zgodan
/zɡôdan/
The Croatian word for handsome is zgodan.
In modern colloquial Croatian, zgodan is frequently used to describe someone who is not just handsome, but physically fit or attractive in a robust way.
Meaning: of man: attractive (adj)
Which one should you use?
While zgodan specifically emphasizes physical attractiveness or being 'hot/fit', lijep is a more general term for 'beautiful' or 'handsome' that can be used for people, scenery or objects.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must agree in gender with the person being described. Use zgodna when referring to a woman, zgodno when referring to a child or a neuter noun and zgodni when referring to a group of men or a mixed group.
How do you pronounce it?
/zɡôdan/
Did you know?
- The word zgodan can also describe a 'convenient' or 'lucky' coincidence, such as a zgodna prilika for a 'convenient opportunity'. This creates a linguistic overlap between being attractive and being timely.
- In older literature, the word zgodan was more frequently used to mean 'appropriate' or 'fitting'. The shift toward describing physical attractiveness is a more recent evolution of the language.
- Unlike English, where 'handsome' is traditionally reserved for men, zgodna is very common for women. It specifically emphasizes a fit or curvy physique rather than just a pretty face.
Examples in context
- Drago mi je upoznati vas, gospodine. Moram primijeti da ste vrlo lijep čovjek.Nice to meet you, sir. I must say you are a very handsome man.
- Gospođo, moram vam reći da je vaš sin prelijep mladić.Ma'am, I must tell you that your son is a very handsome young man.
- Izgledaš vrlo zgodno u toj odjeći.You look very handsome in that outfit.
- On je jako zgodan.He is very handsome.
- Tvoj brat je baš zgodan.Your brother is really handsome.
Example conversation
Mia and Luka are talking about a movie actor.
- MiaPogledaj ovog glumca, baš je zgodan!Look at this actor, he is really handsome!
- LukaSlažem se, izgleda odlično.I agree, he looks great.
- MiaJe li on najzgodniji u filmu?Is he the most handsome one in the movie?
- LukaVjerojatno jest.Probably so.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handsome” translations and entries zgodan, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
