Language/Croatian/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-Counting

Croatian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers and Counting

Welcome to the lesson on Croatian numbers and counting! Understanding numbers is fundamental in any language, especially when you want to navigate daily life, engage in conversations, or simply understand the world around you. In Croatian, numbers play a crucial role in everything from shopping to telling time, and mastering them will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively.

In this lesson, we will explore both cardinal numbers (the numbers we use for counting) and ordinal numbers (the numbers used to indicate order). We'll dive into the pronunciation of these numbers and provide you with examples to solidify your understanding. By the end of this lesson, you will be equipped with the vocabulary necessary to count in Croatian and use numbers in everyday situations.

Lesson Structure:

1. Introduction to Croatian Numbers

2. Cardinal Numbers

• Examples

3. Ordinal Numbers

• Examples

4. Exercises and Practice Scenarios

5. Solutions and Explanations for Exercises

Introduction to Croatian Numbers

Numbers in Croatian are not just digits; they are a gateway to understanding the language better. Whether you're counting objects, telling someone your age, or ordering food, being familiar with numbers will serve you well.

Croatian numbers can initially seem daunting due to their unique pronunciation and spelling, but with practice, you'll find that they follow a consistent pattern. Let's roll up our sleeves and dive into cardinal numbers first!

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers are the numbers we use to count. In Croatian, they have distinct forms for 1-10 and then additional rules for larger numbers. Here’s a list of cardinal numbers from 1 to 20 along with their pronunciation and English translations:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
jedan	/ˈjɛdan/	one
dva	/dʋa/	two
tri	/tri/	three
četiri	/ˈtʃɛtiri/	four
pet	/pɛt/	five
šest	/ʃɛst/	six
sedam	/ˈsɛdam/	seven
osam	/ˈɔsam/	eight
devet	/ˈdɛvɛt/	nine
deset	/ˈdɛsɛt/	ten
jedanaest	/jɛˈdanɛst/	eleven
dvanaest	/dʋaˈnanɛst/	twelve
trinaest	/tɾiˈnanɛst/	thirteen
četrnaest	/tʃɛʁˈnaɛst/	fourteen
petnaest	/ˈpɛtnaɛst/	fifteen
šesnaest	/ˈʃɛsnaɛst/	sixteen
sedamnaest	/sɛˈdamnaɛst/	seventeen
osamnaest	/ɔˈsamnaɛst/	eighteen
devetnaest	/dɛˈvɛtnaɛst/	nineteen
dvadeset	/ˈdʋadɛsɛt/	twenty

Now, let's look at how to form numbers beyond twenty. Croatian uses a combination of the base numbers and the tens. For example:

• 21 is "dvadeset i jedan" (twenty and one)

• 35 is "trideset i pet" (thirty and five)

As you can see, the structure is straightforward once you grasp the basics.

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers indicate position or order. In Croatian, they are formed from the cardinal numbers, but they take on specific endings. Here’s a table showcasing the first ten ordinal numbers:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
prvi	/ˈpərvi/	first
drugi	/ˈdruɡi/	second
treći	/ˈtrɛtʃi/	third
četvrti	/ˈtʃɛtʋrti/	fourth
peti	/ˈpɛti/	fifth
šesti	/ˈʃɛsti/	sixth
sedmi	/ˈsɛdmi/	seventh
osmi	/ˈɔsmi/	eighth
deveti	/ˈdɛvɛti/	ninth
deseti	/ˈdɛsɛti/	tenth

Notice that the endings change slightly compared to cardinal numbers. This is something to keep in mind as you practice.

Exercises and Practice Scenarios

Now it’s time to put your knowledge into practice! Below are exercises designed to help reinforce what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct cardinal number in Croatian.

1. I have ___ apples. (three)

2. She is ___ years old. (five)

3. We bought ___ oranges. (seven)

Exercise 2: Translate to Croatian

Translate the following numbers into Croatian.

1. Ten

2. Fourteen

3. Twenty-one

Exercise 3: Match the Numbers

Match the English number to its Croatian equivalent.

1. Eighth

2. Six

3. Thirteenth

Exercise 4: Create Sentences

Use the ordinal numbers to create sentences. For example, "I am the first in line."

1. Second

2. Fifth

3. Tenth

Exercise 5: Counting Objects

Count the following objects in Croatian and write them down:

• 2 books

• 5 cars

• 8 chairs

Exercise 6: Number Addition

Add the following numbers in Croatian:

1. Dva + Tri = ?

2. Pet + Šest = ?

3. Jedan + Četiri = ?

Exercise 7: Writing Ordinals

Write the ordinal number for the following positions:

1. 1st

2. 4th

3. 9th

Exercise 8: Listening Practice

Listen to the pronunciation of the following numbers and write them in Croatian:

1. 7

2. 12

3. 19

Exercise 9: Number Riddles

Create a riddle using a number and ask a classmate to guess it. For example, "I am the number of legs on a spider."

Exercise 10: Daily Life Usage

Write a short paragraph about how you would use numbers in your daily life in Croatian.

Solutions and Explanations for Exercises

Solutions for Exercise 1

1. tri

2. pet

3. sedam

Solutions for Exercise 2

1. deset

2. četrnaest

3. dvadeset i jedan

Solutions for Exercise 3

1. osmi - Eighth

2. šest - Six

3. trinaesti - Thirteenth

Solutions for Exercise 4

1. Druga sam u redu.

2. Peta sam u redu.

3. Deseta sam u redu.

Solutions for Exercise 5

• Dvije knjige

• Pet automobila

• Osam stolica

Solutions for Exercise 6

1. Pet

2. Jedanaest

3. Pet

Solutions for Exercise 7

1. prvi

2. četvrti

3. deveti

Solutions for Exercise 8

1. sedam

2. dvanaest

3. devetnaest

Solutions for Exercise 9

(Answers will vary; encourage creativity!)

Solutions for Exercise 10

(Answers will vary; encourage personalized responses!)

Congratulations on completing this lesson! Remember, practice makes perfect, and using numbers will become second nature with time. Keep counting, keep practicing, and soon you’ll be speaking Croatian with confidence.

Table of Contents - Croatian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense of Regular Verbs
• Present Tense of Irregular Verbs

  ---

Daily Activities

• Common Activities
• Hobbies and Interests

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjectives: Gender and Number
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Croatian Culture and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

Sources

• Croatian Numbers: Simple Hack For Learning How To Count in ...
• Numbers in Croatian | Pinhok Languages
• Basic Croatian vocabulary: Numbers

Other Lessons

• Geometry
• Count to 10
• Etymology and Word Formation
• Nature
• Colors
• Business and Professional Vocabulary
• How to Say Hello and Greetings
• Food
• Health