Language/Croatian/Grammar/Croatian-Idiomatic-Expressions
Whether you're a beginner or an advanced learner of Croatian, incorporating idiomatic expressions in your conversations can boost your fluency and understanding of the language. In this lesson, we will explore some common idiomatic expressions and phrases that will help you sound more natural and confident when speaking Croatian.
What are idiomatic expressions?
An idiom is a phrase or expression that has a figurative meaning that differs from its literal meaning. For example, the English idiom "break a leg" means "good luck" and has nothing to do with the literal meaning.
Croatian also has its fair share of idiomatic expressions that are commonly used in everyday conversation. These expressions can be challenging to learn since they often don't make sense when translated literally, but they can add color and depth to your language use.
Common Croatian idiomatic expressions
Here are some idiomatic expressions and phrases that you might come across in Croatian:
| Croatian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Biti na konju | [bîːti na kôɲu] | To be on a horse (To be in a good position) |
| Sve je ko na broju | [svɛ̌ jɛ kô na brɔ̌jʊ] | Everything's like on a number (Everything is in order) |
| Držati se vode | [dř̩ʒati sɛ vɔdɛ̌] | To hold to water (To stay on track/to keep to the main point) |
| Iz mojih dana | [izmôːjix dǎna] | From my days (In my youth/Back in my day) |
| Niti u kom slučaju | [nîti u kɔm slûːt͡saju] | Not in any case (Under no circumstances) |
| Svako svoju goricu nosi | [svǎːkɔ svoju gǒrit͡sʊ nɔ̌si] | Everyone carries their own hill (Everybody has their own problems) |
| Sagnuti glavu | [sâgnuti glâvʊ] | To bend your head (To admit defeat) |
| U zdravom tijelu zdrav duh | [u zdrâvom tǐjɛlu zdrâv dûːx] | In a healthy body, there is a healthy spirit (A healthy mind in a healthy body) |
While learning idiomatic expressions can seem daunting, a great way to start is by listening to native speakers and observing how they use these expressions in context.
How to use Croatian idiomatic expressions
Using idiomatic expressions in Croatian can be tricky since many of them don't make sense when translated literally. Here are some tips to help you use these expressions correctly:
1. Listen carefully: When you hear an idiom, listen to the context it's being used in to help you understand its meaning.
2. Don't translate literally: Remember that idiomatic expressions often have figurative meanings that may not be obvious from their literal translations.
3. Practice, practice, practice: Use idiomatic expressions in context as often as you can to help you remember their meanings and become more confident in using them.
Conclusion
Learning Croatian idiomatic expressions can be a fun and rewarding way to improve your language proficiency. By incorporating these expressions into your conversations, you can sound more natural and confident when speaking Croatian. Don't be afraid to experiment and use these expressions in context to enhance your language learning experience!
Sources
Videos
How to Pronounce Domagoj Vida (Croatian Footballer) - YouTube