How to ask “How Are You?” in Croatian
Asking someone how they’re doing is key to making connections and keeping conversations going smoothly. It’s a simple way to show interest in the other person, whether you’re just meeting them or catching up. This question helps open the door to a more personal conversation, which makes any interaction feel more friendly and genuine.
There are two ways to ask how someone is doing in Croatian, depending on the level of formality:
- Informal: Kako si? → How are you doing? (casual)
- Formal: Kako ste? → How are you doing? (polite/formal)
Quick Tip
If you’re unsure when to use which, refer to our lesson on Croatian greetings. Once you get the hang of it, asking this question will feel natural!
Free 6-week email course
Just starting with Croatian? Get one easy lesson per week plus a short exercise to help things stick. Course launches in May – sign up now to be among the first to receive it!
How to Answer “How Are You?”
When someone asks you how you’re doing, you can always keep it simple with a quick Dobro (Good).
Kako si? → How are you doing? (informal)
Dobro sam, a ti? → I’m doing well, and you? (informal)
Kako ste? → How are you doing? (formal)
Dobro sam, a Vi? → I’m doing well, and you? (formal)
Want to be even more polite? Try adding this:
Hvala na pitanju. → Thank you for asking.
Ja sam dobro, hvala na pitanju, a kako si ti? → I’m good, thank you for asking, and how are you? (informal)
Ja sam dobro, hvala na pitanju, a kako ste Vi? → I’m good, thank you for asking, and how are you? (formal)
If you’re in the mood to share more, here are some ways to be a little more specific about how you’re actually feeling:
Ja sam… → I am…
- Izvrsno! / Odlično! → Excellent!
- Vrlo dobro! / Jako dobro! → Very good!
- Dobro. → Good.
- Nisam loše. → Not bad.
- Tako-tako. → So-so.
- Loše. → Bad.
- Vrlo loše! / Jako loše! → Very bad.
- Užasno. / Očajno. → Horrible.
- Gladan (male) / Gladna (female) → hungry
- Žedan (male) / Žedna (female) → thirsty
- Umoran (male) / Umorna (female) → tired
- Mamuran (male) / Mamurna (female) → hung-over
Now that you know how to ask “How are you?” in Croatian, you’re ready to engage in more personal conversations and show genuine interest in the people you meet. Also, if you want to sound more Croatian, try complaining instead of always saying you’re doing “Dobro”.
Language guide
Explore grammar and learning tips in our Croatian language guide.
Conversation Basics
Make a great first impression with the right greeting – discover formal and informal ways to say hello in Croatian.
Grammar Essentials
The genitive case is tricky but key – learn how it expresses possession and follows prepositions with clear examples.
Pronunciation & Writing
Learn how Croatian word stress and accent patterns affect pronunciation – with tips to help you sound more natural.