January 22, 2025by Alexandre Harzo

What language is spoken in Croatia?

Croatian is the official language of Croatia, and it is spoken by the majority of the population. It is a member of the South Slavic language family, which also includes Serbian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, Macedonian, and Bulgarian.

What language is spoken in Croatia?

What is the official language in Croatia?

Croatian is the official language of Croatia, a South Slavic language spoken by communities in bordering countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. It is a very historically deep-rooted language, nowadays used by various Croatian diaspora communities around the world, such as those in the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and Austria. An approximate number of native speakers of Croatian is around 5 million speakers worldwide. The first written traces in Croatian appeared as early as the 11th century. The oldest text records are conserved in a special writing form called Glagolitic and characteristic for these parts of Europe.

Croatian is spoken as the main representative language by all inhabitants of Croatia, over 4 million, according to recent estimates. The language is known for its rich variety of dialects, which are generally divided into three main groups: Shtokavian, Chakavian, and Kajkavian. Shtokavian forms the basis of Standard Croatian, which is used in official settings, education, and media. However, regional dialects like Chakavian, spoken along the coast and on the islands, and Kajkavian, common in northwestern Croatia, remain vital in everyday communication. Dialects spoken in cities like Zagreb, Split, and Dubrovnik tend to be closer to Standard Croatian than those in more rural areas, showcasing the diversity and linguistic richness of the language.

The distinctive features of the Croatian language

Croatian is, as mentioned earlier, the official language of Croatia. It is a South Slavic language that evolved from the linguistic traditions of Slavic peoples in Eastern Europe, and it belongs to the broader Indo-European language family. Croatian shares similarities with other South Slavic languages, such as Serbian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, and Slovenian. It also has connections to better-known languages like Russian, Polish, and Czech, which can make learning Croatian somewhat easier for speakers of other Slavic or related languages.

The Croatian language uses the Latin alphabet, as most of the Western Slavic languages do. Unlike some Slavic languages, Croatian does not use the Cyrillic alphabet, making it different from its linguistic relatives, such as Serbian. In Croatian, there is a complicated system of cases to indicate grammatical relationships in a sentence. Croatian has three genders, masculine, feminine, and neuter, as well as distinguishing between singular and plural forms. Articles like the ones in English do not exist in Croatian; therefore, it is very different from most languages.

The pronunciation of Croatian words can pose challenges for beginners, but it becomes more intuitive with practice. Croatian uses a phonetic spelling system, meaning words are generally pronounced as they are written. For example, each letter corresponds to a single sound, and there are no silent letters. Specific sounds, such as "č," "ć," "đ," and "š," are unique to Croatian and are vital to mastering the language. The stress in the words often goes on the first syllable, different from many other languages, and the pitch accents differ regionally.

What languages are spoken in Croatia?

But what languages are spoken in Croatia besides the national language? As mentioned previously, the Croatian language includes various dialects spoken in different regions of the country, such as Chakavian along the coast and islands, Kajkavian in northern areas like Zagorje, and Shtokavian, which forms the basis of Standard Croatian. However, immigration, historical influences, and tourism have introduced other languages spoken by the population in varying percentages.

First and foremost, the English language. English is now one of the most widely spoken foreign languages in Croatia, particularly in major cities, tourist destinations, and among younger generations. However, this wasn’t always the case. For much of the 20th century, German was the primary foreign language learned in Croatia. This was largely due to the historical ties between Croatia and Germany, including alliances during World War II and economic connections in subsequent decades. German remains widely spoken, especially in regions with historical links to Austria and Germany or among those who have worked in German-speaking countries.

Italian is another commonly spoken language, particularly in Istria and along the Adriatic coast, where cultural and historical connections to Italy remain strong. Other languages, such as Hungarian, Serbian, and Slovenian, are spoken in specific border regions due to Croatia’s geographic and cultural proximity to neighboring countries. Additionally, languages like Bosnian and Montenegrin are widely understood due to their linguistic similarity to Croatian.

Some useful words and phrases in Croatian

English PhraseCroatian Translation
HelloBok / Zdravo
Good morningDobro jutro
Good afternoonDobar dan
Good eveningDobra večer
GoodnightLaku noć
GoodbyeDoviđenja
See you laterVidimo se kasnije
Please (informal/formal)Molim (te/vas)
Thank youHvala
You're welcomeNema na čemu
YesDa
NoNe
What's your name?Kako se zoveš?
My name is _Zovem se _
Do you speak Italian?Govorite li talijanski?
Do you speak English?Govorite li engleski?
Do you speak Croatian?Govorite li hrvatski?
I don't speak CroatianNe govorim hrvatski
I don't speak Croatian very wellNe govorim dobro hrvatski
I don't understandNe razumijem
Could you please repeat?Možete li, molim vas, ponoviti?
How much does it cost?Koliko to košta?
Where is the toilet?Oprostite, gdje je toalet?
WomenŽene
MenMuškarci

How to study Croatian in Croatia?

If your intention is to visit Croatia, you can refer to the previous section and learn some useful expressions and terms to communicate with the locals. Alternatively, we suggest that you study the Croatian language if you plan to stay for an extended period. This will help you navigate daily life, find work more easily, and fully participate in conversations with locals. The best way to learn or improve your proficiency in a foreign language is through immersion in the culture and everyday life where it is spoken. This helps you grasp accents, inflections, idioms, and expressions directly from native speakers.

To get started with learning Croatian, we highly recommend StudyCroatian.com. It's the best website for mastering Croatian, offering a wealth of resources, including comprehensive lessons, interactive exercises, fun minigames, and much more. Whether you're a beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, this platform provides everything you need to progress at your own pace.

If you’re planning a trip to Croatia, learning a few key phrases will make your experience much more enjoyable and meaningful. And for those aiming to stay longer or work in Croatia, mastering the language will open doors to deeper connections and opportunities. Visit StudyCroatian.com today to begin your journey into the Croatian language and culture!

Feel free to check out other articles on our blog to learn more about the Croatian language and culture.