Learning to count in a new language can be a fascinating and rewarding experience. Whether you are planning a trip to Croatia, have Croatian friends or family, or are simply interested in expanding your linguistic skills, learning to count in Croatian is a great place to start. Croatian is a South Slavic language spoken by around 5 million people, primarily in Croatia. This article will guide you through the steps to count from 1 to 50 in Croatian, including pronunciation tips and useful phrases.

Basic Numbers: 1 to 10

Before diving into the higher numbers, it’s essential to understand the basics. Here are the Croatian numbers from 1 to 10:

1. Jedan (yeh-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-veht)
10. Deset (deh-seht)

These numbers form the foundation for all subsequent numbers in Croatian. Practice pronouncing them correctly, as this will make it easier to learn the higher numbers.

Numbers 11 to 20

Once you have mastered the numbers from 1 to 10, you can move on to the numbers from 11 to 20. In Croatian, these numbers are formed by adding the suffix “-naest” to the base numbers (with a few exceptions).

11. Jedanaest (yeh-dah-nah-ehst)
12. Dvanaest (dvah-nah-ehst)
13. Trinaest (tree-nah-ehst)
14. Četrnaest (cheh-tur-nah-ehst)
15. Petnaest (peht-nah-ehst)
16. Šesnaest (shehs-nah-ehst)
17. Sedamnaest (seh-dahm-nah-ehst)
18. Osamnaest (oh-sahm-nah-ehst)
19. Devetnaest (deh-veht-nah-ehst)
20. Dvadeset (dvah-deh-seht)

Notice that the number 20, “dvadeset,” deviates from the “-naest” pattern and sets the stage for the next set of numbers.

Numbers 21 to 30

Counting from 21 to 30 in Croatian involves combining the tens and the units. Here are the numbers:

21. Dvadeset jedan (dvah-deh-seht yeh-dahn)
22. Dvadeset dva (dvah-deh-seht dvah)
23. Dvadeset tri (dvah-deh-seht tree)
24. Dvadeset četiri (dvah-deh-seht cheh-tee-ree)
25. Dvadeset pet (dvah-deh-seht peht)
26. Dvadeset šest (dvah-deh-seht shehst)
27. Dvadeset sedam (dvah-deh-seht seh-dahm)
28. Dvadeset osam (dvah-deh-seht oh-sahm)
29. Dvadeset devet (dvah-deh-seht deh-veht)
30. Trideset (tree-deh-seht)

The pattern here is straightforward: combine “dvadeset” (20) with the unit numbers 1 through 9, and then “trideset” (30).

Numbers 31 to 40

Continuing with the same pattern, here are the numbers from 31 to 40:

31. Trideset jedan (tree-deh-seht yeh-dahn)
32. Trideset dva (tree-deh-seht dvah)
33. Trideset tri (tree-deh-seht tree)
34. Trideset četiri (tree-deh-seht cheh-tee-ree)
35. Trideset pet (tree-deh-seht peht)
36. Trideset šest (tree-deh-seht shehst)
37. Trideset sedam (tree-deh-seht seh-dahm)
38. Trideset osam (tree-deh-seht oh-sahm)
39. Trideset devet (tree-deh-seht deh-veht)
40. Četrdeset (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht)

Again, the pattern involves combining “trideset” (30) with the units, followed by “četrdeset” (40).

Numbers 41 to 50

Finally, here are the numbers from 41 to 50:

41. Četrdeset jedan (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht yeh-dahn)
42. Četrdeset dva (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht dvah)
43. Četrdeset tri (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht tree)
44. Četrdeset četiri (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht cheh-tee-ree)
45. Četrdeset pet (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht peht)
46. Četrdeset šest (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht shehst)
47. Četrdeset sedam (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht seh-dahm)
48. Četrdeset osam (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht oh-sahm)
49. Četrdeset devet (cheh-tuhr-deh-seht deh-veht)
50. Pedeset (peh-deh-seht)

As before, combine “četrdeset” (40) with the units, and then learn “pedeset” (50).

Pronunciation Tips

Correct pronunciation is crucial when learning a new language. Here are some tips to help you pronounce Croatian numbers accurately:

1. Stress and Intonation: Croatian is a phonetic language, which means words are pronounced as they are written. Pay attention to stress and intonation, as these can change the meaning of words.

2. Consonants: Some Croatian consonants, such as “č,” “š,” and “ž,” do not exist in English. “Č” is pronounced like “ch” in “chocolate,” “š” is like “sh” in “shoe,” and “ž” is like the “s” in “measure.”

3. Vowels: Croatian vowels are generally short and crisp. “A” is pronounced like “ah,” “e” like “eh,” “i” like “ee,” “o” like “oh,” and “u” like “oo.”

4. Practice: Repetition is key. Practice counting aloud, listening to native speakers, and using language learning apps or resources to improve your pronunciation.

Useful Phrases Involving Numbers

Knowing how to count in Croatian is essential, but it’s also helpful to learn some common phrases that involve numbers:

1. How much does this cost? – Koliko ovo košta? (koh-lee-koh oh-voh koh-shtah)

2. I am 25 years old. – Imam dvadeset pet godina. (ee-mahm dvah-deh-seht peht goh-dee-nah)

3. What time is it? – Koliko je sati? (koh-lee-koh yeh sah-tee)

4. My phone number is 123-4567. – Moj broj telefona je jedan dva tri – četiri pet šest sedam. (moy broy teh-leh-foh-nah yeh yeh-dahn dvah tree – cheh-tee-ree peht shehst seh-dahm)

Practice Exercises

To reinforce what you’ve learned, try these practice exercises:

1. Counting Objects: Count everyday objects around you in Croatian. For example, “jedna knjiga” (one book), “dvije olovke” (two pencils), “tri jabuke” (three apples).

2. Math Problems: Solve simple math problems in Croatian. For example, “Koliko je dva plus tri?” (What is two plus three?)

3. Flashcards: Create flashcards with numbers on one side and their Croatian names on the other. Test yourself regularly.

4. Conversations: Practice using numbers in conversations with a language partner or tutor. For example, ask and answer questions about age, time, and prices.

Conclusion

Learning to count to 50 in Croatian is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the language. By mastering the numbers and practicing regularly, you’ll build a strong foundation for further language learning. Remember to focus on correct pronunciation, use numbers in everyday situations, and enjoy the process of learning a new language. Happy counting!