Ways to say it
| Croatian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| loš | /lôʃ/ | Latin |
| slab | /slâb/ | Latin |
The primary way to express that something is unfavorable or negative is by using loš. While loš covers general negativity, other words may be more specific. For instance, if you want to express that something is extremely bad or catastrophic in a formal setting, you might use katastrofalno or if something is unwanted, you could use the formal term nepoželjno. In informal speech, katastrofa can express a disaster and očajno is used for something that is really bad or desperate.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between loš, which means "bad" in a general sense and slab, which specifically means "weak" in relation to physical or structural strength.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective loš changes its ending depending on the gender and number of the noun it describes. Use loša for feminine singular nouns, loše for neuter singular nouns and loši for masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/lôʃ/
When do people say it?
If you want to express distaste, disgust or describe something as repulsive, you can use the informal and expressive term fuj. This can also be used as an interjection when addressing a misbehaving child or pet.
Did you know?
- The word slab is a distant linguistic cousin to the English word 'sluggish', as both descend from the same ancient root meaning to be weak or limp.
- In Croatian, if you describe someone as having a slab character, you are not just saying they are physically weak, but specifically accusing them of lacking moral courage.
- Parents and pet owners in Croatia use the interjection fuj to scold a child or animal for misbehaving.
Examples in context
- Ta tvrtka je na klimavim nogama zbog loših dugova.That company is on the rocks because of bad debts.This sentence shows the use of loš in the context of bad debts.Tatoeba #6048198 by kkupus, translation #49048 by zumley
- Moraš se naviknuti na dvije stvari da bi učinio život podnošljivim: loše vrijeme i ljudsku nepravdu.You have to get used to two things to make life bearable: bad weather and the injustice of people.This sentence illustrates how loš describes bad weather.Tatoeba #6075463 by kkupus, translation #6075293 by carlosalberto
- To ostavlja loš okus.It leaves a bad aftertaste.This sentence demonstrates the use of loš to describe a bad aftertaste.Tatoeba #655511 by billy_boomo_2, translation #240175 by ddnktr
- Moj dan je bio lošMy day was bad
- To je nevaljalo ponašanjeThat is bad behavior
- Promet je bio katastrofalno lošThe traffic was extremely bad
- Ova situacija je doista nepoželjnaThis situation is really bad
- Taj film je totalni kršThat movie is a total mess
- Koncert je bio apsolutna katastrofaThe concert was an absolute disaster
- Očajno se osjećamI feel really bad
- Ta hrana je fujThat food is gross
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Ana are talking about a movie they just watched.
- MateoŠto misliš o novom filmu?What do you think about the new movie?
- AnaMislim da je film bio baš loš.I think the movie was really bad.
- MateoZašto kažeš da je loš?Why do you say it is bad?
- AnaGluma je bila jako loša.The acting was very bad.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bad” translations and entries loš, slab, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries loš, slab, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
