Jak maminka, tak babička připraví na stůl talíře, ubrousky a čaj.

It means both mom and grandma.

In this pattern, jak ..., tak ... is a fixed correlative expression meaning both ... and ....
So:

• jak maminka, tak babička = both mom and grandma

Even though jak often means how or as, in this structure it does not mean that literally. You should learn jak ..., tak ... as one unit.

Because jak ..., tak ... is a paired conjunction, and Czech normally separates its two parts with a comma:

• Jak maminka, tak babička ...

This is similar to how Czech also uses commas with other paired structures such as nejen ..., ale i ....

So the comma is not random punctuation; it marks the two linked parts of the expression.

Formally, it looks like a present-tense form, but because připravit is a perfective verb, its present forms usually have future meaning.

So:

• připraví = will prepare / will set out

This is a very important Czech pattern:

• imperfective připravuje = is preparing / prepares
• perfective připraví = will prepare

So in this sentence, připraví is understood as future.

Because in this verb form, 3rd person singular and 3rd person plural look the same:

• on/ona připraví = he/she will prepare
• oni/ony připraví = they will prepare

Here the subject is clearly two people, maminka and babička, so the meaning is plural: they will prepare.

This can feel strange to English speakers, but it is completely normal in Czech.

Because na stůl expresses movement or placement onto the table, while na stole would mean a static location on the table.

Czech uses:

• na + accusative for direction/placement onto a surface
• na + locative for location on a surface

So:

• připraví na stůl = will put/set onto the table
• je na stole = it is on the table

Even if nothing is dramatically moving, Czech still treats setting things onto the table as directional, so na stůl is the natural choice.

They are in the accusative, because they are the direct objects of připraví.

The verb answers the question What will they prepare/set out?

• talíře = plates
• ubrousky = napkins
• čaj = tea

More specifically:

• talíře is accusative plural
• ubrousky is accusative plural
• čaj is accusative singular

For masculine inanimate nouns like stůl or čaj, nominative and accusative often look the same, which is why čaj does not change form here.

Because tea is being treated as a mass noun or one serving/item in a general sense, just as in English we often say tea rather than teas.

So the sentence means they prepare:

• plates
• napkins
• tea

If you wanted to talk about several separate teas in some special context, Czech could use other wording, but here singular čaj is the normal and natural choice.

It suggests setting things out on the table or getting the table ready, not just abstractly preparing in a broad sense.

Depending on context, it can mean something like:

• put out on the table
• set on the table
• get ready for serving

So this is more specific than just prepare in English. It strongly suggests arranging these items for a meal or serving.

Yes, those are possible, but the nuance changes slightly.

• maminka a babička = mom and grandma
• maminka i babička = mom and grandma too / both mom and grandma
• jak maminka, tak babička = both mom and grandma, with a slightly more balanced or emphatic feel

The jak ..., tak ... structure sounds a bit more deliberate and symmetrical. It emphasizes that both of them are included.

They are very common and natural, but they also sound warm and familiar.

• maminka = affectionate/family word for mom/mummy/mother
• babička = grandma

Compared with more formal words:

• matka = mother (more formal or official)
• babička is already the normal family word; there is no equally common formal everyday replacement in most contexts, though bába would sound rude or rough in many situations.

So this sentence sounds family-oriented and natural, not formal.

No, Czech word order is fairly flexible, but changing it changes the emphasis.

This sentence begins with Jak maminka, tak babička, which puts focus on who is doing the action.

Other orders are possible, for example:

• Na stůl připraví jak maminka, tak babička talíře, ubrousky a čaj.
• Talíře, ubrousky a čaj připraví na stůl jak maminka, tak babička.

But those versions shift the emphasis and may sound less neutral in ordinary conversation.

The original sentence is a natural, clear way to say it.

Because Czech usually does not need subject pronouns unless they are needed for emphasis or contrast.

Here the subject is already fully stated:

• maminka
• babička

So adding oni would be unnecessary. Czech normally prefers to leave it out.

This is very different from English, where a subject like they is usually required.