Understanding the Basics: Numbers and Time Units in Croatian
Cardinal Numbers
Before you can tell the time, you need to know your numbers. Here are the numbers from one to twelve in Croatian, which are most commonly used for telling the time:
- 1 – jedan
- 2 – dva
- 3 – tri
- 4 – četiri
- 5 – pet
- 6 – šest
- 7 – sedam
- 8 – osam
- 9 – devet
- 10 – deset
- 11 – jedanaest
- 12 – dvanaest
Time Units
Here are some key words related to time:
- hour – sat
- minute – minuta
- second – sekunda
- o’clock – sati (plural form for hours)
How to Ask for the Time in Croatian
The most common way to ask “What time is it?” in Croatian is:
Koliko je sati?
This phrase literally means “How many hours is it?” and is universally understood across Croatia.
How to Tell the Time in Croatian
Saying the Hour
To say the time on the hour, use the number followed by the correct form of “sati” (hours):
- It is one o’clock – Jedan je sat.
- It is two o’clock – Dva su sata.
- It is three o’clock – Tri su sata.
- It is five o’clock – Pet je sati.
Notice the changes in the word “sat/sata/sati” depending on the number. For one o’clock, it’s “sat,” for two, three, or four it’s “sata,” and for five and above it’s “sati.”
Minutes Past the Hour
To express minutes past the hour, say the hour first, then the minutes:
- It is 3:10 – Tri i deset (minuta) je.
- It is 7:25 – Sedam i dvadeset pet (minuta) je.
The word “minuta” is often omitted in casual speech.
Half Past, Quarter Past, and Quarter To
- Half past five – Pola šest (literally “half six”, meaning 5:30)
- Quarter past eight – Četvrt na devet (literally “quarter to nine”, meaning 8:15)
- Quarter to four – Petnaest do četiri (15 to four, meaning 3:45)
Note: In Croatian, “pola” always refers to the upcoming hour, so “pola šest” is 5:30, not 6:30.
Minutes To the Hour
For times such as 10 minutes to 8, Croatians say:
- It is 10 minutes to eight – Deset do osam.
Using the 24-Hour Clock
In formal settings, such as timetables, Croatians often use the 24-hour clock. For example:
- 14:00 – četrnaest sati (fourteen o’clock, or 2 PM)
- 18:45 – osamnaest i četrdeset pet (eighteen and forty-five, or 6:45 PM)
Practice Makes Perfect
To get comfortable with telling the time in Croatian, practice with everyday scenarios. Try asking for the time, reading schedules, or setting up meetings in Croatian. Interactive platforms like Talkpal are excellent for practicing these skills in real-life conversations and getting instant feedback.
Quick Reference Table
| English | Croatian |
|---|---|
| What time is it? | Koliko je sati? |
| It is 1 o’clock | Jedan je sat. |
| It is 4 o’clock | Četiri su sata. |
| It is 8 o’clock | Osam je sati. |
| It is half past nine | Pola deset. |
| It is quarter to three | Petnaest do tri. |
Tips for Mastering Time Expressions in Croatian
- Listen to native speakers and repeat common time phrases.
- Practice reading and writing the time in both 12-hour and 24-hour formats.
- Use apps like Talkpal to simulate real conversations about time.
- Learn the patterns for changing “sat” to “sata” or “sati” based on the number.
Conclusion
Telling the time in Croatian is a practical and rewarding skill that will help you in daily conversations, travel, and studies. By learning the key vocabulary, practicing with examples, and engaging with language learning tools like Talkpal, you’ll quickly become comfortable with Croatian time expressions. With regular practice, you’ll be able to schedule meetings, read timetables, and make plans with confidence. Sretno u učenju! (Good luck with your learning!)
