How to Use Future Tense: Simple and Compound Forms in Czech for English Speakers

Understanding the Future Tense in Czech

In Czech, expressing the future tense can be done in two main ways: using the simple future form or the compound future form. Unlike English, which uses "will" or "going to" for the future, Czech has its own unique structures that English speakers need to learn to communicate effectively about future events.

Simple Future Tense with Perfective Verbs

Czech verbs are divided into perfective and imperfective aspects. The simple future tense is formed only with perfective verbs. These verbs inherently express a completed action, so their present tense forms actually indicate future actions.

For example, the verb napsat (to write, perfective) in present tense napíšu means "I will write." This is a simple and direct way to express future actions with perfective verbs.

Compound Future Tense with Imperfective Verbs

Imperfective verbs describe ongoing, habitual, or repeated actions. To express the future with imperfective verbs, Czech uses a compound form consisting of the future tense of the verb být (to be) plus the infinitive of the main verb.

For example, the verb psát (to write, imperfective) forms the future as budu psát, meaning "I will be writing" or simply "I will write." This compound form is essential for expressing future actions that are ongoing or habitual.

Forming the Future Tense: Step-by-Step

Let's break down how to form both simple and compound future tenses in Czech.

1. Simple Future with Perfective Verbs

Use the present tense form of a perfective verb. The endings are similar to present tense but indicate future meaning.

Example with koupit (to buy, perfective):

- koupím - I will buy
- koupíš - you will buy
- koupí - he/she/it will buy
- koupíme - we will buy
- koupíte - you (plural/formal) will buy
- koupí - they will buy

2. Compound Future with Imperfective Verbs

Conjugate the verb být in the future tense and add the infinitive of the imperfective verb.

Future tense of být:

- budu - I will be
- budeš - you will be
- bude - he/she/it will be
- budeme - we will be
- budete - you (plural/formal) will be
- budou - they will be

Example with psát (to write, imperfective):

- budu psát - I will write
- budeš psát - you will write
- bude psát - he/she/it will write
- budeme psát - we will write
- budete psát - you (plural/formal) will write
- budou psát - they will write

Tips for English Speakers Learning Czech Future Tense

Understanding verb aspect is crucial in Czech. English speakers often find the perfective and imperfective distinction challenging because English does not have this grammatical feature.

Remember:

• Use the simple future (present tense of perfective verbs) to express a single, completed future action.
• Use the compound future (future of být + infinitive) for ongoing or repeated future actions with imperfective verbs.
• Practice conjugating both perfective and imperfective verbs to become comfortable with both future forms.

With practice, using the future tense in Czech will become more natural and intuitive.

Common Future Tense Phrases in Czech