Language/Croatian/Vocabulary/Telling-Time

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Croatian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers and Time → Telling Time

Introduction

In this lesson, we will learn how to tell time in Croatian. Telling time is an essential skill in any language, as it helps us navigate our daily lives and schedule our activities effectively. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the 24-hour clock, express time in different ways, ask for the time, and use time expressions in sentences.

Telling time in Croatian may seem challenging at first, but with practice and a solid understanding of the rules and vocabulary, you will become proficient in no time. We will start by examining the basics of the 24-hour clock and move on to more complex expressions and scenarios. Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of Croatian timekeeping!

The 24-Hour Clock

Before we dive into the specifics of telling time in Croatian, it's important to understand the concept of the 24-hour clock. Unlike the 12-hour clock used in some countries, the 24-hour clock is commonly used in Croatia and many other European countries. The 24-hour clock allows for a more precise and unambiguous way of expressing time.

In the 24-hour clock system, each day is divided into 24 hours, starting at midnight (00:00) and ending at the following midnight (24:00). The hours are numbered from 0 to 23, with 0 representing midnight and 12 representing noon. To express a time in the 24-hour clock, we simply state the hour followed by the minutes. For example, 14:30 would be read as "četrnaest trideset" (fourteen thirty).

Let's practice reading some times in the 24-hour clock system:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
07:00	sedam sati	7 o'clock
15:45	petnaest sati i četrdeset pet minuta	3:45 PM
21:20	dvadeset jedan sat i dvadeset minuta	9:20 PM

Remember, when reading times in Croatian, we use the word "sati" (hours) to indicate the hour, and "minuta" (minutes) to indicate the minutes.

Expressing Time in Different Ways

In addition to the 24-hour clock system, there are various ways to express time in Croatian. Let's explore some common phrases and expressions used to indicate different times of the day.

Morning and Afternoon

In the morning, we can use the phrase "ujutro" to indicate the time between midnight and noon. This is equivalent to the English phrase "in the morning." For example, "10:00 AM" can be expressed as "u deset sati ujutro" (at ten o'clock in the morning).

Similarly, in the afternoon, we use the phrase "popodne" to indicate the time between noon and 6:00 PM. This is equivalent to the English phrase "in the afternoon." For example, "3:30 PM" can be expressed as "u pola četiri popodne" (at half past three in the afternoon).

Evening and Night

In the evening, we use the phrase "navečer" to indicate the time between 6:00 PM and midnight. This is equivalent to the English phrase "in the evening." For example, "8:15 PM" can be expressed as "u osam petnaest navečer" (at eight fifteen in the evening).

During the night, we use the phrase "noću" to indicate the time between midnight and 6:00 AM. This is equivalent to the English phrase "at night." For example, "2:45 AM" can be expressed as "u dva četrdeset pet noću" (at two forty-five at night).

Let's practice expressing different times of the day using these phrases:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
09:30 AM	u devet sati trideset ujutro	9:30 in the morning
05:45 PM	u pet sati i četrdeset pet minuta popodne	5:45 in the afternoon
10:10 PM	u deset sati i deset minuta navečer	10:10 in the evening
03:20 AM	u tri sata i dvadeset minuta noću	3:20 at night

Remember to use the appropriate phrase depending on the time of day you want to express.

Asking for the Time

Now that you have a good grasp of how to tell time in Croatian, let's move on to asking for the time. Here are some common phrases you can use to inquire about the current time:

• "Koliko je sati?" - This phrase translates to "What time is it?" in English. It is a straightforward way to ask for the time in general.

• "Koje je vrijeme?" - This phrase translates to "What's the time?" in English. It is another way to ask for the current time.

• "Molim te, možeš li mi reći koliko je sati?" - This phrase translates to "Can you please tell me the time?" in English. It is a polite way to ask someone to inform you of the current time.

Let's practice asking for the time in Croatian:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
Koliko je sati?	Koliko je sati?	What time is it?
Koje je vrijeme?	Koje je vrijeme?	What's the time?
Molim te, možeš li mi reći koliko je sati?	Molim te, možeš li mi reći koliko je sati?	Can you please tell me the time?

Remember to use these phrases when you want to ask for the time in Croatian.

Time Expressions in Sentences

To further reinforce your understanding of telling time in Croatian, let's practice using time expressions in sentences. By incorporating time expressions into everyday sentences, you will become more comfortable and proficient in expressing time accurately.

Here are some examples of sentences using time expressions:

• "Idem spavati u deset sati navečer." - This sentence translates to "I go to sleep at ten o'clock in the evening." It indicates a specific time for going to sleep.

• "Ručak je u podne." - This sentence translates to "Lunch is at noon." It specifies the time for having lunch.

• "Putovanje počinje u 8:30 ujutro." - This sentence translates to "The journey starts at 8:30 in the morning." It states the time when the journey begins.

• "Sastanak je u 14:00 popodne." - This sentence translates to "The meeting is at 2:00 in the afternoon." It provides the time for the meeting.

Let's practice forming sentences using time expressions:

Croatian	Pronunciation	English
Idem spavati u deset sati navečer.	Idem spavati u deset sati navečer.	I go to sleep at ten o'clock in the evening.
Ručak je u podne.	Ručak je u podne.	Lunch is at noon.
Putovanje počinje u 8:30 ujutro.	Putovanje počinje u osam i trideset ujutro.	The journey starts at 8:30 in the morning.
Sastanak je u 14:00 popodne.	Sastanak je u četrnaest sati popodne.	The meeting is at 2:00 in the afternoon.

Congratulations! You can now confidently tell time in Croatian and use time expressions in sentences. Keep practicing and incorporating these phrases into your daily conversations to solidify your understanding.

Regional Variations and Cultural Insights

Like any language, Croatian may have regional variations in the usage or understanding of telling time. However, when it comes to timekeeping, Croatia largely follows the standard 24-hour clock system used throughout Europe.

One interesting cultural fact related to telling time in Croatia is the concept of "Croatian stretchable time." This refers to the tendency of Croatians to be more relaxed and flexible with punctuality, especially in informal settings. While it's still important to be on time for formal occasions and professional settings, Croatians generally have a more relaxed approach to timekeeping in casual social situations.

Additionally, it's worth noting that the use of digital devices and smartphones has become increasingly common in Croatia, making it easier than ever to keep track of time. This technological shift has also influenced the way people perceive and express time in their daily lives.

Exercises

Now, let's put your knowledge of telling time in Croatian to the test with some exercises. Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.

1. Ručak je u ____________.

• a) podne
• b) navečer
• c) jutro

2. Koliko je sati? - ____________.

• a) U deset sati navečer.
• b) U podne.
• c) U šest sati ujutro.

3. Putovanje počinje u ____________.

• a) 12:30 popodne.
• b) 14:00 navečer.
• c) 8:00 ujutro.

4. Koje je vrijeme? - ____________.

• a) 17:45 popodne.
• b) 7:30 ujutro.
• c) 13:20 podne.

5. Molim te, možeš li mi reći koliko je sati ____________?

• a) navečer
• b) jutro
• c) popodne

__Exercise Solutions__

1. a) podne 2. c) U šest sati ujutro. 3. a) 12:30 popodne. 4. a) 17:45 popodne. 5. b) jutro

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing the lesson on telling time in Croatian! By now, you should feel confident in understanding the 24-hour clock, expressing time in different ways, asking for the time, and using time expressions in sentences.

Remember to practice regularly to solidify your understanding and fluency in telling time. Incorporate time-related vocabulary and phrases into your daily conversations to make the learning experience more enjoyable and meaningful.

Keep up the great work, and soon you'll be a master of Croatian timekeeping!

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

• How to tell the time in Croatian
• Telling the time in Croatian | coLanguage

Other Lessons

• Geography
• Greetings and Introductions
• House
• Languages
• Phrasal Verbs and Collocations
• How to say Good Bye?
• Science and Technology
• Months of the Year
• Countries
• Weather

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