Croatian Language Lessons – December 2019

Every Monday, we publish a new Croatian phrase and word of the week on the home page of this site. At the end of every month, we publish a wrap up of all of the phrases and words from that month.

Here is a wrap up of our Croatian Language Lessons from December 2019.

Week of December 30

Phrase

“ima smisla“
Meaning: Literally means “it has sense”, but can be used to mean “makes sense”. Alternatively, you could negate it by saying “nema smisla”, which would mean “it does not have or make sense”.

Word

“navečer”
/nâʋetʃeːr/
Definition: In the evening
Example: Naći ćemo se navečer. ~ We will meet in the evening.

Week of December 23

Phrase

“dapače“
Meaning: I am happy to help as your request benefits me.
Background: If someone asks you to do something for them, and the act of you fulfilling their request also benefits you somehow, then you can reply with “dapače” as an affirmative response. Let’s say your friend asks you to pick up ice on the way to their house. You also need cigarettes. So picking up ice is helpful to you because you need to stop and get cigarettes anyways. 

Word

“papiga”
/pǎpiɡa/, Noun
Definition: A parrot (bird)
Example: Vidjela sam papigu u Tommyju. ~ I saw a parrot in the Tommy. (TRUE STORY)
View “papiga” in all cases.

Week of December 16

Phrase

“Spremni”
Meaning: We are ready.
Usage: Commonly used when you’re in a restaurant with others to indicate to the server that you are ready to order. The full proper phrase is “Spremni smo”, but usually shortened to just “Spremni”. If the group is only females, then you would say “Spremne”, but if there is at least one male present, use “Spremni”.

Word

“skeptičan”
/skěptitʃan/, Adjective
Definition: Skeptical
Example: Ja sam skeptična da MUP ima kopiju moje putovnice. ~ I am skeptical that MUP has a copy of my passport.
View “skeptičan” in all cases here.

Week of December 9

Phrase

“Žao mi je.”
Meaning: I’m sorry.

Word

“žudjeti”
/ʒǔːdjeti/, Verb
Definition: To crave or desire, yearn
Example: Žudim za pašticadom. ~ I crave pašticada.
Learn more about “žudjeti” here

Week of December 2

Phrase

“Ma daj”
Meaning: Oh, come on.
Usage: Can be used in any situation you would usually use “oh, come on” like when you’re discussing something absurd, calling someone absurd, trying to persuade someone or expressing dissatisfaction.

Word

“učiti”
/ǔtʃiti/, Verb
Definition: To teach, learn or study
Example: Polako učim hrvatski. ~ Slowly I’m learning Croatian. -OR- I’m learning Croatian step-by-step.
View “učiti” in all cases.

Check out all of our weekly Croatian lessons here.