"Dobrodošli!" – meaning ''Welcome'' is one of the words you'll often hear while travelling through Croatia. We've prepared a handy guide for those of you who'd like to learn helpful and useful Croatian expressions that you might hear while on holiday. Book low-cost accommodation in Croatia, check our guide and you'll be just few steps away from a perfect summer holiday.
Greetings in Croatian
Hello – Zdravo, Bok, Ćao
Welcome – Dobrodošli
Good morning – Dobro jutro
Hello – Dobar dan
Good evening – Dobra večer
Good night – Laku noć
Goodbye – Zbogom, Doviđenja
Good luck – Sretno
Polite expressions in Croatia
I'm sorry – Oprostite! Ispričavam se! Žao mi je.
Here you are – Izvoli
Thank you very much – Hvala. Hvala lijepa
You're welcome – Nema na čemu
Chit-chat in Croatian
How are you – Kako ste? (formal)
How are you – Kako si? (informal)
I'm fine, thank you – Dobro sam, hvala
What's the time – Koliko je sati?
What's your name – Kako se zoveš? (informal)
What's your name – Kako se zovete? (formal)
My name is – Zovem se ...
Nice to meet you – Drago mi je
Where are you from – Odakle si? (informal)
Where are you from – Odakle ste? (formal)
I'm from – Ja sam iz ...
Three often used expressions
Pomalo – A word often heard in Dalmatia when you want to tell someone to relax and take things easy. The word stands for the general lifestyle in Dalmatia: ''Everything will be ok, just take it easy'' - "Sve će biti dobro, samo pomalo".
Može – An informal expression which stands for every type of agreement or affirmation; for example when someone offers you something or suggests an activity.
''You want an orange juice'' - "Želiš li sok od naranče?" / "Može."
''Wanna go to the beach" - Da odemo na plažu?" / "Može".
Samo malo – If for example you're getting off the bus and you need someone to step aside, you would say: "Samo malo". If you're in a hurry and moving through the crowds, you also say: "Samo malo", and people will step aside to give you space.
Cheers! – Živjeli! Uzdravlje!
Bon appetit – Dobar tek!
I understand – Razumijem
I don't understand – Ne razumijem
Yes – Da
No – Ne
Maybe – Možda
I don't know – Ne znam
Do you speak Croatian – Govoriš li hrvatski? (informal)
Do you speak Croatian – Govorite li hrvatski? (formal)
How do you say ..... in Croatian – Kako se kaže ..... na hrvatskom?
How much does it cost – Koliko je to? Koliko ovo košta?
Where's the toilet – Gdje je zahod?
Would you like to dance with me – Bi li htio plesati sa mnom? (when asking a man)
Would you like to dance with me – Bi li htjela plesati sa mnom (when asking a woman)
I love you – Volim te
Happy birthday – Sretan rođendan!
Fire! – Požar!
Leave me alone! – Pustite me na miru!
Help! – U pomoć!
Stop! – Stani!