This article is about a subject of huge importance to the Czechs: beer! In fact, there is such a big beer-drinking culture in Czechia that even a lot of Czech cuisine is centred around beer. For example, what else can you drink with a pickled sausage but a glass or two of good Czech beer!
Beer is made from brewing four key ingredients, which are malt (which is usually in the form of malted barley, but other grains can be used). Next there‘s yeast, which converts the sugar into alcohol. The third ingredient are hops, which gives beer its bitter taste. One of the best-known hop-growing areas in the Czech Republic is around Žatec in north-west Bohemia, from where the famous brewery Pilsner Urquell source their hops. And the final ingredient is, of course, water (or spring water in the case of Pilsner Urquell). There are several major breweries, and countless regional or micro-breweries across the country. In Úvaly, which is the town where I live, we have a very popular microbrewery called Libertas. They brew a range of delicious beers and ales, and their beer terrace is always full of local beer drinkers in the summer months. They also supply their beers and ales to all the local restaurants, and even some restaurants in Prague serve their beers, because they’re of such high quality. Famous Czech Breweries such as Pilsner Urquell and Budweiser produce the most internationally well-known Czech beers, and the Prague-based brewery Staropramen is one of the most commercially-successful. Many pubs in England serve Czech beers too, and Czech beer enjoys an excellent reputation worldwide. Unfortunately, this is also one of the main reasons why Prague is such a popular destination for the British stag parties, who come to Prague to drink large quantities of beer and generally make a nuisance of themselves! Breweries transport their beer to pubs and restaurants in kegs (or barrels), and larger breweries even pump it directly into tanks, which is then served to the customer in the form of tank beer. Beers-lovers say that tank beer has the best flavour. When I go to the pub, I usually ask the barman or barmaid what beer they have on draught or on tap because freshly-drawn beer tastes better than beer from cans or bottles. In British pubs, beer is measured in pints, not litres, and people go to the pub for ‘a pint’. Therefore, if a Brit asks you if you 'fancy a pint', they are actually asking if you want to go to the pub and have a glass of beer with them. Customers order their pints (or half pints) directly at the bar because, unlike here in Czechia, it’s unusual for a pub to offer table service. If you are with a group of friends, it’s customary to ‘buy a round’, especially if it’s busy. This saves time as it’s inconvenient if everyone has to queue up at the bar every time they want to order another drink. When it’s your turn (or your shout) to buy a round of drinks, you simply ask your drinking buddies what drink they’re having, get up from the table, go to the bar and order the round of drinks. Then you have to wait at the bar, pay for the drinks and take them back to the table in your hands, or if it’s a large round of drinks, then the barman might lend you a tray to carry the drinks on. A huge disadvantage of buying rounds is that it can be costly, and you are under pressure to drink more than you might do normally. Also, if you leave the pub before it’s your turn, your friends might think you are tight-fisted! In the UK, the bar staff are required to fill the beer right up to the measuring line at the top of the pint glass, which is why there is such a small head on top! In Britain, beer can also be an ale or bitter, which is served at room temperature and is a popular alternative to lager. If you want to lighten the taste of your beer then you can ask for a 'shandy', which is a mixture of beer and lemonade. When I’m in England, I much prefer drinking real ale as most lagers are imported from major international brewery chains and taste bland compared to Czech ones. In contrast, most Czech pubs serve lager or pilsner only, although ale is becoming more popular. Czech pubs provide table service and each drinker has their own tab, and they pay for their drinks before they leave the pub. This is definitely more convenient than buying rounds of drinks as we do in the UK! Another big difference from the UK is that all Czech beers are poured with a large frothy head. A lot of foreigners are confused by the degree descriptions given to Czech beers (eg. 10 or 12 'degree'), and mistakenly confuse them with the alcohol content. I just know it has something to do with the amount of malt extract in the beer. A 10 degree is supposed to be a lighter beer and a better choice if you just want to quench your thirst, whereas a 12 degree beer has a more full-bodied flavour and a slightly higher alcohol content. Finally, let’s not forget the usual Czech custom before you drink your beer in the pub. First, you should raise your glass, then look your partner in the eye, clink your glasses together and say ‘cheers!’ Finally, clink the bottom of your glass on the table and take your first sip. As for me, I more or less stopped drinking alcohol about a year ago, although I still enjoy an occasional glass of beer, especially if its from my local microbrewery. I’ve also tried non-alcoholic beer for the first time recently, and surprisingly, I think it tastes just fine. Anyway, at least I can be glad I don’t have a beer belly like some of the men at my age. That’s all for now, and if you happen to have a glass of beer in your hand, then Na zdraví, or as we say in English, 'to your health!' Glossary pickled: nakládané brew (beer): vařit pivo malt: slad barley: ječmen grain: obilí yeast: kvasnice hops: chmel bitter: hořký brewery: pivovar source: acquire / získat kegs (metal) / barrels (wooden): soudky / sudy draught (beer): čepované / točené pivo freshly-drawn (beer): čerstvě čepované pivo a can: plechovka to fancy a pint: mít chuť na pivo table service: places where waiters/waitresses serve customers to buy a round: to buy a drink for each person in your group to queue up: stát ve frontě tight-fisted: someone who doesn't like spending money head (of beer): pěna (real) ale / bitter: a dark coloured beer, brewed at room temperature using different types of yeast to those used in lager lager: ležák bland: tasteless / bez chuti tab: učet frothy: pěnivý malt extract: sladový výtažek to quench your thirst: to satisfy your thirst full-bodied (taste): plné chuti to clink (glasses): Ťukat si
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When I first came to Prague, it didn't take me long to realise that I was in a city of dog lovers. A lot of people keep dogs in England too, but I'd say there aren't so many dog owners in big cities and the cat still remains Britain's favourite pet. Over here, however, dogs just seem to be everywhere! You might love them or hate them, but you certainly can't ignore them. So, in this article you should find all the vocabulary you need to talk about 'man's (and Czech's) best friend'.
If you want to keep a dog as a pet, first choose a suitable breed with a compatible temperament to your lifestyle. If you have young children, for example, then the gentle Labrador and Golden Retriever make an ideal family dog, whereas older people might prefer smaller breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier. Click here to see the top 20 breeds of dog in the U.K. Some people aren't fussy about the pedigree and will happily adopt a mixed-breed or mongrel from a dog home. Once you've chosen the puppy, you'll need to take it to a vet to get all the necessary injections and you might also buy it a flea collar. Then you'll need to house train it and teach it to follow commands, such as 'sit', 'lie down', 'bed' and teach it to do tricks such as 'roll over' and 'give me your paw'. When you take the dog out for a walk, you'll mainly keep it on a lead and you'll need to teach it to 'heal', 'come here' and 'wait' (eg. before crossing the street). When you're in the park, you'll probably let it off its lead and play games such as 'fetch' ('go fetch!''). You'll also need to feed it a couple of times a day; most dog owners buy tinned dog food or dog biscuits. You'll also want to have some dog treats to reward it for being a good girl/boy and of course you'll often stroke, pat or cuddle your dog too! Not everyone's a dog person and some people get bothered by their smell, or by dog hair getting everywhere. It's also annoying when a dog jumps up at you, especially if they have muddy paws. Some people are simply allergic to dogs. Many people get really annoyed by dog owners letting their dogs poo in the street and not clearing up after them. The problem of dog's poo and the smell of dog's pee on the pavements is the main reason why some people feel that dogs should be banned from cities. It's also a pain when a dog barks, growls or yaps at you as you walk past its owner's garden, especially when the barking sets off other dogs in the neighbourhood. This happens a lot where I live! Some breeds are dangerous and can bite you, in which case they should wear a muzzle. If you don't like dogs at all, you might even refer to it as a 'mut' (for any dog) or a 'yappy dog' (a small annoying dog). As for me, I'm definitely a dog-person, although I don't want to keep one in my flat as I'm away most of the day and it wouldn't be fair to leave the dog at home alone. But whenever I return to England, I always look forward to seeing my mum's lively, lovable Jack Russel! Glossary a pet: domácí zvíře a breed: the race of an animal / rasa temperament: the personality of an animal fussy: úzkostlivý a pedigree: rodokmen a mongrel: voříšek a puppy: štěně a vet: a vetinary surgeon / veterinář a flea collar: a dog collar to protect against fleas / obojek proti blechám to house train: to train a dog to behave itself in the house (not go to the toilet, etc) a command: povel to roll over: převrátit se paw: tlapka a lead: vodítko 'heal!': walk by me! / k noze! to play fetch: aportavat tinned: v konzervě a treat: food (eg. biscuits) for being good / odměna to stroke: hladit to pat: popleskat to cuddle: mazlit to get bothered: být otrávený muddy: zablacený poo: nice word for shit! / bobek pee: nice word for piss! / čurání be banned from: být zakázaný to be a pain: be annoying / otrava to bark: štěkat to growl: vrčet to yap: nafat to set off: spustit to bite: kousat a muzzle: náhubek to tease: dobírat si / škádlit Both downhill and cross-country skiing are popular winter pastimes in the Czech Republic and at this time of year I often talk to my students about their ski trips.
When it comes to downhill skiing and snowboarding, a lot of Czechs complain that ski resorts in the Czech mountains are overcrowded with frequent queues in front of the ski lifts. They say that the ski slopes are too short, narrow, steep and bumpy and the weather is unreliable. So many prefer to travel a little further to bigger and better ski resorts in the Austrian Alps, where there are longer, straighter ski runs, heated cable cars and better skiing conditions. The skiing season lasts longer in the Alps too thanks to the glaciers and the higher altitude. However, the infrastructure has improved in the Czech mountains over the years and there are more chair lifts operating these days and fewer queues in front of them. Thanks to the improvements, Czech ski resorts are attracting more domestic and foreign skiers than ever before. Most resorts also use snow cannons to provide artificial snow, so they operate even when there is a lack of snowfall. The Czech skiing season normally runs from December to March As for me, I'm still a beginner and I've only just mastered the parallel turn (though I still tend to plough my way down steep slopes!). My experience of skiing over here is limited to three ski resorts: Pec pod Sněžkou, Herlíkovice and Ještěd. The resort Herlíkovice operates a ski bus service from Prague, which sets off early morning from Černý Most and comes back the same evening. I've used it a few times and I think it's a great service for people like me who don't have a car. To use the ski bus, you need to reserve your place by phone and you buy the ski pass as you board the bus. You also get a 30% discount from the local ski rental, so the whole day, including the ski pass and full set of boots, skis and ski sticks (they usually give you a helmet for free) costs around 1500 CZK. The ski slopes in Herlíkovice are quite steep at the bottom, but there is a gentler slope at the top for beginners. There is also a cross-country skiing trail along the mountain ridge. Three types of ski lifts are operated there: four-seater chair lifts and two types of drag lifts: t-bar lifts and button lifts along the nursery slopes. The toughest part for me is riding the t-bar lift at the beginning as it runs up a very steep, bumpy slope and it's easy to lose your balance and fall off, especially if you go with someone taller or shorter than you! Perhaps the Czech terrain is better suited to cross-country skiing, and there are many trails in mountain regions. Cross-country skiing is also much cheaper than downhill skiing, as you don't need to pay for a ski pass. On the other hand, it can be more physically demanding as you also need to use the muscles in the upper part of your body as well as in your legs. When I tried it in the ski resort of Bedřickov, my whole body ached afterwards. Perhaps I still need to work on my technique! Both cross-country skiing and downhill skiing are a great way to spend a day or two in the snow-covered Czech countryside in the wintertime. And let's not forget to mention another great Czech skiing tradition: to end the day in a pub for a well-earned beer and a hearty meal! glossary downhill skiing: sjezdové lyžováni cross-country skiing: běh na lyžích pastime: hobby / koníček when it comes to…: regarding / co se týče ski resorts: lyžařské středisko overcrowded: přecpaný queue: fronta ski lift: lyžařský vlek ski slopes / ski runs: sjezdovka cable cars: lanovky glaciers: ledovce altitude: nadmořská výška narrow: úzký steep: strmý, prudký bumpy: hrbolatý chair lifts: sedačková lanovka skier: lyžař(ka) snow cannons: sněhové dělo artificial snow: umělý sníh snowfall: sněžení to master sth: to become very good at sth / naučit se parallel turn: to turn with your skis parallel to each other plough: plužit to set off: to leave / depart / vyrazit ski rental: ski hire (shop) / půjčovna ski sticks: ski poles / lyžařské hůlky trail: stezka (mountain) ridge: hřeben drag lifts: vleky t-bar lift: kotva button lift: poma nursery slope: ski slope for beginners bumpy: nerovný to lose your balance: ztratit rovnováhu terrain: terén physically-demanding: fyzicky náročné hearty (meal): syté jidlo Chlebíčky, or ‘little breads’ (to use the literal English translation), are the centrepiece of the traditional Czech party food spread. They are often translated into English as ‘open sandwiches’ or ‘sliced bread with topping,’ but no English translation can do them justice and properly describe what they are. Chlebíčky are certainly a lot more than ‘open sandwiches.’ If you imagine opening a typical British sandwich (or ‘sarnie’ as we sometimes call them) and then placing the separate slices of bread on a plate to reveal the filling, it wouldn’t look at all appetizing! Chlebíčky, on the other hand, should be mouth-watering to look at. To make them, you need to start with slices of oval shaped white bread (called veka in Czech), then add a decorative topping. Popular toppings include potato, egg or crab salad, grated cheese with garlic and mayonnaise or cream cheese. Then on top of the ‘topping’, you might add such things as rolled up slices of ham, half a boiled egg, slices of soft cheese, thin slices of pickled gherkins or slices of pepper – anything you like providing the combination ingredients go well together. They are also often garnished with herbs, such as parsley, or a lettuce leaf. The result is something that is decorative to look at but not so healthy to eat due to the amount of mayonnaise and dairy products used! Chlebíčky make the perfect party food because they are relatively easy to prepare and always look good on a plate. They are especially popular on New Year’s Eve and at any family celebrations, but you can also buy them in traditional Czech cafes and delicatessens. Personally, I think they make the perfect breakfast, and I often grab a couple of chlebíčky from a nearby deli before my morning classes begin. My favourite topping is cream cheese with sundried tomatoes and peppers - yummy! Although the British sandwich can be just as tasty as chlebíčky, they are quite mundane to look at in comparison. And while the Czechs tend to eat chlebíčky on special occasions, the British eat sandwiches all the time – sandwiches are often the key component of a British packed lunch eaten by everyone from office workers to school children. Popular fillings include ham, roast chicken, sliced cheese and tomatoes, but my favourite filling is cheddar cheese and sweet onion chutney. Some British sandwiches have more bizarre fillings such as sliced cucumber, sliced banana, chips, crisps or marmite – which is spreading made from yeast. In fact, I used to eat banana sandwiches as a child, but I don’t think I’ll be putting bananas in sandwiches again! One big advantage of sandwiches is that they are highly portable, that is you can wrap them up, throw them into your bag and it doesn’t matter if they get turned upside down, unlike chlebíčky which you always have to carry flat so that the topping doesn’t fall off! Now I’m feeling a bit peckish, so I’m off make myself a marmite sandwich! Glossary centerpiece: main attraction (party) spread: arrangement of food on a table topping: ingredients on top filling: náplň appetizing: tasty and attractive mouth-watering: looking delicious grated: nastrouhanou rolled up: pickled gherkins: nakládané okurky garnished: obložený parsley: petržel lettuce leaf: list salátu dairy products: mléčné výrobky delicatessen / deli: lahůdky mundane: boring & ordinary component: part bizarre: strange; unusual chips: hranolky crisps: brambůrky / chipsy yeast: droždí portable: easy to carry (turn) upside down: vzhůru nohama peckish: hungry The days are getting shorter, the light is fading, and the chilly temperatures remind us that autumn is gradually turning into winter. Such a gloomy time of year, but do not despair! Saint Martin’s festival is just around the corner ready to bring some cheer into our lives.
On November 11th (or on the preceding or following weekends) the tradition is to gorge on corn-fed roast goose and sample St. Martins wine, which is young wine that has only been fermenting for a few weeks. Traditionally, the first bottle should be opened at precisely 11:11 am on the eleventh day in the eleventh month. Pubs, restaurants, and wine cellars across the country offer a special menu over the St. Martin’s weekend and often tables are fully booked. There are also some outdoor events, such as the Goose Fest in Prague’s Smíchovská Náplavka, where visitors can sample pancakes cooked in goose fat, and in the square of Jiřího z Poděbrad, where Bohemian and Moravian winemakers bring their young wines for visitors to taste. There is a local saying (“Martin is coming on a white horse”), which signifies that this is the time when we can expect the first snowfall. Indeed, in many European countries, the festival of St. Martin used to officially mark the end of the autumn harvest and the start of the winter season. Legend has it that the saint, trying to escape being ordained as a bishop, ran into a pen of geese, where their loud crackling gave him away. The festival originated in France and has been widely adopted in many European countries, although it never took off in Britain. This is possibly because it clashes with Remembrance Day, which also falls on November 11th (the day when the armistice ending the First World War was signed in 1918), and is a time when we commemorate the sacrifice made by British and overseas service men and women who lost their lives in all the wars since World War 1. However, the main ceremonies take place on the second Sunday in November. Perhaps Thanksgiving, which is celebrated in America at the end of November, is closer to the spirit of St. Martins. Although the origins are different, both festivals celebrate the abundance of the harvest. As for me, I like roast goose and dumplings, although I prefer roast duck, and I’m not so keen on young wine as it’s far too sour for my taste. Instead, I prefer to wash the meal down with a glass or two of good Czech beer! Glossary chilly: cold gloomy: depressing / dark just around the corner: coming soon gorge on: eat a lot of corn-fed roast goose: kukuřicí krmená pečená husa ferment: kvasit wine cellar: vinný sklep sample: try (some food or drink) winemaker: vinař Legend has it: According to legend ordained as a bishop: vysvěcen na biskupa crackle: noise that geese make when they are excited took off (take off): became popular clash with: happen at the same time (as something else) commemorate: připomínat abundance: hojnost harvest: sklizeňssklizeňklsklizeňizeň sour: kyselý wash a meal down with (beer): zapít (spláchnout) jídlo pivem The summer holiday season is approaching and many of us are thinking about getting away from it all. With the recent easing of lockdowns across Europe, borders between EU countries have begun opening again. Czechia has adopted a traffic light system whereby the three traffic light colours denote three categories of risk. Most EU countries are now green, which means there is a low risk of contagion from Covid-19. Citizens and permanent residents from these countries can now travel freely without needing to prove they are not infected by the Covid-19 virus. Countries of amber (orange) colour are medium risk, and the red colour denotes high risk. At the time of writing, the United Kingdom is one of the few European countries still coloured red.
Travel to and from medium and high-risk countries is discouraged and restrictions are still in place. Citizens leaving and entering these countries need to provide a negative test for Covid-19, prove of previous infection or a vaccination certificate. Travellers from high-risk countries also need or undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine upon arrival or departure. EU-wide vaccine passports have also been approved and should be recognised in multiple member states. Arrangements and conditions between European countries are changing by the day, so it's important to keep up to date. One thing is for sure – as Britain continues to be adversely affected by the Delta variant, it looks set to remain a ‘red’ country for some time, and travel to and from the country will be continue being problematic! There are numerous ways to book a holiday. Some people prefer booking last-minute deals with a travel agency because a lot of bargains can be found, especially if you are flexible with time and choice of destination. Shopping around for deals and booking holidays online has become increasingly popular over the years. Many people prefer to book accommodation independently (i.e. not with a travel agency) and make their own travel arrangements to their holiday destination. Others prefer to book all-inclusive package holidays months in advance, which is especially convenient if you are holidaying with children. Popular summer holiday destinations for Czech holidaymakers include countries such as Croatia, Italy, Greece and Turkey. Many of my students drive to Italy or Croatia and return to the same beach resort year after year. Popular domestic holiday destinations include the mountain resorts of Krkonoše and Jizerké hory, where hiking and mountain biking are popular activities. This year many Czech tourists are choosing to have their holidays within the country because of the risks and restrictions due to the pandemic. Holidaying within your country is sometimes called a staycation, which is a new term in English. Last year, many people had booked holidays abroad before the pandemic, which were later cancelled. Some travellers have received a refund or a voucher to use at a later date. However, some flights are non-refundable, and many airlines prefer passengers to rebook their flights. This year's trend in Britain is to double-book holidays (i.e. book one holiday in Britain and one abroad over the same time period). This is because British holidaymakers want the option to fall back on a domestic holiday if their preferred holiday abroad gets cancelled due to travel restrictions. Because of the low or non-existent deposits on domestic holiday bookings, most British hotels are fully booked throughout the summer. When it comes to accommodation, we can choose from hotels (full or half board), family-run guest houses, smaller bed and breakfast establishments, self-catering flats and campsites. Camping and campervanning are very popular holidays in Britain, in spite of the unreliable weather. Some people prefer staying in large hotel resorts, others prefer locations off the beaten track so they can avoid the tourist hordes. Students and other travellers on a low budget might be prepared to rough it. They may choose to go backpacking and stay in hostels with kitchens so they can prepare their own meals and save money. Hitchhiking and using public transport is another way to stretch the budget. As for me, one of my best beach holidays was in south Croatia, where I rented a self-catering flat with a balcony in a small beach resort called Gradec. I love the small bays, clear waters and pebbly beaches there. One of my favourite holiday activities was getting up early at 7am for a morning swim in the sea, then returning to the flat for a shower and a breakfast of local bread, cheese, tomatoes and olives. After that, I returned to the beach to swim, snorkel and sunbathe. In the evening, I enjoyed going for a stroll around the harbour and watching the sunset over the sea. After that I found a local restaurant where I ate seafood and drank wine. My perfect holiday! Glossary to get away from it all: go on holiday to escape the daily stress of life easing of lockdowns: uvolňování karantény borders: hranice traffic light: semafor contagion: nákaza citizens: občané permanent residents: osoby s trvalým pobytem infected: nakažený to discourage: odradit restrictions are in place: omezení trvají to undergo: podstoupit mandatory: povinné quarantine: karanténa to keep up to date: sledovat, jaká je aktuální situace to book (a holiday, flight,etc): to reserve / pay for (a holiday, flight, etc) (last-minute) deals: nabídky travel agents: cestovní kanceláře bargains: výhodná koupě to shop around: to compare prices of goods or services from different companies, shops, etc (all-inclusive) package holiday: zájezd convenient: výhodný holidaymakers: people on holiday, especially a package holiday Croatia: Chorvatsko coastal/beach resort: přímořské letovisko domestic (holiday): domácí hiking: walking in hills or mountains / pěší turistika mountain biking: jízda na horském kole a staycation: a holiday at home (derived from combining 'stay' and 'vacation') to cancel: zrušit a refund: money given back voucher: poukázka non-refundable: refunds can't be given airlines: letecká společnost rebook: změnit termín / přebukovat double-book: make two simulaneous bookings fall back on (another plan): mít v záloze full/half board: plná penze / polopenze (family-run) guest house: rodinný penzion bed and breakfast establishment: a room and breakfast in the residents home. self-catering (flat): vlastní stravování campsites: kempy camping: kempování campervanning: autokempink off the beaten track: away from all the other tourists tourist hordes: a lot of tourists together in one place on a low budget: with not much money to rough it: to live in simple, basic conditions to go backpacking: to travel with a backpack / cestovat s batohem (to go) hitchhiking: stopování / jet autostopem to stretch the budget: to find ways to make your money last longer bay: záliv pebbly (beach): beach with pebbles (small stones) / oblázková (pláž) snorkel: šnorchlovat sunbathe: opalovat se go for a stroll: go for a walk (for pleasure) harbour: přístav sunset: západ slunce seafood: plody moře The 2021 Ice Hockey World Championship is well underway, so now is a good time to write about one of the most popular spectator sports in the Czech Republic. Ice hockey is a contact team sport played on a rink and the game is very fast-paced. Each team has 5 skaters and a goalie on the rink at any time as well as several additional players sitting on the substitution bench. During the game, the players use their sticks to control a puck and pass it to their team mates. Whenever a player gets the chance, he tries to shoot the puck into their opponent’s net to score goals. The players need to both attack and defend against the opposing team and there is a high risk of injury so the players need to wear helmets and protective pads or guards. If a player commits a foul, the referee sends him to the penalty box for a period of time. In the group stages of the 2016 tournament, the Czechs outplayed most of their opponents and they won all but one of the matches. They beat some of the traditionally strong teams, such as Russia (3-0), Sweden (4-2) and they thrashed Norway (7-0). In some for these matches, they even kept a clean sheet by not conceding any goals. Towards the end of the match against Switzerland, the Swiss were in the lead and it looked like the Czechs were going to lose the game. But then they equalised just a few minutes before the end of the match and then scored again to win the match 5-4. They only lost one match; against Denmark, which ended in a draw at full-time before going into extra time. The Danes eventually won on penalties in the penalty shootout. The Czechs went through to the play-offs, where they faced the U.S.A. in the quarterfinals. The Czechs were the favourites for this match, which means the odds were in their favour to progress to the semi-finals. Unfortunately, they were beaten by the U.S.A. and were knocked out of the tournament. If they had reached the semis, then a huge screen would have been erected in Prague’s Old Town Square to broadcast the match live to fans. According to one of my students, the Czechs are playing particularly well this year (even without star players). They thrashed Britain 6-1, but then again the British are the underdogs of the tournament! Although this current Czech team has fewer players in the N.H.L. (and in other major international leagues) than in previous years, they are solid, compact and have a strong team spirit. He expects them to get through to the finals and he’s even placed a bet on it! Glossary be well underway: být v plném proudu spectator sports: sports which people enjoy watching fast-paced: rychlé tempo skaters: bruslaři a goalie (goalkeeper / goaltender): brankář players: hráči the substitution bench: střídačka sticks: hole puck: puk pass (the puck) to sb: přihrát team mates: spoluhráče shoot (the puck) into their opponent’s net: do soupeřovy branky attack: útočit defend against: bránit opposing team: soupeř injury: zranění helmets: helma protective pads / guards: chrániče commits a foul: faulovat referee: rozhodčí penalty box: trestná lavice group stages: skupinová fáze outplay: přehrát beat: porazit thrash: rozdrtit in the lead: ve vedení equalise: vyrovnat score (a goal): dát gól concede (goals): dostat gól keep a clean sheet: not concede any goals during a match end in a draw: skončit remízou extra time: prodloužení penalty shootout: nájezdy go through to the play-offs: postoupit do play off the quarterfinals: čtvrtfinále favourites: favorité the odds are in their favour: hraje jim do kraret the semi-finals: semifinále (huge) screen: obrazovka broadcast (the match) live: živý přenos / živé vysílání team spirit: kolektivní duch place a bet on (a game): vsadit si na be knocked out (of a tournament): být vyřazen referee: rozhodčí solid (team): sehraný support (a team): fandit underdogs: teams not expected to do well tournament: turnaj Spring is in full swing, it’s getting warmer, the trees are blossoming, the flowers are blooming and the garden centres are busy. Spring is the season when many Czechs resume one of their favourite national pastimes; tending their gardens or allotments. If you have green fingers, then this article is especially for you. Typical gardening jobs in spring include digging up vegetable patches or flower beds (with a spade), sowing seeds and planting flower bulbs or saplings. Other common gardening jobs include weeding, and pruning or trimming trees, hedges and bushes. The sound of lawn mowers cutting the grass (or mowing the lawn) is also commonplace in spring. In the autumn, the main job for many is raking up fallen leaves (with a rake) and preparing the garden for the winter. It’s also the season for trimming trees and bushes. In England it’s common to make a bonfire and burn fallen leaves and cut branches. Over here, bonfires are less frequent as they're illegal in many places. Autumn is also the season for sowing (winter) vegetable seeds and planting spring flower bulbs I live in a small block of flats (bytovka) and we have a communal garden around the building. Each occupant has responsibility for a section of the garden. Our routine gardening jobs include mowing the lawn (I use an electric lawn mower) and, as we have a hedge in our section, I also need to trim it from time to time (with an electric hedge-trimmer). We also need to pull out the weeds from the flower bed or from between the paving stones. We’ve tried using weedkiller, but they keep growing back! We put the grass cuttings and weeds onto the compost heap, or into compost bins for collection. We also have a flower bed in the garden, where tulips and daffodils are grown. We also have window boxes with flowers and we keep pot plants and herbs, which need regular watering (with a watering can). The neighbours have a greenhouse in their garden, where they grow tomatoes and peppers. And of course we shouldn't forget the nation's favourite garden activity when the weather is nice: having a barbecue! Glossary be in full swing: be in the middle of (an activity) to blossom (trees): kvést to bloom (flowers): kvést a garden centre: zahradnictví to tend (a garden): to work in / look after a garden an allotment: zahrádka to have green fingers: someone who likes / is good at gardening to dig up: vykopat / zrýt vegetable patch: vegetable garden / zeleninový záhon flower bed: květinový záhon a spade: rýč to sow seeds: zasít semena to plant: zasadit (flower) bulbs: cibule saplings: sazenice weeding: removing weeds / odstraňování plevele to trim / prune (a tree): oříznout / zastřihnout a hedge: živý plot bushes: keře a lawn mower: sekačka to rake up: shrabat a rake: hrábě a bonfire: táborák / ohýnek branches: větve communal: shared an occupant: obyvatel paving stones: dlažební kostky weed killer: substance for killing weeds / herbicid grass cuttings: posekaná tráva a compost heap: kompost daffodils: narcisy a water can: konev a window box: truhlík a pot plant: pokojová květina herbs: bylinky a greenhouse: skleník (to have) a barbecue: grilování Easter is upon us and now is a good time to look at different Easter traditions in both the Czech Republic and the U.K.
The period of lent begins on Ash Wednesday in the U.K. The day before, Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday as it’s often called in Britain, is the day when many families eat pancakes. Traditionally, lent is the period of fasting during the forty days before Easter. Making pancakes was a way of using up ingredients (such as flour, eggs and sugar) which were considered to be unsuitable to eat during lent. All across Britain, many schools and communities organise pancake races, in which participants run a set distance tossing pancakes in a frying pan as they run. The Easter weekend begins on Good Friday, the day when Christ was crucified. Good Friday recently became a bank holiday in the Czech Republic (like in the U.K. and most other European countries). Easter Sunday, the day when Christ ascended into heaven, is the big day for celebrations. Christians across the world go to church where they attend a special mass. In England people bake hot cross buns, which is a sweet bread with a cross on top symbolising the crucifix. British people also bake Easter biscuits made with currants and cinnamon. Many British people eat lamb on Easter Sunday and Czech families bake the ‘Easter ram’, a tradition started by families who couldn’t afford lamb (or didn't want to eat it) at Easter so instead they baked a cake in the form of a little ram. Czech families also bake sweet bread with raisins and Easter stuffing made with bread, herbs, eggs and ham. Families in both countries paint eggs and display them as decorations. Other Easter decorations include chicks and bunnies as they are also symbols of birth and a new start in life. Children in both countries receive chocolate eggs, but this is a lot more commercialised in Britain, where shops and supermarkets sell a range of chocolate eggs and Easter confectionary in different forms and sizes in the weeks before Easter. Easter Monday is a bank holiday in both countries, but the festivities are a lot more exciting over here. Czech males make (or buy) whips out of willow sticks which are woven together with a ribbon tied on top. The invigorating spring energy of the willow plant is then transferred to all the women through whipping, which should keep them youthful. On the morning of Easter Monday, they use the willow whip to gently tap (the verb 'whip' or 'beat' is too violent here) the behinds of all the women in their vicinity, starting with the women in their home. Men and boys then move out into the streets and call on all the women they know in their neighbourhood. In return for the 'whipping', the men receive an egg or a shot of alcohol. But in some regions, the men get a bucket of cold water thrown over them if they whip their womenfolk after midday! And in the village where my in-laws live, the local tradition dictates that on a leap year, the men are whipped by the women for a change. I’ve experienced this personally - not many English men can say that they have been whipped by their mother-in-law! Last year's festivities were a more low-key affair due to the Covid-19 restrictions on public gatherings. However, this year I expect all the Easter traditions to spring back again! Glossary upon us: coming soon lent: velikonoční půst Ash Wednesday: Popeleční středa Shrove Tuesday: Masopustní úterý Pancake (Tuesday): palačinka fasting: půst tossing/to toss: přehazovat frying pan: pánev na smažení crucified/to crucify: ukřižovat ascended/to ascend: to go up mass (church): mše buns: sweet bread rolls / houska cinnamon: skořice currants: small raisins lamb: jehněčí /jehně ram: beran raisins: rozinky stuffing: nádivka herbs: bylinky chicks: kuřátka confectionary: sladkostki / cukrovinky festivities: celebrations a whip/to whip: pomlázka / šlehat willow: vrba woven/to weave: tkaný ribbon: stuha invigorating: osvěžující youthful: young to tap sb: gently hit behinds: buttocks / zadek vicinity: the surrounding area to call on sb: to visit sb bucket: kyblík womenfolk: women belonging to a particular community low-key affair: not attracting attention public gatherings: veřejná shromáždění spring back: return (with force) in-laws: the parents and family of your husband or wife leap year: přestupný rok After an unusually mild start to the winter, the temperature has finally fallen below freezing and it's snowing. Ok, so the snowfall wasn't that heavy and there was just a light dusting covering the ground and rooftops, but it finally feels like winter again.
Where I live in Úvaly, whenever the snow covers the pavements outside, everyone brings out snow shovels and clears the snow away. It can be backbreaking work, but I quite enjoy shovelling the snow away as it is a novel experience for me. This is because it hardly ever snows in my part of England due to its milder climate. We have more rain and sleet than snow in the UK, and when it does snow, it rarely settles on the ground. And if we have more than a couple of inches of snow in England, the whole country grinds to a halt: roads are closed off, airports shut down, schools close down, and people are told to stay at home until the snow thaws. In Czechia, on the other hand, local authorities are used to dealing with heavy snowfall. Our town council, for example, immediately sends out gritting lorries (or gritters) to spread grit on the roads in order to help prevent vehicles from skidding. Snow ploughs are also used to clear away the snow after heavy snowfalls. The trains are sometimes delayed, but generally life continues as normal and everyone goes about their daily business. Prague airport normally stays open and they seem to have enough de-icing machines for the aircraft (unlike at Heathrow!). The biggest danger is from snowdrifts blowing over the runways, but their fleet of snow ploughs normally keep them under control, and flights are rarely cancelled. The worst thing about snow is when it melts and turns into slush, or when it freezes over again and makes the streets slippery. In these conditions, people can easily slip over and cars can skid out of control. Falling lumps of snow and icicles from rooftops can become a hazard to cars and passersby below. Snow also sticks to your shoes and makes everything wet and dirty inside. Driving is also more problematic in the winter months. An important job for Czech motorists to do at this time of year is to change their vehicles tyres. Czech law states that motorists must use winter tyres from the beginning of November or whenever the weather becomes wintery. Some car owners change the tyres themselves, whereas others prefer to have them changed professionally by a mechanic. If motorists don’t change their tyres, and are later involved in a traffic accident, then they can be fined heavily for not driving with the correct tyres. Thanks to the milder climate, this is something we don’t have to worry about in the UK, where cars can use the same tyres all year round Now let’s talk about the positive side of snowy weather. The winter scenery outside looks amazing under a blanket of snow, and you can do all kinds of winter sports. You can go ice skating on frozen fishponds or have fun with the kids sledging or tobogganing down the nearest hills. My son loves tobogganing, and he can happily spend hours bombing down the nearby slopes with his friends. You can also head off to the mountains and go downhill skiing in ski resorts (whenever the ski lifts start operating), or go cross-country skiing wherever there is enough snow and a suitable trail. You can have fun in other ways too: who doesn't enjoy a snowball fight? And what child doesn't enjoy building a snowman? And if you don't enjoy the cold weather, you can simply stay inside by the fireplace and watch the snowflakes fall with a cup of something warm in your hands. Mulled wine is one of my favourites. Now I’d like to finish with a common snow-related idiom we sometimes use in English: to be snowed under. When some says they are snowed under at work, it means they have too much work to do at once. Well I sure hope you’re not snowed under right now, and that you have plenty of time to enjoy the winter with your friends and family. Glossary mild: warm (in the winter) mírný snowfall: amount of snow sněžení dusting (of snow): light covering poprašek snow shovels: hrablo na sníh to clear (snow) away: odklidit / uklidit backbreaking: physically demanding vyčerpávající novel: new and interesting nový sleet: mixture of rain and snow déšť se sněhem to settle: to stay in one place zůstat inch(es): palec (2.54cm) to grind to a halt: to stop working completely (especially traffic)zastavit local authorities: místní úřad town council: městský úřad gritting lorry / gritter: sypač snow plough: sněžný pluh to go about your daily business: to continue living as normal plnit své každodenní povinnosti de-icing machines: machines that stop ice from forming rozmrazovací stroj fleet (of snow ploughs): vozový park snowdrift: sněhová závěj to melt: (roz)tát slush: wet melting snow / břečka to freeze over: zamrznout slippery: kluzký slip over: uklouznout skid: smyk lump: a (large) piece hroudy icicles: rampouchy passersby: kolemjdouci (osoby) to get to do something: to have the opportunity to do something moci / být schopen go ice skating: jít bruslit fishponds: rybníky go sledging / tobogganing: jít sáňkovat / sáňkování slope: svah head off: vypravit se go downhill skiing: jít lyžovat go cross-country skiing: jít na běžky / jít běžkovat trail: stezka snowball fight: koulovačka snowman: sněhulák snowflakes: sněhové vločky |
Englishman in PragueThis blog is especially for Czech learners of English. Each article features a Czech tradition or a popular Czech pastime. You'll find lots of vocabulary in each article: useful phrases are in bold and translated in the glossary below. |
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