Czech Translation: What Every Business Needs to Know

The Czech Republic is much more than a tourist crossroads of Central Europe. The country has a dynamic market, driven by diverse sectors such as the automotive, information technology and pharmaceutical industries. However, to effectively address this market, it is not enough to translate your content word for word. Translating content into Czech, a rigorous and nuanced activity, is a strategic move for any company wishing to establish itself or expand its activities there.

Specific Challenges of Czech Translation

Indeed, translating into Czech is not just a simple change of language. Czech is a Slavic language with complex and highly inflectional grammatical structures. For example, a noun can have up to seven grammatical cases, meaning that the change in declension directly affects how a message is interpreted. The length of words, syntax and forms of politeness (notably the use of informal/formal address) are all elements that require perfect mastery.

Another major challenge lies in using the correct terminology that is specific to each sector. Technical, medical, or legal fields require an in-depth knowledge of specific terms in Czech, which are often distinct from German, French, or English equivalents. Therefore, a non-specialised translator can misinterpret the real meaning behind the specialised terms, jeopardising the credibility of the communication.

Differences Between Translation and Localisation in Czech

There is an important difference between translation and localisation. While the former aims for linguistic fidelity, the latter adapts the content to the cultural, behavioural and commercial context of the target country. In Czech, this involves taking into account consumer habits, the tone used in marketing communication, or even the format of dates, currencies and units.

Take the example of an e-commerce site: translating it into Czech without adapting the customer journey (forms, payment methods, legal notices) to the target culture would be ineffective. Similarly, a humorous message or a pun can lose all impact if it is not recreated in a culturally appropriate version. This is the whole challenge of localisation: translating into Czech, of course, but also understanding and adapting to the expectations of the target audience.

Examples of Czech Translation Successes and Failures

Some international brands, such as IKEA, have brilliantly integrated Czech cultural codes, translating not only their content but also their values and tone, in order to better connect with the local consumer. Conversely, many tech companies have suffered from using machine or non-contextualised translation, resulting in instructions for use or manuals that are incomprehensible or even counterproductive.

A notable case involves a French B2B company that translated its industrial product sheets without verifying the terminology: the chosen terms reflected general consumer language, creating discomfort during negotiations with specialised Czech partners. This type of error, although avoidable, highlights the necessity of working with an experienced translation agency specialised in your field.

Moreover, a French online sales platform had the bad idea of translating its banners and newsletters into Czech with Google Translate. Some sentences made no sense or seemed culturally inappropriate. For example, the expression "It's a steal!" was translated literally, losing all idiomatic connotation as there is no equivalent in Czech. Clicks and conversions dropped by 70% due to this literal translation.

Criteria for Choosing the Right Professional Czech Translator

A good Czech translator is not defined solely by their linguistic mastery. Certain qualities are essential to ensure reliable and accurate translations. The translator must:

• be native or fully immersed in the current Czech culture,
• know the realities of the local market and have a professional specialisation (technical, medical, legal, etc.),
• work in coordination with proofreaders and terminologists, and
• use CAT tools to ensure consistency.

Working with a translation agency that offers Czech translation services focused on quality, intercultural understanding and sector expertise is a winning choice in the long term. It is not simply about transposing words from one language to another, but rather fully adapting the content to a demanding and culturally unique audience.

In the Czech Republic, words carry weight, but their context carries even more. Entrusting your communication to Czech translation specialists ensures a smooth, professional and impactful interaction. Are you considering entering the Czech market? Make language your ally, not your obstacle.