Když je v bytě ticho, moje babička spí dobře.

When it is quiet in the apartment, my grandmother sleeps well.

Breakdown of Když je v bytě ticho, moje babička spí dobře.

• být: to be
• můj: my
• v: in
• spát: to sleep

Questions & Answers about Když je v bytě ticho, moje babička spí dobře.

Why does the sentence begin with Když?

Když means when here. It introduces a subordinate clause: Když je v bytě ticho = When it is quiet in the apartment.

A Czech learner should notice that this first part sets the situation, and the main clause comes after it: moje babička spí dobře.

So the structure is:

Když... , ...

very much like English:

When... , ...

Why is there a comma after ticho?

The comma separates the subordinate clause from the main clause.

• Když je v bytě ticho = subordinate clause
• moje babička spí dobře = main clause

In Czech, commas are used very regularly before or after subordinate clauses. Since the sentence starts with the Když clause, the comma comes before the main clause.

Why do we use je in Když je v bytě ticho?