čestitam
Congratulations in Croatian is čestitam.
The word čestitam is the most common and versatile way to say congratulations in Croatian. It is used to express approbation. To specify whom you are congratulating, you often add a pronoun, such as ti (to you, informal) or Vam (to you, formal).
Meaning: expressing approbation (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The default form čestitam is the first-person singular present tense of the verb čestitati, which means "I congratulate".
Which one should you use?
While čestitam is a verb used to say "congratulations!", the noun for the actual message or card of congratulations is čestitke.
How does it change in a sentence?
When congratulating someone on behalf of a group rather than yourself, use the first-person plural form čestitamo, meaning "we congratulate".
Did you know?
- If you are congratulating someone on a promotion or a degree, you might hear Svaka čast, which translates to 'Every honor'. This is used as a high praise that goes beyond a simple čestitam.
- In many Balkan cultures, including Croatia, congratulations are often accompanied by a toast. It is customary to say Živjeli! meaning 'let's live' immediately after or alongside your čestitke.
- The verb čestitati shares a semantic field with the concept of 'honor'. To congratulate someone is, at its linguistic root, to accord them a certain level of formal recognition or honor.
Examples in context
- Čestitam!Congratulations!This sentence shows how to use čestitam to say congratulations.Tatoeba #1057639 by akvo, translation #1437 by CK
- Čestitam! Tvoja umjetnost je nevjerojatna, zaslužio/la si pobjedu. Veselim se tvojoj daljnjoj kreativnosti!Congratulations! Your art is incredible, you deserved the win. I look forward to your future creativity!
- Čestitam ti na novom poslu.Congratulations on your new job.
- Čestitam vam na braku!Congratulations on your marriage!
Example conversation
Mateo and Mia are talking after Mia's graduation ceremony.
- MateoMia, čestitam na diplomi!Mia, congratulations on your degree!
- MiaHvala puno, Mateo!Thank you so much, Mateo!
- MateoJesi li sretna?Are you happy?
- MiaDa, jako sam sretna.Yes, I am very happy.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
