Understanding Aspectual Pairs of Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective in Czech

What Are Verb Aspects in Czech?

In Czech, verbs have two aspects: perfective and imperfective. These aspects express whether an action is completed or ongoing. Understanding these is essential for mastering Czech verb usage.

The Difference Between Perfective and Imperfective Verbs

The imperfective aspect describes actions that are habitual, ongoing, repeated, or not completed. The perfective aspect indicates actions that are completed or viewed as a whole.

For example, the imperfective verb psát means "to be writing" or "to write (habitually)", while the perfective verb napsat means "to write (to completion)".

Aspectual Pairs: How They Work

Most Czech verbs come in aspectual pairs, where one verb is imperfective and the other is perfective. These pairs often share the same root but differ by prefixes or suffixes.

For example:

Using Aspectual Pairs in Sentences

When talking about an action in progress or repeated actions, use the imperfective verb. When referring to a completed action or a single event, use the perfective verb.

Examples:

Tips for English Speakers Learning Czech Verb Aspects

English does not have a grammatical aspect system like Czech, so it can be challenging. Here are some tips:

• Focus on whether the action is completed or ongoing.
• Learn common prefixes that form perfective verbs (e.g., na-, po-, vy-).
• Practice with aspectual pairs to get used to their usage.
• Remember that some verbs only exist in one aspect.

Common Prefixes That Change Aspect

Adding prefixes to imperfective verbs often creates their perfective counterparts. Some common prefixes include:

• na- (e.g., psát → napsat)
• po- (e.g., číst → přečíst)
• vy- (e.g., jít → vyjít)