Někdy píšu úkol u okna.

Sometimes I write my homework by the window.

Breakdown of Někdy píšu úkol u okna.

• já: I
• psát: to write
• úkol: the homework assignment
• okno: the window
• někdy: sometimes

Questions & Answers about Někdy píšu úkol u okna.

Can I change the word order? For example, can I say “Píšu někdy úkol u okna”?

Yes, you can change the word order in Czech. If you say Píšu někdy úkol u okna, it still means roughly the same thing (“I sometimes write/do my homework by the window”), but Někdy píšu úkol u okna puts more emphasis on “sometimes.” Czech word order is quite flexible, but it generally follows a topic–comment structure, so the first position can be used for emphasis.

What does “u okna” literally mean, and why is it in the genitive case (okna instead of okno)?

Literally, u okna means “at/near the window” or “by the window.” The preposition u in Czech typically requires the genitive case. Because okno (window) is a neuter noun, its genitive singular form is okna. So “u okna” is “by the window” in English.

Is “píšu úkol” specifically “I write my homework” or can it also mean “I do my homework”?

The verb psát usually means “to write,” so píšu úkol translates directly to “I am writing the homework.” However, in common usage, psát úkol or dělat úkol (to do homework) can both be used to talk about doing homework in general. Czech often uses psát (to write) for homework, tests, and essays.

How do I pronounce “někdy” properly?

Někdy can be broken into two syllables: něk-dy. The ě indicates a softened n sound, almost like nyek-dy, but without the “y” dragging the sound too long. Make sure to keep the stress on the first syllable, which is typical for Czech words.

Does “úkol” have a plural form, and if I had multiple tasks, could I say “píšu úkoly”?

Yes, the plural form of úkol is úkoly. If you have more than one assignment, you could say: Někdy píšu úkoly u okna (“Sometimes I do my homework assignments by the window”). Remember to adjust the verb if you want to talk about different tenses or other grammatical persons.