Every culture has pearls of wisdom, cliches, proverbs, sayings, idioms. Most classic phrases used by Croatians are rooted in its peasant past and reference nature and animals. Croatian is full of expressions that both confuse and amuse. Here are 33 colorful and imaginative Croatian idioms and phrases.
Animals
Mi o vuku, a vuk na vrata · We were talking about the wolf, and now it’s at the door · Speak of the devil
Stara koka, dobra juha · Old hen, good soup · It is always good to trust those with experience
Doće maca na vratanca · The cat will come to the tiny door · What goes around, comes around
Mačji kašalj · A cat’s cough · Piece of cake
Pjevaš kao da ti je slon prdnuo u uho · You sing like an elephant farted in your ear · You have no ear for music
Slon u staklarni · Elephant in a glass house · Bull in a china shop
Besposlen pop i jariće krsti · An idle priest will start baptizing billy goats · The Devil finds work for idle hands
Od muhe radiš slona · You are making an elephant out of a fly · You are making a mountain out of a molehill
Lisica može promijeniti kožu, ali nikada svoj temperament · A fox may change its skin, but never its temperament · A leopard never changes its spots
Food and Drink
U banani · In a banana · In a pickle
Tko vino večera, vodu doručkuje · Who dines on wine has water for breakfast · You play, you pay
Kad na vrbi rodi grožđe · When the willow bears grapes · When pigs fly
Ispeći pa reći · Bake it, then say it · Think before you speak
Prošla baba s kolačima · The old lady (grandma) has passed by already with the cakes · Too late
Life
Čovjek snuje, Bod određuje · Man devises, God determines · The best laid plans of mice and men
Da padne na leđa, razbio bi nos · If he fell on his back, he would break his nose · To be dogged by misfortune
Žuri polako · Hurry slowly · More speed, less haste
Bez muke nema nauke · Without hardship there is no knowledge · No pain, no gain
Tko prvi, njegova djevojka · Whoever is first gets the girl · First come, first served
Ne trči pred rudo · Don’t run in front of the carriage · Don’t jump the gun
Da vidimo čija majka crnu vunu prede · We see whose mother is spinning black wool · Black sheep of the family
Kititi se tuđim perjem · Dress yourself in borrowed feathers · Take credit for someone else’s work
Bogu iza nogu · Behind God’s legs · In the middle of nowhere
Pametnije je popustiti · It’s smarter to back off sometimes · Keep your cool
Što možeš danas ne ostavljaj za sutra · What you can do today, don’t leave for tomorrow · Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today
Fali ti daska u glavi · You are missing one board in your head · You’re a bit crazy
Tko rano rani, dvije sreće grabi · The one who rises early, grabs double the happiness · The early bird gets the worm
Tko To Može Platit · Who can pay for this · There are some things that money cannot buy
Bacati Kajmak U Oči · Throwing cream into your eyes · Pull the wool pulled over someone’s eyes
Živi kao bubreg u loju · Live like a kidney in fat (lard) · Live high on the hog
ne zna ni ‘ko pije ni ‘ko plaća · You don’t know who is drinking or who is paying · make heads or tails
Ne Trči Pred Rudo · Don’t run in front of the carriage · Don’t jump the gun
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These Croatian phrases are helpful in understanding their culture.
Until next time…
· izzy
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