Croatian business culture blends Mediterranean warmth with Central European formality. A few key phrases go a long way.
The Basics: Greetings & Introductions
Dobar dan
/dôbar dâːn/“Good day”
Standard formal greeting. Use until early evening.
Kako ste?
/ˈkako ste/“How are you? (formal)”
The polite version. Expect a detailed answer – Croatians don’t do fake “fine, thanks”.
Handshake tip: Firm grip, direct eye contact. Don’t rush it.
Meeting Essentials
- Punctuality: Be on time, but don’t expect meetings to start sharply.
- Small talk: Football, family, or Croatian coast are safe topics. Politics? Not so much.
Molim vas
/ˈmɔlim vas/“Please (formal)”
Essential for requests. Skipping it = rude.
Email & Phone Phrases
Croatian | English | When to Use |
---|---|---|
Poštovani, | Dear [Sir/Madam], | Email opener |
Hvala na suradnji | Thanks for collaborating | Closing line |
Oprostite, loša veza | Sorry, bad connection | Phone calls |
Negotiation & Hierarchy
Croatian companies are hierarchical. Key phrases:
- Što mislite o...? (What do you think about...?)
- Da li možemo pronaći kompromis? (Can we find a compromise?)
Decision-making is top-down. Don’t bypass senior staff.
After Hours
Business dinners = relationship building. Key phrases:
Živjeli!
/ˈʒiʋjɛli/“Cheers!”
Toasting etiquette: Maintain eye contact.
Prijatno!
/priˈjatno/“Bon appétit!”
Say before eating. Not optional.
Need humour tips? See our guide to Croatian jokes.