Ahoj, Petře.

Hello, Petr.

Breakdown of Ahoj, Petře.

• ahoj: hello

Questions & Answers about Ahoj, Petře.

Why is Petr spelled Petře in this sentence?

In Czech, the name Petr changes to Petře when you address someone directly; this is known as the vocative case. The language modifies personal names (and some other words) to indicate that you’re speaking to the person, rather than just talking about them.

Is "Ahoj" a formal or informal greeting?

Ahoj is typically an informal greeting, similar to saying “Hi” in English. It’s used with friends, family, or people you’re on casual terms with. For more formal situations or when speaking with strangers, Czech speakers usually say Dobrý den (Good day).

Do Czechs always use the vocative case for names?

In most everyday conversations, you’ll hear people use the vocative when directly addressing someone by name. However, it's also common to simply use the nominative form (for example, Petr). Whether to use the vocative or not can depend on personal preference, dialect, formality level, and regional usage.

How do I know when to add the vocative ending for other Czech names?

It depends on the name’s declension pattern. For masculine names ending in a consonant like Petr, you typically add -e or -u (for example, Petře, Martin → Martine, Honza → Honzo). For feminine names or names ending in different letters, the rules vary. Over time, you’ll learn these patterns naturally, but consulting a grammar resource can help you master them more quickly.