How Do Czech People Say Prague?

By Robert Palmer

If you’ve ever been to Prague, you might have heard the locals pronounce the name of their beloved city differently than what you’re used to. So, how do Czech people say Prague? Let’s dive in and explore.

How to pronounce Prague in Czech?

In Czech, the name of the city is spelled “Praha” and it’s pronounced as “Pra-ha”. The “h” in Praha is pronounced with a slight aspiration, which means that it’s pronounced with an exhale of air. You can think of it as a soft “hh” sound.

Why is it pronounced differently?

The reason why Czech people pronounce Prague differently than English speakers is because of the differences in language and pronunciation rules. In Czech, each letter has only one sound, unlike in English where some letters can have multiple sounds depending on the word.

Additionally, Czech has a few unique sounds that don’t exist in English such as ř which is a rolled “r” sound. These differences in language result in different pronunciations for words like Prague.

Other interesting facts about Praha

  • Praha is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic.
  • The city has a rich history dating back to the Romanesque era.
  • Praha was one of the few major European cities that was not destroyed during World War II.
  • The iconic Charles Bridge connects Old Town and Lesser Town across the Vltava River.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you want to impress your Czech friends or locals when visiting Praha, make sure to pronounce it as “Pra-ha” with a slight aspiration on the “h”. Understanding how words are pronounced differently across languages is a great way to appreciate and learn about different cultures. So, go ahead and practice your Czech pronunciation of “Praha” and enjoy your next trip to this amazing city!