Chci číst lepší knihu, protože se chci učit.

I want to read a better book because I want to learn.

Breakdown of Chci číst lepší knihu, protože se chci učit.

• já: I
• chtít: to want
• protože: because
• se: oneself
• učit se: to learn
• číst: to read
• kniha: the book
• lepší: better

Questions & Answers about Chci číst lepší knihu, protože se chci učit.

What does “chci” mean, and why is it used here?

Chci comes from the verb chtít (to want), and in this sentence it means I want. It is the first-person singular present tense form.

Why is the object in the form knihu and not kniha?

Czech uses the accusative case for direct objects. Because kniha (book) is a direct object, it changes to the accusative form knihu in this sentence.

What does lepší mean, and how is it used here?

Lepší means better. In Czech, adjectives must agree in gender, case, and number with the noun they modify. Here, lepší describes knihu (feminine singular in the accusative case), but the adjective lepší itself doesn’t change between nominative and accusative for feminine singular.

Why is protože used in the middle of the sentence?

Protože means because, and it introduces a reason. So Chci číst lepší knihu, protože se chci učit translates to I want to read a better book because I want to learn, linking the reason for wanting to read the book.

What does se do in protože se chci učit?

In Czech, učit se means to learn in a reflexive sense (literally, to teach oneself). The se is the reflexive pronoun, required to convey the meaning to learn, as opposed to učit, which on its own more often means to teach (someone else).