Photo by Mediterraneo

Take a few minutes to practice the elementary Croatian language gems on our list below and shine with the Hrvatskas.

DOBRO. DOUGH-bro. Great, good and well.

“Dobro dan” means “good day” and “dobro večer” means “good evening.” In addition, “dobro” is a lot of fun to say. Try it out.

HVALA. Hv-AH-la or VAH-la. Thanks.

We made the mistake of pronouncing “hvala” Hungarian style, with a forceful hv. We were reprimanded by a sweet old man, who told us that we sounded “like Serbs.” Croatian, he explained, is light and rhythmic like the accordian he then simulated playing.

MOLIM. MO-leem. Please; excuse me; you’re welcome.

Multiple meanings and easy to pronouce. Spread the good word around as often as possible.

ANISETTA or PELINKOVAC. Who cares. Remember these words to forget them. Both are awful tasting liqueurs traditionally used as medicine.

One hotelier in Dubrovnik claimed Pelinkovac is only exported because it tastes so bad that no Croatian will buy it. A few days later, a jeweler in Korčula invited us up to his bachelor pad, insisting that we try Anisetta. Wince. Cringe. Gag. And that was before we tasted it.

Wandering Cheapo Kari Hoerchler is a blogger, budget traveler, and science fiction novelist stationed on Planet Earth. She has recently been spotted on small stages of New York coffeehouses telling tall tales of a tropical island—and future vacation hot spot—in the Bermuda Triangle. Book ahead.

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