Ways to say it
| Croatian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bok | /bok/ | Latin |
| zdravo | /zdrâʋo/ | Latin |
| ćao | /t͡ɕâːo/ | Latin |
| merhaba | Latin | |
| selam | Latin |
These words are used to greet someone.
Which one should you use?
The most common forms are bok and ćao, which are highly versatile as they can be used for both hello and goodbye. Zdravo is a more neutral and slightly old-fashioned greeting that is less common in casual daily conversation than the other options. While bok and ćao are highly informal, Dobar dan (Good day) serves as the standard greeting for polite or formal situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For informal settings, you can use bok or ćao. For a neutral tone, zdravo is an option, though it feels slightly dated. In formal or polite situations, use Dobar dan instead of these casual terms.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain parts of Croatia, especially in Zagreb, you might hear the informal phrase Šta ima, which means "What's up" or "What's going on". The phrase ćao is also used as an informal and friendly greeting in certain regions.
How do you pronounce it?
/bok/
When do people say it?
Depending on the time of day, you might use more specific greetings: Dobro jutro is used for "Good morning" and Dobar dan is used for "Good day".
Did you know?
- The word merhaba entered the Croatian language via Ottoman Turkish, which in turn borrowed it from Arabic.
Examples in context
- Bok, ja sam Nancy.Hello, I am Nancy.This example shows how to introduce yourself using bok.Tatoeba #1402533 by vlado, translation #242649 by CP
- Bok!Hello!This example shows bok as a simple exclamation.Tatoeba #6564066 by vlado, translation #373330 by CK
- Bok, Tom.Hello, Tom.This example shows bok being used to greet a person by name.Tatoeba #466209 by FeuDRenais, translation #54604 by Zifre
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mia and Ivan meet in a local park.
- MiaBok, Ivan!Hello, Ivan!
- IvanBok, Mia. Kako si?Hello, Mia. How are you?
- MiaDobro sam, hvala.I am well, thanks.
- IvanDrago mi je to čuti.I am glad to hear that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hello” translations and entries bok, zdravo, ćao, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries merhaba, zdravo, ćao, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
