Jak mám zapnout ten počítač?

Yes, mám is literally I have, but in Czech it is also commonly used in the pattern:

mám + infinitive

This often means something like:

• am I supposed to...
• should I...
• how do I...
• what am I meant to do to...

So Jak mám zapnout ten počítač? is not about possession. It means something like:

• How am I supposed to turn on that computer?
• How do I turn on that computer?

This is a very common Czech structure.

Jak means how.

So the sentence begins with a question about the method or way of doing something:

• Jak = how
• Jak mám... = How am I supposed to... / How do I...

It is one of the basic Czech question words:

• co = what
• kdo = who
• kde = where
• kdy = when
• proč = why
• jak = how

This is about aspect, which is very important in Czech verbs.

• zapnout = perfective
• zapínat = imperfective

In this sentence, zapnout is used because the speaker is asking about completing a single action: turning the computer on successfully.

So:

• zapnout = to switch on / to turn on as a completed action
• zapínat = to be turning on / to turn on repeatedly or in general

With Jak mám... ?, Czech often prefers the perfective verb when the question is about achieving a result.

Compare:

• Jak mám zapnout ten počítač? = How do I turn that computer on?
• Jak mám zapínat ten počítač? = How am I supposed to be turning that computer on? / What is the usual procedure for turning it on?

The imperfective version sounds less natural in this context unless you mean repeated or habitual action.

Zapnout can mean several related things depending on context:

• to switch on / turn on a device
• to fasten something, like a coat or seatbelt

Here, because of počítač (computer), it clearly means:

• to turn on
• to switch on

Some related verbs:

• zapnout počítač = turn on a computer
• vypnout počítač = turn off a computer

So zapnout is a very useful verb for electronics.

Ten means that or sometimes just the/that one, depending on context.

Here it points to a specific computer:

• ten počítač = that computer

In real speech, Czech often uses demonstratives more frequently than English does. So ten may sound more natural in Czech than that would in English.

For example:

• Zapni počítač. = Turn on the computer.
• Zapni ten počítač. = Turn on that computer / Turn on this particular computer.

So ten adds specificity or emphasis.

Yes, it is in the accusative. The important point is that some masculine inanimate nouns have the same form in the nominative and accusative singular.

Here:

• nominative: ten počítač
• accusative: ten počítač

So the case is correct, but the form happens to look the same.

This is very common with masculine inanimate nouns.

For comparison:

• vidím stůl = I see a table
• zapnu počítač = I turn on a computer

The object is in the accusative, but the noun often does not visibly change.

It actually does reflect the case, but for masculine inanimate singular, ten has the same form in nominative and accusative.

So:

• nominative: ten počítač
• accusative: ten počítač

But in other genders or numbers, you will see changes more clearly. For example:

• ta kniha → tu knihu
• to auto → to auto

So in this sentence, both ten and počítač look unchanged, even though they function as the direct object.

Yes, and that version is also natural, but it has a slightly different feel.

• Jak mám zapnout ten počítač? = How am I supposed to turn on that computer? / How do I turn that computer on?
• Jak zapnu ten počítač? = How will I turn on that computer? / How do I turn on that computer?

The version with mám often suggests:

• uncertainty about the proper method
• asking for instructions
• what should I do?

The shorter version can sound a bit more direct. In many situations, both are possible.

Yes. Czech word order is flexible, although different orders can change emphasis.

The neutral version is:

Jak mám zapnout ten počítač?

Other possible orders include:

• Jak ten počítač mám zapnout?
• Ten počítač mám jak zapnout? — possible, but much less neutral and more colloquial or marked

The usual choice is the first one because it sounds most natural and standard.

A good rule for learners: use the given order unless you have a reason to change emphasis.

Roughly:

po-chee-tach

More carefully:

• po = like po in pot, but shorter
• čí = long chee
• tač = tach, with č like ch in church

A few sound notes:

• č = ch as in church
• í is a long vowel
• stress in Czech is usually on the first syllable, so: PO-čí-tač

So the stress is:

POčítač

A rough English-friendly guide would be:

Yak maam ZAP-noht ten PO-chee-tach?

A bit more exactly:

• Jak = yak
• mám = maam (long á)
• zapnout = approximately ZAP-noht
• ten = ten
• počítač = PO-chee-tach

A few useful pronunciation points:

• á is a long vowel
• ou in zapnout is a diphthong, somewhat like oh-oo said quickly
• stress usually falls on the first syllable of each word

Yes, it is neutral and perfectly polite in normal situations.

It is not especially formal, but it is not rude at all. It sounds like a normal request for help or instructions.

If you wanted to make it even softer, you could say:

• Jak mám prosím zapnout ten počítač? = How do I turn on that computer, please?
• Můžete mi říct, jak mám zapnout ten počítač? = Can you tell me how I’m supposed to turn on that computer?

But the original sentence is already natural and polite in everyday use.

Yes, absolutely.

• Jak mám zapnout počítač? = How do I turn on a/the computer?
• Jak mám zapnout ten počítač? = How do I turn on that computer?

Leaving out ten makes the sentence more general or less pointed. Including ten makes it clear that you mean a specific computer, probably one visible in the situation.

Both are correct; the choice depends on context.