Start here: sounds, letters, greetings
Croatian uses the Latin alphabet with extra letters: č, ć, dž, đ, lj, nj, š, ž. The letter r can sound strong, like a short roll. Listen carefully and repeat slowly. Stress can change in a word, so copy native audio. Keep your vowels short and clean: a, e, i, o, u.
Begin with polite words. Say bok (hi), dobar dan (good day), hvala (thank you), molim (please/you’re welcome). Use vi for polite “you” and ti with friends. As a beginner, learn small chunks. Repeat them out loud. This builds confidence fast.
- Hello: Bok
- Good morning: Dobro jutro
- Please: Molim
- Thank you: Hvala
- Yes/No: Da/Ne
- Excuse me/Sorry: Oprostite
A simple study plan for beginners
Short, daily learning works best. Try 15 minutes a day, five days a week. Set tiny goals. Week 1: learn 100 basic words. Week 2: greetings and simple questions. Week 3: present tense for common verbs. Week 4: ordering food and travel phrases. Keep it light and steady.
Use micro lessons. One day for listening, one for speaking, one for reading, one for writing, and one review day. If you miss a day, do not worry. Start again the next day. Consistency beats long, rare sessions.
- Day 1: 10 new words + 5 minutes of listening
- Day 2: Shadow 10 sentences (repeat with audio)
- Day 3: Grammar mini-focus (present tense of biti “to be”)
- Day 4: Read a short dialog and answer 3 easy questions
- Day 5: Review + speak for 2 minutes about your day
- Weekend: Test yourself with a quick quiz or flashcards
Pronunciation and grammar: easy wins
Focus on č/ć and š/ž. Say č like ch in “chop”, ć is softer. Š is like sh in “shop”. Ž is like s in “measure”. For r, tap your tongue quickly. Record yourself and compare. This simple loop makes fast progress for a beginner.
Grammar tip: nouns have gender (m, f, n). Word order is often Subject–Verb–Object, but it can move. Start with the present tense. Many infinitives end in -ti (raditi, jesti, ići). I-forms often end in -m (radim, jedem, idem). For cases, begin with basic patterns: use accusative after many verbs and with destinations (Idem u Zagreb).
- Listen first, then repeat slowly, then faster
- Shadow short lines: match rhythm and stress
- Learn 5 verb forms you use daily (biti, imati, htjeti, ići, raditi)
- Keep a mini table of I/you/he-she forms
- Notice prepositions: u (in/into), na (on/onto), s/sa (with)
- Write one model sentence and swap words
Tools: online, free, and PDF options
You can learn a lot with free tools. Try online courses with short lessons, simple podcasts, and YouTube channels for beginners. Use a dictionary and a verb website to check forms. Flashcards help you remember your first 100–300 words.
Look for a free PDF phrasebook to print and review anywhere. Save dialogs as a PDF so you can study offline. Create your own word list PDF by topic: greetings, food, travel, numbers, time. Keep it small and clear.
- Online courses: short, structured lessons for A1–A2
- Audio: beginner podcasts and slow dialogues
- Video: pronunciation drills with subtitles
- Flashcards: spaced repetition for the top 100 words
- PDF pack: phrasebook, verb list, mini grammar sheet
- Community: language forums or chat partners
Practice that fits your life
Make practice easy. Label things at home in Croatian. Speak a simple daily line, for example: Danas radim od kuće (Today I work from home). Keep a two-line journal. Repeat a short dialog until it feels natural.
Try a weekly call with a tutor. Even 20 minutes helps a lot. Shadow a song or a short news clip. Do not mix Croatian with other Slavic languages like Belarusian while you learn; stay focused. Your small, regular steps will win.
- Shadow 5 lines each morning
- 2-line journal every night
- Weekly 20-minute speaking session
- Label 10 objects at home
- Order food in Croatian once this month
- Review your top 100 words on Friday
FAQ
- How long to reach A1–A2 in Croatian?
- With steady study, many learners reach A1 in 60–100 hours and A2 in 150–200 hours. Use short daily lessons, focus on the top 100 words, and practice speaking each week.
- Is Croatian hard for English speakers?
- It can feel new, but it is doable. Pronunciation is regular, spelling is clear, and many words are phonetic. Grammar takes time. Learn small steps first, then add more forms.
- What is the difference between Croatian and Belarusian?
- Croatian is South Slavic and uses Latin letters. Belarusian is East Slavic and often uses Cyrillic. They are different languages. If you are a beginner, study Croatian on its own path.
- Where can I find free online and PDF resources?
- Search for beginner Croatian phrasebooks, A1–A2 worksheets, and simple dialogues. Many sites offer free online lessons, audio, and downloadable PDF packs for practice.
- How do I learn č, ć, š, ž, and the rolled r?
- Listen to slow audio, watch the mouth shape, and shadow short words. Record yourself and compare. Tap the tongue quickly for r. Practice 5 minutes a day for clear progress.