How to Write Professional Emails in Croatian: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to write emails in Croatian with simple steps. Get tips on greetings, structure, and clear writing.
At some point, you might need to write an email in Croatian—whether it's for a professor, a colleague, or even as part of a language exam. If you're not sure where to start, this guide will help you get on the right track.
Writing an email in Croatian is easier than you might think. A well-organized message usually follows this structure:
- A greeting (formal or informal)
- An opening statement
- The main content
- A closing line
Your choice of words and tone will depend on the recipient, so it's essential to know the difference between formal and informal communication.
How to Write a Formal Email in Croatian
1. How to Start a Formal Email or Letter in Croatian
If the situation requires a formal tone, you can begin your email with:
Poštovani gospodine + surname – Dear Mr. + surname
Poštovana gospođo + surname – Dear Mrs./Ms. + surname
For a highly formal setting, you may use:
Uvaženi gospodine + surname – Esteemed Mr. + surname
Uvažena gospođo + surname – Esteemed Mrs./Ms. + surname
In formal emails or letters, "gospodin" (Mr.) is often abbreviated as "gosp.", and "gospođa" (Mrs./Ms.) as "gospođo".
If the tone is slightly less formal or you're unsure, you can start with a general greeting like:
Dobar dan, – Good day,
Poštovanje, – Respectfully,
2. The Introduction
To introduce the purpose of your email in a formal setting, you can use the following phrases:
| Croatian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Pišem Vam u vezi s našim sastankom… | I am writing regarding our meeting… |
| Pišem Vam u vezi s našim telefonskim razgovorom… | I am writing regarding our phone call… |
| Kao što je navedeno u prethodnom e-mailu… | As stated in the previous email… |
| Kao što smo razgovarali telefonom… | As discussed in our phone call… |
| Odgovaram na Vaš e-mail… | In response to your email… |
⚠️ Note: In formal emails, "Vi," "Vaš," and related pronouns should always be capitalized as a sign of respect.
3. The Body of a Formal Email in Croatian
The body of your email is where you clearly state the reason for your communication. Whether you're making an inquiry, responding to a request, or applying for a position, it’s important to express yourself clearly and respectfully.
Below are several useful phrases to help you structure the body of your formal email in Croatian:
| Croatian | English Translation | Context/When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Ovim putem Vam se obraćam u vezi s… | I am writing with regard to… | Use when introducing the reason for your email, especially in formal contexts such as business or professional inquiries. |
| Pišem Vam kako bih se prijavio/la za radno mjesto u + company name | I am writing to apply for the position at… | Use when applying for a job or internship at a specific company. |
| Pišem Vam jer bih želio/željela dobiti više informacija o… | I am writing because I would like to know more about… | Use when seeking further details or clarification about a product, service, or event. |
Tips for Writing the Body:
- Be concise: State your main point early in the email and avoid unnecessary details.
- Maintain clarity: Use simple sentences and avoid complicated structures.
- Be polite: Always express gratitude or appreciation when appropriate (e.g., “Hvala na Vašoj pažnji” – Thank you for your attention).
For more sentences, check out our guide on essential phrases in Croatian.
4. Formal Closings and Salutations
When concluding a formal email in Croatian, it's essential to maintain a polite and respectful tone.
The closing phrases you choose depend on the context of your email.
Below are some common and polite ways to close a formal email in Croatian:
| Croatian | English Translation | Context/When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| U iščekivanju Vašeg odgovora, stojim na raspolaganju za dodatne informacije. Srdačan pozdrav. | Waiting for your reply, I remain available for further clarifications. Best regards. | Use this when you are waiting for a reply and want to emphasize your availability for further questions or clarifications. |
| Zahvaljujem na Vašoj pažnji i srdačno Vas pozdravljam. | Thank you for your attention, best regards. | Use this when expressing gratitude for the recipient's time or consideration, commonly used in professional or business settings. |
| U nadi brzog odgovora, srdačno Vas pozdravljam. | Looking forward to your reply, best regards. | Use this when expressing your hope for a prompt response, suitable for professional or formal emails. |
These phrases can be used in most formal contexts and help maintain professionalism.
Don't know a particular word? Check out our Croatian English dictionary to find the meaning of any word in Croatian.
Common Formal Sign-Offs in Croatian
These are the Croatian equivalents of “Sincerely” or “Best regards” in English:
- S poštovanjem
- Srdačan pozdrav
- Lijep pozdrav
If you are including an attachment in your email, be sure to mention it using one of these phrases:
| Croatian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| S poštovanjem | Sincerely / With respect |
| Srdačan pozdrav | Best regards / Warm regards |
| Lijep pozdrav | Kind regards / Best wishes |
These phrases are universally accepted in formal correspondence and can be used depending on how you feel about the formality of the email.
How to Say “I Look Forward to Hearing from You”
A common closing phrase used in English emails is "I look forward to hearing from you." In Croatian, you can express this as:
- Radujem se Vašem odgovoru. (Formal)
- Veselim se Vašem odgovoru. (Slightly less formal)
How to Mention Attachments in Croatian Emails
If you're attaching a document or file to your email, it's crucial to inform the recipient. Use the following phrases to let them know:
| Croatian | English Translation | Usage Example |
|---|---|---|
| U privitku šaljem + file name. | Please find attached… | "U privitku šaljem izvještaj o našem sastanku." (Please find attached the report from our meeting.) |
| Prilažem + file name. | I am attaching… | "Prilažem svoj životopis za prijavu na radno mjesto." (I am attaching my resume for the job application.) |
By mentioning the attachment clearly, you help the recipient find and understand the contents you are sending.
Examples of Formal Emails in Croatian
Job Application Email
| Croatian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Poštovana gospođo Horvat, | Dear Mrs. Horvat, |
| Ovim putem šaljem svoju prijavu za radno mjesto administrativnog voditelja u Vašoj tvrtki, Company Name. | I am writing to submit my application for the position of Administrative Manager at your company, Company Name. |
| U privitku Vam šaljem svoj životopis i motivacijsko pismo, u nadi da će moji kvalifikacije zadovoljiti Vaše zahtjeve. | Attached, I am sending my CV and cover letter, hoping that my qualifications will meet your requirements. |
| U iščekivanju Vašeg odgovora, srdačno Vas pozdravljam i stojim na raspolaganju za dodatne informacije. | I look forward to your reply and remain available for further information. Best regards. |
| Ana Novak | Ana Novak |
Business Inquiry Email
| Croatian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Poštovani gospodine Kovač, | Dear Mr. Kovač, |
| Pišem Vam u vezi s našim jučerašnjim telefonskim razgovorom, kako bih potvrdio da smo razmotrili Vaš prijedlog za projekt Project Name. | I am writing regarding our phone conversation yesterday to confirm that we have reviewed your proposal for the Project Name project. |
| Molimo Vas da nam što prije pošaljete detaljno izvješće o napretku kako bismo nastavili s daljnjim koracima. | Please send us a detailed progress report as soon as possible so we can proceed with the next steps. |
| U nadi brzog odgovora, srdačno Vas pozdravljam i stojim na raspolaganju za dodatna pojašnjenja. | Looking forward to your prompt reply, I remain at your disposal for any further clarifications. Best regards. |
| Ivan Perić | Ivan Perić |
Meeting Request Email
| Croatian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Poštovani gospodine Novak, | Dear Mr. Novak, |
| Pišem Vam kako bih zatražio sastanak u vezi s našim mogućom suradnjom na projektu Project Name. | I am writing to request a meeting regarding our potential collaboration on the Project Name project. |
| Molim Vas da mi javite kada bi Vam odgovaralo održati sastanak. | Please let me know when would be a convenient time for you to have a meeting. |
| U nadi da ćemo uskoro imati priliku razgovarati, srdačno Vas pozdravljam. | Looking forward to the opportunity to meet soon, best regards. |
| Luka Jurić | Luka Jurić |
Event Confirmation Email
| Croatian | English Translation |
|---|---|
| Poštovani gospodine Marčić, | Dear Mr. Marčić, |
| Pišem Vam kako bih potvrdio svoj dolazak na konferenciju koja će se održati 15. travnja u Zagrebu. | I am writing to confirm my attendance at the conference taking place on April 15th in Zagreb. |
| Veselim se sudjelovanju i razgovoru s ostalim sudionicima. | I look forward to participating and engaging with other attendees. |
| Srdačno Vas pozdravljam i veselim se događaju. | Best regards, and I look forward to the event. |
| Martina Kovačić | Martina Kovačić |
Conclusion
Writing an email in Croatian is a great way to improve your language skills and communicate effectively with Croatian speakers.
If you want to continue learning Croatian, create a free account on our website and start practicing with our interactive exercises.
Feel free to also check out our other blog posts on Croatian language and culture here.