Adjectives

1. Velik

   Big

   Usage

   For stating size, e.g. clothes or rooms

   Grammar Note

   The listed form is masculine singular: velika (fem.), veliko (neut.). Croatian also distinguishes indefinite velik from definite veliki.

2. Malen

   Small

   Usage

   The opposite of big; use it to ask for another size

3. Težak

   Heavy

   Usage

   Describe a heavy bag, often before asking for help

4. Lagan

   Light (weight)

   Usage

   Light in weight — a different word from "bright"

5. Skup

   Expensive

   Usage

   Opens a price negotiation

6. Jeftin

   Cheap

   Usage

   Use it when hunting for a cheaper option

7. Vruć

   Hot

   Usage

   Hot to the touch — distinct from hot weather

   Grammar Note

   "vruć" is hot to the touch; for weather use the neuter "vruće" (Vruće je).

8. Hladan

   Cold

   Usage

   Cold to the touch — distinct from cold weather

9. Nov

   New

   Usage

   For asking for a new item or a different room

10. Star

    Old (thing)

    Usage

    Old as in an object — not used for people here

    Grammar Note

    Use "star" for things; "stariji" is politer for a person.

11. Mlad

    Young

    Usage

    For talking about a person's age

12. Stariji

    Old (person)

    Usage

    The word used for people; keep it apart from "old thing"

13. Čist

    Clean

    Usage

    For the cleanliness of a room or of water

14. Prljav

    Dirty

    Usage

    For complaints, e.g. asking to change rooms

15. Dobar

    Good

    Usage

    The most general word for a positive judgement

16. Loš

    Bad

    Usage

    For reporting something faulty or unwell

17. Blizak

    Near

    Usage

    Comes up constantly as an answer about distance

18. Dalek

    Far

    Usage

    Check it to decide between walking and taking transport

19. Rani

    Early

    Usage

    Early in time — this entry is about the clock, not speed

    Grammar Note

    "rani" is early in time; fast in speed is "brz".

20. Kasni

    Late

    Usage

    Late in time; also used to report a delay

    Grammar Note

    "kasni" is late in time; slow in speed is "spor".

21. Mnogo

    Many

    Usage

    A large quantity; handy for adjusting an order

22. Malo

    Few

    Usage

    A small quantity; use it to ask for less

23. Vruće

    Hot (weather)

    Usage

    Hot weather; many languages use a different word than for hot objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the neuter "vruće" (Danas je vruće).

24. Hladno

    Cold (weather)

    Usage

    Cold weather; many languages use a different word than for cold objects

    Grammar Note

    Weather uses the neuter "hladno" (Hladno je). A cold drink is "hladan".

25. Sladak

    Cute

    Usage

    A versatile compliment for people, objects, or animals

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "slatka"

26. Kul

    Cool

    Usage

    Mainly for complimenting the look of a person or object

    Grammar Note

    A loanword from English; invariable in colloquial use

27. Ukusan

    Delicious

    Usage

    The most common compliment to give at the table

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "ukusna"

28. Nevjerojatan

    Amazing

    Usage

    Expresses surprise or admiration

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "nevjerojatna"

29. Zabavan

    Fun

    Usage

    Used to react to an experience itself

    Grammar Note

    Feminine "zabavna"

30. Više

    More

    Usage

    Asks for more of something: "Više, molim"

    Grammar Note

    Comparative of "mnogo/puno". In a negative sentence it flips to "no more" ("Ne želim više" = I don't want any more), so point to it only in a positive request

31. Samo malo

    Just a little

    Usage

    Ask for a small portion or a small top-up

32. Pola

    Half

    Usage

    Ask for half the amount; "pola porcije" is a half portion

    Grammar Note

    The following noun takes the genitive ("pola kruha" = half a loaf). In telling time, "pola tri" means half past two

33. Sve

    All / everything

    Usage

    Means "all of it" — ordering everything, or putting it all on one bill

    Grammar Note

    Neuter form; "sve zajedno" means "all together"

34. Dovoljno je

    That's enough

    Usage

    Stops someone pouring or serving more; polite as a refusal

Browse all TravelPhrases languages