sviđaš mi se
Latin, informal
The Croatian phrase for "I like you" is sviđaš mi se.
In Croatian, sviđaš mi se is typically used to express romantic or physical attraction rather than just liking someone's personality as a friend.
Meaning: I like you (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase sviđaš mi se literally translates to "you are pleasing to me."
Which one should you use?
While sviđaš mi se expresses romantic or physical attraction, you might also encounter Dopadaš mi se, which is another informal way to say "I like you."
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form sviđaš mi se is informal. For formal or polite situations, use sviđate mi se.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use sviđaš mi se when addressing one person informally. If you are addressing more than one person, or if you are addressing one person formally, use sviđate mi se.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use volim te (I love you) when they mean sviđaš mi se (I like you/I am attracted to you), but the latter is much lighter in intensity.
Did you know?
- While sviđaš mi se is for attraction, Croatians use the verb svidjeti for inanimate objects too. For example, if you like a dress or a car, you use the same linguistic root as when you like a person.
- The word se in the phrase sviđaš mi se is a reflexive pronoun that traces its roots back to the Proto-Indo-European root *swé, which originally meant 'self'.
- The word mi in sviđaš mi se is in the dative case, meaning the attraction is something happening 'to me' rather than something the speaker is actively doing.
Examples in context
- Sviđaš mi se.I like you.
Example conversation
Ana and Marko are talking on a date.
- AnaMarko, sviđaš mi se.Marko, I like you.
- MarkoHvala ti, Ana. I ti meni.Thank you, Ana. I like you too.
- AnaBaš mi je drago to čuti.I'm really glad to hear that.
- MarkoI ja sam sretan.I am happy too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “I like you” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mi, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
