Croatian Numbers

Croatian Numbers: How to Count From 1 to 100

Learning numbers in Croatian can be very helpful. It helps you recognize important dates, order food or drinks in a café, and even communicate your age. Croatian numbers are different from English ones, so it might take some time to get used to them. But with practice, you'll be able to count without any problems.

In English, numbers are fairly simple to understand. They usually follow a pattern based on a root word, like "seven" for 17 and 70. However, Croatian numbers are built differently. They have specific grammatical rules, especially when it comes to cases and declension, which you don’t see in English.

For example, the number “two” changes depending on the gender of the noun. When referring to masculine and neuter nouns, “dva” is used. But when talking about feminine nouns, the word changes to “dvije.” This is just one example of how Croatian numbers follow different rules compared to English.

Croatian Numbers 1-10

Like many languages, the first ten numbers in Croatian each have unique names. These numbers are essential because they are used in larger numbers, so learning them first is a must. Additionally, knowing how to decline them in different cases is a key aspect of Croatian grammar.

Number	Croatian Name
1	jedan
2	dva/dvije
3	tri
4	četiri
5	pet
6	šest
7	sedam
8	osam
9	devet
10	deset

Learning Tip: Try counting out loud while doing everyday tasks, such as walking up stairs or waiting in line, to get used to the pronunciation and rhythm of the numbers.

Croatian Numbers 11-19

Numbers from 11 to 19 in Croatian have unique names, similar to how English uses the "-teen" suffix. In Croatian, the suffix "-naest" is used.

Number	Croatian Name
11	jedanaest
12	dvanaest
13	trinaest
14	četrnaest
15	petnaest
16	šesnaest
17	sedamnaest
18	osamnaest
19	devetnaest

Croatian Numbers 20-29

Starting from 20, Croatian numbers follow a consistent pattern. The tens (20, 30, 40, etc.) have their own unique names, and for numbers in between, you simply add the units (1-9) after the word for the tens.

Unlike English, where we might use a hyphen (e.g., twenty-one), Croatian writes these as two separate words.

Number	Croatian Name
20	dvadeset
21	dvadeset jedan
22	dvadeset dva/dvije
23	dvadeset tri
24	dvadeset četiri
25	dvadeset pet
26	dvadeset šest
27	dvadeset sedam
28	dvadeset osam
29	dvadeset devet

Cultural Note: In everyday speech, Croatians sometimes shorten these numbers. Instead of "dvadeset jedan," you might hear "dvadeset i jedan." This pattern continues for the other tens as well.

Croatian Numbers 30-39

The number 30 in Croatian is "trideset," and the pattern remains the same as before.

Number	Croatian Name
30	trideset
31	trideset jedan
32	trideset dva/dvije
33	trideset tri
34	trideset četiri
35	trideset pet
36	trideset šest
37	trideset sedam
38	trideset osam
39	trideset devet

Croatian Numbers 40-49

The number 40 is "četrdeset," and just like before, numbers are formed by adding the units.

Number	Croatian Name
40	četrdeset
41	četrdeset jedan
42	četrdeset dva/dvije
43	četrdeset tri
44	četrdeset četiri
45	četrdeset pet
46	četrdeset šest
47	četrdeset sedam
48	četrdeset osam
49	četrdeset devet

Croatian Numbers 50-59

The number 50 is "pedeset," and it follows the same construction rules as the previous tens.

Number	Croatian Name
50	pedeset
51	pedeset jedan
52	pedeset dva/dvije
53	pedeset tri
54	pedeset četiri
55	pedeset pet
56	pedeset šest
57	pedeset sedam
58	pedeset osam
59	pedeset devet

Croatian Numbers 60-69

The word for 60 is "šezdeset."

Number	Croatian Name
60	šezdeset
61	šezdeset jedan
62	šezdeset dva/dvije
63	šezdeset tri
64	šezdeset četiri
65	šezdeset pet
66	šezdeset šest
67	šezdeset sedam
68	šezdeset osam
69	šezdeset devet

Croatian Numbers 70-79

The word for 70 is "sedamdeset."

Number	Croatian Name
70	sedamdeset
71	sedamdeset jedan
72	sedamdeset dva/dvije
73	sedamdeset tri
74	sedamdeset četiri
75	sedamdeset pet
76	sedamdeset šest
77	sedamdeset sedam
78	sedamdeset osam
79	sedamdeset devet

Grammar Note: Compared to other Slavic languages, Croatian numbers 21-99 don't change based on case when used in most sentences.

However, when used as adjectives (e.g., "dvadeset dva psa" – "twenty-two dogs"), the noun still declines normally. This rule adds a layer of complexity compared to English, making it essential to practice its application in different contexts.

Croatian Numbers 80-89

The word for 80 is "osamdeset."

Number	Croatian Name
80	osamdeset
81	osamdeset jedan
82	osamdeset dva/dvije
83	osamdeset tri
84	osamdeset četiri
85	osamdeset pet
86	osamdeset šest
87	osamdeset sedam
88	osamdeset osam
89	osamdeset devet

Croatian Numbers 90-99

The word for 90 is "devedeset."

Number	Croatian Name
90	devedeset
91	devedeset jedan
92	devedeset dva/dvije
93	devedeset tri
94	devedeset četiri
95	devedeset pet
96	devedeset šest
97	devedeset sedam
98	devedeset osam
99	devedeset devet

Croatian Numbers 100 and Above

The word for 100 is "sto", and it follows a new structure:

· 101 = sto jedan

· 110 = sto deset

· 150 = sto pedeset

· 200 = dvjesto

· 500 = petsto

· 1000 = tisuću

Cultural Note: Unlike English, where we use commas for thousands (e.g., 1,000), Croatian typically uses periods: 1.000 means "one thousand."

How Numbers Vary Across Croatian Dialects

If you travel across Croatia or to other regions where Croatian is spoken, you may notice some differences in how numbers are pronounced. While the standard Croatian numbers are used throughout the country, some dialects and regional varieties have unique ways of saying certain numbers.

Number	Standard Croatian	Dalmatian Dialect	Kajkavian Dialect	Chakavian Dialect
20	dvadeset	dvajset	dvajset	dvadeset
30	trideset	trijeset	trideset	trideset
40	četrdeset	četrdeset	četrdeset	četrdeset
50	pedeset	pedeset	pedeset	pedeset
60	šezdeset	šezdeset	šestdeset	šestdeset
70	sedamdeset	sedandeset	sedamdeset	sedandeset
80	osamdeset	osandeset	osamdeset	osandeset
90	devedeset	devetdeset	devedeset	devetdeset

Some dialects, like Kajkavian and Chakavian, are spoken in different parts of Croatia and can sound quite distinct from the standard language. While most people will understand standard Croatian numbers, knowing a few regional variations can be helpful when traveling or talking to locals.