Studying the months in Croatian opens up an enthralling window into Croatian tradition and traditions. In contrast to many European languages that borrow from Latin, Croatian makes use of colourful, descriptive month names that inform tales about seasonal adjustments and farming actions all year long.
Planning a visit to Croatia or simply interested in this lovely Slavic language? These distinctive month names will add depth to your Croatian vocabulary – past primary Croatian phrases – and show you how to join with locals in a significant method.
What are the 12 months in Croatian?
Croatian month names paint vivid photos of nature and rural life all through the seasons. Right here’s your full information to all twelve months with their English equivalents and what they really imply:
- Siječanj (January) – Actually “wood-cutting month”
- Veljača (February) – “Month of nice change,” reflecting the unpredictable climate
- Ožujak (March) – “Month of the weasel,” a standard spring image
- Travanj (April) – “Grass month,” when fields change into inexperienced once more
- Svibanj (Might) – “Hawthorn month,” named after its sweet-smelling flowers
- Lipanj (June) – “Linden month,” when lime timber are in bloom
- Srpanj (July) – “Sickle month,” marking the beginning of harvest season
- Kolovoz (August) – “Cart-hauling month,” when farmers carry grain residence
- Rujan (September) – “Pink month,” when leaves begin altering coloration
- Listopad (October) – “Leaf-fall month”
- Studeni (November) – “Chilly month”
- Prosinac (December) – “Asking month,” as soon as linked to singing carols for presents
These beautiful, descriptive names present how intently Croatian tradition connects to nature’s rhythms – they’re not simply phrases to memorize however little tales about Croatian heritage and conventional life!
Pronunciation fundamentals for Croatian month names
Able to say these Croatian month names like a neighborhood? Let’s break down the important thing sounds that may show you how to nail the pronunciation each time!
1. Stress all the time on first syllable
Croatian retains issues easy – simply put the emphasis on the primary syllable of every month:
- Siječanj: SEE-che-chany
- Kolovoz: KO-lo-voz
- Listopad: LIS-to-pad
This rhythm makes Croatian month names surprisingly simple to grasp when you get the dangle of it!
2. Distinguishing č vs ć
These two letters would possibly look related, however they make completely different sounds:
- č: Like “ch” in “chocolate” – a bit more durable
- ć: A softer sound – consider the “t” in “nature” when mentioned rapidly
You’ll spot the č in veljača (February), and a fast overview of the Croatian alphabet will make your Croatian sound far more pure.
3. Dealing with the digraph nj
If you see “nj” collectively in month names, deal with it as one easy sound:
- Travanj (April): “trah-vany” – just like the Spanish “ñ”
- Svibanj (Might): “svee-bany”
- Lipanj (June): “lee-pany”
With these three fast ideas, you’ll be announcing Croatian months with confidence in your subsequent dialog!
Meanings and reminiscence hooks
Croatian month names inform fantastic tales about conventional life and seasonal adjustments. Let’s discover these tales with some enjoyable reminiscence methods that will help you keep in mind them!
January – wood-cutting reminder
Siječanj comes from the verb sjeći (to chop), referring to winter wood-cutting. Image farmers in thick coats, axes swinging by the crisp January air – the rhythmic chop-chop-chop conserving properties heat by winter.
February – climate “huge change”
Veljača pertains to phrases that means “altering,” completely capturing February’s moody climate. Consider veljača because the month that may’t determine – snowing one second, surprisingly delicate the subsequent – winter and spring enjoying tug-of-war!
March – weasel image of spring
Ožujak derives from laz (weasel), which emerges as spring approaches. Think about somewhat weasel peeking from its burrow, whiskers twitching within the first March sunshine – nature’s alarm clock saying “Get up! Spring is coming!”
April – when grass returns
Travanj comes from trava (grass), celebrating April’s inexperienced comeback. Image meadows remodeling from brown to vivid inexperienced – the phrase even sounds such as you’re strolling by springy new grass!
Might – blooming hawthorn
Svibanj refers to flowering sviba (dogwood or hawthorn) that fills the countryside. Think about hillsides dotted with sweet-smelling white flowers – the “sv” sound can remind you of “candy” scents floating on Might breezes.
June – linden tree flowers
Lipanj comes from lipa (linden tree), which blooms with honey-scented flowers. Consider stress-free beneath a linden tree on an ideal June afternoon – the “lip” sound would possibly remind you of sipping refreshing linden tea!
July – harvest begins
Srpanj derives from srp (sickle), the normal harvesting instrument. Visualize golden wheat fields and farmers with curved sickles starting the summer season harvest – the “srp” sound mimics the swish-swish of reducing wheat.
August – transferring the harvest
Kolovoz combines kolo (wheel) and voziti (to drive), referring to reap transport. Image wood cart wheels creating dusty tracks by sun-baked fields – a parade of carts bringing summer season’s bounty residence!
September – purple month
Rujan comes from rujno (reddish), describing altering colours and ripening fruits. Consider vineyards with ruby-red grapes prepared for harvest – the “ru” sound can remind you of “ruby” purple apples and autumn’s first blush.
October – falling leaves
Listopad actually combines listing (leaf) and padati (to fall) – autumn in a phrase! Think about strolling by a forest with golden leaves dancing down round you – the phrase itself seems like leaves rustling as they fall.
November – chilly arrives
Studeni comes from studen (chilly), marking November’s temperature drop. Image the primary frost glowing throughout morning fields – the “stud” sound would possibly remind you of “staying indoors” because the climate turns chilly!
December – month of asking
Prosinac pertains to prositi (to ask), referring to conventional caroling. Visualize singers transferring by snowy villages, lanterns glowing, receiving treats as they unfold vacation cheer from door to door.
These colourful psychological photos create a pure reminiscence system – you’re not simply studying phrases however connecting with centuries of Croatian cultural traditions and their lovely dance with the seasons!
Utilizing Croatian months in actual sentences
Prepared to start out utilizing these colourful Croatian month names in precise conversations? Let’s put your new vocabulary into observe with some on a regular basis phrases and Croatian greetings that may make your Croatian sound extra genuine!
In contrast to English, Croatian retains month names humble – no capital letters except they begin a sentence. This small element will instantly make your written Croatian look extra pure.
Speaking a couple of month (“u ožujku…”)
When chatting about occasions taking place inside a month, pair the preposition u with the month in locative case:
- U siječnju idemo na skijanje: In January we’re going snowboarding
- Rođena sam u svibnju: I used to be born in Might
- Dolazimo u kolovozu: We’re coming in August
- U prosincu pada snijeg: In December it snows
The month endings change barely – that’s the locative case exhibiting when one thing occurs!
Saying a full date (“petog travnja…”)
For full dates in Croatian, begin with the day and comply with with the month in genitive case:
- Danas je četrnaesti kolovoza: As we speak is August 14th
- Rođendan mi je petog travnja: My birthday is on April fifth
- Stigli smo dvadesetog srpnja: We arrived on July twentieth
- Vidimo se trećeg listopada: See you on October third
Consider it as saying “the fifth of April” quite than “April fifth” – the Croatian method places the day first!
Casual quantity utilization (“prvi, drugi…”)
For dates, Croatian makes use of ordinal numbers that present place (first, second, third):
- Prvi siječnja: January 1st
- Drugi veljače: February 2nd
- Treći ožujka: March third
- Peti lipnja: June fifth
In informal settings, you would possibly hear Croatians merely use cardinal numbers like jedan svibnja (Might 1st) – however the ordinal kind sounds extra polished.
With simply these few patterns, you’ll be speaking about dates and months in Croatian with confidence! Want extra observe with pronunciation or real-life conversations? Preply’s Croatian tutors can assist you grasp these expressions with personalised suggestions and genuine talking observe.
Apply Croatian months with workout routines
Let’s put your Croatian month information to the check with some enjoyable workout routines! These fast actions will show you how to keep in mind these colourful month names and use them accurately in sentences.
Fill-in-the-blank sentences
Full these sentences with the best Croatian month:
- Danas je četrnaesti __________ (As we speak is August 14th)
- Božić slavimo u __________ (We have fun Christmas in December)
- Ljeto počinje u __________ (Summer time begins in June)
- Lišće pada u __________ (Leaves fall in October)
- Škola počinje u __________ (Faculty begins in September)
- Prvi snijeg obično pada u __________ (The primary snow often falls in November)
- Novu godinu slavimo prvi __________ (We have fun New Yr on January 1st)
- Proljeće dolazi u __________ (Spring is available in March)
A number of-choice date utilization
Decide the proper type of the month for every sentence:
- Rođen sam u… a) veljača b) veljači c) veljaču
- Putujemo petog… a) travanj b) travnja c) travnju
- Danas je prvi… a) rujan b) rujnu c) rujna
Bought just a few unsuitable? No worries! With a little bit of observe, you’ll quickly be speaking about Croatian dates like a professional. Wish to verify your pronunciation too? Our Preply tutors may give you personalised suggestions in your very subsequent lesson!
Frequent errors with Croatian months
Even fluent audio system generally journey up with Croatian months! Listed here are the highest three mix-ups to look at for:
Mixing srpanj and svibanj
These related endings between srpanj (July) and svibanj (Might) catch nearly everybody at first! Right here’s a easy approach to keep in mind: srpanj comprises “srp” (sickle) – assume scorching July harvest time, whereas svibanj has “svib” (hawthorn) – assume aromatic Might flowers.
Need a fast reminiscence hook? Might (svibanj) comes earlier than July (srpanj) within the calendar – and “sv” comes earlier than “sr” within the alphabet too! Subsequent time somebody mentions swimming in svibanj, you’ll know they’re planning an early spring dip, not a peak summer season splash.
Capitalising month names
In contrast to English, Croatian retains all month names lowercase (except they begin a sentence). This small element immediately reveals your Croatian degree!
Evaluate these:
- Incorrect: Dolazimo u Kolovozu (We’re coming in August)
- Right: Dolazimo u kolovozu
That one little lowercase letter makes your Croatian look a lot extra pure – it’s a tiny change with huge affect!
Complicated Croatian vs. regional januar/februar
Touring across the Balkans? You would possibly hear each methods! Whereas Croatia makes use of the normal siječanj, veljača, and ožujak, neighboring nations usually use januar, februar, and mart.
Neither is “unsuitable” – they’re simply regional preferences. In Croatia itself and formal Croatian writing, follow the normal names we’ve lined. This turns into particularly useful when:
- Filling out official Croatian paperwork
- Talking with language academics or purists
- Writing formal emails or functions
Figuring out each methods is definitely a bonus when touring all through the area – you’ll perceive dates irrespective of which nation you’re visiting!
Able to grasp Croatian months with a tutor?
These colourful Croatian month names inform fantastic tales – from winter wood-cutting in siječanj to harvest-time srpanj with its sickles swinging by golden fields. Every title paints an image of Croatian life and traditions all through the seasons!
However let’s be trustworthy – getting these first-syllable stresses excellent or understanding when to make use of u listopadu versus petog listopada could be difficult by yourself. That’s the place a pleasant dialog associate makes all of the distinction!
Preply’s Croatian tutors can assist you nail these difficult č and ć sounds whereas providing you with pure talking observe. You’ll rapidly transfer from memorizing month names to confidently utilizing them in on a regular basis conversations about journey plans, necessary dates, or discussing Croatian holidays.
Wish to shock Croatian buddies with good pronunciation or put together on your Adriatic coast journey? Discover a tutor and begin studying at this time with our on-line Croatian tutors who’ll make studying these charming month names each enjoyable and sensible!
Solutions to Croatian month workout routines
Let’s verify your solutions and see how you probably did with these colourful Croatian month names!
Solutions to fill-in-the-blank sentences
- Danas je četrnaesti kolovoza: As we speak is August 14th
- Božić slavimo u prosincu: We have fun Christmas in December
- Ljeto počinje u lipnju: Summer time begins in June
- Lišće pada u listopadu: Leaves fall in October
- Škola počinje u rujnu: Faculty begins in September
- Prvi snijeg obično pada u studenom: The primary snow often falls in November
- Nove godine slavimo prvog siječnja: We have fun New Yr on January 1st
- Proljeće dolazi u ožujku: Spring is available in March
These endings change relying on how you utilize them – neat sample, proper? You’ll get the dangle of it rapidly!
Solutions to multiple-choice date utilization
- Rođen sam u… b) veljači (I used to be born in February)
- Putujemo peti… b) travnja (We’re touring on the fifth of April)
- Danas je prvi… c) rujna (As we speak is the primary of September)
Did you notice the sample? Use locative with “u” (solutions 1, 4, 6) and genitive for particular dates (solutions 2, 3, 5). Grasp this, and also you’ll sound a lot extra pure when speaking about dates in Croatian!