jezik
/jězik/Latin, masculine
The English word 'language' is translated into Croatian as jezik.
jezik refers to a body of words used as a form of communication. It is also used to refer to one's mother tongue, which is expressed as materinji jezik.
Meaning: body of words used as a form of communication (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, jezik means 'tongue'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine noun jezik changes based on its role in a sentence. The plural form is jezici. Use the form jeziku for the dative or locative cases, such as when saying 'u jeziku' (in the language).
How do you pronounce it?
/jězik/
Did you know?
- The phrase razvezati jezik means 'to untie the tongue', which is used when someone finally starts talking after a period of silence or secrecy.
- Because jezik means both 'language' and 'tongue', the expression izgubiti jezik literally means 'to lose one's tongue' when someone suddenly becomes silent or shy.
- In a culinary context, you might see jezik on a menu, referring to 'tongue' as a type of meat rather than a mode of communication.
Examples in context
- Jedan jezik nikad nije dovoljan.One language is never enough.This sentence shows the use of jezik to express that a single language is not sufficient.Tatoeba #2864485 by kkupus, translation #614312 by Eldad
- Onaj čovjek priča s ljudima na jeziku kojeg ja razumijem.That man is talking to people in a language that I understand.This sentence illustrates using jezik to describe a language that is understood.Tatoeba #13986752 by lostmindRH, translation #13986754 by lostmindRH
- Bugarski nije pravi slovenski jezik, zbog svojih članova.Bulgarian is not a true Slavic language, because of its articles.This sentence uses jezik to discuss the linguistic classification of Bulgarian.
- Je li hrvatski jezik težak za naučiti?Is Croatian language difficult to learn?
- Neki ljudi imaju posebnu nadarenost za učenje stranih jezika.Some people have a special talent for learning foreign languages.
- Tijekom putovanja, najviše mi nedostaje moj materinji jezik.While traveling, what I miss the most is my mother tongue.
- Dobro jutroGood morning
- Dobra noćGood night
- HvalaThank you
- Pohađam tečaj za učenje talijanskog jezika.I'm taking an Italian language course.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Petra and Marko are discussing their studies at a cafe.
- PetraMarko, koji jezik učiš?Marko, which language are you learning?
- MarkoUčim španjolski jezik.I am learning the Spanish language.
- PetraTo je jako lijepo.That is very nice.
- MarkoHvala, Petra.Thanks, Petra.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “language” translations and entries jezik, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
