Croatian terms of endearment

Most of us, probably all of us, use terms of endearment when speaking to people we care about whether we realize it or not. Sugar, sweetheart, buddy, dude. These are all ways that we might refer to someone that is dear to us instead of using their name. Every language has them, including Croatian.

Why not switch some of your common terms of endearment over to Croatian? It’s a great way to help you assimilate and become more comfortable with the language.

In this post, we cover 25 different ways to express love and caring in Croatian including some examples of how to use them. Once you learn these, you may end up recognizing them when you’re eavesdropping on locals.

Let’s start!

Croatian terms of endearment

#1 Anđele

Meaning: angel
Usage: to express someone is like an angel to you
Gender variations (m, f, n): anđele
Example: Kad se vraćaš kući, anđele? (When are you coming home, my angel?)

#2 Bebo, bejbe

Meaning: baby
Usage: to call someone a baby because of love
Gender variations (m, f, n): bebo, bejbe
Example: Ne ljutim se na tebe, bebo. (I’m not mad at you, baby.)

#3 Bubica

Meaning: small bug
Usage: no specific usage
Gender variations (m, f, n): bubica
Example: Kako si mi danas, bubica? (How are you today, little bug?)

#4 Dragi

Meaning: dear, darling
Usage: to express that someone is dear to you
Gender variations (m, f, n): dragi, draga, drago
Example: Volim te, draga! (I love you dear!)

#5 Dušo

Meaning: sweetheart (literally “soul”)
Usage: to express that someone is very close to you
Gender variations (m, f, n): dušo
Example: Dušo, dodaj mi šećer. (Honey, pass me the sugar.)

#6 Frajeru

Meaning: dude
Usage: to express that someone is cool
Gender variations (m, f, n): frajeru, frajerice, n/a
Example: Frajeru, ti si neustrašiv. (Dude, you’re fearless.)

#7 Kiki(ć)

Meaning: small kid
Usage: to address someone like a child
Gender variations (m, f, n): n/a, kiki, kikić, n/a
Example: Oni su još kikići. (They are still children.)

#8 Kolačiću

Meaning: cookie
Usage: to show that someone is sweet to you
Gender variations (m, f, n): kolačiću
Example: Kolačiću, jesi li gladna? (Cookie, are you hungry?)

#9 Kompa, kompić

Meaning: buddy
Usage: to show the endearment to a friend
Gender variations (m, f, n): kompa, kompić
Example: Kako si, kompa? (How are you buddy?)

#10 Kraljica

Meaning: queen
Usage: to express that someone is like a queen
Gender variations (m, f, n): kraljica/kraljice, kralj/kralju, n/a
Example: Kraljice, ti si super! (Queen you’re great!)

#11 Ljubavi

Meaning: love
Usage: to express that someone is your love
Gender variations (m, f, n): ljubavi, ljubav
Example: Što ćemo raditi večeras, ljubavi? (What are we going to do tonight my love?)

#12 Maco

Meaning: cat
Usage: to express endearment and that someone is gentle like a cat
Gender variations (m, f, n): mačak, maco, n/a
Example: Jesi li mi dobro, maco? (Are you okay cat?)

#13 Mala

Meaning: little girl
Usage: to express endearment
Variations (m, f, n): mala, mali, malo
Example: Mala, požuri! (Little girl, hurry up!)

#14 Mazo

Meaning: cuddly pet
Usage: to express that someone likes to cuddle or you like to cuddle them
Gender variations (m, f, n): mazo
Example: Ti si moja maza. (You are my cuddles.)

#15 Mico

Meaning: little cat
Usage: to express that someone is kind like a cat
Variations (m, f, n): mici, mico, n/a
Example: Mico, ajmo prošetati. (Little cat let’s take a walk.)

#16 Mil(en)a

Meaning: likable, sweet, gentle
Usage: to express that someone is gentle
Gender variations (m, f, n): mila/milena, mili/mileni, milo/mileno
Example: Mileni, puno te volim. (Mileni I love you a lot.)

#17 Mišiću

Meaning: little mouse
Usage: to express endearment
Gender variations (m, f, n): mišice, mišiću
Example: Mišiću, idemo spavati. (Little mouse, let’s go to sleep.)

#18 Piliću

Meaning: little chicken
Usage: to express endearment
Gender variations (m, f, n): piliću
Example: Što se smiješ, piliću? (What are you laughing at little chicken?)

#19 Ribice

Meaning: little fish
Usage: to express endearment
Gender variations (m, f, n): ribice
Example: Ribice, kad ćemo na kavu? (Little fish, when are we going for a coffee?)

#20 Šećeru

Meaning: sugar
Usage: to express that someone is sweet
Gender variations (m, f, n): šećeru
Example: Jako si mi lijepa, šećeru. (You are very pretty my sugar.)

#21 Srce

Meaning: heart
Usage: to express that someone is a part of you
Gender variations (m, f, n): srce
Example: Srce, bit će sve u redu. (My heart, everything’s going to be alright.)

#22 Srećo

Meaning: honey (literally “luck” or “happiness”)
Usage: to express that you’re lucky to have someone
Gender variations (m, f, n): srećo
Example: Idemo na sladoled, srećo! (Let’s go get some ice cream honey!)

#23 Stari

Meaning: old man
Usage: to express the feeling of kindness to a person
Gender variations (m, f, n): stari, stara, staro
Example: Moj stari je odličan u biljaru. (My old man is great in billiards).

#24 Sun(aš)ce

Meaning: sunshine
Usage: to express that someone is your light
Gender variations (m, f, n): sunce/sunašce
Example: Ti si moje sunce. (You are my sunshine.)

#25 Zlato

Meaning: darling (literally “gold”)
Usage: to express that someone means a lot to you
Gender variations (m, f, n): zlato
Example: Ti si moje zlato. (You are my darling.)

View other Croatian vocabulary posts

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• 10 ways to use “može”
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• Another 10 Croatian clichés to drop into conversation with a Croat
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• Holiday words and phrases
• How to ask how someone is doing
• How to use “veze” and express connection in Croatian
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