How to Say Please in Croatian: 12 Polite and Essential Expressions

Politeness is really important in Croatian culture, and knowing how to say "please" the right way can go a long way. So if you're getting coffee, asking for help, or talking with friends, using the right version of "please" shows that you’re respectful and understand local manners.

Why Learn Different Ways to Say Please in Croatian?

In Croatian culture, politeness plays an important role in daily communication. Knowing how to say "please" the right way can help you sound more natural, show respect, and leave a good impression in a variety of situations.

While “molim” is the standard word for "please" there are several other expressions you can use depending on the context. Some forms may sound more casual or friendly, while others may feel more formal or polite. Choosing the right version helps you express yourself more clearly and appropriately.

Learning these different ways to say "please" can make it easier to interact with locals, whether you’re asking for directions, ordering food, or having a simple conversation. It also shows that you’ve taken the time to understand the language and culture on a deeper level.

In this guide, we’ll go over 12 useful ways to say “please” in Croatian and explain when to use each one.

12 Ways to Say 'Please' in Croatian

Here are 12 ways to say "please" in Croatian along with their English translations and appropriate contexts.

How to Use Different Forms of "Please" in Croatian

The way you say "please" in Croatian can vary significantly depending on the situation. Now let's explore each expression in detail to help you use them appropriately.

Molim (please)

Molim is the most basic and versatile way to say "please" in Croatian. It's similar to the English "please" and can be used in almost any situation, whether formal or informal.

You can use it when making simple requests, like asking for the menu at a restaurant or asking someone to pass the salt at dinner. For example, "Mogu li dobiti račun, molim?" (Can I have the bill, please?)

To pronounce it correctly, say "moh-leem."

Molim vas (please - formal)

Molim vas is the formal version of "please" and is used when addressing someone with respect or speaking to strangers, elderly people, or authority figures.

This phrase is perfect for formal situations, such as speaking with a professor, doctor, or someone you've just met. For instance, "Molim vas, možete li mi pomoći?" (Please, could you help me?)

Pronounce it as "moh-leem vahs."

Molim te (please - informal)

Molim te is the informal version of "please" used with friends, family, or people you're close to. It's warm and friendly but should be avoided in formal situations.

This expression is perfect for casual conversations with friends or when speaking with children. For example, "Molim te, dodaj mi sol" (Please, pass me the salt).

Pronounce it as "moh-leem teh."

Izvolite (here you are/please)

Izvolite is a unique expression that can mean both "here you are" and "please." It's commonly used in service situations or when offering something to someone.

You'll often hear this phrase from shop assistants, waiters, or when someone is holding the door for you. It's both polite and professional.

Pronounce it as "eez-voh-lee-teh."

Budite ljubazni (would you be so kind)

Budite ljubazni is a very polite way to make a request, literally meaning "be kind." It's used in formal situations when you want to show extra courtesy.

This phrase is particularly useful in professional settings or when making requests from people in positions of authority.

Pronounce it as "boo-dee-teh lyoo-bahz-nee."

Ako možete (if you can/could)

Ako možete is a gentle way to make a request, adding a conditional element that makes the request more polite.

This phrase is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations when you want to be particularly courteous.

Pronounce it as "ah-koh moh-zheh-teh."

Biste li, molim vas (would you please)

Biste li, molim vas combines the conditional form with the formal "please" to create a very polite request.

This expression is perfect for formal situations where you need to ask for something significant or when speaking with someone in a position of authority.

Pronounce it as "bee-steh lee, moh-leem vahs."

Molila bih/Molio bih (I would please - female/male)

These gender-specific expressions are polite ways to make requests, showing both courtesy and proper grammar usage.

Use Molila bih if you're a woman speaking, and Molio bih if you're a man speaking. These phrases are particularly useful in formal or professional settings.

Pronounce them as "moh-lee-lah beeh" (female) or "moh-lee-oh beeh" (male).

Ljubazno molim (I kindly please)

Ljubazno molim is a formal and very polite way to make a request, emphasizing your courtesy through the addition of "kindly."

This phrase is excellent for formal letters, emails, or important requests in professional settings.

Pronounce it as "lyoo-bahz-noh moh-leem."

Ako nije problem (if it's not a problem)

Ako nije problem is a casual but polite way to make a request, acknowledging that you're asking for a favor.

This phrase is perfect for everyday situations when you want to be polite but not overly formal.

Pronounce it as "ah-koh nee-yeh proh-blem."

Bili biste ljubazni (would you be so kind)

Bili biste ljubazni is one of the most formal and polite ways to make a request in Croatian.

Use this phrase when you need to show maximum respect or when making significant requests in formal situations.

Pronounce it as "bee-lee bee-steh lyoo-bahz-nee."

For more information

To keep building your vocabulary and improving your Croatian, don’t miss our other helpful articles:

👉 12 Croatian Slang Phrases and Words You Need to Know: Get familiar with everyday expressions that locals actually use.

👉 How to Order Food in Croatian: Learn key phrases to confidently order meals at restaurants and cafés.

👉 How Long Does It Take to Learn Croatian?: Understand what to expect on your language-learning journey.

👉 How to Say Let's go in Croatian: A fun and useful phrase to keep the conversation moving.

Conclusion

Learning how to say "please" in Croatian isn't all about translation—it's part of polite communication learning in Croatian culture. Though molim is the most common and simplest among them, having several polite expressions means that it won't be difficult for you to respond to different situations boldly.

Whether conversing casually among friends with molim te, or in formal situations with molim vas, or even employing more polite forms like bili biste ljubazni when asking special favors, each has its niche within the informal speech.

Using these words to broaden your vocabulary will make you sound that much more respectful and natural and is an honest effort at engaging the culture. If you want to continue improving your Croatian, StudyCroatian.com offers in-depth lessons to help you study.

We hope that made sense and you can now pronounce the word "please" in Croatian. For more tips on language and culture, make sure to read our other blog posts.