Learning a few words of the local language is a great way to meet local people and break down barriers. We have tried to make it easier for you by including a glossary which explains the meaning of many of the words you might encounter in Croatia. In addition to this glossary, we have highlighted all the Croatian words which have been used throughout the website texts. Words in Croatian are underlined with a thin dotted line, like this. By rolling over the word with your mouse, a label will appear explaining the meaning of the word.

dobro dosli - welcome

konoba - traditional taverna featuring open-hearth fireplace; storage cellar for wine and olive oil

Jeunesse Musicale - founded in 1945 in Liege; the world's largest non-profit organization for youth and music

ladonja - celtis australis; lotus berry; southern hackberry

boules - a game played outdoors in a long, narrow court, similar to bowling

sopela - a traditional,wooden wind instrument

loggia - an open-sided, roofed or vaulted gallery

Istriani - people of Istria

proscuitto - an aged, dry-cured, unsmoked ham

fritaja - an omlette

grappa - grape brandy

rakija - brandy

kava - coffee

cappuccino - espresso coffee with steamed milk

macchiato - espresso coffee with milk

espresso - a strong coffee brewed by forcing steam through darkly-roasted, ground coffee

stancija - walled, rural estate

kamin - traditional open-hearth, stone fireplace

cripnja - a large covered platter for roasting fish and meat under a bed of hot coals

digestifs - a liqueur that aids in digestion; often served after a meal

pikuleci - 'a little bit of everything' (Istrian cuisine sampler)

sorbeto - an after-dinner drink made from chilled sorbet, lemon and vodka

Teran - red wine from indigenous grape variety Teran; comes from Istria

Malvazija - white wine from indigenous grape variety Malvazija; comes from Istria

Muscat - sweet, white dessert wine; comes from Istria

heurige - Austrian wine-drinking locales that serve food and are near grape-growing regions

gostionica - an inn or taverna

gibanica - a savoury cheese-filled pastry

tartufar - truffle hunter

agrotourism - tourism whereby tourists board at farms or in rural villages and experience farming at close hand

castellieri - remains or ruins of a fortified castle or town

manestra - thick vegetable soup, often with ham or sausage

lungomare - seaside promenade

surlice - pasta twirls

maestral - a pleasant north-westerly sea breeze

Vugava - white wine from indigenous grape variety Vugava; comes from Dalmatia

Plavac Mali - red wine from indigenous grape variety Plavac Mali; comes from Dalmatia

delicije - delicacies; specialties

fijaka - a laid-back, lazy, pleasantly indolent feeling

brujeta - fish stew

matar - Mediterranean herb

mufloni - wild sheep

fritule - bite-size pastry made from butter, eggs, milk, yeast and flour, deep-fat fried and served warm with a sprinkling of powdered sugar

Augusta Insula - the Emperor's Island

magistrala - coastal road

Dingac - red wine from the indigenous grape variety Plavac Mali with the appellation Dingac; comes from Dalmatia

Postup - red wine from the indigenous grape variety Plavac Mali with the appellation Postup; comes from Dalmatia

peka - another word for cripnja; a domeshaped cast iron utensil for roasting meat and fish

Pile - from the Greek Pyle; gate; pronounced pea-lay

trattoria - an informal restaurant or tavern

krafne - sugar-coated jelly-rolls

Ragusa - the old name for the Dubrovnik Republic; from the Greek word 'laus' meaning 'rock'

skuta - a type of cottage cheese; made from cow's milk

cevapi - small grilled spicy sausages of Turkish origin

pogaca - a round unleavened flat bread