znak križa
The Croatian phrase for "the sign of the cross" is znak križa.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of znak (sign) and križa (of the cross), which is the genitive singular form of križ (cross).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the phrase is znakovi križa (signs of the cross).
Did you know?
- When performing znak križa, Croatians typically touch the forehead, chest, left shoulder, and then the right shoulder, which is the reverse order of the Eastern Orthodox tradition.
- The word znak can also mean 'omen' or 'sign' in a prophetic sense, meaning that znak križa could historically carry a weight of divine signaling beyond just a gesture.
- The word znak is used not only for religious gestures but also for 'signal' in traffic or 'symbol' in mathematics.
Examples in context
- Djevojčica je učinila znak križa.The girl made the sign of the cross.
- Učini znak križa prije molitve.Make the sign of the cross before prayer.
Example conversation
Ivan and Ivana are preparing to enter a church.
- IvanZaboravio sam napraviti znak križa.I forgot to make the sign of the cross.
- IvanaMožeš to učiniti sada, Ivane.You can do it now, Ivan.
- IvanHvala, sada sam spreman.Thanks, now I am ready.
- IvanaUđi polako u crkvu.Enter the church slowly.
