dobar dan
Latin
The English phrase "good day" is translated into Croatian as dobar dan.
dobar dan is a greeting used between sunrise and sunset. It is a common formal way to say "good day" to others.
Meaning: greeting between sunrise and sunset (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective dobar (good) and the noun dan (day).
Which one should you use?
While dobar dan is used from midday until sunset, the phrase dobro jutro is used specifically for "good morning" during the morning hours until around noon.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
dobar dan is a formal greeting. In informal settings, people often use bok instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Slavonia region, the informal word Ćao is commonly used to say hi or bye. On the Dalmatian coast, locals often use the informal greeting Bok.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective dobar is in the masculine singular nominative form to agree with the masculine noun dan.
Did you know?
- The word bok used as an informal alternative to dobar dan literally translates to 'side' or 'cheek', though its origin as a greeting is debated.
- If you are in the Slavonia region, you might hear people say Ćao to greet someone, which is an informal loanword from Italian.
- In very formal or traditional settings, a person might respond to dobar dan by adding the word poštovani, which means 'respected one'.
Examples in context
- Dobar dan, kako si?Good day, how are you?This sentence shows how to use dobar dan in a greeting.Tatoeba #476798 by FeuDRenais, translation #415678 by blay_paul
- Dobar dan, gospodine.Good day, sir.
Example conversation
Ana and Marko meet in a sunny street during the afternoon.
- AnaDobar dan, Marko!Good day, Marko!
- MarkoDobar dan, Ana.Good day, Ana.
- AnaGdje ideš?Where are you going?
- MarkoIdem u trgovinu.I am going to the store.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “good day” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
