What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the masculine singular adjective dobar meaning "good" and the masculine singular noun posao meaning "job" or "work".
Which one should you use?
While dobar posao is a literal translation, the loanword bravo is much more common and natural when expressing immediate praise or congratulations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase dobar posao uses the masculine singular adjective dobar to agree with the masculine singular noun posao.
How do you pronounce it?
/dôbar pǒsao/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use dobar posao as a direct translation, but in many contexts, it can sound slightly formal or like a literal translation from English. Using Bravo! or Svaka čast! sounds more native.
When do people say it?
When praising someone's achievement or effort, the idiomatic phrase Svaka čast! is a very common way to say "way to go!" or "well done!"
Did you know?
- While dobar posao is grammatically correct, if you use it to praise a friend, they might think you are talking about a business transaction or a professional contract rather than a personal achievement.
- The word posao comes from the Proto-Slavic root *posъlъ, which is related to the concept of 'sending' or 'dispatching' something, implying that a job is a task sent to be completed.
- In certain informal settings, instead of saying 'good job', a Croatian speaker might simply say Svaka! which is a shortened, slang-like version of the phrase Svaka čast!
Examples in context
- Odlično odrađeno! Želim ti puno sreće u budućnosti!Well done! I wish you lots of luck in the future!
- Bravo, majstore kuhinje!Bravo, master of the kitchen!
- Odličan posao, nastavi tako!Great job, keep it up!
Example conversation
Mateo is praising Ana for finishing a presentation.
- MateoAna, završila si prezentaciju!Ana, you finished the presentation!
- AnaDa, bilo je puno rada.Yes, it took a lot of work.
- MateoDobar posao, izgleda odlično.Good job, it looks great.
- AnaHvala ti, Mateo!Thank you, Mateo!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (dobar, posao) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dobar, posao, CC BY-SA 4.0.
