Learning Croatian: Phrase of the Day

You know some basic Croatian, enough to get you by, but there is nothing that will impress more than knowing a local phrase or slang that you can slip into a conversation. Croatia Week has launched its ‘Word / Phrase of the Day’, where we will teach you a variety of words and phrases commonly used in Croatia, but not commonly found in language learning material.

Today’s Phrase:

– Di si bija kad je grmilo

“Di si bija kad je grmilo” is an old phrase used in Croatia originating from the Dalmatian region, and is used as a rhetorical question to someone who may conveniently ‘disappear’ when the sh**t hits the fan, and may resurface once things are back to normal. Someone who does not stick through the good and bad times. The literal translation of the phrase is– where were you when the lightning struck.

Example: A guy may say to his former girlfriend “Di si bija kad je grmilo” after she dumps him but tries to take him back after he wins the lottery.

Recent Phrases

– 17/01/2014 – bogu iza nogu
– 16/01/2014 – stara koka, dobra juha
– 15/01/2014 – da ga nema trebalo bi ga izmisliti
– 14/01/2014 –  nit’ smrdi, nit’ mirise

If you have a candidate for ‘Word / Phrase of the Day’, then submit them to [email protected] to be published.