Basic Words

1. Da

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Ne

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Molim

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

4. Hvala

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

5. Oprostite

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

6. Žao mi je

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

7. U redu je

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Ne razumijem

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Razumijem

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Gotovo

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Pričekajte, molim vas

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

    Grammar Note

    "vas" is the polite plural you; use "te" only with people you know well.

12. Samo trenutak

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Jedna odrasla osoba, molim

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Nemam rezervaciju

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

15. Imam rezervaciju

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Pomozite mi, molim vas

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

17. Ponovite, molim vas

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Govorite sporije, molim vas

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Govorim malo

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

20. Govorite li engleski?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

21. Ovo

    This (near me)

    Usage

    Point at something within your reach; "Ovo, molim" means "this one, please"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter demonstrative. Croatian splits distance three ways: ovo (near me), to (near you), ono (far from both)

22. To

    That (near you)

    Usage

    Point at something near the person you are talking to

    Grammar Note

    Neuter demonstrative; in speech it is also the general-purpose "that", regardless of distance

23. Ono

    That over there

    Usage

    Point at something away from both of you — a dish on the next table, an item on a high shelf

    Grammar Note

    Neuter demonstrative

24. Ovdje

    Here

    Usage

    Marks where you are; also used when pointing at a spot on a map

    Grammar Note

    Ijekavian form (Serbian: "ovde")

25. Tu

    There (near you)

    Usage

    The spot near the person you are addressing — "put it there"

26. Tamo

    Over there

    Usage

    A place away from both of you; use it while pointing

27. Ja

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at yourself to answer "who?"

    Grammar Note

    Nominative. Croatian verbs already mark person, so the pronoun is normally dropped and appears mainly for emphasis

28. Vi

    You (polite)

    Usage

    Point at the other person; always use this form with strangers and staff

    Grammar Note

    The polite form; "ti" is used with friends and children. The same "vi" is also the plural "you", so show with a gesture whether you mean one person or several

29. Zajedno

    Together

    Usage

    Says you are one party — same table, same bill, travelling together; "Zajedno, molim"

30. Odmah

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals urgency; useful in medical and emergency situations

    Grammar Note

    Adverb. It is also used spatially — "odmah tu" means "right there", so in directions it refers to distance, not time

31. Za jednu osobu

    For one person

    Usage

    States your party size at a restaurant, ticket desk, or hotel

    Grammar Note

    "Za" takes the accusative; "osoba" (person) is feminine, so the numeral is "jedna" → accusative "jednu"

32. Za dvije osobe

    For two people

    Usage

    States that your party is two

    Grammar Note

    "Two" is "dvije" before feminine nouns and "dva" before masculine/neuter; this is the ijekavian form (Serbian: "dve")

33. Za tri osobe

    For three people

    Usage

    States that your party is three

    Grammar Note

    After 2–4 the noun takes the genitive singular ("osobe")

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