Na zastávce čekám na tramvaj, ale má malé zpoždění.

Because na can take different cases and meanings in Czech.

• na zastávce = at the stop
  Here na is used with the locative to express location.

• čekat na tramvaj = to wait for a tram
  Here na is used with the accusative because čekat na is a fixed verb pattern meaning to wait for.

So even though the preposition is the same, the grammar and meaning are different.

With places like stops, platforms, and similar public points, Czech normally uses na.

So you say:

• na zastávce = at the stop
• na stanici = at the station

Using v zastávce would usually sound unnatural if you simply mean at the stop. Czech treats this as an idiomatic location expression, so it is best learned as a set phrase: být / čekat na zastávce.

Zastávce is the locative singular of zastávka.

The dictionary form is zastávka. After na when it means location, you need the locative:

• zastávka → na zastávce

The ending changes from -ka to -ce, which is a normal spelling/sound change in Czech declension.

Here tramvaj is in the accusative singular, because čekat na koho/co takes the accusative.

So:

• čekat na tramvaj = to wait for a tram

In this noun, the accusative singular happens to look the same as the basic dictionary form:

• nominative: tramvaj
• accusative: tramvaj

That is why the word does not visibly change here.

Because Czech often leaves out subject pronouns when the verb ending already shows who the subject is.

• čekám = I wait / I am waiting

The ending -ám tells you it is 1st person singular, so já is unnecessary unless you want emphasis.

You could say Já čekám na tramvaj, but that would sound more emphatic, like I’m the one waiting for the tram.

Čekám is present tense.

Czech does not have a separate progressive form like English I am waiting. The plain present tense often covers both:

• I wait
• I am waiting

The exact meaning comes from context. In this sentence, the situation is clearly happening now, so English naturally uses I am waiting.

Because Czech has no articles.

So tramvaj can mean:

• a tram
• the tram

Context tells you which one is meant. In this sentence, it will usually be understood as the tram or my tram / the tram I’m waiting for, even though Czech does not say that explicitly.

The subject is understood to be tramvaj.

So the full idea is:

• ..., ale tramvaj má malé zpoždění.

Czech often omits a repeated or obvious subject, especially when it is clear from the previous clause. That makes the sentence sound more natural and less repetitive.

Because mít zpoždění is the normal Czech way to say that a bus, train, tram, plane, etc. is delayed.

So for transport, Czech commonly says:

• vlak má zpoždění = the train is delayed / the train has a delay
• tramvaj má malé zpoždění = the tram is slightly delayed

English usually prefers is delayed, but Czech very often uses has delay.

Because the adjective must agree with the noun.

Zpoždění is a neuter singular noun, so the adjective must also be neuter singular:

• malé zpoždění

That is why you get malé, not malý.

Also, after má, the noun phrase is in the accusative, but for many neuter nouns the accusative singular looks the same as the nominative singular, so the form still stays malé zpoždění.

Zpoždění is a noun meaning delay. It is neuter.

It is one of those Czech neuter nouns ending in -í, and in the singular its nominative and accusative forms are the same:

• nominative: zpoždění
• accusative: zpoždění

That is why after má you still see zpoždění unchanged.

Because ale is a coordinating conjunction meaning but, and in Czech it is normally preceded by a comma when it joins two clauses.

So:

• Na zastávce čekám na tramvaj, ale má malé zpoždění.

This is standard Czech punctuation.

Yes, Czech word order is fairly flexible, but changing it changes the emphasis.

• Na zastávce čekám na tramvaj sounds natural and sets the scene first: At the stop, I’m waiting for the tram.
• Čekám na tramvaj na zastávce is possible, but it sounds more like the location is added later.

The original sentence is a very natural neutral way to say it, especially in everyday speech.