It is very difficult, if not impossible, to learn the Croatian language during your short vacation in the country. If you dare, you can probably go home with a few words you heard on the street or from your host such as dobar dan (good day), bok (hello), or hvala (thank you). Again, if you really want to learn the Croatian language, maybe you could enroll in a course or maybe make friends with a Croat. But if you want to look more interesting and improve your Croatian than just saying the magic words, maybe you could memorize some of these Croatian words and phrases that you can use to get by in a restaurant when interacting with a waiter.
– Mogu li vidjeti jelovnik? (Can I see the menu?)
A perfect way to start your Croatian show, make sure the waiter brings you the menu to see what delicacies the restaurant has to offer. It is pronounced like this: MO-gu li VID-ye-ti JEl-ov-nik.
– Mogu li dobiti…? (Can I have a…?)
The cornerstone for ordering your drinks or food. It is pronounced like this: MO-gu li DO-bi-ti. To give you an idea of what you can ask for, these are some of the most common:
- Pivo (beer), pronounced PI-vo
- Vodu (water), pronounced VO-du
- Čašu vina (a glass of wine), pronounced CHA-shu VI-na
- Malo kruha (some bread), pronounced MA-lo KRU-ha
- Maslinovo ulje (olive oil), pronounced MAS-li-no-vo UL-ye
- Parmezan (parmesan cheese), pronounced PAR-me-zan
– Ukusno! (Delicious!)
Croatian waiters and waitresses often ask you how your food is, and if you are really enjoying it, make sure you say this with a lot of conviction. It is pronounced like this: U-kus-no
– Još jedno, molim! (Another one, please!)
During the summer, just a beer or a glass of gin won’t do the job. You don’t have to drink a lot, but in case you want one more, now you know! It is pronounced like this: YOSH YED-no MO-lim
– Gdje je WC? (Where is the bathroom?)
Well, after a few drinks, your bladder will probably ask you for a little break. Don’t be shy, since you can ask the waiter or waitress to tell you where the toilets are. It is pronounced like this: g-d-YE ye VE-tse
– Gotov sam/Gotova sam. (I’m finished.)
In addition to asking about your food, restaurant staff will want to ask if you would like something else from the menu, a dessert, or another drink. If you’re really full, they won’t be offended if you tell them you can’t take it anymore. It is pronounced like this: GO-tov SAM/GO-to-va SAM (side note: gotov is for the men, gotova is for the women).
– Mogu li dobiti račun? (Can I have the bill?)
If you think it’s time to make a move, make sure the waiter or waitress sees you and make a gesture for them to come over. Once they approach, this is the most formal way to ask for the bill. It is pronounced like this: MO-gu li DO-bi-ti RA-chun
– Gotovina/Kartica (Cash/Card.)
Immediately upon asking for the bill, they will ask you if you want to pay with cash or with a debit or credit card by asking: Gotovina/kesh ili kartica? It is pronounced like this: GO-to-vi-na/KAR-ti-tsa
After using these Croatian words and phrases, rest assured that you will have made a great impression in front of your companions, and most likely the restaurant staff too!
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