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147 Basic Croatian Words and Phrases for Tourists (with audio)

In this blog post, I will introduce you to more than 147 basic Croatian words that could be very useful during your stay in Croatia.

They will not only make your travel smoother but also help you connect with the friendly locals, enabling you to immerse yourself more deeply in Croatia’s vibrant culture.

The most fascinating words await you at the very end of the post — keep reading for an exciting surprise!

Table of Contents

Basic Croatian Words and Phrases

Basic Croatian words and phrases are your friendly companions while exploring Croatia!

They’ll assist you in starting conversations, being polite, and navigating smoothly.

Whether it’s greeting someone, seeking directions, or ordering tasty food, these phrases will enhance your trip, making it more enjoyable and fostering connections with the friendly locals!

Here is the list of basic words and phrases that you should know:

Hi! – Bok! [/bohk/] (informal)
Good day! – Dobar dan! [/doh-bahr dahn/] (formal)
Thank you! – Hvala! [/h-vah-lah/]
Please – Molim [/moh-leem/]
Yes – Da [/dah/]
No – Ne [/neh/]
Maybe – Možda [/moh-zh-dah/]
Excuse me / Sorry – Oprosti [/oh-proh-stee/]
Goodbye – Doviđenja [/doh-vee-dyeh-nyah/]
Good morning – Dobro jutro [/doh-broh yoo-troh/]
Good afternoon – Dobar dan [/doh-bahr dahn/]
Good evening – Dobra večer [/doh-brah veh-cher/]
I need help – Trebam pomoć [/treh-bahm poh-mohtch/]
I’m lost – Izgubio sam se [/eez-goo-byoh sahm seh/]
Water – Voda [/voh-dah/]
Food – Hrana [/hrah-nah/]
Beer – Pivo [/pee-voh/]
Wine – Vino [/vee-noh/]
Cheers! – Živjeli! [/zhee-vyeh-lee/]
Help! – Upomoć! [/oo-poh-mohtch/]
I don’t understand – Ne razumijem [/neh rah-zoo-mee-yem/]
My name is Petar – Zovem se Petar [/zoh-vehm seh peh-tahr/]
How much does this cost? – Koliko ovo košta? [/koh-lee-koh oh-voh koh-shtah/]
Where is the toilete? – Gdje je toalet? [/gdyeh yeh toh-ah-let/]
Do you speak English? – Govorite li engleski? [/goh-voh-ree-teh lee ehn-gleh-skee/]
Can you take a photo for me? – Možete li me fotografirati? [/moh-zheh-teh lee meh foh-toh-grah-tee/]
What time is it? – Koliko je sati? [/koh-lee-koh yeh sah-tee/]
One moment, please. – Samo trenutak, molim. [/sah-moh treh-noo-tahk, moh-leem/]
That’s all, thank you. – To je sve, hvala. [/toh yeh sve, hvah-lah/]
Can you repeat? – Možeš li ponoviti? [/moh-zes lee poh-noh-vee-tee/]
Can you recommend a restaurant? – Možete li preporučiti restoran? [/moh-zeh-teh lee preh-poh-roo-chee-tee reh-stoh-rahn/]

Croatian Numbers

Learning numbers in Croatian can significantly enhance your experience as a tourist in Croatia!

It enables you to comprehend prices, shop effortlessly, dine comfortably, and smoothly use public transportation.

Moreover, it’s a great way to connect with locals, ensuring your trip is enjoyable and stress-free.

Here is the list of most important numbers you should know:

1 – Jedan [/ye-dahn/]
2 – Dva [/dvah/]
3 – Tri [/tree/]
4 – Četiri [/cheh-tee-ree/]
5 – Pet [/peht/]
6 – Šest [/shehst/]
7 – Sedam [/seh-dahm/]
8 – Osam [/oh-sahm/]
9 – Devet [/deh-vet/]
10 – Deset [/deh-set/]
11 – Jedanaest [/ye-dah-nah-ehst/]
12 – Dvanaest [/dvah-nah-ehst/] [/ye-dah-nah-ehst/]
13 – Trinaest [/tree-nah-ehst/] [/ye-dah-nah-ehst/]
14 – Četrnaest [/chehtr-nah-ehst/]
15 – Petnaest [/peht-nah-ehst/]
16 – Šesnaest [/shehst-nah-ehst/]
17 – Sedamnaest [/seh-dahm-nah-ehst/]
18 – Osamnaest [/oh-sahm-nah-ehst/]
19 – Devetnaest [/deh-vet-nah-ehst/]
20 – Dvadeset [/dvah-deh-set/]
30 – Trideset [/tree-deh-set/]
40 – Četrdeset [/chehtr-deh-set/]
50 – Pedeset [/peh-deh-set/]
100 – Sto [/stoh/]
1,000 – Tisuću [/tee-soo-choo/]
10,000 – Deset tisuća [/deh-set tee-soo-cha/]
1,000,000 – Milijun [/mee-lee-yoon/]

Croatian Month Names

Understanding month names in Croatian can greatly benefit tourists in Croatia.

It helps with scheduling activities, knowing when festivals and events take place, and communicating effectively with locals.

Learning these month names can enhance your Croatian adventure.

Here is the list of Croatian month names:

January – Siječanj [/see-yeh-cha-n/]
February – Veljača [/vel-ya-cha/]
March – Ožujak [/oh-zhoo-yahk/]
April – Travanj [/trah-van/]
May – Svibanj [/svee-bahn/]
June – Lipanj [/lee-pan/]
July – Srpanj [/sr-pahn/]
August – Kolovoz [/koh-loh-vohz/]
September – Rujan [/roo-yahn/]
October – Listopad [/lee-stoh-pahd/]
November – Studeni [/stoo-deh-nee/]
December – Prosinac [/proh-see-nahts/]

Croatian Days of the Week

Being familiar with the days of the week in Croatian is a handy tool for planning your activities and engaging with locals during your adventures.

It will enhance your trip by making it easier to schedule boat tours, visit markets, and attend cultural events, all while tapping into the knowledge of friendly locals for their insider tips.

Here is the list of Croatian week day names:

Monday – Ponedjeljak [/poh-neh-dyehl-yahk/]
Tuesday – Utorak [/oo-toh-rahk/]
Wednesday – Srijeda [/sree-yeh-dah/]
Thursday – Četvrtak [/cheht-vuhr-tahk/]
Friday – Petak [/peh-tahk/]
Saturday – Subota [/soo-boh-tah/]
Sunday – Nedjelja [/neh-dyehl-yah/]

Words and Phrases for Greetings

Learning greetings in Croatian is a fantastic way for tourists to connect with the local culture and enhance their experience in Croatia.

Imagine strolling through a local market, spotting a friendly vendor, and greeting them with a warm ‘Dobar dan!’ (Good day).

This simple gesture can create a friendly atmosphere, leading to memorable interactions, positive experiences, and who knows, maybe even a friendly discount.

Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases related to greetings:

Hello – Bok (informal) [/bohk/]
Good day / Good afternoon – Dobar dan (formal) [/doh-bahr dahn/]
Hi / Bye – Bok [/bohk/] or Pozdrav [/poz-drahv/]
Hey – Hej [/heh/]
How are you? – Kako si? /kah-koh see?/]
I’m good, thank you – Dobro sam, hvala [/doh-broh sahm, hvah-lah/]
What is your name? – Kako se zoveš? [/kah-koh seh zoh-vehsh?/]
What’s up? – Što ima novo? [/shtoh ee-mah noh-voh?/]
Nice to see you – Drago mi je vidjeti te [/drah-goh mee yeh veed-yeh-tee teh/]
How’s it going? – Kako ide? [/kah-koh ee-deh?/]
Good – Dobro [/doh-broh/]
Excellent – Odlično [/oh-dlee-chnoh/]
Perfect – Perfektno [/pehr-fehktno/]
Not so good – Ne baš dobro [/neh bahsh doh-broh/]
How’s your day? – Kakav ti je dan? (informal) [/kah-kahv tee yeh dahn/]
Welcome – Dobrodošli [/doh-broh-dohsh-lee/]
Have a nice day – Ugodan dan [/ooh-goh-dahn dahn/]
See you later – Vidimo se kasnije [/vee-dee-moh seh kahs-nee-yeh/]
Take care – Pazite se [/pah-zee-teh seh/]
Thank you – Hvala [/hvah-lah/]
You’re welcome – Nema na čemu [/neh-mah nah cheh-moo/]
Excuse me / Sorry – Oprostite [/oh-proh-stee-teh/]
Pleased to meet you – Drago mi je [/drah-goh mee yeh/]
Congratulations – Čestitam [/cheh-stee-tahm/]
Where are you from? – Odakle si? [/oh-dah-kleh see?/]
I am from Germany – Ja sam iz Njemačke [/yah sahm eez nyeh-mahch-keh/]

Words and Phrases when Asking for Directions and Transportation

Knowing Words and Phrases for asking directions and using transportation in Croatian can greatly enhance your experience while traveling in Croatia.

These phrases enable you to easily navigate the country, seek help when needed, and make your journey more enjoyable and convenient.

Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases related to asking for directions and transportation:

Airplane – Avion [/ah-vee-ohn/]
Airport – Zračna luka [/zra-ch-nah loo-kah/]
Bus – Autobus [/ow-toh-boos/]
Train – Vlak [/vlahk/]
Bus station – Autobusni kolodvor [/ow-toh-boo-snee koh-loh-dvor/]
Train station – Željeznički kolodvor [/zhel-yehz-neech-kee koh-loh-dvor/]
Bank – Banka [/bahn-kah/]
Hotel – Hotel [/hoh-tel/]
Apartment – Stan [/stahn/]
Rent a car – Najam automobila [/nyah-yahm ow-toh-moh-bee-lah/]
Ticket – Karta [/kar-tah/]
Money – Novac [/noh-vats/]
To the right – Desno [/dehs-noh/]
To the left – Lijevo [/lee-yeh-voh/]
Straight ahead – Ravno [/rahv-noh/]
At the corner – Na uglu [/nah oog-loo/]
Street – Ulica [/oo-lee-tsah/]
Bathroom – Kupaonica [/koo-pah-oh-nee-tsah/]
It’s there – To je tamo [/toh yeh tah-moh/]
Upstairs – Na katu [/nah kah-too/]
Downstairs – Dolje [/dohl-yeh/]
Back – Natrag [/naht-rahg/]
Please stop here – Molim vas, zaustavite ovdje [/moh-leem vahs, zah-oos-tah-vee-te ohv-dyeh/]
North – Sjever [/sye-vehr/]
South – Jug [/yoog/]
East – Istok [/ees-tohk/]
West – Zapad [/zah-paht/]
City center – Centar grada [/tsehn-tahr grah-dah/]
Please bring me to this address – Molim vas, odvezite me na ovu adresu [/moh-leem vahs, oh-dveh-zeeteh meh nah oh-voo ah-dreh-soo/]
To the train station, please – Molim vas, do vlak stanice [/moh-leem vahs, doh vlahk stah-nee-tseh/]
To the airport, please – Molim vas, do zračne luke [/moh-leem vahs, doh zra-ch-neh loo-keh/]
Where? – Gdje? [/gd-yeh/]
Is it nearby? – Je li blizu [/yeh lee blee-zoo/]
Is it far away? – Je li daleko [/yeh lee dah-leh-koh/]
Where is the bus stop? – Gdje je autobusna stanica [/gd-yeh yeh ow-toh-boo-snah stah-nee-tsah/]
To where does this bus go? – Kamo ide ovaj autobus [/kah-moh ee-deh oh-vahy ow-toh-boos/]
How much is it? – Koliko košta [/koh-lee-koh koh-shta/]
Where is the train station? – Gdje je željeznički kolodvor [/gd-yeh yeh zheh-lyehz-neech-kee koh-loh-dvor/]
Where is a restaurant? – Gdje je restoran [/gd-yeh yeh reh-stoh-rahn/]
I’m looking for a hotel – Tražim hotel [/trah-zheem hoh-tel/]
I need a hotel – Trebam hotel [/treh-bahm hoh-tel/]
I need a room – Trebam sobu [/treh-bahm soh-boo/]
Where is the currency exchange? – Gdje je mjenjačnica [/gd-yeh yeh myen-yahch-nee-tsah/]
Where is the bank? – Gdje je banka [/gd-yeh yeh bahn-kah/]
Where is the best supermarket? – Gdje je najbolji supermarket [/gd-yeh yeh nai-bohl-yee soo-pahr-mahr-ket/]
Where is the best shopping mall? – Gdje je najbolji trgovački centar [/gd-yeh yeh nai-bohl-yee tr-goh-vahch-kee tsehn-tahr/]
Where is the bedt bakery? – Gdje je najbolja pekara [/gd-yeh yeh nai-bohl-yee peh-kah-rah/]
Where is the nearest gas station? – Gdje je najbliža benzinska postaja [/gd-yeh yeh nai-blee-zhah ben-zin-skah poh-stah-yah/]
Can you show me on the map? – Možete li mi pokazati na karti [/moh-zheh-teh lee mee poh-kah-zah-tee nah kar-tee/]
May I have a city map, please? – Mogu li dobiti kartu grada, molim [/moh-goo lee doh-bee-tee kar-too grah-dah, moh-leem/]
Is the airport far away? – Je li zračna luka daleko [/yeh lee zra-ch-nah loo-kah dah-leh-koh/]

Words and Phrases Related to Food

Learning words and phrases related to food in Croatian is not only important but also a delightful way to explore the flavors and traditions of Croatia.

It enables tourists to enjoy local cuisine, enhance their dining experiences, and connect with the culture in a deliciously friendly manner.

For instance, when ordering dishes at a local restaurant or understanding menu options, these phrases become invaluable.

Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases related to food:

Ice Cream / Gelato – Sladoled [/slah-doh-lehd/]
Food – Hrana [/hra-nah/]
Meal – Obrok [/oh-brohk/]
Breakfast – Doručak [/doh-roo-chahk/]
Lunch – Ručak [/roo-chahk/]
Dinner – Večera [/veh-cheh-rah/]
Snack – Grickalica [/gree-kah-lee-tsah/]
Appetizer – Predjelo [/preh-dyeh-loh/]
Main course – Glavno jelo [/glahv-noh yeh-loh/]
Dessert – Desert [/deh-zehrt/]
Cake – Torta [/tohr-tah/]
Soup – Juha [/yoo-hah/]
Salad – Salata [/sah-lah-tah/]
Bread – Kruh [/krooh/]
Cheese – Sir [/seer/]
Meat – Meso [/meh-soh/]
Beef – Govedina [/goh-veh-dee-nah/]
Pork – Svinjetina [/svee-nyeh-tee-nah/]
Chicken – Piletina [/pee-leh-tee-nah/]
Fish – Riba [/ree-bah/]
Vegetables – Povrće [/poh-vr-cheh/]
Fruits – Voće [/voh-cheh/]
Rice – Riža [/ree-zhah/]
Pasta – Tjestenina [/tyehs-teh-nee-nah/]
Sauce – Umak [/oo-mahk/]
Olive oil – Maslinovo ulje [/mahs-lee-noh-voh ool-yeh/]
Vinegar – Ocat [/o-tsahht/]
Salt – Sol [/sohl/]
Pepper – Papar [/pah-pahr/]
Sugar – Šećer [/sheh-chehr/]
Coffee – Kava [/kah-vah/]
Tea – Čaj [/chahy/]
Milk – Mlijeko [/mlye-yeh-koh/]
Small grilled sausages – Ćevapi [/cheh-vah-pee/]
Traditional dish with meat and vegetables – Peka [/peh-kah/]
Risotto – Rižot [/ree-zhoht/]
Prosciutto – Pršut [/pr-shoot/]
Slow-cooked beef stew – Pašticada [/pahs-tee-tsah-dah/]
Small doughnuts – Fritule [/free-too-leh/]
Pancakes – Palačinke [/pah-lah-cheen-keh/]
Savory pastry – Burek [/boo-rehk/]
Truffle dishes – Jela s tartufima [/yeh-lah s tahr-too-fee-mah/]
Cheese-filled pastry – Štrukli [/shtroo-klee/]
Seafood Platter – Plata morskih plodova [/plah-tah mohr-skee plaw-doh-vah/]
Meat stew – Gulaš [/goo-lahsh/]
Fish stew – Brodet [/broh-deht/]
Grilled skewers – Ražnjići [/rahzh-nee-chee/]
Salted codfish – Bakalar [/bah-kah-lahr/]
Spicy sausage from Slavonia region – Kulen [/koo-lehn/]
Red pepper relish – Ajvar [/ahy-vahr/]
Cream cake – Kremšnita [/krems-knee-tah/]
Traditional fruit brandy – Rakija [/rah-kee-yah/]

Words and Phrases at the Restaurant and Cafe

Getting to know words and phrases for dining in Croatian can add a delightful layer to your experience in Croatia.

These phrases not only ensure a smooth dining adventure but also open doors to building warm relationships with local staff.

This can potentially lead to special bonuses, additional services, and even the possibility of forming long-lasting friendships during your visit.

Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases to use in restaurants and cafes:

Sparkling water – Gazirana voda [/gah-zee-rah-nah voh-dah/]
Waiter – Konobar [/koh-noh-bahr/]
Waitress – Konobarica [/koh-noh-bah-ree-tsah/]
The check, please – Račun, molim [/rah-choon, moh-leem/]
Cheers – Živjeli [/zhee-vyeh-lee/]
Enjoy your meal – Uživajte u obroku [/oo-zhee-vah-yeh-teh oo oh-broh-koo/]
Spicy – Ljuto [/lyoo-toh/]
Sweet – Slatko [/slaht-koh/]
Sour – Kiselo [/kee-seh-loh/]
Napkin – Servijeta [/sehr-vee-yeh-tah/]
Plate – Tanjur [/tahn-yoor/]
Fork – Vilica [/vee-lee-tsah/]
Spoon – Žlica [/zhlee-tsah/]
Knife – Nož [/nohz/]
Glass – Čaša [/chah-shah/]
Cup – Šalica [/shah-lee-tsah/]
Men – Muškarci [/moosh-kahr-tsee/]
Women – Žene [/zh-yeh-neh/]
Vegetarian – Vegetarijanac [/veh-geh-tah-ree-yah-nahts/]
Tap water – Voda iz pipe [/voh-dah eez pee-peh/]
Another one, please! – Još jedno, molim [/yosh yehd-noh, moh-leem/]
Where is the bathroom? – Gdje je WC? [/gd-yeh yeh w-kay/]
A table for two, please – Stol za dvoje, molim [/stohl zah dvoh-yeh, moh-leem/]
I reserved a table – Rezervirao/la sam stol [/reh-zehr-vee-rah-oh/lah sahm stohl/]
Can I see the menu, please? – Mogu li vidjeti jelovnik, molim? [/moh-goo lee veed-yeh-tee yeh-lohv-neek, moh-leem/]
Can I see the wine list, please? – Mogu li vidjeti popis vina, molim? [/moh-goo lee veed-yeh-tee poh-pees vee-nah, moh-leem/]
I would like a pizza – Želio/la bih pizzu [/zheh-lee-oh/lah bee peet-sah/]
Can we order? – Možemo li naručiti? [/moh-zheh-moh lee nah-roo-chee-tee/]
What’s the difference between gulaš and fish stew? – Koji je razlika između gulaša i riblje juhe? [/koh-yee yeh rahz-lee-kah eez-meh-joo goo-lah-shah ee ree-blyeh chor-beh/]
Is that gluten-free? – Je li to bez glutena? [/yeh lee toh behz gloo-teh-nah/]
A glass of water, please – Čašu vode, molim [/chah-shoo voh-deh, moh-leem/]
Can I have a receipt, please? – Mogu li dobiti račun, molim? [/moh-goo lee doh-bee-tee rah-choon, moh-leem/]

Words and Phrases for Accommodation

Being familiar with Words and Phrases related to accommodation in Croatian is like having a personal guide for a comfortable and stress-free stay in Croatia.

Whether you’re checking in, expressing your room preferences, or seeking insider recommendations from the hotel staff, these phrases are your go-to tools for making your visit as cozy and enjoyable as possible.

Inquiring about travel tips or arranging a late check-out? These expressions also add a touch of friendliness to every interaction.

Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases related to accommodation:

Hotel – Hotel [/hoh-tehl/]
Room – Soba [/soh-bah/]
Apartment – Apartman [/ah-pahrt-mahn/]
Bed – Krevet [/kreh-vet/]
Night – Noć [/noh-ch/]
Day – Dan [/dahn/]
Pool – Bazen [/bah-zen/]
Room service – Posluga u sobi [/pohs-loo-gah oo soh-bee/]
View – Pogled [/poh-gled/]
A balcony – Balkon [/bah-lkohn/]
Terrace – Krovna terasa [/teh-rah-sah/]
Gym – Teretana [/teh-reh-tah-nah/]
Beach – Plaža [/plah-zhah/]
Lobby – Hol [/hohl/]
The swimming pool – Bazenski kompleks [/bah-zen-skee kohm-plehks/]
Air conditioning – Klima uređaj [/klee-mah oo-reh-dyahy/]
Television – Televizija [/teh-leh-vee-zee-yah/]
An extra bed – Dodatni krevet [/doh-dah-tni kreh-vet/]
Sea view – Pogled na more [/poh-gled nah moh-reh/]
City view – Pogled na grad [/poh-gled nah grahd/]
I have a reservation under the name of Perković – Imam rezervaciju na ime Perković [/ee-mahm reh-zehr-vah-tsee-yoo nah ee-meh Per-koh-veech/]
One night – Jedna noć [/yehd-nah noch/]
Two nights – Dvije noći [/dvee-yeh noh-chee/]
Three nights – Tri noći [/tree noh-chee/]
A room with a double bed – Soba s bračnim krevetom [/soh-bah s brah-chee-yehm kreh-veh-tohm/]
Where is the pool? – Gdje je bazen? [/gd-yeh yeh bah-zen/]
What time is breakfast? – U koliko sati je doručak? [/oo koh-lee-koh sah-tee yeh doh-roo-chahk/]
Can I request a late check-out? – Mogu li zatražiti kasni odjavak? [/moh-goo lee zah-trah-zhee-tee kahs-nee oh-dyah-vahk/]
Do you have room service? – Imate li poslugu u sobi? [/ee-mah-teh lee pohs-loo-goo oo soh-bee/]
What is the WiFi password? – Koja je lozinka za WiFi? [/koh-yah yeh loh-zee-nkah zah WiFi/]

Words and Phrases while Shopping and at the Market

Having a few handy words and phrases for shopping and exploring Croatian markets can make a real difference for tourists.

It’s not just about purchasing souvenirs; it’s about sparking friendly interactions with local vendors, haggling with a smile at lively street markets, and gaining insider tips from charming local shops.

These experiences add up to a fun and culturally enriching shopping adventure!

Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases to use at the market:

Cash – Gotovina [/goh-toh-vee-nah/]
Credit card – Kreditna kartica [/kree-deet-nah kahr-tee-tsah/]
Pay – Platiti [/plah-tee-tee/]
Small – Mali [/mah-lee/]
Big – Velik [/veh-leek/]
Open – Otvoreno [/oh-tvoh-reh-noh/]
Close – Zatvoreno [/zah-tvoh-reh-noh/]
Shop – Trgovina [/tr-goh-vee-nah/]
Keep the change – Uredu je [/oo-reh-doo yeh/]
Contactless payment – Bezkontaktno plaćanje [/behz-kohn-tahktnoh plah-chah-nyeh/]
Do you have souvenirs? – Imate li suvenire? [/ee-mah-teh lee soo-veh-nee-reh/]
Do you sell magnets? – Prodajete li magnete? [/proh-dah-ye-teh lee mahg-neh-teh/]
How much is it? – Koliko košta? [/koh-lee-koh koh-shtah/]
I can only pay 3 euros – Mogu platiti samo 3 eura [/moh-goo plah-tee-tee sah-moh 3 oo-rah/]
Can I buy that for 2 euros? – Mogu li kupiti to za 2 eura? [/moh-goo lee koo-pee-tee toh zah 2 oo-rah/]
I only have 6 euros with me – Imam samo 6 eura [/ee-mahm sah-moh 6 oo-rah/]
Do you have that in a smaller size? – Imate li to u manjoj veličini? [/ee-mah-teh lee toh oo mahn-yoy veh-lee-chee-nee/]
Do you have that in a bigger size? – Imate li to u većoj veličini? [/ee-mah-teh lee toh oo veh-choy veh-lee-chee-nee/]
What time does the shop open? – U koje vrijeme trgovina otvara? [/oo koh-yeh vree-yeh-meh tr-goh-vee-nah oht-vah-rah/]
What time does the shop close? – U koje vrijeme trgovina zatvara? [/oo koh-yeh vree-yeh-meh tr-goh-vee-nah zah-tvah-rah/]
What would you like? – Što želite? [/shtoh zheh-lee-teh/]
What are you looking for? – Što tražite? [/shtoh trah-zhee-teh/]
May I pay with cash? – Mogu li platiti gotovinom? [/moh-goo lee plah-tee-tee goh-toh-vee-noh-moh/]
May I pay with a credit card? – Mogu li platiti kreditnom karticom? [/moh-goo lee plah-tee-tee kree-deet-nom kahr-tee-tsohm/]

Words and Phrases in Emergency

I hope you won’t need to use them, but having words and phrases related to emergencies in Croatian at your fingertips is invaluable for tourists in Croatia.

They serve as a lifeline in challenging situations, ensuring your safety, well-being, and quick issue resolution.

This provides peace of mind and a sense of support in unfamiliar territory.

Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases to use in an emergency:

Emergency – Hitan slučaj [/hee-tahn sloo-chahy/]
Call the police – Pozovite policiju [/poh-zoh-vee-teh poh-lee-tsee-yoo/]
Call an ambulance – Pozovite hitnu pomoć [/poh-zoh-vee-teh heet-noo poh-mohtch/]
Fire – Požar [/poh-zhar/]
Telephone – Telefon [/teh-leh-fohn/]
Police – Policija [/poh-lee-tsee-yah/]
Ambulance – Hitna pomoć [/heet-nah poh-mohtch/]
Hospital – Bolnica [/bohl-nee-tsah/]
Doctor – Liječnik [/lee-yehch-neek/]
Dentist – Zubar [/zoo-bahr/]
A cold – Prehlada [/preh-lah-dah/]
Sore throat – Bolno grlo [/bohl-noh gr-loh/]
Cough – Kašalj [/kah-sh-ahly/]
Fever – Groznica [/grohz-nee-tsah/]
Headache – Glavobolja [/glah-voh-bohl-yah/]
Stomachache – Bol u trbuhu [/bohl oo tr-boo-hoo/]
Backache – Bol u leđima [/bohl oo leh-jee-mah/]
Hangover – Mamurluk [/mah-moor-look/]
Allergy – Alergija [/ah-lehr-gee-yah/]
Firefighters – Vatrogasci [/vah-troh-gahs-tsee/]
Accident – Nesreća [/nehs-reh-chah/]
Pharmacy – Ljekarna [/lyeh-kahr-nah/]
I need a doctor – Trebam liječnika [/treh-bahm lee-yehch-nee-kah/]
I’m lost – Izgubio/izgubila sam se [/eez-goo-byoh/eez-goo-bee-lah sahm seh/]
I’ve been robbed – Opljačkan/oljačkana sam [/oh-plee-yahch-kahn/ohl-ya-ch-kah-nah sahm/]
Can you help me? – Možete li mi pomoći? [/moh-zheh-teh lee mee poh-moh-chee/]
Where is the nearest hospital? – Gdje je najbliža bolnica? [/gd-yeh yeh nigh-blee-zhah bohl-nee-tsah/]
I need the police – Trebam policiju [/treh-bahm poh-lee-tsee-yoo/]
My passport was stolen – Ukraden mi je putovnica [/ook-rah-den mee yeh poo-toh-vee-tsah/]
I’ve had an accident – Imala/imalo sam nesreću [/ee-mah-lah/ee-mah-loh sahm nehs-reh-ch-oo/]
I feel sick / I’m not feeling well – Ne osjećam se dobro [/neh ohs-yeh-chahm seh doh-broh/]
Please call for help – Molim vas pozovite pomoć [/moh-leem vahs poh-zoh-vee-teh poh-moh-ch/]
I’m allergic to beans – Alergičan/alergična sam na grašak [/ah-lehr-gee-chan/ah-lehr-gee-chnah sahm nah grah-shahk/]
I’ve lost my wallet – Izgubio/izgubila sam novčanik [/eez-goo-byoh/eez-goo-bee-lah sahm noh-vchah-neek/]
It’s an emergency – Hitno je [/heet-noh yeh/]
Where is the pharmacy? – Gdje je ljekarna? [/gd-yeh yeh lyeh-kahr-nah/]
Do I need a prescription? – Trebam li recept? [/treh-bahm lee reh-tsehpt/]
Doctor’s appointment – Termin kod liječnika [/teh-rmeen kohd lee-yehch-nee-kah/]
Can I use your phone? – Mogu li koristiti vaš telefon? [/moh-goo lee koh-rees-tee-tee vahsh te-leh-fohn/]

Words and Phrases for Holidays

When you visit Croatia during Christmas and New Year, it’s like stepping into a winter wonderland.

Understanding Words and Phrases related to holidays in Croatian isn’t just about appreciating the local culture; it’s about joining in the celebrations.

Imagine yourself sharing a hearty “Sretan Božić!” (Merry Christmas) or “Sretna Nova godina!” (Happy New Year) with the friendly locals as you enjoy festive markets and seasonal treats.

It’s a fantastic way to connect, create unforgettable memories, and truly immerse yourself in the holiday spirit.

Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases to use during the holidays:

Holiday – Praznik [/prahz-neek/]
Christmas – Božić [/boh-zheech/]
New Year – Nova godina [/noh-vah goh-dee-nah/]
Easter – Uskrs [/ooskrs/]
Thanksgiving – Dan zahvalnosti [/dahn zah-hvahl-nohs-tee/]
Valentine’s Day – Dan zaljubljenih [/dahn zah-lyoo-blee-nyeh/]
Halloween – Noć vještica [/nohch vyesh-tee-tsah/]
Birthday – Rođendan [/roh-jehn-dahn/]
Anniversary – Godišnjica [/goh-deesh-nyee-tsah/]
Party – Parti / Zabava [/pahr-tee / zah-bah-vah/]
Gift – Poklon [/pohk-lohn/]
Decorations – Ukrasi [/oohk-rah-see/]
Fireworks – Vatromet [/vaht-roh-met/]
Santa Claus – Djed Mraz [/dyehd mrahz/]
Easter Bunny – Uskrsni zec [/ooskrs-nee zehch/]
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! – Sretan Božić i Nova godina! [/sreht-ahn boh-zheech ee noh-vah goh-dee-nah/]
Cheers! – Živjeli! [/zhee-vye-lee/]
Family gathering – Obiteljsko okupljanje [/oh-bee-tehl-sko oh-koo-plee-ah-nyeh/]
Toast – Nazdravlje [/nahz-drahv-lyeh/]
Carols – Božićne pjesme [/boh-zheet-sneh pyehs-meh/]
Christmas tree – Božićno drvce [/boh-zheech-no dhrv-tseh/]
Advent – Došašće [/doh-shahsh-ch-eh/]
New Year’s resolution – Novogodišnja odluka [/noh-voh-goh-deesh-nyah oh-dloo-kah/]
Champagne – Šampanjac [/shahm-pah-nyats/]
Countdown – Brojanje unatrag [/broh-yahn-yeh oo-nah-trahg/]
Happy Birthday! – Sretan rođendan! [/sreht-ahn roh-yehn-dahn/]
Merry Christmas! – Sretan Božić! [/sreht-ahn boh-zheech/]
Happy New Year! – Sretna Nova godina! [/sreht-nah noh-vah goh-dee-nah/]
Congratulations! – Čestitam! [/cheh-stee-tahm/]
Happy Easter! – Sretan Uskrs! [/sreht-ahn ooskrs/]
Happy Valentine’s Day! – Sretan Dan zaljubljenih! [/sreht-ahn dahn zah-lyoo-blee-nyeh/]

Words and Phrases for Having Fun

You’ll find that knowing Words and Phrases for having fun in Croatian is like having a local friend show you the best time in town.

These phrases aren’t just about fun; they’re your key to experiencing the heart and soul of Croatia.

Whether you’re dancing at a festival, trying thrilling water sports, or exploring the vibrant nightlife, these words and phrases will help you connect with locals who can lead you to unforgettable adventures and experiences that go beyond the typical tourist trail.

Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases that will ensure you experience unforgettable moments during your stay in Croatia:

Hot springs – Toplice [/toh-plee-tseh/]
Amusement park – Zabavni park [/zah-bahv-nee park/]
Bowling – Kuglanje [/koo-glah-nyeh/]
Cinema – Kino [/kee-noh/]
Rafting – Rafting [/rahf-ting/]
Bicycling – Bicikliranje [/bee-tseek-lee-rah-nyeh/]
Sailing – Jedrenje [/yehd-reh-nyeh/]
Hiking – Planinarenje [/plah-nee-nah-reh-nyeh/]
Is there a bar around here? – Ima li ovdje bar? [/ee-mah lee oh-vdyeh bahr/]
Where are the clubs? – Gdje su klubovi? [/gd-yeh soo klub-oh-vee/]
What time do the clubs open? – U koje vrijeme klubovi otvaraju? [/oo koh-yeh vryeh-meh klub-oh-vee oht-vah-rah-yoo/]
Can you recommend me a place? – Možete li mi preporučiti mjesto? [/moh-zheh-teh lee mee preh-poh-roo-chee-tee myehs-toh/]
Do you want to dance with me? – Želiš li plesati sa mnom? [/zheh-lee-sh lee pleh-sah-tee sah mnohm/]
Let’s dance! – Hajdemo plesati! [/hahy-meh-moh pleh-sah-tee/]
Can you recommend me something fun to do tonight? – Možete li mi preporučiti nešto zabavno za večeras? [/moh-zheh-teh lee mee preh-poh-roo-chee-tee neh-shtoh zah-bahv-noh zah vye-ch-eh-rahs/]
Are there any seats available? – Ima li slobodnih mjesta? [/ee-mah lee sloh-bohd-neeh myehs-tah/]
Can you get me a ticket? – Možete li mi nabaviti ulaznicu? [/moh-zheh-teh lee mee nah-bah-vee-tee oo-lah-znee-tsoo/]

Patrik is a native Croatian who helps first-time visitors discover the best of Croatia. Throughout this blog, he shares insights for an unforgettable experience, ensuring you make the most of your time in Croatia by exploring its culture, beauty, and unique adventures.

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Basic Croatian words and phrases to get through life in Croatia

The easiest way to start learning a new language is to memorize basic phrases that are useful in daily life. Learning how to ask someone the time, how they are doing, or how to order a coffee will lead to fewer obstacles on your Croatian journey.

We are here to help you feel just a bit more comfortable using the Croatian language – even if you’re nowhere near fluent. We’ve put together a list of the most important words and phrases to know that will get you through most situations so that you can repeat them over and over until you’re an expert.

By using some of these, you will assimilate to Croatian culture much faster.

In this post, we cover:

The facts are these…

Words to get through life in Croatia

Word: da Meaning: yes

Word: dobro Meaning: good

Word: gdje Meaning: where

Word: hoću Meaning: I will

Word: hvala Meaning: thank you

Word: idemo Meaning: let’s go

Word: jesam Meaning: Yes, I am/did

Word: izvoli Meaning: here you are

Word: krenimo, idemo Meaning: let’s go

Word: loše Meaning: bad

Word: malo Meaning: a little

Word: molim Meaning: please; you’re welcome

Word: možda Meaning: maybe

Word: može Meaning: okay

[Read: 10 ways to use “može” ]

Word: ne Meaning: no

Word: ne može Meaning: it cannot be done

Word: ne razumijem Meaning: I do not understand

Word: ne znam Meaning: I don’t know

Word: neću Meaning: I won’t

Word: nisam Meaning: No, I am not/didn’t

Word: ništa Meaning: nothing

Word: odlično Meaning: great

[Read: Croatian exclamations for when you need to shout ]

Word: oprosti Meaning: (I’m) sorry, excuse me

Word: pardon Meaning: pardon

Word: puno Meaning: a lot

Word: razumijem Meaning: I understand

Word: super Meaning: super

Word: stani, stop Meaning: stop

Word: što Meaning: what

Word: trebam Meaning: I need

Word: u redu Meaning: alright

Word: (u)pomoć Meaning: help

Word: zašto Meaning: why

Word: znam Meaning: I know

Word: živjeli Meaning: cheers

Phrases to get through life in Croatia

When talking to a stranger or an elderly person in Croatian, a formal form of the pronoun Vi is used. This is considered to be a sign of respect towards the person you don’t know or who is significantly older than you. In informal conversation, the pronoun ti is used. The vocabulary of phrases below is structured for the formal.

Phrase: Bolesna/bolestan sam. ( bolesna is feminine; bolestan is masculine) Meaning: I am sick.

Phrase: Dobro sam, hvala. Meaning: I’m good, thanks.

Phrase: Drago mi je. Meaning: Nice to meet you. (I am glad.)

Phrase: Gdje radite? Meaning: Where do you work?

Phrase: Gdje živite? Meaning: Where do you live?

Phrase: Gladna/gladan sam. ( gladna is feminine; gladan is masculine) Meaning: I am hungry.

Phrase: Govorite li hrvatski/Engleski? Meaning: Do you speak Croatian/English?

Phrase: Idemo jesti. Meaning: Let’s go eat.

[Read: All the Croatian vocabulary you might need at a restaurant or cafe in Croatia ]

Phrase: Idemo na kavu. Meaning: Let’s go for a coffee.

Phrase: Imate li…? Meaning: Do you have…?

Phrase: Ja sam iz [grad/država]. Meaning: I am from [city/state].

Phrase: Kako se zovete? Meaning: What’s your name?

Phrase: Kako ste? Meaning: How are you?

Phrase: Koliko je sati? Meaning: What’s the time?

[Read: How to tell time (in Zagreb, Split, Istria, and Dubrovnik) ]

Phrase: Koliko to košta? Meaning: How much does it cost?

Phrase: Moram ići. Meaning: I have to go/leave.

Phrase: Možemo li pričati na engleskom? Meaning: Can we speak English?

Phrase: Nemam vremena. Meaning: I don’t have time.

Phrase: Nisam dobro. Meaning: I’m not okay.

Phrase: Nisam sigurna/siguran. ( sigurna is feminine; siguran is masculine) Meaning: I’m not sure.

Phrase: Odakle ste? Otkud ste? Meaning: Where are you from?

Phrase: Ovo je moj broj telefona. Meaning: This is my phone number.

Phrase: Pustite me na miru. Meaning: Leave me alone.

Phrase: Sretan put. Meaning: Have a nice trip. (Safe travel.)

Phrase: Sretan rođendan! Meaning: Happy birthday!

Phrase: Što ima novog? Meaning: What’s up?

Phrase: Što je to? Meaning: What’s that?

Phrase: Što mislite? Meaning: What do you think?

Phrase: Što ste rekli? Meaning: What did you say?

Phrase: Trebam na wc. Meaning: I need to go to the toilet.

[Read: How to ask where the toilet is in Croatian (and how to find public toilets throughout Croatia) ]

Phrase: Trebam odmor/ pauzu . Meaning: I need a break.

Phrase: Trebate li nešto? Meaning: Do you need something?

Phrase: Ugodan dan. Meaning: Have a nice day.

[Read: All the ways to say “Hi” and “Bye“ in Croatian ]

Phrase: Zovem se [ime]. Meaning: My name is [name].

Phrase: Zvuči dobro. Meaning: Sounds good.

View our other Croatian vocabulary posts

All the ways to say “Hi” and “Bye“ in Croatian
Croatian vocabulary you might need at a restaurant or cafe in Croatia
Exclamations for when you need to shout
Holiday words and phrases
How to ask how someone is doing
How to ask where the toilet is in Croatian (and how to find public toilets throughout Croatia)
How to tell time (in Zagreb, Split, Istria, and Dubrovnik)
Immigration words and phrases
Sledding and winter vocabulary

Please note: Information provided by Expat in Croatia is only for the purposes of guidance. It does not constitute legal or financial advice in any form. Croatian laws and bureaucratic rules often change, and each personal case is individual, so different rules may apply. For legal advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian lawyer. For financial advice, contact us to consult with a licensed Croatian tax advisor or accountant.

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Marija Tkalec

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Basic Croatian Phrases: 54 Useful Phrases to Learn

Whether you’re driving through one of Europe’s most scenic highways, the Adriatic Highway, hopping between the picturesque Adriatic islands, or walking around the limestone streets of Dubrovnik , you’ll find this guide to basic Croatian phrases handy during your voyages. It’s all about getting a grasp of the language spoken in Croatia, a country with ancient walled towns, limestone peaks inland, and a long coastline dotted with picturesque islands and washed by turquoise seas.

As is the case with most destinations across the planet, it’s handy to know a few words from the local lingo before you even arrive. Not only will it help when getting a taxi from the airport or ordering manistra na pome – the iconic pasta dish – but you should also impress the people you meet, who may not be used to people making effort to learn their tongue.

We’ll go through some facts about the language before teaching you a few basic Croatian phrases that we think will help you during your travels. From saying thank you and sorry, to finding a bus station in busy Zagreb, you’ll be able to ask for help whenever you need it, or order food in a restaurant. Let’s begin…

Table of Contents

What language is spoken in Croatia?

What language is spoken in Croatia ? The answer is simple: it’s Croatian. This is the mother tongue of over 90% of the country’s population and the only official language. It isn’t so popular outside of the region, though. Only about six million people across the world can speak Croatian fluently and the vast majority of them are Croatian nationals.

That said, you shouldn’t have much trouble with communication during your holidays in this sunny destination. Around 65% of the population speak English and nearly 80% can speak more than one language, especially those employed in the tourism sector. That said, it’s definitely worth knowing a few basic Croatian phrases, even if you could get away with speaking English.

More generally, Croatian is known locally as Hrvatski . It belongs to the South Slavic group that includes the tongues spoken in the neighboring countries. It is also a variety of Serbo-Croatian polycentric lingo, which was one of the official languages in the former Yugoslavia. You will actually hear many similarities in the way people speak as you travel through the Balkans, but unlike Serbian, Croatian uses the Roman alphabet, not Cyrillic. That means you shouldn’t have much trouble reading road signs or menus when you sit down to eat.

Croatian is based on the Shtokavian dialect, which is also a base for languages spoken in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. That’s why nationals of these countries can understand each other quite well when they speak, even if their languages aren’t exactly the same.

Croatian alphabet and pronunciation

Croatian uses the Latin alphabet, also known as Roman. That’s the same one we use in English, but there are a few differences. For starters, there are 30 letters compared to the 26 that you’ll find in English. All vowels are exactly the same, but some consonants vary. That is to say that there are some extra ones that you might not be familiar with. Those are: Č, Ć, DŽ, Đ, LJ, NJ, Š, and Ž. But you won’t find letters such as Q, W, X, and, Y.

When it comes to pronunciation , it’s much easier than it seems at first. All letters have a single sound assigned to them, which doesn’t change depending on a word. There are also no word combinations. That means that once you learn how to pronounce each letter, you won’t have much trouble reading in Croatian. However, some letters sound pretty similar to one another and might be hard to tell apart to an untrained ear. Also, unlike most European languages, there are quite a few words without vowel. Can you try to say krv (blood), prst (finger), or grm (bush)? Not too easy, eh?

Basic Croatian phrases for greeting people, introducing yourself, and saying goodbye

When you find yourself in sunny Croatia , it’s useful to know some simple phrases. Whether to greet the taxi driver waiting for you outside the airport or to say hello to the hotel receptionist, knowing some local lingo is always helpful.

While the majority of Croats, especially those working in tourism, speak at least basic English, saying things like hello or goodbye in Croatian will certainly earn you some smiles. Check out these basic Croatian phrases that will come in handy from day one:

Zdravo – Hello. This is probably the first thing you’ll hear and learn in this Balkan country.
Bok – Hi or bye. This is a much more casual way to say hi or bye, that you’d hear from a friend. It’s especially present around the capital, Zagreb.
Dobar dan – Good day.
Dobro jutro – Good morning.
Dobra večer – Good evening.
Kako si/Kako ste? – How are you? Like with many other expressions used to address people in Croatian, the first, si is informal, and the latter, ste , is formal.
Ja sam dobro. – I’m fine.
Laku noć – Good night.
Do viđenja – Goodbye.
Vaše ime? -What is your name?
Zovem se… – My name is…
Drago mi je. – Nice to meet you.
Odakle si?/Odakle ste? – Where are you from? (informal/formal)
Ja sam iz… – I’m from…

Basic Croatian phrases you should know to get by

There are some words that you simply must know if you want to interact with Croatians in their local lingo. These are the ones that will come in handy in everyday situations such as going to a shop or buying bus tickets. They will help you respond to simple questions and say yes, no, and thank you. No traveler should leave Croatia without getting a feel for them…

Molim – Please.
Da molim – Yes, please.
Ne hvala – No, thank you.
Hvala – Thank you.
Oprosti/Oprostite – Excuse me. The first version is informal and the second one is formal.
Nema na čemu – You’re welcome.
Žao mi je – I’m sorry.
Vrlo dobro – Very good.
Koliko je sati? – What time is it?

Basic Croatian phrases for getting around

Whether you’re trying to find your way around the cobbled streets of Dubrovnik or want to find out how to get to Krka National Park , navigating is much easier if you know some local lingo. Let’s take a look at some expressions that will help you get around sunny Croatia from north to south, mountains to sea…

Gdje je…? – Where is…?
Izgubljen sam – I’m lost.
Gdje je toalet? – Where is the toilet?
Gdje mogu pronaći taksi? – Where can I find a taxi?
Autobusna stanica – Bus station.
Željeznička stanica – Train station.
Zračna luka – Airport.
Lijevo – Left.
Desno – Right.
Ravno naprijed – Straight ahead.

Basic Croatian phrases for travelers

Whether you’re heading to Split to enjoy the beaches or going inland to hike around the beautiful lakes in Plitvice Lakes National Park, mastering some basic Croatian phrases might come in handy in all situations. You’ll often need to ask for help, no matter if you’re looking for a bus station or find yourself in more serious trouble. Here’s a list of expressions that you should find helpful on that count…

Govorite li engleski? – Do you speak English?
Ne razumijem. – I don’t understand.
Koliko ovo košta? – How much is it?
Pomozite! – Help!
Trebam liječnika – I need a doctor.
Policija – Police.
Gdje mogu razmijeniti novac? – Where can I exchange money?

Basic Croatian phrases for food

No matter if you’re a foodie or not, eating is an essential part of traveling wherever you go, and trips to Croatia are no different. Although Croatian food hasn’t got the same fame as French, Thai or Indian, it doesn’t mean there are no delicacies out there. From simple pasta dishes such as manistra na pome to the national dish zagorski štrukli , knowing these basic Croatian phrases will come in handy whatever treat you want to taste.

Živjeli! – Cheers! It literally translates to ‘let’s live’. Another word used for toasts is uzdravlje, which means ‘to good health’.
Mogu li dobiti jelovnik? – Can I get the menu?
Ne jedem… – I don’t eat…
Meso – Meat.
Riba – Fish.
Svinjetina – Pork.
Govedina – Beef.
Ja sam vegetarijanac/vegan. – I’m vegetarian/vegan.
Uživajte u jelu. – Enjoy your meal.
Ukusna hrana. – Delicious food.
Mogu li dobiti račun? – Can I get the check?
Zadrži ostatak. – Keep the change.

Basic Croatian phrases – the conclusion

This guide to basic Croatian phrases will by no means teach you how to speak this beautiful South Slavic language in full. It only scratches the surface of this extensive European lingo. That said, you don’t need to speak like a native to convey some simple messages in Croatian. Knowing a few basic phrases will help in many situations, whether you want to ask for directions when you’re lost, introduce yourself, or just say hello to people you meet during your holidays.

We’ve introduced 54 useful words and expressions that should help you from the moment you set foot in this wonderful country. Although most travelers don’t have trouble getting by in English, saying some Croatian vocabulary won’t go unnoticed, you can rest assured of that.

Reece is the creator and editor of Travel Snippet. He has visited more than 38 countries over a 10-year period. His travels have taken him through the majestic mountains of Italy, into the cities of central Europe, across the islands of Indonesia, and to the beaches of Thailand, where he is currently living. He is passionate about travel and shares his expertise by providing the best travel tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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Planning a long-awaited vacation to Croatia? Learn these 100+ Croatian phrases now and take your traveling experience to the next level.

Croatia was always dazzling. With its beautiful lakes, exotic beaches, and unbroken forests, Croatia was and still is one of the most prominent travel destinations in the Southeast of Europe. But over the last decade, there were significantly more tourists in Croatia, probably due to the whopping success of Game of Thrones . Dubrovnik, the real-life King’s Landing, is a real gem and the main tourist attraction for a lot of people who want to visit Croatia. If you yourself are one of these avid travelers, you’ll absolutely need some Croatian phrases in your quest for adventure and dragons.

Neither easy nor impossible, the Croatian language is the standardized variety of the Serbo-Croatian language. Spoken in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (where is also an official language), the Serbian province of Vojvodina and recognized as a minority language in Serbia, Croatian is easier than you think once you start learning it with Mondly . But first, let’s help you acquire a taste of basic Croatian with this complete Croatian phrasebook you’ll need for your next trip to Westeros.

Hello in Croatian and other useful greetings
Basic Croatian phrases for travelers who need help
Croatian phrases for food lovers
Basic Croatian for travelers who need a place to spend the night
Croatian to English for tourists who want to have fun
Croatian phrases about love
Learn Croatian for your shopping sprees
Days of the week and numbers in Croatian

1. Hello in Croatian and other useful greetings

Greetings are crucial in any social context. Often regarded as a window to what someone is really like, greetings have the power to strike up conversations everywhere. It’s an excellent way to joyously open many doors in your path through the world. And now that you want to discover Croatia in all its beauty, Croatian greetings are your safe ticket toward the best Game of Thrones “behind the scenes” stories from the locals. So here’s how to say “hello” in Croatian:

Good morning! – Dobro jutro!
Good afternoon! – Dobar dan!
Good evening! – Dobra večer!
Good night! – Laku noć!
Hello! – Dobar dan!
How are you? – Kako si?
Very good, thank you. – Vrlo dobro, hvala Vam.
What is your name? – Kako se Vi zovete?
My name is Mondly. – Moje ime je Mondly.
Nice to meet you. – Drago mi je što sam Vas upoznao.
Please. – Molim Vas.
Thank you. – Hvala.
Thank you very much. – Puno hvala.
I’m sorry. – Žao mi je.
You’re welcome. – Nema na čemu.
Excuse me. – Ispričajte me.
No problem. – Nema problema.
Do you speak _____? – Pričaš li _____?
Do you have _____? – Imate li ____?
I have – Ja imam
Speak slowly. – Pričaj sporo.
I don’t understand. Please repeat. – Ne razumijem. Molim Vas ponovite.
Where are you from? – Odakle ste?
Have a good day. – Želim Vam ugodan dan.

2. Basic Croatian phrases for travelers that need help

Every new travel experience should be a dream come true. Imagine visiting Dubrovnik and the Plitvice Lakes National Park for the first time. It’s a unique feeling you’ll never get to experience again. Unfortunately, emergencies sometimes happen whether we anticipate them or not. It’s best not to let them affect you and the magnificent trip you are taking. So make sure you master this handful of Croatian phrases that might save your day at some point during one of your journeys through the spectacular Krka National Park.

Help! – Upomoć!
Where is the hospital? – Gdje je bolnica?
Can you help me? – Možeš li mi pomoći?
Where can I find a taxi? – Gdje mogu pronaći taksi?
Where is the toilet? – Gdje je toalet?
Where is the bus station, please? – Molim Vas, gdje je autobusni kolodvor?
Where can I buy tickets? – Gdje mogu kupiti karte?
Where is a pharmacy? – Gdje je apoteka?
Where is a supermarket? – Gdje je super market?
Where is a good restaurant? – Gdje ima dobar restoran?
Drive me to this address. – Odvezite me na ovu adresu.
Please stop here. – Stanite ovdje, molim.
Please wait a moment. – Pričekajte trenutak, molim Vas.
I’ll be back immediately. – Odmah se vraćam.

3. Croatian phrases for food lovers

Food is all that some of us can think about. Yep. We all know that one friend who has to try every new food when visiting a new country. We sometimes are that friend. But who can blame the gourmand? Food is soooo good! And Croatia is nothing short of delightful food. You’ll absolutely need to try Peka (baking meat, seafood, and veggies), Brudet (fish stew), Stuffed peppers, Zagreb Schnitzel and the addictive Fritule dessert. So here’s how to order drinks or food in Croatian restaurants:

I have a reservation. My name is _____. – Imam rezervaciju. Moje ime je ____.
What would you like to drink? – Što biste željeli za piće?
What would you recommend? – Što možete preporučiti?
We would like two glasses of wine. – Mi bismo htjeli dvije čaše vina.
I’d like something without meat. – Htio bih nešto bez mesa.
I would like a tea with lemon. – Htio bih čaj s limunom.
Would you like that with pasta? – Želite li to s tjesteninom?
No sugar. – Bez šećera.
I’d like a mineral water. – Rado bih mineralnu vodu.
I’d like an orange juice. – Rado bih sok od naranče.
I would like a coffee. – Rado bih kavu.
Can I have some ice cream? – Mogu li dobiti sladoleda?

4. Basic Croatian for travelers who need a place to spend the night

Finding the perfect place to stay can get stressful sometimes. Now imagine you found the perfect place on Airbnb, but the host only speaks Croatian. It wouldn’t hurt knowing some basic Croatian in this situation, would it?

I have booked a room. – Rezervirao sam sobu.
The key for room _____, please. – Molio bih Vas ključ za sobu ____.
This room is too noisy. – Ova soba je prebučna.
When is check-out time? – Kada je vrijeme za odjave?
Thank you for your help. – Hvala Vam na Vašoj pomoći.
How was your stay with us? – Kakav je bio Vaš boravak kod nas?
Very pleasant, thank you. – Vrlo ugodan, hvala Vam.
Here is your bill, please look it over. – Izvolite Vas Racun, molimo pregledajte ga.

5. Croatian to English for tourists who want to have fun

You’ll have to admit that parties connect people. Phones used to do that, but not anymore. Now going to a party is the best way to connect with people and get to know a new culture. Thus, if you have already planned your trip to Croatia, also squeeze in a night out to party and enjoy the Old Town from another perspective. It may reveal itself differently.

Is there a pub here? – Ima li ovdje pub?
Would you like to dance? – Želiš li plesati?
Are tickets for the theatre still available? – Ima li još karata za kazalište?
Are tickets for the football game still available? – Ima li još karata za nogometnu utakmicu?
Can you get me a ticket? – Možete li mi nabaviti kartu?
How much does a ticket cost? – Kolika je cijena karte?
One ticket, please. – Jednu kartu bih Vas molio.
Are there seats available? – Ima li slobodnih mjesta?

6. Croatian phrases about love

Love is paramount and ubiquitous. So don’t be surprised if you fall in love in Croatia. Everywhere is the perfect place to fall in love. Your soulmate can be right beside you or maybe thousands of miles away. So why not be thoughtful and learn some Croatian phrases about love beforehand? You never know who you might bump into. Kit Harington and Emilia Clarke could be roaming the streets of Dubrovnik right now (hihihi).

Let’s go dancing. – Idemo plesati.
I’d like to see you again. – Volio bih te vidjeti ponovo.
I’d like that very much. – Jako bih to voljela.
You are very beautiful. – Jako si lijepa.
You are very handsome. – Jako si zgodan.
May I kiss you? – Smijem li te poljubiti?
May I hold your hand? – Smijem li te držati za ruku?
I like you a lot. – Jako mi se sviđaš.
Are you single? – Jesi li slobodna?
I’m married. – Oženjen sam.
I’m not interested. – Nisam zainteresiran.
Would you like to go out this evening? – Bi li htjela izaći večeras?
Would you like to have dinner with me? – Bi li htio sa mnom na večeru?
I love you. – Volim te.

7. Learn Croatian for your shopping sprees

Choosing souvenirs for the entire family is the most atrocious punishment the humanity has ever seen. The stress of shopping for souvenirs often gets to ruin our sleep until very last evening of our vacation. But there’s a solution! Plan your shopping spree for the first day of the trip and just get it over with.

How much does it cost? – Koliko to košta?
I would like _____. – Ja bih htio ____.
How much are they? – Koliko one koštaju?
Can I have a receipt? – Mogu li dobiti račun?
What would you like? – Što bi željela?

8. Days of the week and numbers in Croatian

The days of the week and the numbers are absolutely essential words in any language. Sooner or later you’ll need them when roaming the world. So here are the days of the week and the numbers in Croatian.

Days of the week in Croatian

Monday – ponedjeljak
Tuesday – utorak
Wednesday – srijeda
Thursday – četvrtak
Friday – petak
Saturday – subota
Sunday – nedjelja

And… this was it! These are the 100+ essential Croatian phrases you’ll need to know for your next trip to real-life Westeros. Bookmark this article and make sure you get your Croatian travel phrases on point beforehand.

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It can be really tricky to master Croatian pronunciation if you don’t actively live in Croatia. But with Mondly, you’ll have access to a unique, fast and highly efficient learning method that allows you to learn Croatian naturally with practical topics, authentic conversations and bite-sized Daily Lessons.

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Diana Lăpușneanu - Linguist at Mondly Blog

Diana is a Linguist at Mondly by Pearson. Learning English as a second language early on fueled her lifelong passion for language learning, leading her to pursue a diverse array of languages as a hobby alongside her academic endeavors. With a Master’s Degree in advertising and a fascination for historical linguistics, she brings a unique perspective to her role, making language learning fun for readers worldwide.

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Get Ready for Croatia: Basic Croatian Phrases to Know

Thinking about enjoying your upcoming holiday in Croatia? Add a touch of local flavor to your travel experience by picking up some essential Croatian phrases. In this guide, we have curated a collection of handy words and phrases to enhance your Croatia vacation. Although Croatians are pretty well versed in English and German, they always like to hear a word or two of Croatian being spoken by the visitors! So, why not learn some Croatian before your visit? A fun fact about the language is that it will also work in the neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina .

Common Croatian Words and Phrases

Knowing basic Croatian is a convenient and respectful way to connect with locals, navigate your surroundings, and fully appreciate the cultural richness of Croatia during your travels. We have made a short list of the most common Croatian words for you to learn as they are pretty easy:

da – yes [dah]

ne – no [neh]

hvala – thank you [hvah-lah]

molim – please [moh-leem]

bok – hi or bye [bohk]

Izvoli! – you’re welcome (informal) [eez-voh-lee]

Izvolite! – you’re welcome (formal) [eez-voh-lee-teh]

možda – maybe [mohzh-dah]

oprosti – excuse me (informal) [oh-proh-stee]

oprostite – excuse me (formal) [oh-proh-stee-teh]

Dobro jutro! – Good morning! [doh-broh yoo-troh]

Dobar dan! – Good day! [doh-bahr dahn]

Dobra večer! – Good evening! [doh-brah veh-cher]

Doviđenja! – Goodbye! [doh-vee-jeh-nyah]

Simple Croatian Q&A Pairs

Mastering straightforward questions and answers in Croatian can greatly enhance your travel experience in Croatia. Simple questions and answers in Croatian facilitate efficient communication, provide navigational ease, improve dining and shopping experiences, foster connections with locals, and enrich your cultural understanding. Therefore, we’ve prepared some go-to small talk phrases you can learn:

Kako si (ti)? – How are you? (informal) [kah-koh see (tee)?]

Kako ste (Vi)? – How are you? (formal) [kah-koh steh (vee)?]

Ja sam dobro. – I’m fine. [yah sahm doh-broh]

Kako se (ti) zoveš? – What’s your name? (informal) [kah-koh seh (tee) zoh-vehsh?]

Kako se (Vi) zovete? – What’s your name? (formal) [kah-koh seh (vee) zoh-veh-teh?]

Ja se zovem … – My name is … [yah seh zoh-vehm …]

Govorite li engleski? – Do you speak English? [goh-voh-ree-teh lee ehn-gleh-skee?]

Žao mi je, ne govorim hrvatski. – I’m sorry, I don’t speak Croatian. [zhah-oh mee yeh, neh goh-voh-reem hr-vah-tskee.]

Možete li mi pokazati gdje je Zagrebačka ulica? – Can you show me where Zagrebačka street is? [moh-zheh-teh lee mee poh-kah-zah-tee gd-yeh yeh seen-y-skah oo-lee-tsah?]

Oprostite, gdje je WC? – Excuse me, where’s the toilet? [oh-proh-stee-teh, gd-yeh yeh w-say?]

Sviđa mi se ovdje! – I like it here! [svee-jah mee seh oh-vd-yeh!]

Phrases to Drop into Conversation with a Croat

Idioms and phrases that have been overly employed to the extent of losing their original impact, surprisingly remain a valuable means of swiftly conveying universally comprehensible messages. In English, we often encounter phrases such as “the grass is always greener on the other side” and “ignorance is bliss.” Likewise, the Croatian language has quite a few too. Therefore, it’s worth remembering one or two!

Sto ljudi, sto ćudi.

Literal: A hundred people, a hundred tempers.

Pronunciation: [stoh lyoo-dee, stoh choodi]

Meaning: Everyone has their own opinion.

Ne miješaj kruške i jabuke.

Literal: Don’t mix pears with apples.

Pronunciation: [neh mee-yeh-shai kroosh-keh ee yah-boo-keh]

Meaning: Don’t confuse different things.

Ispeci pa reci.

Literal: First bake it, then say it.

Pronunciation: [ees-peh-tsee pah reh-tsee]

Meaning: Think before you say something.

Kad na vrbi rodi grožđe.

Literal: When the willow brings grapes.

Pronunciation: [kaad nah vr-bee roh-dee grohz-dye]

Meaning: This will never happen.

Kako ćemo, lako ćemo.

Literal: How are we going to do this? Don’t worry, just go slowly, there is no rush.

Pronunciation: [kah-koh ch-eh-moh, lah-koh ch-eh-moh]

Meaning: To say that someone is “easygoing”.

Neće grom u koprive.

Literal: The thunder won’t go to the nettles.

Pronunciation: [neh-ch-eh grohm oo koh-pree-veh]

Meaning: To say that there is no way that something will happen.

Teško žabu u vodu natjerati.

Literal: It isn’t easy to get the frog into the water.

Pronunciation: [teh-sh-koh zha-boo oo voh-doo naht-yeh-rah-tee]

Meaning: To persuade someone to do something.

Strpljen – spašen.

Literal: Patient – saved.

Pronunciation: [sthr-plehn – spah-shehn]

Meaning: To say that everything is going to be okay if you are patient.

Puno babica, kilavo dijete.

Literal: A lot of midwives, a lousy child.

Pronunciation: [poo-noh bah-bee-tsah, kee-lah-voh dee-yeh-teh]

Meaning: To say that when too many people are involved, it will lead to a bad result. Kind of like “too many cooks in the kitchen”.

Po jutru se dan poznaje.

Literal: The day is known after the morning.

Pronunciation: [poh yooh-troo seh dahn pohz-nah-yeh]

Meaning: The day will be exactly the same as in the morning.

Useful Croatian Phrases for a Restaurant Visit

If you are planning to savor the delightful flavors of Croatian cuisine or simply looking to enhance your dining experience , here is the gateway to effective communication. If you are seeking recommendations, ordering your favorite dishes, or expressing your appreciation, these will help you navigate the culinary landscape with a charm. As a result, you may even put a smile on your waiter’s face!

Jelovnik – Menu (yeh-lov-neek)

Doručak – Breakfast (doh-roo-chak)

Ručak – Lunch (roo-chak)

Večera – Dinner (veh-cheh-rah)

Predjelo – Starter (pred-yeh-lo)

Glavno jelo – Main Course (glahv-no yeh-lo)

Voda – Water (voh-dah)

Vino – Wine (vee-no)

Pivo – Beer (pee-vo)

Prilog – Side Dish (pree-log)

Desert – Dessert (dez-ert)

Račun – Cheque/Bill (rah-choon)

Meso – Meat (meh-so)

Riba – Fish (ree-bah)

Kruh – Bread (kroo)

Gladan sam. – I’m hungry. (glah-dahn sahm)

Žedan sam. – I’m thirsty. (zhay-dahn sahm)

Mogu li dobiti jelovnik? – Can I get the menu? (Moh-goo lee doh-bee-tee yeh-lov-neek?)

Ne jedem meso. Ja sam vegetarijanac/vegetarijanka. – I don’t eat meat. I’m a vegetarian. (Neh yeh-dem meh-so. Yah sahm veh-geh-tahr-ee-yah-nats/veh-geh-tahr-ee-yahn-kah.)

Je li sve bilo u redu? – Was everything alright? (Yeh lee sve beh-lo oo reh-doo?)

Sve je bilo odlično! – Everything was great! (Sveh yeh beh-lo ohd-leech-no!)

Hvala, ne mogu desert. Već sam pun/a! – Thank you, I can’t manage any dessert. I’m already full! (Hvah-lah, neh moh-goo deh-zert. Veh-ch sahm poon/poo-nah!)

Želim platiti. Mogu li dobiti račun? – I want to pay. Can I get the cheque/bill? (Zheh-leem pla-tee-tee. Moh-goo lee doh-bee-tee rah-choon?)

Zadržite ostatak! – Keep the change (Zah-druh-zhee-teh o-stah-tahk!)

Useful Croatian Phrases for a Hotel Stay

Planning your stay in a beautiful Croatian hotel is an exciting adventure, and effective communication is key to a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Whether you are checking in, making special requests, or seeking assistance from hotel staff, this guide will provide you with the essential Croatian words and phrases to help you navigate your hotel stay with ease.

Rezervacija – Reservation (reh-zehr-vah-tsee-yah)

Prtljaga – Luggage (puh-rtl-yah-gah)

Recepcija – Reception (reh-tsehp-tsyah)

Ključ – Key (klyooch)

Restoran – Restaurant (reh-stoh-rahn)

Soba – Room (soh-bah)

Apartman – Apartment (ah-pahrt-mahn)

Ručnik – Towel (roochnik)

Imam rezervaciju za danas na ime XY. – I have a reservation for today in the name XY. (Ee-mahm reh-zehr-vah-tsee-yoo zah dah-nahs nah ee-meh XY)

Do koliko sati se moram odjaviti iz hotela? – By what time do I have to check out from the hotel? (Doh koh-lee-koh sah-tee seh moh-rahm oh-d-yah-vee-tee eez hoh-teh-lah?)

Mogu li ostaviti prtljagu na recepciji? – Can I leave my luggage at the reception? (Moh-goo lee o-stah-vee-tee puhr-lyah-goo nah reh-tsehp-tsee-yee?)

Useful Croatian Phrases for a Cruise

Embarking on a cruise is a thrilling journey to explore new destinations, allowing you to create unforgettable memories along the way. Therefore, effective communication while cruising is essential for everything from checking in to ordering your favorite cocktails on the deck. Therefore, we collected the words and phrases you might find most useful for your cruise in Croatia.

Krstarenje – Cruise (krs-tah-ren-yeh)

Brodska kabina – Cabin (brod-ska ka-bee-na)

Paluba – Deck (pa-loo-ba)

Kapetan – Captain (ka-peh-tahn)

Mornar – Sailor/Sailor (mor-nahr)

Ukrcaj – Boarding/Embarkation (ookr-chai)

Iskrcaj – Disembarkation (ees-krai)

Krstareća destinacija – Cruise Destination (krs-ta-reh-chah dehs-tee-naht-see-ya)

Brodska restoran – Ship Restaurant (brod-ska reh-sto-rahn)

Krstarska zabava – Cruise Entertainment (krs-tars-ka za-bah-vah)

Kruzer brod – Cruise Ship (kroo-zer brod)

Bazen – Pool (bah-zen)

Kabinski ključ – Cabin Key (ka-bee-n-skee klyooch)

Brodska karta – Ship Ticket (brod-ska kar-ta)

Sretan put! – Bon Voyage! (sre-thahn poot)

Rezervacija za izlete na kopnu – Shore Excursion Booking (reh-zehr-vah-tsee-yah zah eez-leh-teh nah kohp-noo)

Isplata računa – Settling the Bill (eess-pla-ta ra-choo-na)

Večera s kapetanom – Captain’s Dinner (veh-cheh-rah s ka-peh-ta-nom)

Brodska sigurnost – Ship Safety (brod-ska see-goor-nost)

In conclusion, understanding and utilizing useful words and phrases in Croatia is not only a practical skill but also a way to immerse oneself in the rich culture and warm hospitality of this beautiful Mediterranean country. Learning key Croatian words and phrases can enhance your overall experience and facilitate meaningful interactions. Although these won’t be enough for language proficiency, they will help you build connections, show respect, and truly appreciate the charm of Croatia and its people.

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60+ basic Croatian phrases you need to know (English to Croatian)

So, you’re off to hunt Game of Thrones film locations in Croatia and you want to have some basic Croatian in your pocket for when you get there.

Great choice!

English is pretty well-spoken in Croatia these days, but it’s always a smart move to have some basic Croatian phrases ready for everyday situations.

You’ll be amazed at just how much easier your day-to-day shopping and restaurant interactions in Croatia will be when you know how to say thank you in Croatian or hello in Croatian.

To help you prepare for your holiday to Croatia , I’ve made a list of the most common and useful Croatian words and phrases (from English to Croatian).

You don’t need to be an expert linguist to travel like a pro in Croatia. Just memorise these Croatian phrases and you’ll be good to go!

This post contains referral links for products I love. Adventurous Miriam earns a small commission at no extra cost to you if you purchase through my links. I appreciate your support ♡ Learn more

Facts About the Croatian Language

As a Slavic language, Croatian shares a close common history with Serbian and Bosnian, and the three languages are incredibly similar.

Croatian is also considered one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina . So, if you head over there soon, take the Croatian you’ve learned with you!

All languages have their strange quirks, and a lot of them are to do with colour (like how in Japanese blue and green are often interchangeable). In Croatian, people with blonde hair are actually considered to have blue hair!

To help prepare you for your trip to Croatia, I've made a list of the most useful Croatian phrases and words. I've included the most essential phrases in Croatian (from English to Croatian), and they will help you to quickly learn and use Croatian in various situations (like in a hotel or restaurant, on a trip, smalltalk, shopping, getting to know people, at the doctor, at the bank, and many similar situations). #croatian #croatia

Croatian Pronunciation (English to Croatian)

Croatian has no q, w, x, or y sounds, and it also has no silent letters. Every letter in every word must be clearly pronounced. So, don’t worry too much about speed. Speak slowly and clearly, and you’ll be okay.

The letter j doubles as a ‘y’ sound, like it does in many European languages. If you see it written anywhere, remember it’s a y, not a j. You’ll also see ‘Dž’ and ‘Ž’ a lot. The first is a sort of hard j sound, like in ‘fudge’.

The latter is a soft j or z sound, just like in ‘pleasure’. One last thing to remember: the letter c by itself is a ‘ts’ sound, not a ‘k’ sound. Remember these pronunciation rules and you’ll be fine!

Here, you can find a list of Croatian words with audio .

Basic Greetings in Croatian

Knowing these simple Croatian phrases and words means you’ll be able to say hello and goodbye to anyone you meet, make friends more easily, and seem more approachable to locals. Being able to blend in is better for everyone, and you can do that with just these few words.

Hello – Bok

Good morning – Dobro jutro

Good day – Dobar dan (the most common phrase and the one I always use)

Good evening – Dobra večer

Goodbye – Doviđenja

Basic Croatian Phrases

Adding a little politeness and friendliness to your greetings and farewells can go a long way. If you’re going to be visiting the same shop or café a few times, you’ll want to be friendly with the staff, so go in with a few friendly basics!

How are you? – Kako si?

What’s your name? – Kako se zoveš?

Nice to meet you – Drago mi je

Sorry – Žao mi je

Excuse me – Oprostite

Please – Molim

Thank you – Hvala (definitely learn this one!)

I don’t understand – Ne razumijem

Do you speak English – Govorite li engleski?

Where can I find the toilets? – Gdje je zahod?

This is one that you hopefully won’t need, but you’ll be glad to have it if you do! Quite often, we can forget to find information about medical help (like each country’s emergency number) but it’s so worth knowing these things if ever you need them!

Help! – U pomoć!

Fire – Požar

Stop! – Stani!

Call the police! – Pozovite policiju!

Go away! – Pustite me na miru!

Basic Croatian for Eating and Ordering Food

When you go to a restaurant, a lot of questions can get thrown back and forth, so these phrases can save you a big headache when you get to a café or restaurant.

And if you’re out with friends and family or you meet some locals that you want to eat and drink with, remember to say ‘Živjeli!’ when you start drinking. This is the Croation version of ‘cheers!’ and roughly translates to ‘good health!’

Can I see a menu please? – Mogu li dobiti jelovnik?

I’m a vegetarian – Ja sam vegetarijanac

How much is it? – Koliko je to?

Can I get the bill/cheque please? – Mogu li dobiti račun?

That was great! – Sve je bilo odlično!

Breakfast – Doručak

Lunch – Ručak

Dinner – Večera

Water – Voda

Wine – Vino (you’ll want to remember this one)

Read next: Delicious food you have to try in Croatia

Whether you’re in a car or on foot, asking for directions can solve you a lot of confusion and wasted time. Fortunately, you only need the questions, because answers are usually given with a lot of hand signals.

How do I get to the…? – Kako ču doci do…?

Could you tell me where … is? – Możete li mi reci gdje je …?

Left – Lijevo

Right – Desno

Train station – Żeljeznička stanica

Bus station – Autobusna stanica

Airport – Aerodrom

Museum – Muzej

Shopping is a pretty minimal thing, and you can get by with a ‘thank you’ / hvala. But here are some useful phrases just in case.

How much is this? – Koliko je to?

I want to buy this – Żelim platiti

Keep the change – Zadrżite

Read next: What to see at Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Croatian Numbers

Numbers are used everywhere, from ordering at a restaurant to prices in a shop or when buying tickets into a museum or onto a bus.

FAQ – Croatian phrases

What are some basic croatian phrases.

Here are some basic Croatian phrases to get you started:

Goodbye: Doviđenja
Please: Molim
Thank you: Hvala
Excuse me/Sorry: Oprostite
I don’t understand: Ne razumijem
How much is this?: Koliko ovo košta?
Where is the bathroom?: Gdje je WC?

What is a famous Croatian saying?

A popular Croatian saying, “Pametnije je popustiti,” means “It’s smarter to back off sometimes.” It’s like saying it’s better to avoid a fight and keep things cool rather than push and start trouble. It’s all about picking what’s worth fighting for.

How do you say no in Croatia?

In Croatia, you say “no” by saying “ne.”

How do you cheers in Croatia?

In Croatia, you say “Živjeli” when you cheers.

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23 comments.

Thank you for this very informative blog/guide, for my first trip to Croatia. I will add further comments upon my return.

Thanks, Simon. Please do 🙂

Thanks for the useful phrases as we shortly head for Dubrovnik. We have been learning Polish for two years and many words are the same or similar.

They are! You’ll notice that the languages in that area (especially the Balkans) are very similar.

Have a great trip to Dubrovnik 🙂

Thanks for the information. We have a large Bosnian community here. This will help communicating.

I’m so glad to hear that. Hvala!

very helpful way of learning ,hvala .

Thank you kindly Miriam .. Such an interesting blog on Croatia you’ve got .. Lillian, Ireland

Thanks, Lillian. Croatia is one of my favourite countries, it’s such a lovely place.

Thank you ..

You’re welcome.

Thnx 4 learning us

You’re very welcome!

I am working away from home with 3 Croatian guys. Your website has helped me bond with them quickly and not feel so much of an outsider. Thank you

I’m so glad to hear that, Bria <3

I have a Croatian gf and love to learn Croatian as I love her.

I’m sure she’ll appreciate your effort!

Hi Miriam, good job, I would just like to point out few mistakes. Doviđenja Gdje je zahod? Autobusna stanica Muzej

Hi Lidija, Thanks for pointing it out. I’ve corrected the words.

Hello, Everyone loves your translation blog, and I personally find it to be quite helpful. At Acadetudio, I also work as a translator. Multiple language translation services are offered by Acadestudio. Please get in touch if you need any language services.

I’m glad I found this post! I’ve been trying to learn Croatian but I’m having a lot of trouble with the pronunciation. This post will be really helpful!

Very interesting read. Both sides of my family are from he Zagreb area so I was told. Neither side would teach me the language I don’t know why.

Sarah Cosic

As a Canadian in Croatia, Sarah aims to share her favourite things to see and do, in hopes of helping others enjoy and explore this beautiful country,

Ivan is always searching for unique places and experiences to offer his guests and wants to share some of his findings through the blog.

Royal Croatian Tours - Travel Agency

Basic Words and Phrases in Croatian

About Croatian

Croatian is a South Slavic language spoken primarily in Croatia, where it is the official language. It is also spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina and other neighboring countries with Croatian communities. Croatian is closely related to Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin, and they are mutually intelligible. It uses the Latin-based alphabet with some additional diacritical marks. Croatian has a complex grammar system with noun declension, verb conjugation, and grammatical cases. It has borrowed words from other languages, including German, Italian, and Turkish. Croatian plays a vital role in Croatian culture and literature, reflecting the country's rich history and heritage.

Basic Words and Phrases

Learning a foreign language opens up a world of opportunities, allowing you to connect with people from different cultures and expand your horizons. Whether you're planning a trip or simply curious about a new language, mastering some basic words and phrases is a great place to start.

Greetings are an essential part of any language. Saying "hello" and "goodbye" can create an instant connection with native speakers. In many languages, "hello" is a universal term, but learning the specific greeting for the language you're interested in can show respect and appreciation. Similarly, learning how to say "goodbye" will help you leave a positive impression.

Conversations

Next, let's explore basic conversation starters. Asking "how are you?" or "what's your name?" in another language is a friendly way to engage with others. These simple phrases can pave the way for more meaningful conversations and help you build rapport.

When staying at a hotel in a foreign country, it's helpful to be familiar with some phrases that can assist you during your stay. Here are a few key phrases you can use in a hotel.

When dining at restaurants in a foreign country, it's helpful to know phrases that can assist you during your meal. Being able to request a table, order food and drinks, and ask for the bill are important for a pleasant dining experience.

Food and drinks

Being able to order food and drinks, ask for recommendations, and express preferences or dietary restrictions will enhance your dining experience and allow you to explore the local cuisine.

Places and Services

Just like how saying hello helps you connect with others, exploring phrases related to locations and services can greatly enhance your travel experience. Whether you're looking for important places like banks or post offices, these expressions can open up doors to immersing yourself in the local culture.

Knowing how to ask for the price, request a different size or color, or simply say "I'm just looking" can be useful when shopping in local markets or stores.

Learning phrases related to asking for directions, understanding common landmarks, and getting around the city will help you navigate unfamiliar places with ease.

Familiarizing yourself with phrases for using public transportation, such as asking for a ticket, stating your destination, or inquiring about schedules, will make your travel experience smoother and more efficient.

Emergencies

When you're in a different country, it's really important to be aware of emergency phrases such as 'help,' 'hospital,' and 'police.' Using expressions like 'emergency' and 'I need help' can help you overcome language barriers and make sure you're ready for any unexpected situations that might occur. Having a good grasp of these phrases will help keep you safe and give you peace of mind while traveling.

Effortlessly asking and telling the time enhances your travel experience, from coordinating schedules to catching transportation, adding a valuable layer to your linguistic toolkit for effective communication during your stay.

Learning numbers is essential for tasks like counting, ordering quantities, or understanding prices.

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers play a crucial role in conveying sequence and order. Whether you're navigating travel itineraries, selecting seats, or exploring historical sites, understanding expressions like 'first,' 'second,' and so on is essential.

Days of the week

Knowing the names of the days of the week will help you schedule activities, make appointments, or plan your itinerary.

Being familiar with the names of the months will allow you to discuss dates, make reservations, or talk about specific time frames.

Question Words

Understanding basic question words like who, what, where, when, why, and how will enable you to ask for information or clarification in various situations.

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Hey there! I'm Rainier and I'm the person behind Roaming with Rainier. I've always been really into traveling and photography. I've been fortunate enough to visit incredible destinations and there are still so many more on my bucket list. My plan is to explore breathtaking places around the world and share my experiences through articles and reviews.

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Useful Croatian Phrases You Must Know

Learning some Croatian phrases before traveling to Croatia will not only make a good impression on local people, but can also be of great help to make your stay trouble-free and more pleasant.

At the restaurant

Croatian uses the Latin alphabet. The spelling of Croatian is largely phonetic so most words are written exactly as they are pronounced. Just make sure to learn how to pronounce Croatian letters – read my Croatian language guide !

Essential Terms

Accommodation croatian phrases.

If you read my budget tips page you’ll notice I recommend staying in private accommodation, rooms or apartments, as Croatia has a long and reliable tradition in this tourist offer.

If you are traveling to Split and you miss booking your accommodation in advance (not recommended particularly in July and August), you will be obliged to search accommodation by yourself.

In this situation you will probably hear the common phrase ‘nema problema’ (“no problem” or “there’s no problem”). Don’t take it for granted and just learn some terms to avoid real problems.

Consider staying at least three nights, with four or five being the best as prices are more convenient. Don’t hesitate bargaining for the best deal and ask for cheaper offers if you are staying longer. Don’t be shy, it’s your money on the table!

Here are some expressions and phrases you can find useful:

Essential accommodation terms

Don’t miss my Croatian language guide for travelers with basic words, language difficulties and small talk expressions.

Croatian Language

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Below are my recommended sailing trips in Croatia from trusted companies and tour operators. Feel free to check the offers and links to find additional information and more related cruises!

From Split:

Southern Explorer - explore top places between Split and Dubrovnik!
Luxury at Sea - relaxing luxury cruise of best destinations near Split
Southern Pearls - one-way cruise from Split to Dubrovnik
Split to Dubrovnik One-Way Luxury Cruise - travel in style from Split to Dubrovnik
Split to Dubrovnik Private Sailing Holiday - your own private yacht and crew

Top rated: Southern Explorer

Starting and ending in Split, this cruise will take you to Makarska, Mljet, Dubrovnik, Trstenik, Korcula, Hvar and Brac!

Dates & pricing »

From Dubrovnik:

Dubrovnik Discovery - discover top destinations near Dubrovnik
Southern Pearls - one-way cruise from Dubrovnik to Split
Luxury at Sea - one-way luxury cruise from Dubrovnik to Split
Dubrovnik to Trogir - charming 8-day sailing trip from Dubrovnik to Trogir
Adventure Sailing - kayaking, snorkeling, cycling and more in this active sailing adventure

Top rated: Dubrovnik Discovery

Depart from Dubrovnik on a week long cruise and explore Mljet, Hvar, Korcula, Trstenik, and Sipan.

More departure ports:

One-day sailing trips:.

From Dubrovnik
View all Croatia 1-day sailing trips

Organized tours are excellent ways to explore my beautiful country, and I highly recommend taking at least one trip during your visit. There are limitless fascinating places to see, and you can easily book a tour or day trip from my trusted partners below.

Below are five top rated tours from Split!

Discover more trip ideas:

Top day trips from Split (my article)
More tours from Split (100+)
Tours from Dubrovnik (70+)
See all tours in Croatia »
Browse more tours on Viator (200+)

Find transfers and compare prices on:

SoloTransfers (best prices from Split)
HappyToVisit
From Split airport
From Split city
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From Any Location:

Select any pickup and dropoff - from and to 200+ destinations in Croatia.
From Split to Dubrovnik
From Dubrovnik to Split
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More options:

Hire a private chauffeur (from €166/day)
Rent a car on AutoEurope (from €40/day)
Rent a car on RentalCars.com (price comparisons)

Cruises are fantastic and inexpensive way to discover multiple destinations in Croatia.

Split to Dubrovnik Luxury Cruise

8 days, 9 destinations

From Split to Bol (Brač island), Hvar, Vis, Korčula, Mljet, Slano and Ston, Dubrovnik

€ 1260 - 1360

(€ 157 - 170 per day)

Dubrovnik Discovery Cruise

8 days, 6 destinations

From Dubrovnik to Mljet, Korcula, Hvar, Trstenik, and Sipan

€ 423 - 700

(€ 52 - 87 per day)

Split to Dubrovnik Cruise

From Dubrovnik to Sipan or Slano, Mljet, Korcula, Bisevo, Vis, Hvar, Bol (Brac island), Makarska, Pucisca (Brac), Omis, and Split

€ 425 - 890

(€ 53 - 111 per day)

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11 Essential Phrases To Know...

Key Words and Phrases You Need to Know Before Visiting Croatia

With beautiful Croatia comes beautiful Croatian words and phrases youll want to know before visiting

Heading to Zagreb , Dubrovnik or Hvar? Get the most out of your trip to Croatia by picking up these key Croatian words and phrases.

Croatian – as learners will attest – isn’t the easiest language with which to throw down the linguistic gauntlet. Famous for its puzzling padeži (grammatical cases), Croatian also has grammatical genders (masculine, feminine and neuter) and formal and informal forms of address. A member of the Slavic branch of Indo-European languages, Croatian is closely related to the branch’s southwestern subgroup, which includes Serbian, Bosnian and Montenegrin.

Croatian has three major dialect groups (which some linguists argue are actually separate languages): Kajkavian and Čakavian are spoken only in Croatia, while Štokavian is used in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia. Though a language doesn’t rely on the existence of a script, one in particular has a special spot in Croatian history. In 1248, Croats became the only nation in Europe given special permission to use the Glagolitic alphabet (glagoljica), which dates to the 9th century. Today, Croatian is written in Latin script, with 30 letters including five diacritics. One of the EU’s official languages, Croatian has around 5.5m speakers.

Read on for a guide that’ll equip you with the Croatian essentials (plus a few intriguing idioms) on your next visit to the country.

Greetings and goodbyes

Bok (/’bohk/) / Pozdrav (/’poh-zdrahv/)

Meaning: Hi or bye (informal) / Hi or bye (formal)

Say bok to the most basic greetings in Croatia. Use bok when greeting one or more friends and pozdrav in formal situations. Both can be used to say goodbye too, under the same circumstances. Consider bok and pozdrav your Croatian alohas.

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Dobro jutro (/’doh-broh ‘yuh-troh/) / Dobar dan (/’doh-bahr ‘dahn/) / Dobra večer (/’doh-brah ‘veh/chehr/) / Laku noć (/’lah-koo ‘nohch/)

Meaning: Good morning / Good day / Good evening / Good night

Dobro jutro, dobar dan and dobra večer are your formal greeting go-tos. They’re only used when coming, not going – and keep in mind that exchanging polite greetings with total strangers is the norm in Croatia (in elevators, when entering a room, on the street…). While its literal translation is “easy night”, laku noć has a similar function to the English “good night” and can be used informally and formally.

Kako si? (/’kah-koh see/) / Kako ste? (/’kah-koh steh/)

Meaning: How are you? (informal) / How are you? (formal or plural)

Use kako si with friends or people significantly younger than you, and kako ste with people you’ve just met, people older than you and groups. Croatian has the informal (ti) and formal, or plural, (vi) distinction; if you’re familiar with Spanish or French – think the tú–usted and tu–vous relationship. If you’re not sure which to use, it’s best to go formal and wait until you hear “Možemo li na ti?” – meaning, let’s switch to informal.

Doviđenja (/‘doh-vee-‘jeh-nia/) / Ugodan dan (/’uh-goh-dahn ‘dahn/)

Meaning: Goodbye (formal) / Have a nice day (formal)

You’ll hear doviđenja (literally meaning “until seeing”), or its shortened and slightly less formal ‘đenja, often in Croatia – because the culture calls for exchanging polite goodbyes with strangers as well. Ugodan dan (literally “comfortable day”) has the same function as doviđenja – use them at the supermarket, marketplace, doctor’s office, government office or just about anywhere.

Molim vodu (/’moh-leem ‘voh-doo/) / kavu (/‘kah-voo/( / vino (/’vee-noh/) / pivo (/’pee-voh/) / rakiju (/’rah-kee-yoo/)

Meaning: Can I have a water / coffee / wine / beer / rakija please?

This is the polite and grammatically correct way to order a drink. All you need are two words: molim, and your drink of choice. You can also swap in a specific brand – for example, Molim Zmajsko (a local craft beer – write this one down!).

Živjeli (/’zhiv-yeh-lee/)

Meaning: Cheers

Cheers, Croatian-style, literally translates to “live”. If you exchange this with a group of friends, you’re all toasting to each other’s lives – how slatko (“sweet”) of you. For a truly Croatian experience, cheers with each person individually, making eye contact as your glasses touch.

At the restaurant

Dobar tek (/’doh-bahr ‘tehk/)

Meaning: Bon appetit

Don’t dig in before saying dobar tek. Each person at the table usually says this once to the entire table after the first course has been served.

Koliko košta? (/’koh-lee-koh ‘koh-shtah/)

Meaning: How much does it cost?

Use this in restaurants and shops. Simply point to the menu item or product in front of you, and say: Koliko košta?

Molim račun (/’moh-leem ‘rah-choon/)

Meaning: The bill, please

In Croatian, receive your check by reordering the words – molim račun translates literally to “please bill”.

Politeness and contriteness

Hvala (/’hvah-lah/) / Puno hvala (/’poo-noh ‘hvah-lah/) / Hvala lijepa (/’hvah-lah lee-‘yeh-pah/)

Meaning: Thank you / Many thanks / Thank you kindly

Croatian can get very…colourful, even when it comes to saying thank you. We’ll spare you the wilder choices for now and keep it polite with hvala (thank you), puno hvala (many thanks), and hvala lijepa (literally “thank you beautifully”– thanks on steroids).

Oprosti (/oh-‘proh-stee/) / Oprostite (/oh-‘proh-stee-teh/) / Ispričavam se (/ih-‘spree-chah-vahm seh/)

Meaning: Sorry (informal) / Sorry (formal or plural) / I apologise

When saying sorry to a friend, use oprosti, and oprostite for people you don’t know, older people and groups. Ispričavam se translates to “I apologise”, and both oprostite and ispričavam se can be used as “excuse me” as well.

Ne razumijem (/neh rah-‘zoo-mee-yem/) / Ne govorim hrvatski (/neh ‘goh-voh-reem ‘hrvah-tskee/)

Meaning: I don’t understand / I don’t speak Croatian

Keep these handy if someone starts speaking Croatian to you, or before you ask for help or directions. Croats will likely be able to help you in almost fluent English – if not another language too. From first grade through high school, Croats are taught three languages – Croatian, English and another language of choice – plus, much of the country lives on international tourism.

With friends and loved ones

Volim te (/’voh-leem teh/)

Meaning: I love you

Short and sweet.

Nedostaješ mi (/neh-‘doh-stah-yehsh mee/)

Meaning: I miss you

You might just need this one during your departure.

Sretan rođendan /’sreh-tahn ‘roh-jen-dahn/

Meaning: Happy birthday

Follow sretan rođendan up with živjeli!

Hvala na pozivu (/’hvah-lah nah ‘poh-zee-voo/) / Bilo je odlično (/’bee-loh yeh ‘ohd-leech-noh/)

Meaning: Thank you for the invite / It was great

Thank your friends and hosts for their hospitality. In Croatia, if you’re a guest in someone’s home (for a party, dinner or any type of gathering), it’s customary to bring gifts, such as chocolate, a bottle of wine or coffee.

A bit of Croatian ‘mudrost’ (wisdom)

Upala sjekira u med (/’oo-pah-lah ‘syeh-kee-rah oo ‘mehd/)

Meaning: The axe fell into honey

This expression is used when someone wins or achieves success by chance – for example, winning the lottery.

Zrno po zrno pogača, kamen po kamen palača (/’zrnoh poh ‘zrnoh ‘poh-gah-chah ‘kah-men poh ‘kah-men ‘pah-lah-chah/)

Meaning: Grain by grain makes bread, stone by stone makes a palace

Little things that seem insignificant on their own can add up to something useful and wonderful.

Ne zna se tko pije, a tko plaća (/’neh znah seh tkoh ‘pee-yeh ah tkoh ‘plah-chah)

Meaning: You can’t tell who is drinking, and who is paying

Used to denote a chaotic, unclear or disorganised situation, this phrase can be exemplified by many a football match, when players and referees disagree about a call. Fans can look down on the field, shaking their heads and muttering ne zna se tko pije, a tko plaća…

Čuvati kao vodu na dlanu (/’choo-vah-tee kah-oh ‘voh-doo nah ‘dlah-noo/)

Meaning: Protect like water in the palm of the hand

This expression means to truly treasure something – like maybe your freshly minted Croatian language knowledge!

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A Beginners’ Croatian Phrasebook – Simple Croatian Words for Tourists

So you’re thinking of going on a trip to Croatia? Before embarking on this journey of a lifetime to explore its fascinating historic sights and captivating beaches, it is important to equip yourself with a few basic Croatian words for tourists. Having these handy words and phrases under your belt before departing will make your interactions with the local people that much easier!

Whether it is ordering in a restaurant, or needing directions to the nearest restroom, this helpful beginners guide will ensure you have the resources at hand to converse in everyday situations.

An Introduction to the Croatian Language

Croatia is a country that boasts a rich cultural heritage and a unique linguistic identity. The language spoken here is Croatian. It is part of the South Slavic languages and shares a few similarities with its neighboring Slavic-speaking countries such as Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

While the languages found in these bordering countries may see some crossovers in the fundamental building blocks of the language, Croatian does have its own distinct characteristics, influenced by historical and regional factors.

For English speakers here in the US, you’ll be pleased to know that the Croatian language utilizes the Latin alphabet, making it visually accessible to visitors of the country and beginners to the Slovic languages. However, there are a few letters you may not recognize in the Croatian language, these are:

C – pronounced “tz”
Č – pronounced “ch”
Ć – similar to Č but a bit softer, more like “tu”
Đ – pronounced “j”
Dž – similar to Đ but a bit harder
J – pronounced “y”
Lj – pronounced “lli”
Š – pronounced “sh”
Ž – pronounced “s”

It also has a simple phonetic system which closely aligns the sounds and letters of words, making it easy for beginners to quickly grasp the basic pronunciation of Croatian words.

At Adventures Croatia , we know how important it is to fully immerse yourself in the local culture to acquire a truly authentic experience. And one of the easiest ways to achieve this is by conversing with the locals in their home language with a few Croatian phrases.

So, pack your bags and get your explorer’s hat ready as we guide you through the enchanting world of the Croatian language and some of the important phrases to know in our ultimate Croatian phrasebook.

Croatian Sayings – Greetings and Basic Expressions

Croatia, like most countries in Europe, values politeness and courtesy. Mastering a few common Croatian phrases and greetings to show respect and gratitude can go a long way.

Basic greetings and Croatian words for tourists when greeting new people:

Bok (bohk) – Hello
Kako si? (kah-koh steh) – How are you?
Ja sam dobro, hvala (yah sahm doh-broh, hva-lah) – I am fine, thank you
Drago mi je (dra-goh mee yeh) – Nice to meet you
Dobro jutro (doh-broh you-troh) – Good morning
Dobar dan (doh-bahr dahn) – Good afternoon
Kako se zovete? (kak-koh seh zoh-ve-teh) – What is your name?
Zovem se … (zoh-vhem se) – My name is …
Govorite li engleski? (goh-voh-ree-teh lee en-glees-kee) – Do you speak English?
I’m from….. – Ja sam iz…
Doviđenja (doh-vee-jeh-nyah) – Goodbye

Croatian sayings to express politeness:

Hvala (hvah-lah) – Thank you
Molim (moh-leem) – Please
Oprostite (oh-pros-tee-teh) – Excuse me
Žao mi je (zhao mee yeh) – I’m sorry
Nema na čemu (Neh-mah nah cheh-moo) – You’re welcome

Replies to questions:

Da (dah) – Yes
Ne (neh) – No

The locals will appreciate your efforts to use their language – so fret not about mispronouncing a few words here and there! But if need be, most locals tend to have a basic understanding of English and much of the staff found in tourist hubs such as hotels and attractions will be able to help you in English.

For help booking your accommodation and the activities in Croatia, speak to our travel specialist today.

Ordering Food and Drinks:

Croatia is a food-lovers dream! Full of authentic Mediterranean flavors and tantalizing aromas. One of the highlights of your Croatian vacation will undoubtedly be indulging in some of the country’s most delectable dishes.

To help you navigate menus with ease and make the ordering process a little bit simpler, there are a few common Croatian phrases you can use:

Imate li jelovnik na engleskom? (ee-mah-teh lee yeh-lov-neek nah ehn-gle-skohm) – Do you have a menu in English?
Koliko ovo košta? (Koh-lee-koh oh-voh koh-shtah) – How much is this?
Rezervacija (res-ee-vaci-a)– Reservation

Croatian words for tourists to use when ordering:

Hranu, molim (hra-noo, moh-leem) – Food, please
Piće, molim (pee-cheh, moh-leem) – Drinks, please
Pivo / kavu / čaj (Pee-voh / Kah-voo / Ch-ay) – A beer / coffee / tea
Preporučite mi nešto lokalno (preh-poh-roo-cheh-teh mee neh-sh-toh loh-kahl-no) – Recommend something local for me
Još jedno (yosh yehd-noh, moh-leem) – One more
Račun (rah-choon, moh-leem) – The bill

Our Croatia travel specialists have put together a list of the best restaurants in Croatia and a special guide to Croatia’s Michelin Star restaurants that are tourist friendly and sure to leave a lasting impression.

Contact our agents today to find out more information about the best spots in Croatia to eat and drink.

Exploring Croatia and Getting Around:

As you begin to discover Croatia for yourself, knowing how to ask for directions and use transportation will be invaluable.

Here are some useful Croatian sayings that will help you find your way:

Gdje je…? (gyeh yeh…) – Where is…?
Kako doći do…? (kah-koh doh-chee doh…) – How do I get to…?
Autobusna stanica (ow-toh-boos-nah stah-nee-tsah) – Bus station
Koliko je udaljeno? (koh-lee-koh yeh oo-dahl-yeh-noh) – How far is it?
Gdje je WC? (gd-yeh yeh WC?) – Where is the restroom?
Možete li mi pomoći? (Moh-zheh-teh lee mee poh-moh-chee?) – Can you help me?
Desno (dehs-noh) – Right
Lijevo (lee-yeh-voh) – Left

And that concludes our Croatian phrasebook and our quick lesson on essential Croatian words for tourists to know before they embark on their travels.

At Adventures Croatia, we’d love to be part of your journey, so if you’re looking to book your next vacation to Croatia, contact our travel specialists today. With everything from private journeys to Croatia with pre-planned itineraries to custom tours which let you create your dream vacation from scratch. We’re here to help you find the perfect tour to suit your vacation needs.

Sretan put! (Bon voyage!)

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Essential Croatian Phrases for Every Occasion

Table of contents, the basics: croatian greetings, other basic croatian phrases and words, croatian phrases for a restaurant visit, croatian phrases for socialising, croatian phrases for shopping, learn croatian now.

Travelling to Croatia offers a unique blend of breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture. And, whether you're exploring the ancient walls of Dubrovnik, sunbathing on the stunning beaches of the Adriatic coast, or wandering through the charming streets of Zagreb, you'll find that a little knowledge of the local language goes a long way. Croatian, the official language of Croatia, is a South Slavic language that is both beautiful and complex. While English is widely spoken in major tourist areas, learning a few basic Croatian phrases can greatly enrich your travel experience, allowing you to connect more deeply with locals and immerse yourself in Croatian culture.

In this blog, we'll cover some essential Croatian phrases to help you navigate your way through this enchanting country. From greetings to essential questions, these phrases will not only be useful in day-to-day interactions but will also show your respect for the local culture.

Croatian greetings vary depending on the time of day and the formality of the situation. Here are seven common greetings you can use:

Dobro jutro - [DOH-broh YOO-troh] - Good morning
Dobar dan - [DOH-bar dahn] - Good afternoon
Dobra večer - [DOH-brah VE-chehr] - Good evening
Bok - [bok] - Hi/Hello
Pozdrav - [POHZ-drahv] - Greetings/Hello
Doviđenja - [doh-VEE-jehn-yah] - Goodbye
Ćao - [chow] - Bye (Borrowed from Italian)
Da - [dah] - Yes
Ne - [neh] - No
Molim - [MOH-leem] - Please
Hvala - [HVAH-lah] - Thank you
Nema na čemu - [NEH-mah nah CHEH-moo] - You're welcome
Oprostite - [oh-PROHS-tee-teh] - Excuse me
Drago mi je - [DRAH-go mee yeh] - Nice to meet you
Vidimo se uskoro - [VEE-dee-moh seh OOS-koh-roh] - See you soon
Sretno - [SREH-tno] - Good luck

Cultural Tip :

When engaging in small talk in Croatia, you may encounter some phrases that could initially seem confusing. For instance, it's common for Croatians to ask a friend, "Gdje si ti?" which translates to "Where are you?" even though it's apparent where the person is. Similarly, you might hear someone ask, "Jesi ti živ(a)?" meaning "Are you alive?" while the person is clearly well and in front of them.

These phrases might seem odd at first, but they are not meant to be taken literally. In Croatian culture, such questions are informal, friendly ways of saying "Što ima?" which means "What's up?". They are simply unique expressions used to initiate a conversation or check in on someone's well-being.

When you're at bars and restaurants in Croatia, being able to communicate even the simplest needs can greatly enhance your experience. Here are additional useful Croatian phrases for such occasions:

Gdje je WC? - [GD-yeh yeh VEH-tseh?] - Where's the bathroom?
Spremni smo naručiti - [SPREHM-nee smo NAH-roo-chee-tee] - We're ready to order
Imate li vegetarijanskih opcija? - [EE-mah-teh lee veh-geh-TAH-ree-yahn-skeeh OP-see-yah?] - Do you have any vegetarian options?
Jelovnik, molim - [YEH-lov-neek MOH-leem] – The menu, please
Što preporučate? - [shtoh preh-poh-ROO-chah-teh] - What do you recommend?
Jedno pivo, molim - [YED-noh PEE-voh MOH-leem] - One beer, please
Vodu, molim - [VOH-doo MOH-leem] - Water, please
Račun, molim - [RAH-choon MOH-leem] - The bill, please
Mogu li dobiti stol za dvoje? - [MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee stohl zah DVOH-yeh] - Can I get a table for two?
Bez glutena, molim - [BEZ GLOO-teh-nah MOH-leem] - Gluten-free, please

Cultural Tips :

Tipping in Croatia is a way of showing appreciation for good service but is not mandatory. In restaurants, a tip of about 10% is customary if you're happy with the service. In bars, simply rounding up the bill or leaving small change is the norm.
Croatians enjoy their meals at a relaxed pace, so take your time and savor the experience. Making a toast with "Živjeli" ([ZHEE-vye-lee] - Cheers) is a common practice. Eye contact during the toast is a sign of respect.
Don't be surprised if you're offered a local digestif like rakija after your meal in traditional settings. Accepting it or at least taking a sip is a polite acknowledgment of the host's hospitality.

To help you blend in and make the most of your interactions, here are some Croatian phrases perfect for social situations:

Kako se zoveš? - [KAH-koh seh ZOH-vehsh?] - What's your name?
Ja sam [Your Name] - [yah sahm] - I am [Your Name]
Odakle si? - [OH-dah-kleh see?] - Where are you from?
Govoriš li engleski? - [GOH-voh-reesh lee EN-gless-kee?] - Do you speak English?
Što radite za zabavu? - [shtoh RAH-dee-teh zah zah-BAH-voo?] - What do you do for fun?
Sviđa mi se Hrvatska - [SVYEE-jah mee seh HUR-vaht-skah] - I like Croatia
Mogu li se pridružiti? - [MOH-goo lee seh PREE-droo-zhee-tee?] - Can I join?

Cultural Tips:

Croatians respect personal space. Maintain a comfortable distance while conversing.
If you're invited out, it's polite to offer to pay, even if your host insists on covering the bill. It's seen as a gesture of goodwill.
Coffee culture is huge in Croatia. Inviting someone for a coffee (‘Na kavu?’) is a popular way of socialising and can often turn into long conversations.
Showing interest in Croatian traditions, history, and language is always appreciated and can be a great conversation starter.

Shopping in Croatia can be a fun and interesting experience, especially in local markets, boutiques, and souvenir shops. Here are some Croatian phrases that will come in handy when you're out shopping:

Koliko košta ovo? - [KOH-lee-koh KOH-shtah OH-voh?] - How much does this cost?
Mogu li to probati? - [MOH-goo lee toh PROH-bah-tee?] - Can I try this on?/Can I try this?
Imate li nešto jeftinije? - [EE-mah-teh lee NEH-shtoh YEHF-tee-nee-yeh?] - Do you have something cheaper?
Prihvaćate li kreditne kartice? - [PREEHV-ah-chah-teh lee KREH-deet-neh KAR-tee-tseh?] - Do you accept credit cards?
Mogu li dobiti račun? - [MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee RAH-choon?] - Can I get a receipt?
Tražim... - [TRAH-zheem...] - I'm looking for…
Gdje mogu pronaći...? - [GD-yeh MOH-goo proh-NAH-chee...?] - Where can I find...?
Je li ovo dostupno u drugim bojama? - [yeh lee OH-voh DOHS-too-pnoh oo DROO-geem BOH-yah-mah?] - Is this available in other colors?
Otvoreno/Zatvoreno - [OHT-voh-reh-noh/ZAH-toh-reh-noh] - Open/Closed

Exploring Croatia with some knowledge of the local language can transform your travel experience. Using these basic Croatian phrases, you'll find it easier to navigate through various situations, whether it's dining in a quaint coastal restaurant, socialising with the friendly locals, or shopping for unique souvenirs. Speaking even a little Croatian will not only enhance your understanding of the culture but also endear you to the local people, who appreciate the effort to speak their language.

If you're keen on diving deeper into the Croatian language and culture, consider enhancing your skills with professional language courses. Listen & Learn offers tailored language Croatian lessons that can help you become more proficient in Croatian. Whether you're a beginner looking to learn the basics or an advanced learner aiming to polish your skills, Listen & Learn provides a range of options to suit your needs including one-to-one and group lessons, both in person and online.

So why wait? Take a few Croatian lessons in Dublin or wherever you happen to live and prepare for an even more memorable experience in the beautiful country of Croatia. Happy travels and sretno učenje (happy learning)!

Some basic Croatian to use on your holiday in Croatia

Planning to spend your holidays in Croatia this year? Why not take the plunge and try speaking a few words of Croatian on your holiday in Croatia?

This post includes a list of useful words & phrases to use on holiday in Croatia, along with audio recordings so you can listen to how each word/phrase is pronounced correctly before trying them out for yourself!

Learn some Croatian before you visit Croatia! :-)

Our school offers online group & one-to-one lessons from qualified teachers – from €11/lesson!

The absolute basics

Common croatian words and phrases, simple croatian question/answer pairs, some useful croatian sentences, don't get confused by croatian small talk, staying in a croatian hotel, useful croatian words when staying in a hotel, useful croatian phrases for a hotel stay, hotels in croatia: did you know, speaking croatian in a restaurant, useful croatian words and phrases for a restaurant visit, useful phrases, should you leave a tip for the waiter.

Even if you speak absolutely no Croatian , it's worth learning a few words before going on holiday. If you make the effort even just to say thank you or goodbye in the local language, you might just make someone's day!

Oh, and you can read more about Croatian pronunciation here.

By the way: in case you decide that you want to learn even more and book a Croatian course : In our language school, you can learn Croatian online or book a language holiday in Croatia .

Learning the basics when speaking Croatian

Some basic Croatian vocabulary

da – yes ne – no hvala – thank you molim – please bok – hi or bye Izvoli! – you're welcome (informal) Izvolite! – you're welcome (formal)

možda – maybe oprosti – excuse me (informal) oprostite – excuse me (formal) Dobro jutro! – Good morning! Dobar dan! – Good day! Dobra večer! – Good evening! Doviđenja! – Goodbye!

Kako si (ti)? – How are you? (informal) Kako ste (Vi)? – How are you (formal) Ja sam dobro. – I'm fine. Kako se (ti) zoveš? – What's your name? (informal) Kako se (Vi) zovete? – What's your name? (formal) Ja se zovem ... – My name is ...

Govorite li engleski? – Do you speak English? Žao mi je, ne govorim hrvatski. – I'm sorry, I don't speak Croatian. Možete li mi pokazati gdje je Sinjska ulica? – Can you show me where Sinjska street is? Oprostite, gdje je WC? – Excuse me, where's the toilet? Sviđa mi se ovdje! – I like it here!

You might hear someone asking Gdje si ti? (Where are you?) when meeting a friend, when they can quite clearly see where the person is ...

... or ask their friend Jesi ti živ(a) (Are you alive?) although the person is evidently safe and sound right before their very eyes.

Don't worry: as you might have guessed they're not really asking about the person's whereabouts or whether they're still breathing. Both of these questions are simply another way of asking Što ima? (What's up?).

Do you need to book a room , ask about breakfast or tell reception that you've lost your key ? Don't panic! Learn just a few words, have the confidence to use them, and you can quickly make yourself understood!

rezervacija – reservation prtljaga – luggage recepcija – reception ključ – key restoran – restaurant

doručak – breakfast soba – room apartman – apartment ručnik – towel

Imam rezervaciju za danas na ime Ivan Perić. I have a reservation for today in the name Ivan Perić.

Do koliko sati se moram odjaviti iz hotela? By what time do I have to check out from the hotel?

Mogu li ostaviti prtljagu na recepciji? Can I leave my luggage at the reception?

The Kvarner hotel in Opatija is the oldest Croatian hotel on the Adriatic. It was built in 1884 and was a famous summer resort visited by the monarchs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (tip: If, after a nostalgia-filled overnight stay, you're in the mood for nature: Risnjak , one of Croatia's eight national parks , is only an hour's drive from the Kvarner Hotel).

There are lots of candidates for the most expensive hotel in Croatia : as one might expect, many of the top ten can be found in Dubrovnik , but surprisingly, the most expensive (in 2009) was the Kempinski Adriatic hotel in Savudrija, Istria, where a stay in the spacious presidential suite would set you back €10,000 per night!

You can find more hotel vocabulary here

Going out for dinner? Many restaurants in Croatian provide tourist menus in English but if you stray from the beaten track you might need to make sense of a menu in Croatian !

We're here to help with a list of basic words and phrases!

By the way, you can read more about Croatian food, cuisine and cooking here.

jelovnik – menu doručak – breakfast ručak – lunch večera – dinner predjelo – starter glavno jelo – main course voda – water vino – wine pivo – beer

prilog – side dish desert – dessert račun – cheque/bill meso – meat riba – fish kruh – bread Gladan sam. – I'm hungry. Žedan sam. – I'm thirsty. vegetarijanac – vegetarian

Mogu li dobiti jelovnik? – Can I get the menu? Imate li jelovnik na njemačkom (jeziku)? – Do you have a menu in German (language)? Ne jedem meso. Ja sam vegetarijanac/vegetarijanka. – I don't eat meat. I'm a vegetarian. Je li sve bilo u redu? – Was everything alright? Sve je bilo odlično! – Everything was great! Hvala, ne mogu desert. Već sam pun/a! – Thank you, I can't manage any dessert. I'm already full! Želim platiti. Mogu li dobiti račun? – I want to pay. Can I get the cheque/bill? Zadržite ostatak! – Keep the change! Za predjelo želim juhu od povrća, za glavno jelo teleće medaljone i pire krompir, a kao prilog miješanu salatu. – I would like the vegetable soup as a starter, veal medallions and mashed potatoes for the main course and a mixed salad as a side dish.

When paying in a restaurant , you can simply say U redu je! (That's okay), to let the waiter know that you don't expect to receive any change, i.e. that the waiter is free to keep the difference as a tip!

You can find more food-related vocabulary here

Our learning coordinator Andrea is here to help!

We’ll be happy to tell you more about our language school and the learning options we offer. Feel free to contact Andrea directly for a chat about any questions you might have!

Ordinal numbers in Croatian

Customs when visiting Croatian family and friends

Names to call our loved ones in Croatian

Croatian emigration: Croats living abroad

Chapter 3 – Useful Travel Words in Croatian

Here’s a selection of travel words in Croatian that you may find useful during your visit.

Get the MP3 audio for this chapter here:

Useful Travel Words in Croatian

>> Next: Chapter 4 – On the plane to Croatia

<< Previous: Chapter 2 – Croatian numbers, days, months and telling the time

Other Croatian for Travellers Chapters

Learn more useful Croatian words and phrases with the following chapters:

Chapter 1 – Croatian greetings and the basics
Chapter 2 – Croatian numbers, days, months and telling the time
Chapter 4 – On the plane to Croatia
Chapter 5 – On arrival in Croatia
Chapter 6 – At the hotel in Croatia
Chapter 7 – Phrases for travelling around Croatia
Chapter 8 – Croatian phrases for about town and shopping
Chapter 9 – Croatian dining phrases

Useful Travel Words in Croatia – save to your phone!

Save the following image to your phone to refer to when you’re out and about in Croatia!

More useful travel words in Croatian

You can learn a few more helpful travel words on the Learn Croatian website.

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Croatian Phrases and More about the Language

By: Author Swedish Nomad

Posted on Last updated: December 1, 2019

Categories Croatia , Languages

Home / Europe / Croatia / Croatian Phrases and More about the Language

Traveling to Croatia? Then it might be a good idea to learn a few Croatian Phrases. Here’s a list with useful words and phrases as well as some more information about the language itself.

Most of the younger generations will speak English fluently, but there are still some from the older generations which only speak basic English or none at all.

That’s why you should learn a few local phrases before your trip. This is also often appreciated and will make it easier to get a connection with the Croatians, and I promise it will be a more memorable journey!

Useful Croatian Phrases

Below you can see the translation from English to Croatian for some of the most common phrases.

Croatian Words

Below you have the words written in English to the left, and how to write them in Croatian to the right.

How to Count to ten in Croatian

While you’re learning a few local phrases and words, it might be useful to learn how to count from 1 to 10 in Croatian as well.

More about the Croatian language

Croatian is a Slavic language which is part of the Indo-European language family. It is mostly spoken in Croatia, but also in some parts of Bosnia and Hercegovina as well as other countries with Croats.

It is estimated that there are about 5,6 million people who speak Croatian fluently. The language is very similar to Bosnian, Montenegrin, and Serbian, and most of the times, people from all these nations can understand each other without too much difficulty.

But there are still differences in words and pronounciations. On top of that, there are also 3 main dialects of the Croatian language known as Shtokavian, Chakavian, and Kajkavian.

It also differs because the Croat culture is more similar to Central European countries than other Balkan countries.

The Croatian language has a total of 30 letters, which are the following: A B C Č Ć D Dž Đ E F G H I J K L Lj M N Nj O P R S Š T U V Z Ž. Back in history, Glagolitic alphabet and later on the Cyrillic alphabet before changing to the Latin alphabet in 1830.

Photo: Shutterstock

Translate from English to Croatian

Google Translate is the best option if you want to translate some single words or easy phrases. It’s not completely reliable and it does have its fair share of wrong translations, but it’s often good enough to make yourself understood.

You can download the app and use it offline, which is quite convenient if you don’t have access to the internet.

Learn Croatian

There are many Croats living in Sweden and other countries in Europe as well as Australia/New Zealand and the US. So there’s a quite good chance that there will be Croatian lessons available at your local university.

This is a good way to learn the language since you will be led by a teacher who is fluent, and thus you can ask questions and practice your speaking skills and pronunciation.

Another great way of learning other languages is to watch TV-series and movies in the local language with subtitles in your own language or English.

There are also online platforms available where you can pay 20-30 Euro for 30-60 minutes sessions with a private teacher who speaks Croatian fluently. This is yet another good way to practice and make sure that you’re doing some progress.

Want to learn more phrases in Croatian? Leave a comment below!

A to Ž Guide to Croatian Phrases and Words in 2020

Even with Croatian blood and living in the country now for the past three years, I’ve found that learning the Croatian language is no easy feat. Most of the time people still laugh at me when I try to speak full sentences. However, learning a few Croatian phrases and Croatian slang words has helped me get by.

Not only are phrases in Croatian crucial to understanding everyday conversation, they are essential to understanding the culture . Each region has distinct Croatian slang with regional pronunciation. There are certain phrases like “fjaka” or “pomalo” that are used more often in the Dalmatian region, while “cugati” is used in Zagreb.

Croatian Phrases: A to Ž

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This Croatian phrase is used throughout Croatia for almost any scenario. It’s similar to saying “Omg!” when you are scared or excited. However, it can also mean “ugh” if you are tired and not in the mood. For this particular scenario, you would say, “Ajme ne dam mi se!”, which means “ugh, I am not in the mood!”

Bura is the infamous Northern wind in Croatia that everyone complains about in Dalmatia. Typically you’ll know it’s Bura when it is sunny out but there’s still a bone-chilling breeze in the air. There’s a joke that when Dalmatian people come to Zagreb in winter, where it is much colder, they’ll always say, “oh this is nothing, you should see how cold it is when the bura is blowing!”

This slang word from the Zagreb area and means “to drink alcohol”. It’s popular to use among the younger generation around Zagreb, especially the bar regulars. For example: “Idemo cugati!” means, “lets go drink!” Obviously, one of the most useful Croatian phrases for when you come here, as everyone loves to drink!

Č ešnjak means Garlic, which is one of the building blocks of Croatian cuisine. It is used in nearly early meal, except desert. Croatians also believe in the healing benefits of garlic, such as eating raw garlic for an extra immunity boost.

Ćakula is a word, which translates to having a conversation or talk with someone. It could be about any topic, but is usually referred to a casual setting. “Ćakula na kavi” refers to having a conversation over coffee specifically, because we all know Croatians love to talk while sipping espresso!

Dišpet is a Dalmatian slang word, which translates to “despite”. If someone tells you cannot do something, this means you’re going to do it despite them, or prove them wrong. It is especially well known as “Splitski dišpet”.

Džabe is a word that is used in Croatia and throughout Balkan countries, which means cheap, or next to nothing. Let’s say you find something on sale,, you would say, “Džabe!” indication you scored a good deal. And we all know how much Croats love a solid bargin!

This common Croatian phrase translates to “where are you”, but is similar to saying “what’s up?” Most of Croatia pronounces this GE- DE-JE SI but in Dubrovnik, where words are often shortened, it is pronounced like “JES-SI”. However you pronounce it, this is a useful Croatian phrase used as a casual greeting when you see a friend or someone you pass on the street. It’s also similar to saying “how are you?” in Croatia, but specifically Dalmatia.

Evala is a common slang word that is used in Split specifically. It is similar to saying “great” or “good job!” It refers specifically to a situation when you approve or praise someone or some things.

Fjaka is one of the most popular Dalmatian slang word, which bears no direct translation. Instead, it refers to a state of bliss and relaxation one feels while being in the sun. Fjaka is often associated with the stereotype that Dalmatian people are lazy, but this isn’t true. It rather refers to the purest form of zen, when you are living in the moment and unbothered by the rest of the world. Usually on the sea or at the beach, of course.

Gušt is a Dalmatian slang word that means simple pleasure. It is usually used in reference to many of the pleasures Dalmatians love most: barbecue with friends, laying on the beach, fishing, or drinking. Yes, Dalmatians know how to enjoy the simple things in life so much that they have a word for it!

It’s no secret that Croats have very…colorful swear words. There are too many to fill this post, but we’ll start with “huncut”. This Croatian slang word comes from the German word “hundsfott”, which means “bastard“. It is used for a person who is malicious, or doing bad things sneaky.

Dalmatian slang word that refers to someone who is fascinated into someone or something, or crazy in loved with someone or something. Example: „Infišan u Hajduka.“ – Fascinated/in love with Hajduk footbal club.

Jugo definition: Croatian phrases and Slang

The only match for Bura is Jugo, the Southern wind that blows in Croatia, especially in coastal parts. In contrast to bura, jugo wind is associated with rainy weather. Most Croats will blame their bad mood or fatigue on jugo to this day. This is especially common in Dubrovnik, where the former republic postponed major decisions until the gloomy Jugo weather cleared.

Klošar is perhaps one of my favorite Croatian slang words. A term used throughout Croatia, this is basically a fancy way of calling someone a village drunk. A typical Klošar is usually a man 40+ who drinks beer outside the grocery store, and has minimal life aspirations. Although Croatia has its fair share of Klošar s, they are generally harmless to the population.

Along the same thread as the above, a “lero” is a term for a nobody that thinks they are a somebody. This Dalmatian slang word is used for people that think they have the right to say or do whatever they want. However, the rest of the village would consider this person to be foolish and illegitimate.

Lj is one of the hardest letters to pronounce, but you’ll have to learn it to declare your love to a Croat. Ljubav is the Croatian word for love, and ljubavi means “my love”. Croatians have a lot of love to give, and use ljubav for many different type of love. This applies to love for your family, partner, or homeland. Croatians may come across as tough, but are actually never afraid to express passion and love.

Moskar is a Croatian word for the Dubrovnik area, which means “hand fan”. In the 1950’s, all the high-profile and classy ladies could be seen carrying around a fancy Moskar on a hot summer day. Today, Moskar is the name of the regional Dubrovnik magazine, which features notable locals. I even made the cover a couple years ago!

N: Nonvelendo

Nonvelendo is a Dalmatian slang word, which means “unintentionally“. This is one of many words that Croats borrowed from the Italians. In Dalmatia especially, the regional accent sounds very similar to Italian sometimes.

Njoki is how Croatians spell gnocchi, the potato-shaped pasta known to Italy and other parts of South American. Every grocery store is always stacked with lots of Njoki near the dairy section. Many Croatian meals mix njoki in with goulash, meat, or they may make it homemade. To read more about Croatian foods, click here .

Oprosti is the Croatian phrase for saying “I’m sorry”. Pronounce OPE-PROST-TI you would say this also similar to “excuse me”. In a more formal setting you would say, oprosti te, pronounced OPE-PROST-TE-TAE. Make sure you say it loud enough and with confidence, or no one will acknowledge you! (Learned this one the hard way several times).

Without a doubt my favorite word in Croatian is pomalo. This directly translates to “take it easy”, which is usually said when you say goodbye to someone. You could also say “pomalo” to someone who is stressed and in a rush.

However, the world pomalo is indicative of the Croatian way of life: taking it easy, sitting for hours over a cup of coffee, and enjoying the little things in life. Pomalo is about embracing a slower way of life, which is more relevant now than ever. Read more about pomalo living here .

Dalmatians just don’t have enough versions of the word idiot. Similar to lero, Redikul is the name for the foolish person that every neighborhood or village has. Similar to a class clown, it’s someone that is never taken seriously. In every Dalmatian movie or show, there is always at least one redikul.

“Sudamja” is the name of the celebration of Saint Duje, who is the patron protector of Split. It is held every year on 7th of May, and considered to be one of the most important days to people of Split. As Croatia is a predominantly Catholic country, each city has a patron saint. For example, Saint Blaise is the protector of Dubrovnik, and every February they celebrate him as well.

Š: Šotobraco

Šotobraco is a Dalmatian slang word that means “hand in hand”, literally. You would say this when a couple walks down the street holding hands. This word is often used in many Klapa songs, talking about lovers walking Šotobraco. Specifically, there is one song by Vinko Coce, where we talks about wanting to walk one more time with a girl “šotobraco”.

Treseta is an Italian card game that is widely played throughout the Dalmatian coast and islands. Each region has slightly different rules, but generally the card game is the same. Knowing how to play is a right of passage for most Dalmatians, young and old!

Užanca is a slang word from Dubrovnik, which translates to “cultural customs”. This refers to the traditions and practices that are happening specifically in Dubrovnik, such as “Kolenda” on Badnjak, and seaside BBQs. To learn more about customs through Croatia, read this post here .

Vapor is a popular Dalmatian word for a large ship. We usually hear this word in many Dalmatian books and stories about the sea. Especially in klapa songs, we hear vapor in countless songs about the sea.

Ziher is the Zagreb version of saying “for sure” or “definitely”. For example, you would say “Croatia will win this match, ziher!” or “We are going to make money, ziher!”

Pronounced GE-VA-LI, this is the catch-all phrase for any cheers or toast you make in Croatia. It translates to “to life!” or “long live all!” You can also use this as a phrase to say “see you later” or “bye”.

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10+ Basic Croatian Words: Your Friendly Guide

, August 9, 2023

Table with paper, glasses and a laptop and a woman studying Basic Croatian Words with the Ling app

Interested in learning Basic Croatian Words to maximize your vocabulary? Then this article is perfect for you! In order to speak Croatian fluently, knowing the language’s basic words is a must.

In this post, you will learn about Croatia’s essential terms and some notes on the proper Croatian pronunciation. Moreover, we will walk you through some basic phrases that will help you connect with the locals instantly. If you are ready for that, let’s get started!

Introduction To The Croatian Language

At present, there are a total of 12 Slavic languages. Along with Bosnian and Serbian, Croatian is one of the official languages under this language family. These three are closely related linguistically and are considered the Serbo-Croatian language.

Admittedly, Croatian phrases or the Croatian language in itself are a challenge to learn. While it uses the Latin alphabet, learning this requires time, effort, and the proper resources too! However, learning this Slavic language is fun because it is a phonetic language. This means that the words and phrases are written precisely how it is pronounced. This is somewhat similar to when you learn the Tagalog language . Fun, right?

But before we dive into the language fully, such as learning useful Croatian phrases and even the basic Croatian phrases, let us first familiarize ourselves with the language’s basic words.

Tips Before Learning Croatian Words

Before we learn more about the basic words and phrases in Croatian, these are some basic tips and tricks that can help you understand their culture. Thus, it will also help you formulate sentences that fit their language.

When you speak Croatian or when you want to pronounce Croatian phrases easily, remember that in their alphabet, the letter ‘j’ is pronounced as ‘y’. Although this is a phonetic language, this is one of the exceptions.

Another thing to remember is that when you speak to a Croatian national, always keep eye contact. To them, this is a form of respect and your way of being polite. When you greet them, they usually kiss each other’s cheek or give a firm handshake. Croatians value good relationships with one another, and it is innate in their culture to treat each other like family. Moreover, it is important to know this to establish a good impression and relationship with them and not simply learn their language.

Two people sitting at a desk together studying Basic Croatian words

15 Basic Croatian Words You Should Learn

1. bok play.

Pronounced as ‘Bohk,’ this is the informal way to tell someone ‘Hello!’ or ‘Goodbye.’ You often hear this among people that have close relationships with one another. In Croatian culture, people often have close-knit relationships with one another. Therefore, using this when you are in Croatia is common.

2. Oprosti (Informal) Play

The formal way to tell someone ‘Excuse me,” is this word. This is applicable, especially in an office or school setting. Keeping this word in mind will help you navigate Croatia’s local language more easily.

This means ‘Yes’ in English. This is one of the useful words that you can use whenever you are in Croatia because it helps answer questions whenever you talk with the locals.

Contrary to ‘Da,’ this means ‘No’ in English. Learning this will not just widen your Croatian vocabulary, but it will also allow you to decline people respectfully.

6. Molim Play

Molim means ‘Please’ in American English. When pronounced, it sounds like ‘moh-leem.’ You can use this word on different occasions, not just when you are asking someone for a favor.

7. Uživati Play

Pronounced as ‘oo-zi-va-ti,’ this is the informal way to tell someone to enjoy. You can tell this to your close friends or family. However, refrain from telling this to your superior or boss because you might get in trouble.

8. Hvala Play

This means ‘Thank you’ in English. There are various ways to say ‘thank you’ in Croatian, but this is the easiest way to say it without sounding rude or condescending to the person you are speaking to.

9. Izvoli (Informal) Play

This word is the informal way to tell someone that ‘You’re welcome.” Usually, this word is used around people that have known each other for a long time or for people that have very close relationships.

10. Izvolite (Formal) Play

Opposite to ‘Izvoli,’ this is the formal way to tell someone, ‘You’re welcome.’ You can use this word when you are talking to a vendor selling goods or perhaps someone you are not close with who gave thanks for doing them a favor.

11. Doručak Play

Pronounced as ‘doh-roo-kak,’ this means breakfast in the Croatian language. When you visit Croatia, and you find yourself wanting to eat breakfast but don’t know what to say, you can start with this!

12. Ručak Play

Next to breakfast is lunch. The word ‘Ručak’ is the Croatian translation for it. Do you want to eat lunch on the Croatian coast? Saying this word can get you started.

13. Večera Play

This means ‘dinner’ in English. Although several Croatian phrases or sentences can be more elaborate and specific, you can start with this! This will surely save you in everyday situations and help you learn useful phrases in the future.

14. Voda Play

Staying hydrated is key! If you find yourself thirsty or dehydrated, the Croatian word ‘voda’ translates to ‘water’ in English.

15. Doviđenja! Play

Are you saying goodbye to a friend? Just say ‘Doviđenja!’ and you’re good to go.

These are some basic words that can help you get by and expand your Croatian vocabulary. It might be relatively different when you speak English, but it is fun to learn!

Basic Croatian, at first, will be confusing. However, there will be more progress when you get to establish and immerse yourself in the language. From learning five words a day to ten words the next, give yourself time, and you might find yourself watching Croatian movies without subtitles or have the need even to translate them.

Learning Croatian or other languages starts with knowing the words, learning the phrases, and speaking to other people. It is a process that requires so much patience and will to learn. It will also help you watch videos or listen to the music of the language you want to learn. If that is not your cup of tea, then perhaps talking to the people that speak it in their local language would help! This process hits two birds with one stone. First, you learn a new language. Second, you get to make new friends.

Group of 4 people talking to each other to practice speaking Croatian

Other Basic Croatian Phrases

If you want to sharpen your basic Croatian, here are Croatian phrases that also contain useful words!

Ready To Learn Croatian? Get Ling App Now

The easiness of a certain language heavily depends on your want to learn, your patience, and the time you allot to learn it.

Whether it is a part of your bucket list to learn an official language, travel across Europe, make friends on Facebook, or the ability to read a certain sign on the road, learning is fun. From learning a word to memorizing a certain phrase down to being familiar with the sound, learning Croatian should be enjoyable.

Many people may say that it is one of the most challenging languages to learn, but as long as you have the right tools for it and the discipline to learn it, you’re good to go! The good thing is that the Ling app is under your fingertips and has your back! This app provides the most straightforward interface you can navigate and has a variety of quizzes and activities that can help you learn the language you desire. With the Ling app learning a new language is much easier. Download it now from Google Play Store or App Store !

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Basic Croatian phrases you need to know (English to Croatian)
Basic Croatian phrases you need to know (English to Croatian) in 2021

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147 Basic Croatian Words and Phrases for Tourists (with audio)
Here is the list of Croatian words and phrases that will ensure you experience unforgettable moments during your stay in Croatia: Hot springs - Toplice [/toh-plee-tseh/] Amusement park - Zabavni park [/zah-bahv-nee park/] Bowling - Kuglanje [/koo-glah-nyeh/] Cinema - Kino [/kee-noh/] Rafting - Rafting [/rahf-ting/]
Basic Croatian words and phrases to get through life in Croatia
The vocabulary of phrases below is structured for the formal. Phrase: Bolesna/bolestan sam. ( bolesna is feminine; bolestan is masculine) Meaning: I am sick. Phrase: Dobro sam, hvala. Meaning: I'm good, thanks. Phrase: Drago mi je. Meaning: Nice to meet you. (I am glad.)
Basic Croatian Phrases: 54 Useful Phrases to Learn
Check out these basic Croatian phrases that will come in handy from day one: Zdravo - Hello. This is probably the first thing you'll hear and learn in this Balkan country. Bok - Hi or bye. This is a much more casual way to say hi or bye, that you'd hear from a friend. It's especially present around the capital, Zagreb.
100+ Essential Croatian Phrases You'll Need Before Traveling to Croatia
Croatia was always dazzling. With its beautiful lakes, exotic beaches, and unbroken forests, Croatia was and still is one of the most prominent travel destinations in the Southeast of Europe. But over the last decade, there were significantly more tourists in Croatia, probably due to the whopping success of Game of Thrones. Dubrovnik, the real-life King's Landing, is a real gem and the main ...
Get Ready for Croatia: Basic Croatian Phrases to Know
Add a touch of local flavor to your travel experience by picking up some essential Croatian phrases. In this guide, we have curated a collection of handy words and phrases to enhance your Croatia vacation. Although Croatians are pretty well versed in English and German, they always like to hear a word or two of Croatian being spoken by the ...
Croatian Travel Phrasebook
Hit the ground running in Croatia with our Travel Phrasebook App, including basic vocabulary, essential phrases and 40+ helpful audio sentences. EN ... Pinheiros through the SUSEP Process 15414.900439/2015-34. All World Nomads entities listed above, including nib Travel Services Europe Limited, nib Travel Services Limited and nib Travel ...
What Are Some Basic Croatian Phrases?
Good Morning in Croatian. Saying 'Good Morning' to someone in Croatian translates to 'Dobro jutro' in Croatian. Remembering that the letter 'j' is often pronounced as a 'y' in the Croatian language, will definitely help you master this one! Dobro jutro is pronounced 'doh-broh you-troh'.
60+ basic Croatian phrases you need to know (English to Croatian)
In Croatia, you say "Živjeli" when you cheers. More posts about Croatia you might like. Croatia itinerary: 24 amazing things to do in Croatia; Croatia travel guide: The Ultimate Croatia Travel Guide for First-Timers; Car Rental: The Ultimate Guide to Renting a Car in Croatia; Facts: 20 Fun Facts About Croatia that You Didn't Know
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Travel to Croatia With a Toddler or Baby (From Experience!) Tipping in Croatia: A Complete Guide With Suggested Amounts! 20 Croatian Habits Everyone Should Adopt; 2 Comments Rares. 4/1/2023 04:17:55 am. Hy, Sarah I m Rares from Romania and I m a big fun of Croatia. I found your website when I was searching for some online resources to learn ...
Croatian Language Guide for Travelers
Many people working in tourist offices, travel agencies, hotels, camping sites and restaurants, besides English, also speak Italian and German. (Croatian: Hrvatski) is a language of the western group of South Slavic languages which is used primarily by the Croats. Croatian is a southern variant inside the Slavic language family.
100+ Basic Croatian Words And Phrases You Should Know
Croatian is a South Slavic language spoken primarily in Croatia, where it is the official language. It is also spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina and other neighboring countries with Croatian communities. Croatian is closely related to Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin, and they are mutually intelligible. It uses the Latin-based alphabet with ...
Useful Croatian Phrases You Must Know
Cruises are fantastic and inexpensive way to discover multiple destinations in Croatia. Split to Dubrovnik Cruise. 8 days, 9 destinations. From Dubrovnik to Sipan or Slano, Mljet, Korcula, Bisevo, Vis, Hvar, Bol (Brac island), Makarska, Pucisca (Brac), Omis, and Split. € 425 - 890.
Key Words and Phrases You Need to Know Before Visiting Croatia
Bok (/'bohk/) / Pozdrav (/'poh-zdrahv/) Meaning: Hi or bye (informal) / Hi or bye (formal) Say bok to the most basic greetings in Croatia. Use bok when greeting one or more friends and pozdrav in formal situations. Both can be used to say goodbye too, under the same circumstances. Consider bok and pozdrav your Croatian alohas.
Simple Croatian Words for Tourists
For help booking your accommodation and the activities in Croatia, speak to our travel specialist today. Ordering Food and Drinks: Croatia is a food-lovers dream! Full of authentic Mediterranean flavors and tantalizing aromas. One of the highlights of your Croatian vacation will undoubtedly be indulging in some of the country's most ...
Essential Croatian Phrases for Every Occasion
Croatian, the official language of Croatia, is a South Slavic language that is both beautiful and complex. While English is widely spoken in major tourist areas, learning a few basic Croatian phrases can greatly enrich your travel experience, allowing you to connect more deeply with locals and immerse yourself in Croatian culture.
LEARN CROATIAN: 10+ Essential Croatian Words You MUST KNOW!
Whether you're a tourist planning to travel to Croatia, a digital nomad wanting to live in Croatia for a while, or a Croatian descendant, these words are som...
LEARN CROATIAN! 50+ Common Travel Phrases for Beginners!
Learn more about our private tours throughout Croatia: https://www.royalcroatiantours.comIf you are looking for an Airbnb in Zagreb, check out our apartments...
Some basic Croatian to use on your holiday in Croatia
Hotels in Croatia: Did you know? The Kvarner hotel in Opatija is the oldest Croatian hotel on the Adriatic. It was built in 1884 and was a famous summer resort visited by the monarchs of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (tip: If, after a nostalgia-filled overnight stay, you're in the mood for nature: Risnjak, one of Croatia's eight national parks, is only an hour's drive from the Kvarner Hotel).
Chapter 3
Chapter 1 - Croatian greetings and the basics. Chapter 2 - Croatian numbers, days, months and telling the time. Chapter 4 - On the plane to Croatia. Chapter 5 - On arrival in Croatia. Chapter 6 - At the hotel in Croatia. Chapter 7 - Phrases for travelling around Croatia. Chapter 8 - Croatian phrases for about town and shopping.
Croatian Phrases, Words and More about the Language
Traveling to Croatia? Then it might be a good idea to learn a few Croatian Phrases. Here's a list with useful words and phrases as well as some more information about the language itself. Most of the younger generations will speak English fluently, but there are still some from the older generations which only speak basic English or none at all.
A to Ž Guide to Croatian Phrases and Words in 2020
A: Ajme! This Croatian phrase is used throughout Croatia for almost any scenario. It's similar to saying "Omg!" when you are scared or excited. However, it can also mean "ugh" if you are tired and not in the mood. For this particular scenario, you would say, "Ajme ne dam mi se!", which means "ugh, I am not in the mood!".
10+ Basic Croatian Words: Your Friendly Guide
Knowing the Basic Croatian Words are a must. Let's learn Croatia's 10+ essential terms and the proper Croatian pronunciation. ... Whether it is a part of your bucket list to learn an official language, travel across Europe, make friends on Facebook, or the ability to read a certain sign on the road, learning is fun. ...
The tips I wish I knew before going to Croatia
Planning during the shoulder season is one of the top things to know before going to Croatia. July and August are the hottest months in Croatia and the busiest tourist months — seeing millions of visitors every year. To get around the hordes and the heat, I recommend planning to travel to Croatia in either May-June or September-October.

147 Basic Croatian Words and Phrases for Tourists (with audio)

Basic Croatian Words and Phrases

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1. Hello in Croatian and other useful greetings

2. Basic Croatian phrases for travelers that need help

3. Croatian phrases for food lovers

4. Basic Croatian for travelers who need a place to spend the night

5. Croatian to English for tourists who want to have fun

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