Basic Nouns

1. Voda

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water; works with pointing

   Grammar Note

   The listed form is nominative. Croatian has seven cases: vodu, vode, vodom.

2. Hrana

   Food

   Usage

   The general word when you are looking for something to eat

3. Novac

   Money

   Usage

   Comes up when paying or changing currency

4. Toalet

   Toilet

   Usage

   The word alone is enough to ask for directions

5. Maramice

   Tissue

   Usage

   For asking at a shop or a diner

6. Lijek

   Medicine

   Usage

   The core word at a pharmacy, paired with your symptom

7. Prtljaga

   Luggage

   Usage

   For checking in, picking up, or storing bags

8. Ključ

   Key

   Usage

   For collecting or returning it at hotel reception

9. Karta

   Ticket

   Usage

   The base word for transport and admission tickets

10. Putovnica

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at every check-in and border control

    Grammar Note

    "Putovnica" is the standard Croatian word; Serbian uses "pasoš".

11. Telefon

    Phone

    Usage

    Refers to the device and to making a call

12. Punjač

    Charger

    Usage

    When you want to borrow one at a hotel or café

13. Kolodvor

    Station

    Usage

    The easiest landmark to name when asking directions

14. Bolnica

    Hospital

    Usage

    The first word you need if you fall ill

15. Policija

    Police

    Usage

    For theft or accidents; the word alone gets help

16. Trgovina

    Shop

    Usage

    The general word when hunting for somewhere to buy things

17. Soba

    Room

    Usage

    For negotiating a stay or confirming a room number

18. Cesta

    Road

    Usage

    Used when asking directions, often over a map

19. Obitelj

    Family

    Usage

    Comes up in small talk about who you are travelling with

20. Ime

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

21. Glava

    Head

    Usage

    Body part for pointing out where it hurts; "Boli me glava" means "my head hurts"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; the listed form is nominative

22. Oko

    Eye

    Usage

    Body part for eye trouble; both eyes are "oči"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun with the irregular plural "oči". It is spelled the same as the preposition "oko" (around / about), so back it up by pointing at your eye

23. Zub

    Tooth

    Usage

    Body part for toothache; a dentist is "zubar"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun, plural "zubi"

24. Grlo

    Throat

    Usage

    Body part for a sore throat; the outside of the neck is a different word, "vrat"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun

25. Trbuh

    Belly / abdomen

    Usage

    Body part for stomach pain; everyday speech also uses "stomak" and "želudac" (stomach organ)

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun

26. Leđa

    Back

    Usage

    Body part for back pain

    Grammar Note

    A plural-only neuter noun; the verb agrees in the plural: "Bole me leđa"

27. Križa

    Lower back

    Usage

    The lower back specifically; "Boli me u križima" means "my lower back hurts". The waist as a body shape is a different word, "struk"

    Grammar Note

    Used in the neuter plural. The singular "križ" means a cross (crucifix), so do not point to the singular

28. Noga

    Leg (also foot)

    Usage

    "Noga" covers the whole leg and is used loosely for the foot as well. The foot alone is "stopalo"; point at your own body for the exact spot

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun, plural "noge"

29. Ruka

    Hand / arm

    Usage

    "Ruka" is one word for both hand and arm. If the distinction matters, use "šaka" (hand proper) or "podlaktica" (forearm), or just point

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun, plural "ruke"

30. Prsa

    Chest

    Usage

    The chest, for pain or tightness; chest pain is "bol u prsima"

    Grammar Note

    A plural-only neuter noun; in a medical context it means the ribcage, while breasts are a separate word, "dojke"

31. Hotel

    Usage

    Point to this to name a hotel as your destination; fastest shown alongside your booking

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun. Private apartments are "apartman" and rooms to let are signed "sobe"

32. Zračna luka

    Airport

    Usage

    Point to this to name the airport as your destination; road signs also read "ZRAČNA LUKA"

    Grammar Note

    Croatian says "zračna luka" (air harbour); the Serbian "aerodrom" is understood, but official signage uses this. Feminine noun

33. Autobusni kolodvor

    Bus station

    Usage

    The long-distance bus terminal. A street bus stop is a different word, "autobusna stanica" — pick the one you actually want

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun. Croatian uses "kolodvor" for a terminal, where Serbian would say "stanica"

34. Veleposlanstvo

    Embassy

    Usage

    Point to this as a destination after losing a passport or in an emergency; a consulate is "konzulat"

    Grammar Note

    Croatian uses "veleposlanstvo", not the Serbian "ambasada". Neuter noun; most embassies are in Zagreb

35. Bankomat

    ATM (cash machine)

    Usage

    Point to this to ask where a cash machine is; the machines themselves are labelled "BANKOMAT"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun. Croatia has used the euro since 2023

36. Mjenjačnica

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    Point to this to find a bureau de change; the shopfront reads "MJENJAČNICA"

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; ijekavian form (Serbian: "menjačnica")

37. Praonica rublja

    Laundry / launderette

    Usage

    Point to this to find somewhere to wash clothes; self-service is "samoposlužna praonica". Unattended coin launderettes are uncommon in Croatia — most places wash your load for you

    Grammar Note

    Feminine noun; "rublja" is the genitive of "rublje" (laundry). Dry cleaning is "kemijska čistionica"

38. Vatrogasno vozilo

    Fire engine

    Usage

    The fire engine that comes to a fire; a firefighter is a "vatrogasac"

    Grammar Note

    Neuter noun: "vatrogasno" (fire-fighting) + "vozilo" (vehicle); the adjective is built from "vatra" (fire) + "gasiti" (to extinguish)

39. Konzulat

    Consulate

    Usage

    Where to go for a replacement passport or emergency help; an embassy is "veleposlanstvo"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine noun; a consul is a "konzul"

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