večera
Latin, feminine
The English word "dinner" is translated into Croatian as večera.
večera refers to the evening meal. It is a feminine noun.
Meaning: evening meal (noun)
Which one should you use?
While večera is used specifically for the evening meal, the word ručak is used to refer to lunch.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun večera changes to večeru when it serves as the direct object of a verb, such as in the sentence "I am eating dinner". Additionally, the noun can be turned into the verb večerati, meaning "to eat dinner" or "to dine".
Did you know?
- In traditional Croatian culture, večera is often a lighter meal than ručak, which serves as the main nutritional event of the day.
- The word večera is a close relative of the English word 'vespers', both deriving from roots meaning 'evening'.
- In some coastal regions of Croatia, the timing of večera is pushed much later into the night to avoid the midday heat, similar to customs in Spain or Italy.
Examples in context
- Tom je večerao s Mary.Tom had dinner with Mary.This sentence shows how to use the verb form of večera to indicate having dinner.Tatoeba #4700954 by b_ana_na, translation #4700123 by CK
- Večera može čekati.Dinner can wait.This sentence shows how to use the noun večera as a subject.Tatoeba #1101001 by vlado, translation #587981 by Ploomich
- Večera je na stolu.Dinner is on the table.This sentence shows how to use the noun večera to describe the location of the meal.Tatoeba #13760935 by mervert1, translation #2646089 by CK
- Bila sam na službenoj večeri s kolegama.I attended a business dinner with my colleagues.
- Molim vas da budete prisutni na obroku u večernjim satima.Please be present at the dinner in the evening hours.
- Hoćeš večerati s nama u restoranu?Do you want to have dinner with us at the restaurant?
Example conversation
A couple is in the kitchen at the end of the day.
- AnaJe li večera spremna, Ivane?Is dinner ready, Ivan?
- IvanDa, večera je na stolu.Yes, dinner is on the table.
- AnaBaš sam gladna.I am very hungry.
- IvanSamo sjedi i jedi.Just sit down and eat.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dinner” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries večera, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
