20+ Interesting Facts About Languages In Croatia
A quick fact guide to the languages of Croatia, covering Croatian, Italian, Venetian, Dalmatian, English, German, minority languages, Eurovision, writing systems and regional varieties.
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Browse the facts in order or use the search box to find a specific topic such as Croatian, Italian, Venetian, Dalmatian, English, German, Istro-Romanian, Serbian or Eurovision.
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What is the official language of Croatia?
The national official language and most spoken language in Croatia is Croatian. Useful words: zdravo (hello), doviđenja (goodbye), da (yes), ne (no).
How do you say Croatia in Croatian?
“Croatia” in Croatian is Hrvatska. The language “Croatian” is Hrvatski.
What type of language is Croatian?
Croatian is a Western South Slavic language and part of the pluricentric Serbo-Croatian alongside Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin.
What writing system does Croatian use?
Croatian uses the Latin alphabet (a, b, c, č, ć, d, dž, đ, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, lj, m, n, nj, o, p, r, s, š, t, u, v, z, ž), not Cyrillic.
Is Croatian an official language of the European Union?
Yes. Croatian has been one of the official languages of the European Union since 2013. “European Union” in Croatian is Europska unija.
Is Italian an official language in Croatia?
Italian is co-official with Croatian in Istria County (Istarska županija / Regione istriana).
Is Venetian spoken in Croatia?
Yes. Varieties of Venetian, a Romance language from Veneto, are spoken in Istria, Primorje-Gorski Kotar, and Dalmatia.
Was Dalmatian spoken in Croatia?
Yes. Dalmatian, an extinct Romance language, was once spoken along the Croatian coast.
How many Croatians speak English?
According to the 2024 Eurobarometer, 41% of Croatians can have a conversation in English.
How many Croatians speak German?
According to the 2024 Eurobarometer, 15% of Croatians can have a conversation in German.
How many Croatians speak Italian?
According to the 2024 Eurobarometer, 8% of Croatians can have a conversation in Italian.
Has Croatia used Croatian in the Eurovision Song Contest?
Yes. Of 29 Croatian Eurovision entries, 22 have been fully or partially in Croatian. In 1989, while part of Yugoslavia, Croatian-language “Rock Me” by Riva won.
Is Czech recognised in Croatia?
Yes. Czech is a recognised official minority language in Croatia.
Is Pannonian Rusyn recognised in Croatia?
Yes. Pannonian Rusyn, an East Slavic language, is a recognised official minority language.
Is Serbian recognised in Croatia?
Yes. Serbian is a recognised official minority language.
Is Hungarian recognised in Croatia?
Yes. Hungarian, a Uralic language, is a recognised official minority language.
Is Slovak recognised in Croatia?
Yes. Slovak is a recognised official minority language.
Is Istro-Romanian spoken in Croatia?
Yes. Istro-Romanian, an endangered Eastern Romance language related to Aromanian, Megleno-Romanian and Romanian, is spoken in Istria.
Is Albanian spoken in Croatia?
Yes. Arbanasi is an endangered variety of Albanian spoken by Albanians in Croatia.
When did Croatia ratify the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages?
Croatia ratified the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages in 1997.
What are the main variants of Croatian?
Croatian has three main variants: Shtokavian, Chakavian, and Kajkavian.
Quick facts
Languages in Croatia FAQ
What is the official language of Croatia?
The national official language and most spoken language in Croatia is Croatian.
What is Croatia called in Croatian?
“Croatia” in Croatian is Hrvatska. The language “Croatian” is Hrvatski.
What writing system does Croatian use?
Croatian uses the Latin alphabet, not Cyrillic.
Is Italian official anywhere in Croatia?
Italian is co-official with Croatian in Istria County.
Was Dalmatian spoken in Croatia?
Yes. Dalmatian, an extinct Romance language, was once spoken along the Croatian coast.
What are the main variants of Croatian?
Croatian has three main variants: Shtokavian, Chakavian, and Kajkavian.