Jdu k parku.

I am walking to the park.

Breakdown of Jdu k parku.

• já: I
• jít: to go
• park: the park
• k: for

Questions & Answers about Jdu k parku.

Why is there no já (I) at the beginning? Why is it just Jdu k parku and not Já jdu k parku?

In Czech, subject pronouns (like já = I, ty = you) are usually dropped because the verb ending already shows the person.

• jdu can only mean I go / I am going (on foot).
  So já is not needed.

You add já only for emphasis or contrast, e.g.:

• Já jdu k parku, ale on jde domů.
  I’m going to(wards) the park, but he is going home.

What is the infinitive of jdu, and how does it conjugate?

The infinitive is jít (to go on foot – one specific trip).

Singular:

• (já) jdu – I go / I am going
• (ty) jdeš – you go (sg.)
• (on/ona/ono) jde – he/she/it goes

Plural:

• (my) jdeme – we go
• (vy) jdete – you go (pl./formal)
• (oni) jdou – they go

What is the difference between jdu and jedu?

Both mean I am going, but:

• jdu – going on foot, walking.
• jedu – going by vehicle (car, bus, train, bike, tram, etc.).

Examples:

• Jdu k parku. – I’m walking to(wards) the park.
• Jedu k parku tramvají. – I’m going to(wards) the park by tram.

Why is the preposition k used, and not do or na?

Czech has several “to” prepositions, each with its own nuance:

• k (+ dative) – towards / to (up to, near) something.
  
  • Jdu k parku. – I’m going to(wards) the park / to the area by the park.
• do (+ genitive) – into / inside something.
  
  • Jdu do parku. – I’m going into the park.
• na (+ accusative) – onto / to (surface, event, institution).
  
  • Jdu na hřiště. – I’m going to the playground.
  • Jdu na koncert. – I’m going to a concert.

So k parku focuses on approaching or being near the park, not necessarily entering it.

What case is parku in k parku, and why does it end in -u?

The noun park is masculine inanimate. In k parku, it is in the dative singular because the preposition k always takes the dative.

For park (sg.):

• Nominative (who/what?): park
• Genitive (of): parku
• Dative (to/for): parku ← used after k
• Accusative (object): park
• Locative (about/in): parku
• Instrumental (with): parkem

So k + dative → k parku.

Why does park change to parku instead of something like parki?

Masculine nouns ending in a consonant often follow the “hrad” pattern of declension. In this pattern, the dative singular ending is -u.

Pattern hrad (castle) vs park:

• Nominative: hrad, park
• Dative: hradu, parku

So parku is the regular dative singular form, matching k which requires dative.

What is the exact difference in meaning between Jdu k parku and Jdu do parku?

• Jdu k parku.

  • Focus: towards / to the vicinity of the park.
  • You might end up next to it, meeting someone nearby, passing by, not necessarily entering.

• Jdu do parku.

  • Focus: into the park as a destination you enter (to walk inside, sit there, etc.).

Context will often choose one automatically. If you mean “I’m going for a walk in the park,” Jdu do parku is usually more natural.

Can I change the word order? For example, K parku jdu instead of Jdu k parku?

Yes. Czech word order is quite flexible.

• Jdu k parku. – neutral, usual order (subject/verb first, then destination).
• K parku jdu. – emphasizes k parku (e.g. to the park I’m going, not somewhere else).

Both are grammatically correct. Intonation and context decide which sounds natural.

How would I say We’re going to(wards) the park or They are going to(wards) the park?

You change only the verb ending; k parku stays the same:

• My jdeme k parku. – We are going (on foot) to(wards) the park.
• Oni jdou k parku. – They are going (on foot) to(wards) the park.

Subject pronouns (my, oni) can again be dropped if context is clear:

• Jdeme k parku.
• Jdou k parku.

How is Jdu k parku pronounced, and is there any special stress?

Approximate pronunciation (IPA):

• Jdu – [jdu] (a short “y-du”, said as one consonant cluster)
• k – [k] (very short, almost attached to parku)
• parku – [ˈparkʊ]

Stress in Czech is always on the first syllable of the word:

• Jdu k PAR-ku.

The k is unstressed and pronounced quickly before parku.

When would I use ke instead of k, and can I say Jdu ke parku?

The basic form is k, but before some hard-to-pronounce consonant clusters, Czech uses ke to ease pronunciation:

• ke škole, ke stolu, ke mně.

With park, standard Czech uses k, not ke:

• Jdu k parku. ✅
• Jdu ke parku. ❌ (sounds wrong/unnatural in standard language)

Does Jdu k parku express present or future? Can it mean “I’m going to the park later”?

Jdu is present tense, but Czech present often covers “I’m going now / I’m on my way” and even near future with a fixed plan.

• Teď jdu k parku. – I’m going to(wards) the park now.
• Zítra jdu k parku. – I’m going to(wards) the park tomorrow (I have it planned).

For a clear future, especially for a one-time action, Czechs also use the perfective future půjdu:

• Zítra půjdu k parku. – Tomorrow I will go to(wards) the park (one specific trip).

What is the difference between jdu and chodím with k parku?

Both come from verbs of motion, but:

• jdu (from jít) – one specific trip happening now or planned.
  
  • Jdu k parku. – I’m (now) going to(wards) the park.
• chodím (from chodit) – repeated / habitual going.
  
  • Často chodím k parku. – I often go (walk) to(wards) the park.

So jdu k parku = this time, now/soon; chodím k parku = regularly, habitually.