Learn Croatian Through Culture: What Coffee, Špica, Football, and Everyday Life Teach You About the Language
13. svibnja 2025.
Introducing yourself is one of the first and most important skills you need when learning a new language.
In Croatian, greetings and self-introductions are relatively simple, and mastering them will immediately help you feel more confident when meeting new people.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of introducing yourself in Croatian, step by step, with examples and essential phrases for beginners.
Why Is Introducing Yourself Important?
When you meet someone for the first time — whether it’s a neighbor, a classmate, or a colleague — being able to say your name, where you’re from, and a little bit about yourself creates an instant connection.
Beginning with basic self-introduction phrases is a straightforward and effective way to start your Croatian language journey.
Basic Croatian Self-Introduction Phrases
Here are the essential sentences you’ll need when introducing yourself:
| English | Croatian | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hello! | Bok! | Informal greeting. |
| Good day! | Dobar dan! | Formal greeting, used during the day. |
| What is your name? | Kako se zovete? (formal) / Kako se zoveš? (informal) | |
| My name is… | Zovem se… | Literal translation: “I am called…” |
| Where are you from? | Odakle ste? (formal) / Odakle si? (informal) | |
| I am from… | Ja sam iz… | |
| Nice to meet you. | Drago mi je. | Standard expression. |
Example of a Basic Introduction in Croatian
Here’s a simple dialogue you might hear on your first day in Croatia:
Person 1: Dobar dan! Kako se zovete?
Person 2: Dobar dan! Zovem se Anna. A vi?
Person 1: Zovem se Marko. Drago mi je.
Person 2: Drago mi je također.
Translation:
- Good day! What is your name?
- Good day! My name is Anna. And you?
- My name is Marko. Nice to meet you.
- Nice to meet you, too.
Additional Helpful Phrases
| English | Croatian |
|---|---|
| How old are you? | Koliko imate godina? (formal) / Koliko imaš godina? (informal) |
| I am ___ years old. | Imam ___ godina. |
| What do you do? (profession) | Čime se bavite? (formal) / Čime se baviš? (informal) |
| I am a student. | Ja sam student/studentica. |
| I work as… | Radim kao… |
Tips for Introducing Yourself in Croatian
- Use formal expressions (“Vi” form) when speaking to someone older or in professional settings.
- Practice your pronunciation — Croatian is phonetic mainly, so saying words clearly makes a big difference.
- Smile and use friendly body language — it helps break the ice, even if your Croatian isn’t perfect!
Learning how to introduce yourself in Croatian is a significant first step toward feeling more confident and connected in your new environment.
Start with these simple phrases, practice them daily, and soon you’ll be making great first impressions everywhere you go!
Ready to master your first conversations in Croatian?
➡️ Join our Beginner Croatian Course (A1.1) and start speaking from day one!
