mogu li dobiti
In Croatian, "can I have" is translated as mogu li dobiti.
mogu li dobiti is a polite way to ask for something or to order an item in a shop or restaurant.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb mogu (I can), the particle li (used to form questions) and dobiti (to get/to receive).
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle li is placed immediately after the first conjugated verb to indicate a yes/no question. The phrase mogu li dobiti is grammatically neutral regarding gender, as the verb mogu is the first-person singular form for both masculine and feminine speakers.
Did you know?
- The verb mogu shares a Proto-Indo-European root with the English word 'may', linking these two distant European languages.
- Though mogu li dobiti is the standard polite request, native speakers often omit the verb entirely and simply say the item name followed by molim.
- In high-end dining, mogu li dobiti may sound like a direct translation from English, as the most native formal preference is 'I would like' (želio bih).
Examples in context
- Mogu li dobiti meni, molim vas?Can I have the menu, please?
- Mogu li dobiti račun?Can I have the bill?
- Mogu li uzeti tvoj mobitel?Can I take your phone?
- Mogu li uzeti još malo sira?Can I have some more cheese?
- Molim čašu vode.Can I have a glass of water?
- Mogu li dobiti račun, molim?Can I have the bill, please?
- Mogu li dobiti novi tanjur?Can I have a new plate?
Example conversation
Marko and Petra are at a cafe.
- MarkoMogu li dobiti jelovnik, Petra?Can I have the menu, Petra?
- PetraNaravno, evo ga.Of course, here it is.
- MarkoHvala. Mogu li dobiti i malo šećera?Thanks. Can I have some sugar too?
- PetraNaravno, donosim odmah.Of course, I'll bring it right away.
