Mám kočku.

I have a cat.

Breakdown of Mám kočku.

• já: I
• mít: to have
• kočka: the cat

Questions & Answers about Mám kočku.

Why does the sentence use kočku instead of kočka?

In Czech, direct objects typically appear in the accusative case. The base form kočka (nominative) changes to kočku (accusative) when it’s the object of the verb mám (“I have”).

Do I need a subject pronoun, like já, in front of mám kočku?

It’s not necessary in Czech. The verb form mám already indicates the first-person singular (“I”). You could say Já mám kočku, but most often just Mám kočku sounds natural in everyday conversation.

Is there a difference between using mám kočku and mám kocoura?

Yes. Kočka is usually the general word for a cat (often implying a female cat), while kocour specifically means a male cat. If you want to emphasize the cat’s gender, you’d say mám kocoura or mám kočku.

How would I say “I don’t have a cat” in Czech?

You simply add the negation nemám: Nemám kočku. Czech expresses negation by prefixing ne- to the verb.

Are there definite or indefinite articles in Czech, like “the” or “a/an”?

No, Czech doesn’t have articles. You rely on context, word order, and sometimes additional words (like ten or nějaký) to convey notions similar to “the” or “a/an.” But in most cases, you just say mám kočku without any article at all.