Croatian is a beautiful, melodious Slavic language spoken by the people of Croatia, and it’s also recognized in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and regions of Serbia and Montenegro. If you’re planning a trip, or just want to get acquainted with some everyday Croatian vocabulary, here are some core words that can help you communicate essential thoughts and feelings.

Dobar dan
This phrase literally means “good day,” and it’s a common greeting used in Croatia to say hello during the daytime.

Kada ulazite u trgovinu, uobičajeno je reći “Dobar dan” prodavaču.

Molim
“Molim” translates to “please” in English and is undoubtedly a polite addition to any request you might make.

Molim vas, možete li mi reći kako doći do muzeja?

Hvala
To express gratitude, you would say “hvala,” which means “thank you.”

Hvala vam na pomoći, jako ste ljubazni.

Da
One of the simplest and most important words is “da,” meaning “yes.” It’s a quick and easy way to respond affirmatively.

Da, želim pokušati tradicionalno jelo.

Ne
Similarly, “ne” is the word for “no,” allowing you to make your preferences known with a single syllable.

Ne, ne govorim tečno hrvatski.

Izvinite
When you need to apologize or attract someone’s attention politely, you use “izvinite,” which means “excuse me.”

Izvinite, možete li mi reći gdje je autobusna stanica?

Kako se zoveš?
When meeting new people, you can ask their name by saying “Kako se zoveš?” which means “What’s your name?” in an informal setting.

Kako se zoveš? Ja sam Ana.

Drago mi je
Upon receiving an answer, you can respond with “drago mi je,” which is a way to express “pleased to meet you.”

Marko je moje ime. Drago mi je.

Govorite li engleski?
Quite essential for the traveler, “govorite li engleski?” means “Do you speak English?”

Oprostite, govorite li engleski?

Toalet
“Toalet” is the Croatian word for “toilet” or “restroom,” a must-know term when you’re out and about.

Molim vas, gdje je toalet?

Voda
“Voda” means “water,” an essential word for staying hydrated, whether you’re asking for a glass at a restaurant or buying a bottle in a shop.

Možemo li dobiti još jednu čašu vode, molim vas?

Pivo
If you’re inclined to enjoy a Croatian beer, you’ll want to know the word “pivo.”

Jedno pivo, molim.

Plaža
“Plaža” refers to the “beach,” a place you’re likely to visit if you’re in Croatia during the warm months.

Koliko je daleko plaža odavde?

Hrana
Food is “hrana” in Croatian, useful when talking about meals or when you’re hungry.

Gdje mogu pronaći dobru hranu u ovom gradu?

Nazdravlje
When toasting with drinks, you would say “nazdravlje,” which is the equivalent of “cheers.”

Nazdravlje! Živjeli na našem prijateljstvu!

By getting familiar with these core Croatian words for everyday use, you’ll not only enrich your travel experience but also show respect to the local culture and language. Practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to use these words as often as possible when communicating with native speakers. Sretno, or good luck, on your language learning journey!