Learning a new language involves not just getting to grips with grammar and pronunciation but also expanding your vocabulary to include a variety of contexts. Health and wellness are important topics in any language, and Croatian is no exception. Whether you’re traveling to Croatia or just looking to brush up on your skills, understanding health-related words can be incredibly useful. Here, we explore some key vocabulary related to health and wellness in Croatian, complete with definitions and example sentences.

Zdravlje
This word means “health” and can be used in various contexts to discuss well-being.
Briga o osobnom zdravlju je vrlo važna.

Bolest
Meaning “disease” or “illness,” this term is used to describe any kind of health ailment.
Nažalost, bolest se brzo širila kroz grad.

Liječnik
This term means “physician” or “doctor” and denotes a medical professional.
Moj liječnik mi je dao nekoliko savjeta za zdraviji život.

Ambulanta
An “ambulance” or “clinic,” this is the place you might visit for medical attention or emergencies.
Hitna ambulanta nalazi se nedaleko od moje kuće.

Apteka
This word refers to a “pharmacy” or “drugstore” where you can buy medication.
Idem do apoteke kupiti lijek.

Lijek
A “medicine” or “drug,” this is what you might be prescribed or advised to take when ill.
Morate uzimati lijek tri puta dnevno nakon obroka.

Bolnica
This word translates to “hospital,” a place for medical treatment and operations.
Moj djed je prevezen u bolnicu zbog operacije.

Operacija
Meaning “surgery” or “operation,” this is a medical procedure.
Nakon operacije, pacijentu je potreban odmor.

Recept
This can refer to a “prescription” for medicine.
Farmaceut je ispunio moj recept za antibiotike.

Prevencija
Meaning “prevention,” this term is used in the context of preventing diseases.
Cijepljenje je važan dio prevencije zaraznih bolesti.

Fitness
Directly borrowed from English, “fitness” in Croatian pertains to physical health and exercise.
Fitness industrija je sve popularnija u Hrvatskoj.

Opustanje
This translates to “relaxation” and is key to mental well-being.
Vikendom volim prakticirati opuštanje uz jogu i meditaciju.

Wellness
Like “fitness,” this term is the same in English and Croatian and refers to overall well-being.
Wellness centri su odlični za oporavak tijela i duha.

Learning these health and wellness vocabulary words in Croatian can enhance your ability to communicate in everyday scenarios, particularly if you find yourself needing medical advice or if you’re exploring topics related to personal well-being. Remember, the context in which these words are used can vary, so always consider the surrounding conversation to find the best application of each term. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find yourself discussing health and wellness topics with ease in Croatian.