Body Parts

1. Glava

   Head

   Usage

   Show it at a clinic and point to your head; a headache is "Boli me glava"

   Grammar Note

   Feminine; the listed form is nominative and the accusative is "glavu"

2. Kosa

   Hair

   Usage

   Used at a salon or barber; "Molim šišanje" asks for a haircut

3. Lice

   Face

   Usage

   Use it to mark a treatment area at a spa, or to show a skin problem to a doctor

4. Oko

   Eye

   Usage

   Point to it for pain or redness, or to ask for eye drops — "kapi za oči"

   Grammar Note

   Neuter, with the irregular plural "oči"

5. Uho

   Ear

   Usage

   Use it for ear trouble after a flight or a dive — a common complaint after diving in the Adriatic

   Grammar Note

   The plural is "uši"

6. Nos

   Nose

   Usage

   Point to it at a pharmacy for a blocked nose — "začepljen nos" — or a nosebleed

7. Usta

   Mouth

   Usage

   Use it for an ulcer or any pain inside the mouth

   Grammar Note

   A plural-only noun; a lip is the separate word "usna" (plural "usne")

8. Zub

   Tooth

   Usage

   Show it at the dentist — "zubar" — while pointing; "Boli me zub" is "my tooth hurts"

9. Jezik

   Tongue

   Usage

   For a sore or a burn on the tongue. The same word means "language", so point at your tongue to be clear

10. Vrat

    Neck

    Usage

    Croatian separates the outside of the neck ("vrat") from the throat inside ("grlo"); use this one for a stiff neck

11. Grlo

    Throat

    Usage

    For a sore throat — "Boli me grlo" is all the pharmacy, the "ljekarna", needs

12. Rame

    Shoulder

    Usage

    Point to it to ask a masseur to focus there

    Grammar Note

    Neuter, plural "ramena"

13. Ruka

    Arm / Hand

    Usage

    Croatian "ruka" runs from shoulder to fingertips; use "šaka" when you mean the hand alone

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, plural "ruke"

14. Šaka

    Hand

    Usage

    Because "ruka" is the whole arm, use this for the hand itself; it also means a fist

15. Lakat

    Elbow

    Usage

    A common place for grazes — point to it after a bike spill

16. Zapešće

    Wrist

    Usage

    For a sprain: "Uganuo sam zapešće" — I twisted my wrist

17. Prst

    Finger / Toe

    Usage

    One word for fingers and toes; say "prst na ruci" or "prst na nozi" to distinguish

18. Nokat

    Nail

    Usage

    Use it at a nail salon or to show an ingrown nail

    Grammar Note

    The plural is "nokti"

19. Prsa

    Chest

    Usage

    Point to it for chest pain or tightness — urgent, so show it early. The rib cage specifically is "prsni koš"

    Grammar Note

    Used in the plural

20. Trbuh

    Belly / Abdomen

    Usage

    The key word for food trouble: "Boli me trbuh" — my stomach hurts

21. Želudac

    Stomach (organ)

    Usage

    The organ, as against the everyday "trbuh" for the belly; ask a pharmacy for "nešto za želudac"

22. Leđa

    Back

    Usage

    Use it to direct a massage or to show where the pain is

    Grammar Note

    A plural-only neuter noun

23. Križa

    Lower back

    Usage

    The Croatian word for the lower back: "Bole me križa" — my lower back hurts

    Grammar Note

    Used in the plural; the singular "križ" means a cross

24. Kuk

    Hip

    Usage

    The joint at the side of the pelvis — point to it after a long bus ride or a wait for the ferry

25. Stražnjica

    Buttocks

    Usage

    A neutral word fit for a clinic — for an injection site or a fall injury

26. Noga

    Leg / Foot

    Usage

    Croatian "noga" runs from thigh to toes; use "stopalo" when you mean the foot alone

    Grammar Note

    Feminine, plural "noge"

27. Bedro

    Thigh

    Usage

    Point to it for sore muscles after a long descent or a hike

28. Koljeno

    Knee

    Usage

    The classic complaint coming down from Plitvice or the Velebit, and for showing a fall injury

    Grammar Note

    The Ijekavian form; Serbian's Ekavian equivalent has a different shape, "koleno"

29. List

    Calf

    Usage

    Point to it for cramp or tightness. The same word also means a leaf or a sheet, so point as you show it

30. Stopalo

    Foot

    Usage

    Because "noga" is the whole leg, use this for the foot alone — blisters, or the sole after you tread on a sea urchin

31. Gležanj

    Ankle

    Usage

    Point to it for a sprain: "Uganuo sam gležanj" — I twisted my ankle

32. Koža

    Skin

    Usage

    Use it at a pharmacy for bites, rash or sunburn — "opekline od sunca"

33. Kost

    Bone

    Usage

    For a suspected break; pair it with "Prijelom kosti" from the Health & Hospital category

34. Krv

    Blood

    Usage

    For bleeding or a blood test; your blood group is "krvna grupa"

35. Srce

    Heart

    Usage

    For palpitations or a long-term condition; pair it with "Bolest srca" from the Health & Hospital category

36. Pluća

    Lungs

    Usage

    For a cough, breathlessness or asthma; pneumonia is "upala pluća"

    Grammar Note

    Normally used in the plural

37. Jetra

    Liver

    Usage

    Use it with a doctor about a liver condition or your medication; on a menu it is the dish

38. Crijeva

    Intestines

    Usage

    Use it with a doctor for lasting diarrhoea or abdominal trouble

    Grammar Note

    The Ijekavian form; Serbian's Ekavian equivalent has a different shape, "creva"

39. Bubreg

    Kidney

    Usage

    For a kidney condition or pain in your side; a stone is "kamenac u bubregu"

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