Anglické slovo pro šuplík: jak ho správně přeložit a kdy použít které slovo

When you're looking for the right word for šuplík, a storage compartment in furniture, typically sliding and used for clothes or documents. Also known as drawer, it's not just a box you pull out — it's part of a larger system that varies by design and use. Many people think "drawer" is the only option, but that’s like saying "car" when you mean "sedan," "truck," or "SUV." The English language has different words depending on what kind of šuplík you mean — and using the wrong one can confuse native speakers or make you sound unnatural.

Let’s say you’re shopping for furniture. If you want the whole piece with multiple šuplíky — like the one in your bedroom holding socks and T-shirts — you don’t say "drawer". You say chest of drawers, a tall piece of furniture with several drawers stacked vertically, commonly used for storing clothes. In Czech, to je ta skříň s pěti šuplíky, ale v angličtině to není jen "five drawers" — to je chest of drawers. If it’s wider than tall and used in the living room for storing linens? Still a chest of drawers. But if it’s a single, standalone šuplík built into a desk? That’s just a drawer, a sliding compartment, usually part of a larger unit like a desk or cabinet. And if you’re talking about a tall, narrow cabinet with doors and maybe a few drawers inside? That’s a commode, a low cabinet with drawers or doors, often used in bedrooms or bathrooms for storage. In Czech, to bychom nazvali "komoda" — ale v angličtině tohle slovo už neznamená jen "komodu". V USA se "commode" často používá jako hovorový výraz pro záchod — takže buďte opatrní.

And what about a wardrobe? That’s not a šuplík at all — it’s a full cabinet for hanging clothes. But if you open its doors and see drawers inside? Those are still drawers. The key is context. If you’re in a hotel and ask for "more drawers," they’ll bring you a small drawer unit. If you say "I need a chest," they might bring you a wooden box. Language isn’t about direct translation — it’s about what people actually say. That’s why knowing the difference between drawer, chest of drawers, and commode matters. You don’t want to sound like you’re ordering furniture from a robot.

So next time you’re packing for a trip, writing an email to a foreign colleague, or just trying to understand a furniture catalog, remember: šuplík isn’t one word in English. It’s a category. And choosing the right term makes you sound fluent, not like a tourist with a phrasebook. Below, you’ll find real-life examples from posts that explain how these terms show up in everyday situations — from buying furniture to fixing a stuck drawer, and why getting it right saves you time, money, and embarrassment.