Language/Croatian/Vocabulary/Phrasal-Verbs-and-Collocations

Croatian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Phrasal Verbs and Collocations

Welcome to our lesson on Croatian Vocabulary → Phrasal Verbs and Collocations! Today, we will explore the fascinating world of Croatian phrasal verbs and collocations—two essential components of the language that can enhance your fluency and expressiveness. Understanding these elements will not only help you communicate more effectively but will also give you a deeper insight into the Croatian way of thinking and expressing ideas.

Importance of Phrasal Verbs and Collocations

Phrasal verbs and collocations are phrases that consist of a verb combined with one or more words, often prepositions or adverbs. They are vital in any language because they often convey meanings that go beyond the sum of their parts. In Croatian, using these phrases correctly can make your speech sound more natural and idiomatic.

For example, while you might know the word "raditi" (to work), you may not be familiar with the collocation "raditi od jutra do mraka" (to work from morning until night). Such expressions are common in everyday conversations and help you sound like a local.

Lesson Structure

In this lesson, we will cover:

• An introduction to common Croatian phrasal verbs

• Key collocations used in everyday language

• A variety of idiomatic expressions

• Practice exercises to reinforce your learning

By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of phrasal verbs and collocations in Croatian, equipping you with valuable tools for communication.

Common Croatian Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are formed by combining a verb with one or more particles, such as prepositions or adverbs. They often have idiomatic meanings that can be tricky for learners. Let's look at some common Croatian phrasal verbs.

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
ustati se	ustáti se	to get up
oblačiti se	oblačíti se	to get dressed
naletjeti na	naléti jeti na	to run into
dovršiti	dovršíti	to finish up
sjetiti se	sjétiti se	to remember
početi	početí	to start
pospremiti	posprémiti	to tidy up
zaboraviti	zaboráviti	to forget
odmoriti se	odmórti se	to rest
razgovarati o	razgovarátí o	to talk about

Important Collocations

Collocations are combinations of words that frequently go together in a language. They sound natural to native speakers and help you express ideas clearly. Here are some important Croatian collocations.

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
raditi posao	radíti posáo	to do a job
imati vremena	imáti vreména	to have time
čitati knjigu	čítati knjígu	to read a book
gledati televiziju	gledáti televizíju	to watch television
praviti prijatelje	pravíti prijatelje	to make friends
slušati muziku	slušáti muzíku	to listen to music
pisati poruke	píšati porúke	to write messages
učiti jezik	učíti jézik	to learn a language
jesti večeru	jéstí večéru	to eat dinner
ići na posao	íći na posáo	to go to work

Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases whose meanings cannot be inferred from the literal meanings of the words. Here are some common Croatian idioms that you might find useful.

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
povući se u školu	povúći se u škólu	to pull back to school (to go back to studying)
biti na pravom putu	bíti na pravóm putu	to be on the right track
imati sreće	imáti sreće	to have luck
naći se u problemu	náći se u problému	to find oneself in trouble
biti u žurbi	bíti u žúrbi	to be in a hurry
raditi sve od srca	radíti sve od srda	to do everything from the heart
ići svojim putem	íći svojim putém	to go one’s own way
gledati svijet kroz ružičaste naočale	gledáti svijet kroz rúžičaste naočále	to see the world through rose-colored glasses
igrati na sigurno	igráti na sigrú	to play it safe
ne gubiti nadu	ne gubíti nádu	to not lose hope

Practice Exercises

Now that we've explored the essential phrasal verbs, collocations, and idiomatic expressions in Croatian, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are ten exercises designed to help you practice what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct phrasal verb from the list below.

1. Svako jutro se _______ u 7 sati. (get up)

2. Moram _______ svoje stvari prije nego što odem. (tidy up)

3. _______ ću o putovanju sutra. (talk about)

4. Ona se _______ u školu svake godine. (go back to studying)

5. Ne mogu _______ na taj problem. (forget)

Answers:

1. ustati se

2. pospremiti

3. razgovarati o

4. povući se u školu

5. zaboraviti

Exercise 2: Match the Collocations

Match the Croatian collocations with their English meanings.

1. raditi posao

2. imati vremena

3. gledati televiziju

4. jesti večeru

5. učiti jezik

A. to read a book

B. to have time

C. to do a job

D. to eat dinner

E. to watch television

Answers:

1 - C

2 - B

3 - E

4 - D

5 - A

Exercise 3: Translate the Idioms

Translate the following Croatian idioms into English.

1. biti na pravom putu

2. ne gubiti nadu

3. igrati na sigurno

Answers:

1. to be on the right track

2. to not lose hope

3. to play it safe

Exercise 4: Use in Sentences

Use the following phrasal verbs in a sentence.

1. oblačiti se

2. sjetiti se

3. dovršiti

Sample Answers:

1. Svakog jutra oblačim se brzo.

2. Sjetio sam se svog prijatelja.

3. Moram dovršiti svoj zadatak.

Exercise 5: Correct the Mistakes

Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

1. On se zaboravio knjigu.

2. Oni rade posao svakog dana.

3. Moram gledati film večeras.

Answers:

1. On je zaboravio knjigu.

2. Oni rade posao svaki dan.

3. Moram gledati televiziju večeras.

Exercise 6: Choose the Right Phrase

Choose the correct phrasal verb to complete the sentence.

1. Oni _______ u trgovini. (run into / talk about)

2. Ja _______ svoje prijatelje. (make friends / forget)

3. Ona _______ na posao svake jutro. (go to work / rest)

Answers:

1. run into

2. make friends

3. go to work

Exercise 7: Sentence Formation

Form sentences using the collocations below.

1. praviti prijatelje

2. čitati knjigu

3. slušati muziku

Sample Answers:

1. Volim praviti prijatelje u školi.

2. Čitam knjigu svake večeri.

3. Slušam muziku dok učim.

Exercise 8: Fill in the Correct Collocation

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate collocation.

1. On _______ puno vremena. (have time)

2. Ona _______ filmove često. (watch television)

3. Mi _______ posao zajedno. (do a job)

Answers:

1. ima vremena

2. gleda televiziju

3. radimo posao

Exercise 9: Translate the Collocations

Translate the following collocations into Croatian.

1. to listen to music

2. to go to work

3. to read a book

Answers:

1. slušati muziku

2. ići na posao

3. čitati knjigu

Exercise 10: Use Idioms in Context

Write a short paragraph using at least three idioms from the list provided earlier.

Sample Paragraph:

I always try to be on the right track in my studies. Even when things get tough, I remind myself not to lose hope. It’s important to play it safe and not rush into things.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've reached the end of this lesson on Croatian phrasal verbs and collocations. By familiarizing yourself with these expressions, you're one step closer to sounding like a native speaker. Keep practicing, and soon, these phrases will become second nature to you.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, don’t hesitate to reach out. Remember, learning a language is a journey, and every step you take brings you closer to your destination!

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

Other Lessons

• City
• Count to 10
• Languages
• Health
• Colors
• Body
• Weather
• Animals
• Numbers and Counting