Sretan Badnjak
The English phrase "merry Christmas eve" is translated into Croatian as Sretan Badnjak.
Sretan Badnjak! is an informal way to say "Happy Christmas Eve".
What does it mean word for word?
Sretan means happy and Badnjak refers to Christmas Eve.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Dalmatian region, the local variation Sritan Badnjak! is used instead of Sretan Badnjak!
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective Sretan is in the masculine singular form to agree with the masculine noun Badnjak.
When do people say it?
In Croatian culture, Badnjak is the name for the eve of Christmas and the word itself is also used to refer to the traditional oak log burned in the hearth on that night.
Did you know?
- The tradition of the Badnjak log predates Christianity in the region and is a remnant of ancient Slavic solar celebrations.
- While Sretan Badnjak is the greeting, the food served on this day is strictly meatless. In many households, this means a meal of dried fish and wheat porridge.
- Some Croatian families traditionally place straw on the floor or under the tablecloth on Badnjak to symbolize the manger where Jesus was born.
Examples in context
- Sretan Badnjak svima!Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!
- Želim ti i tvojoj obitelji Sretan Badnjak.I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas Eve.
- Sretan Badnjak, vidimo se sutra!Merry Christmas Eve, see you tomorrow!
Example conversation
Ivan and Mia are saying goodbye after a small family gathering.
- IvanSretan Badnjak, Mia!Merry Christmas Eve, Mia!
- MiaHvala, Ivan! Sretan Badnjak i tebi.Thanks, Ivan! Merry Christmas Eve to you too.
- IvanUživaj u večeri.Enjoy the evening.
- MiaHvala, vidimo se sutra.Thanks, see you tomorrow.
