English often uses I wonder where Czech uses a structure with ptát se.

So depending on context, possible English renderings include:

• I ask whether the program exists.
• I’m asking whether the program exists.
• I wonder whether the program exists.

The exact best translation depends on context, but the Czech grammar stays the same.

The given word order is the most neutral and natural:

• Ptám se, zda program existuje.

Czech word order is more flexible than English, but that does not mean every order is equally natural. This version is the standard straightforward one:

1. main verb phrase: Ptám se
2. subordinate clause: zda program existuje

A learner should use this order unless there is a special reason to emphasize something.

In Czech, short unstressed words like se usually do not stand first in the clause and often come in the second position area.

So:

• Ptám se is normal
• Se ptám is only used in marked or special contexts, often with emphasis or colloquial tone

For a learner, ptám se is the safe standard order.

Yes, pt- at the start can feel unusual for English speakers.

A rough guide:

• Ptám sounds approximately like ptaam
• se sounds like seh

The p and t are both pronounced. Czech often allows consonant clusters that English does not use at the beginning of words.

Also note:

• á is a long vowel, so ptám has a long a

So do not reduce it too much; the long vowel matters.

It can do both.

With a clause:

• Ptám se, zda program existuje.
• I ask whether the program exists.

With a noun phrase, Czech often uses na + accusative:

• Ptám se na program.
• I ask about the program.

So learners should remember two common patterns:

• ptát se, zda/jestli...
• ptát se na + accusative

It is mostly neutral, but zda gives it a slightly more formal or written feel.

Compare:

• Ptám se, zda program existuje. = neutral to slightly formal
• Ptám se, jestli program existuje. = more everyday spoken Czech

So the sentence is perfectly normal, especially in writing or careful speech.