Fireworks

The simple word fireworks is a bit difficult to translate correctly into Czech.
The reason is that the word can be translated into several ways in Czech, and these are not interchangeable.
I think that strictly speaking, some of the distinctions are true for English as well. However the common usage lumps everything under “fireworks”. You cannot do the same in Czech and sound correct.

1. Ohňostroj

“Ohňostroj” (literally “the fire machine”) is the fireworks show. In other words, the effects that are visible in the sky. It is sometimes accompanied by music.
Strictly speaking, not everything that you can see in the sky during the New Year’s celebrations is “ohňostroj”. Single burst of light isn’t yet ohňostroj. You need several of
them in row for it to become one.

2. Pyrotechnika

“Pyrotechnika”, “pyrotechnický materiál”, “pyrotechnické zboží”, “zábavní pyrotechnika” all refer to pyrotechnics or unused fireworks. You can find all of them in Czech texts. If you need one word, stick with “pyrotechnika”.

3. Petardy a dělobuchy

“Petarda” and “dělobuch” are the most used alternatives for fireworks when talking about what’s happening in Czech Republic during the New Year’s celebration.
You should use:
Práskají dělobuchy when the sound effect is most important
Střílí se petardy for the rest
to keep the explanation simple.

See this text for short summary and use of almost all words mentioned here.

An additional word is “světlice” (flare) meaning both the flare as understood in English and the material inside a Roman candle (“římská svíce”).

Jesličky, jesle

The Czech word jesle has several meanings, all of which are probably very difficult to translate with just one word.

1. The old meaning

Perhaps the most exact translation is a feed rack. Look at the picture here. Only this is “jesle”. In a stable, and in the nativity scene, the roof part wouldn’t be there, naturally. The Czech Ježíšek sleeps in “jesle”, never in a “koryto” or a “žlab” (both of these words would mean “trough”).

2. Crèche or nursery (as an institution)

A childcare center for children under 3 years. “Dětské jesle” did almost disappear from our life. But in a few towns the institution still exists. Currently, “paní na hlídání” is an alternative where a “jesle” isn’t available. “Paní na hlídání” might mean a babysitter (when needed) or a nanny who comes each work day, and sometimes even a live-in nanny. Another meaning might be a small, private childcare in the babysitter’s home.

3. In sport

In football or similar this means the situation when the ball goes through the legs of the opposition player. In hockey, it is when the puck goes through the legs of the goalkeeper to score a goal.