Croatian idioms, much like the country’s coastline, are rich, winding, and occasionally baffling to outsiders. These expressions, often rooted in history, agriculture, or folklore, reveal the linguistic creativity of Croatian speakers. Below is a curated selection of idioms that are indispensable for understanding everyday conversation, along with their etymological backstories.
1. Biti u nečijim kapama
Biti u nečijim kapama
/biti u neʧijim kapama/“To be in someone’s shoes”
Literally translating to 'to be in someone’s caps', this idiom mirrors the English 'to be in someone’s shoes'. It originates from the 19th century when 'kape' (caps) were a common headwear, symbolising one’s identity or social role.
2. Pusiti kao zmaj
Pusiti kao zmaj
/puʃiti kao zmaj/“To smoke like a dragon”
A vivid metaphor for heavy smoking, this phrase draws from Slavic mythology, where dragons ('zmaj') were often depicted exhaling smoke or fire. It’s a humorous exaggeration, implying someone smokes excessively.
3. Loviti ribu na suho
Loviti ribu na suho
/loʋiti ribu na suho/“To fish on dry land”
This idiom describes futile efforts, akin to the English 'to bark up the wrong tree'. Its origins lie in coastal communities, where attempting to catch fish without water was seen as the epitome of pointlessness.
4. Imati mačku u džepu
Imati mačku u džepu
/imati matʃku u dʒepu/“To have a cat in one’s pocket”
Meaning to have a hidden agenda, this phrase likely stems from the unpredictability of cats - keeping one concealed suggests an element of surprise or deceit. It’s comparable to the English 'to have an ace up one’s sleeve'.
5. Trčati kao muha bez glave
Trčati kao muha bez glave
/trʧati kao muxa bez glaʋe/“To run around like a headless fly”
A chaotic, frantic state is captured in this idiom, which humorously imagines a decapitated fly buzzing aimlessly. It’s a more grotesque version of the English 'to run around like a headless chicken'.
6. Sjediti kao pura na roštilju
Sjediti kao pura na roštilju
/sjediti kao pura na roʃtiʎu/“To sit like a turkey on a grill”
This expression describes someone who is visibly uncomfortable or anxious, evoking the image of a turkey roasting over a fire. It’s a staple of Croatian culinary humour.
7. Baciti bubreg u vodu
Baciti bubreg u vodu
/bat͡siti bubreg u vodu/“To throw a kidney into the water”
A dramatic way to describe wasting something valuable, this idiom’s origins are murky but may reference the historical value of animal kidneys in traditional diets.
8. Nositi vodu u kanti bez dna
Nositi vodu u kanti bez dna
/nositi vodu u kanti bez dna/“To carry water in a bottomless bucket”
Another idiom for futile labour, this phrase visualises the impossibility of completing a task with faulty tools, akin to the myth of Sisyphus.
9. Gledati kao tele u šarena vrata
Gledati kao tele u šarena vrata
/gledati kao tele u ʃarena vrata/“To stare like a calf at a painted gate”
This idiom paints a picture of naive astonishment, referencing the rural image of a calf mesmerised by colourful decorations. It’s similar to the English 'to gawk like a deer in headlights'.
10. Ići kao ulje i mast
Ići kao ulje i mast
/it͡ɕi kao uʎe i mast/“To go like oil and lard”
A phrase denoting smooth cooperation, it stems from the culinary compatibility of oil and lard in traditional cooking. It’s Croatia’s version of 'to get along like a house on fire'.
Mastering these idioms will not only boost your Croatian fluency but also offer a window into the country’s cultural psyche. For more on Croatian linguistic quirks, see our guide on Croatian humour.
