Language/Croatian/Vocabulary/Politics-and-Current-Events
Welcome to another exciting lesson in our "Complete 0 to A1 Croatian Course." Today, we will dive into the fascinating world of Croatian politics and current events vocabulary. Whether you're planning to visit Croatia, stay updated with its political landscape, or simply want to expand your linguistic skills, this lesson is for you!
Importance of the Topic
Understanding political vocabulary is crucial for engaging in conversations about current events, expressing opinions, and getting involved in discussions that matter. Politics affects every aspect of society, and being equipped with the right words will enable you to navigate these conversations with confidence.
In this lesson, we will cover essential vocabulary related to:
- Government institutions
- Elections and political parties
- Media and news reporting
By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid foundation in the vocabulary you need to discuss Croatian political issues and current events.
Government Institutions
Croatia has a rich political system filled with various institutions that shape its governance. Here are some key terms to know:
| Croatian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Vlada | ˈvlaːda | Government |
| Sabirnica | saˈbiːr.ni.ʦa | Parliament |
| Predsjednik | ˈprɛd.ʃɛd.nik | President |
| Ministar | ˈmi.ni.star | Minister |
| Sabor | ˈsa.bor | Assembly |
| Ustavni sud | ˈustavni suːd | Constitutional Court |
| Općina | ˈop.t͡ɕi.na | Municipality |
| Županija | ˈʒu.pa.ni.ja | County |
| Država | ˈdrʒa.va | State |
| Gradonačelnik | ɡra.dɔˈnaː.t͡ʃɛl.nik | Mayor |
Elections and Political Parties
Elections are a vital part of democracy, and understanding the vocabulary related to them is essential for active participation. Here are some terms to get you started:
| Croatian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Izbori | ˈi.zbo.ri | Elections |
| Politička stranka | poˈli.tit͡ʃ.ka ˈstraŋ.ka | Political party |
| Kandidat | ˈka.ni.dat | Candidate |
| Glasanje | ˈɡla.san.jɛ | Voting |
| Izborna komisija | ˈiz.bor.na koˈmi.sija | Electoral commission |
| Referendum | re.feˈren.dum | Referendum |
| Kampanja | kamˈpa.nja | Campaign |
| Odluka | ˈod.lu.ka | Decision |
| Pravo glasa | ˈpra.vo ˈɡla.sa | Right to vote |
| Većina | veˈt͡ʃi.na | Majority |
Media and News Reporting
The media plays a significant role in informing the public about political matters. Familiarizing yourself with relevant vocabulary will help you follow the news effectively. Here are some essential terms:
| Croatian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Novine | nɔˈvi.ne | Newspapers |
| Televizija | te.leˈvi.zi.ja | Television |
| Radio | ˈra.di.o | Radio |
| Članak | ˈt͡ʃla.nak | Article |
| Reportaža | re.porˈta.ʒa | Report |
| Vijesti | ˈvje.s.ti | News |
| Novinar | ˈnɔ.vi.nar | Journalist |
| Izvještaj | izˈvjɛʃ.taj | Report |
| Medijska kuća | ˈme.dij.ska ˈku.t͡ʃa | Media house |
| Prijenos | ˈpri.ɛ.nɔs | Broadcast |
Exercises
Now that you’ve learned some useful vocabulary, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice! Below are some exercises designed to reinforce your learning.
Exercise 1: Match the Terms
Match the Croatian words with their English meanings.
|| Croatian || English ||
|-
| A. Izbori || 1. News ||
|-
| B. Ministar || 2. Municipality ||
|-
| C. Novinar || 3. Government ||
|-
| D. Općina || 4. Elections ||
Answers: A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Fill in the blanks with the correct vocabulary words.
1. The _____ (government) is responsible for making laws.
2. Citizens have the _____ (right to vote) in elections.
3. A _____ (candidate) runs for office during elections.
4. The _____ (journalist) reported on the recent political event.
Answers: 1. vlada, 2. pravo glasa, 3. kandidat, 4. novinar
Exercise 3: True or False
Determine whether the following statements are true or false.
1. The "Sabor" is the Croatian word for parliament. (True)
2. "Glasanje" means "campaign." (False)
3. "Predsjednik" translates to "Minister." (False)
4. "Televizija" refers to "radio." (False)
Exercise 4: Vocabulary in Context
Read the sentences and choose the correct vocabulary word from the options provided.
1. The _____ (elections / news) will be held next month.
2. A _____ (mayor / referendum) is the head of a city.
3. The _____ (journalist / campaign) wrote an article about the election.
4. The _____ (constitution / assembly) meets every month to discuss new laws.
Answers: 1. elections, 2. mayor, 3. journalist, 4. assembly
Exercise 5: Create Sentences
Use the vocabulary words to create sentences.
Example Answers:
1. "U Hrvatskoj, izbori se održavaju svake četiri godine." (In Croatia, elections are held every four years.)
2. "Ministar je objavio nove mjere." (The minister announced new measures.)
Exercise 6: Translate the Sentences
Translate the following sentences into Croatian.
1. The government is working on new laws.
2. The journalist reported on the recent elections.
Answers: 1. "Vlada radi na novim zakonima." 2. "Novinar je izvijestio o nedavnim izborima."
Exercise 7: Listening Exercise
Listen to a news segment in Croatian and identify any vocabulary words from today’s lesson. Write down the words you recognize.
Exercise 8: Group Discussion
In pairs, discuss a current event in Croatia using as many vocabulary words from today’s lesson as possible.
Exercise 9: Role Play
Role-play a scenario where one person is a journalist interviewing a politician. Use vocabulary from today's lesson.
Exercise 10: Quiz Yourself
Create a short quiz for yourself using words from today's lesson. Ask a friend to take the quiz and see how well they do!
Congratulations on completing today's lesson! You now have a foundational vocabulary related to Croatian politics and current events. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these words in your conversations.
Other Lessons
- Countries
- Daily Life and Activities
- Post office
- Sports
- Idiomatic Expressions
- Numbers
- Medicine
- Culture and Arts
- Months of the Year
- Phrasal Verbs and Collocations