Is German Spoken in Prague?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re planning a trip to Prague, you might be wondering if German is spoken there. Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and Czech is the official language of the country. However, due to its history and location, German has had a significant influence in Prague.

German Influence in Prague

Prague has a rich cultural and historical background with influences from various countries including Germany. In fact, for centuries, the city was part of the Holy Roman Empire which was largely dominated by Germans. During this time, German was widely spoken in Prague as it was the language of administration and commerce.

The Impact of World War II

During World War II, Nazi Germany occupied Czechoslovakia which included Prague. As a result, German became the dominant language during this period. Many Czechs were forced to learn German and speak it to survive.

After the war ended and Czechoslovakia became independent again, speaking German became less popular due to its association with Nazi Germany. The Communist regime that followed also discouraged speaking German as they viewed it as a symbol of Western capitalism.

Modern-Day Prague

Today, while Czech remains the official language of Prague and the Czech Republic, German is still widely spoken in certain areas. This includes areas frequented by tourists such as hotels, restaurants, and shops.

Tourists who speak German will find that they can get by quite easily in Prague without knowing any Czech. However, it’s always polite to try some basic phrases in Czech such as “dobrý den” (hello) or “děkuji” (thank you).

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Czech is still the official language of Prague and the country as a whole, German has had a significant impact on the city’s history and culture. Today, it’s still widely spoken by both locals and tourists, particularly in areas that attract a lot of visitors. So, if you’re planning a trip to Prague and speak German, you’ll find it quite useful in certain situations.