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A1 verb 11 دقيقة للقراءة

voljeti

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح voljeti في 30 ثانية

الشرح voljeti in your Level:

At the A1 level, voljeti is primarily used to express basic personal preferences and familial love. You will learn to conjugate it in the present tense: ja volim, ti voliš, on/ona/ono voli, mi volimo, vi volite, oni/one/ona vole. Learners use it to talk about food ('Volim pizzu'), hobbies ('Volim sport'), and immediate family ('Volim mamu'). The focus is on simple SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) structures and basic negation using 'ne'. You also learn to ask simple questions like 'Što voliš?' (What do you like/love?). This is one of the first verbs you will master because it allows you to share your personality and interests with others in a very direct way.

At the A2 level, you expand your use of voljeti to include the past tense (perfekt) and the future tense. You learn how the verb changes based on gender in the past: 'volio' (masculine), 'voljela' (feminine). You also begin to use it with infinitives to describe activities you enjoy doing ('Volim šetati po parku'). A2 learners start to distinguish between 'voljeti' and 'sviđati se', understanding that 'sviđati se' is often better for physical attraction or new things. You might also start using the conditional 'volio bih' to express polite requests or desires in shops and restaurants, which is a crucial survival skill.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, you move beyond simple preferences into more complex emotional expressions and grammatical structures. You should be comfortable using voljeti in various tenses and moods, including the conditional and the imperative (though 'voli' is rare). You begin to understand the nuances of aspect, comparing 'voljeti' (imperfective) with 'zavoljeti' (perfective - to fall in love). You can discuss abstract concepts like 'Volim slobodu' (I love freedom) and use the verb in subordinate clauses ('Znam da me voliš'). You also start to recognize common idioms and phrases where 'voljeti' appears, and you can use it to describe relationships in more detail, including the reflexive 'voljeti se' (to love each other).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, voljeti is used to express subtle shades of meaning. You can use it in complex sentences with multiple clauses and understand its role in literary or formal contexts. You are proficient in using the conditional 'volio bih' for hypothetical situations ('Volio bih da sam bogat'). You also begin to understand how word order can shift for emphasis, such as 'Tebe volim, a ne njega'. You can discuss your 'omiljeni' (favorite) things using the passive participle derived from 'voljeti'. Your vocabulary expands to include synonyms like 'obožavati' or 'biti sklon nečemu' (to be inclined toward something), allowing you to avoid repeating 'voljeti' too often in speech or writing.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, you possess a deep understanding of the stylistic and emotional connotations of voljeti. You can analyze its use in Croatian literature and poetry, where it often carries historical or cultural weight. You understand the difference between 'voljeti' and 'ljubiti' in poetic contexts. You can use the verb in highly complex grammatical structures, such as the future perfect or complex conditional sentences. You are aware of regional dialectal variations (e.g., 'volit') and can use the verb colloquially or formally as the situation demands. You can discuss philosophical concepts of love, using the noun 'ljubav' and the verb 'voljeti' to articulate sophisticated arguments about human nature and society.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, your mastery of voljeti is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You use it with perfect precision, capturing every nuance and cultural reference. You can play with the word in puns, jokes, and creative writing. You understand the most obscure idioms and can use the verb to express irony or sarcasm. You are fully comfortable with all morphological variations and can navigate the most complex syntactic environments. Whether you are writing a formal essay on Croatian sociology or engaging in a heated debate about national identity, 'voljeti' is a versatile tool in your linguistic arsenal, used with absolute fluency and native-level intuition.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

voljeti في 30 ثانية

Voljeti is the standard Croatian verb for 'to love' and 'to like', used for both people and objects.
It is an imperfective verb conjugated as 'volim, voliš, voli...' in the present tense, taking the accusative case.
While it translates to 'like', it is often stronger than 'sviđati se', which is used for casual appeal.
It is essential for expressing hobbies, preferences, and deep emotional bonds in everyday Croatian conversation.

The Croatian verb voljeti is one of the most fundamental and emotionally resonant words in the language. For English speakers, it carries a dual weight that can sometimes be confusing: it serves as the translation for both 'to love' and 'to like' depending on the context. While English distinguishes between liking a pizza and loving a partner, Croatian often uses voljeti for both, relying on intensity, context, and supplementary adverbs to clarify the depth of the feeling. In the most basic sense, it describes a positive emotional orientation toward a person, an object, an activity, or a concept.

Emotional Range: From the casual 'Volim kavu' (I like/love coffee) to the profound 'Volim te' (I love you), the word spans the entire spectrum of affection. It is an imperfective verb, meaning it focuses on the ongoing state of feeling rather than a completed action.
Grammatical Requirement: The verb voljeti always requires an object in the accusative case (koga? što?). For example, in 'Volim moju majku', 'moju majku' is the object being loved.

Ja jako volim čitati knjige navečer.

Translation: I really like reading books in the evening.

In everyday Croatian life, you will hear this word constantly. It is used to express preferences in food, hobbies, and social interactions. Unlike some languages where 'love' is reserved for extreme romantic or familial bonds, Croatians are quite comfortable saying they 'love' a specific type of weather or a football club. However, when used with people, it carries significant weight. Saying 'Volim te' to a romantic interest is a major milestone, just as it is in English. It is important to note that Croatian has another verb, ljubiti, which specifically means 'to kiss' or 'to love' in a more poetic or archaic sense, but voljeti remains the standard for everyday emotional expression.

On voli svoju domovinu svim srcem.

Translation: He loves his homeland with all his heart.

Understanding the conjugation is key. As an '-jeti' verb (specifically an '-iti' class in the present tense), it follows a predictable pattern: volim, voliš, voli, volimo, volite, vole. Notice the change from 'e' in the infinitive to 'i' in the present tense. This is a common feature of many Croatian verbs and is essential for A1 learners to master early on. Because Croatian is a pro-drop language, the pronouns (ja, ti, on) are often omitted, so the ending of the verb carries all the information about who is doing the loving.

Cultural Nuance: In Dalmatia or coastal regions, you might hear 'volit' (dropping the final 'i'), reflecting local dialects, but 'voljeti' is the standard literary form taught in schools and used in media.

Djeca vole igrati se u parku.

Translation: Children love/like playing in the park.

Using voljeti correctly requires an understanding of how it interacts with different parts of speech. Primarily, it takes a direct object in the accusative case. This means if you love a person or a thing, the noun must change its ending according to Croatian declension rules. For example, 'prijatelj' (friend) becomes 'prijatelja' in the sentence 'Volim prijatelja'.

With Nouns: When expressing love for objects or people, use the Accusative. 'Volim ovu pjesmu' (I love this song). 'Volim tvoju sestru' (I love your sister).
With Verbs: When expressing a liking for an activity, use the infinitive. 'Volim plivati' (I like to swim). 'Voliš li kuhati?' (Do you like to cook?).

Mi volimo ljeto jer je sunčano.

Translation: We love summer because it is sunny.

Negation is simple: place 'ne' directly before the verb. 'Ne volim zimu' (I don't like winter). To ask a question, you can use the 'li' particle: 'Voliš li me?' (Do you love me?) or simply use rising intonation: 'Voliš me?'. In formal contexts, the 'da li' construction is also common: 'Da li volite ovaj grad?' (Do you love/like this city?).

Oni ne vole rano ustajati.

Translation: They do not like getting up early.

The verb is also used in the conditional to express 'would like'. 'Volio bih' (masculine) or 'Voljela bih' (feminine) followed by an infinitive or 'da' clause. 'Volio bih putovati u Japan' (I would like to travel to Japan). This is a polite way to express desires and is very common in restaurants or when making plans.

Reflexive Confusion: Do not confuse 'voljeti' with 'voljeti se'. The reflexive form means 'to love each other'. 'Oni se vole' means 'They love each other'.

Što najviše voliš jesti za doručak?

Translation: What do you like to eat for breakfast most?

Finally, consider the use of intensifying adverbs like 'jako' (strongly/very), 'puno' (a lot), or 'baš' (really). 'Jako te volim' is a very common way to say 'I love you very much'. Without these adverbs, 'voljeti' can sometimes feel a bit plain, especially when talking about food or hobbies where 'sviđati se' might be a more natural choice for a 'like'.

You will encounter voljeti in almost every social context in Croatia. From the pop songs blasting on the radio to the quiet conversations in a Zagreb cafe, it is the heartbeat of Croatian expression. In music, particularly the 'zabavna' and 'klapa' genres, 'voljeti' is the most used verb, often paired with themes of the sea, the homeland, and unrequited love.

In Pop Culture: Listen to Oliver Dragojević or Mišo Kovač. Their lyrics are filled with 'volim te', 'volio sam', and 'voljet ću'. It is the primary way to express romantic devotion in Croatian art.
In the Kitchen: Grandmothers (bake) will constantly ask: 'Voliš li sarmu?' (Do you like sarma?) or 'Voliš li više meso ili ribu?' (Do you like meat or fish more?). Food is a love language in Croatia, and this verb is its vehicle.

Hrvati vole nogomet više od ičega.

Translation: Croatians love football more than anything.

In television dramas (sapunicas), the word is used with dramatic flair. You'll hear 'Nikada te nisam prestao voljeti' (I never stopped loving you). In more mundane settings, like a market, you might hear someone say 'Volim ove jabuke, jako su slatke' (I like/love these apples, they are very sweet). The versatility of the word means it fits everywhere.

Svi volimo otići na kavu subotom ujutro.

Translation: We all love going for coffee on Saturday mornings.

One interesting place you'll hear it is in the context of 'will' or 'wanting' in some dialects. While 'htjeti' is the standard for 'to want', in some coastal areas, 'voliti' can occasionally lean into the territory of 'desiring' or 'preferring' something right now. However, for a learner, sticking to the 'love/like' definition is the safest and most accurate path.

Sports and Patriotism: National pride is often expressed through this verb. 'Volim svoju zemlju' (I love my country) is a common sentiment during national holidays or sporting events like the World Cup.

Tko ne voli more i sunce?

Translation: Who doesn't love the sea and the sun?

The most frequent mistake for English speakers is overusing voljeti where sviđati se would be more appropriate. In English, we 'like' everything. In Croatian, if you say 'Volim tu curu' (I love that girl), it implies a much deeper emotion than 'Sviđa mi se ta cura' (I like that girl/I find her attractive). Using 'voljeti' too early in a relationship can be quite startling!

The 'Like' vs 'Love' Trap: English speakers often translate 'I like this' as 'Volim ovo'. While not wrong, it's often more natural to say 'Ovo mi se sviđa'. Use 'voljeti' for things you have a genuine passion for.
Case Errors: Forgetting the Accusative case. You cannot say 'Volim moj brat'. It must be 'Volim mog brata'. The object of your love must change its form.

Pogrešno: Ja voljeti kava. Točno: Ja volim kavu.

Translation: Wrong: I to love coffee. Right: I love coffee.

Another mistake involves the reflexive pronoun. 'Volim se' means 'I love myself'. 'Volimo se' means 'We love each other'. Beginners often omit 'se' when they mean 'each other' or add it when they just mean 'we love [something]'. Always be clear about whether the action is reciprocal.

Ne volim kad pada kiša.

Translation: I don't like it when it rains.

Confusion with 'htjeti' (to want): While 'voljeti' in the conditional ('volio bih') means 'I would like', learners sometimes use the plain present 'volim' to mean 'I want'. If you are in a shop and want to buy something, use 'želim' (I wish/want) or 'molim vas' (please), not 'volim ovaj kruh' (I love this bread), unless you are expressing your general appreciation for that type of bread.

Infinitive vs. Da-Clause: In Croatia, 'Volim plivati' (Infinitive) is preferred over 'Volim da plivam'. The latter is more common in Serbian. While understood, using the infinitive sounds more naturally Croatian.

Oni vole svoje roditelje.

Translation: They love their parents.

To truly master Croatian, you need to know when voljeti is the right choice and when another word might be better. Croatian has a rich vocabulary for attraction and preference.

Sviđati se vs. Voljeti: 'Sviđati se' is used for 'to like' in the sense of 'to find appealing'. It is reflexive and the subject is the thing being liked. 'Sviđaš mi se' (You are pleasing to me / I like you). 'Voljeti' is deeper and more direct.
Obožavati: This means 'to adore' or 'to worship'. It is stronger than 'voljeti'. 'Obožavam čokoladu!' (I adore chocolate!). Use this when you want to show extreme enthusiasm.
Ljubiti: Primarily means 'to kiss'. In older literature or songs, it can mean 'to love'. In modern speech, stick to 'voljeti' for love and 'ljubiti' for the physical act of kissing.

Više mi se sviđa crvena boja nego plava.

Translation: I like the red color more than the blue one.

Other alternatives include 'preferirati' (to prefer), which is more formal and used in professional or academic settings. 'Gajiti osjećaje' (to nourish/harbor feelings) is a sophisticated way to say you have feelings for someone without using the 'L-word' directly.

On obožava klasičnu glazbu.

Translation: He adores classical music.

Comparison Table:

Word	English equivalent	Intensity
Sviđati se	To like/appeal	Low/Medium
Voljeti	To love/like	Medium/High
Obožavati	To adore	Very High

Zavoljeti: This is the perfective aspect, meaning 'to fall in love with' or 'to start liking'. 'Zavolio sam ovaj grad' (I grew to love/like this city).

Ja preferiram crnu kavu bez šećera.

Translation: I prefer black coffee without sugar.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

Because it shares a root with 'volja' (will), the word 'voljeti' implies an element of choice and intention in Croatian culture—loving is something you 'will' to do.

دليل النطق

UK /ˈʋɔʎɛti/

US /ˈvɔljɛti/

The stress is on the first syllable: VO-lje-ti.

يتقافى مع

moljeti boljeti preboljeti izvoljeti dovoljeti oboljeti odoljeti udovoljeti

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing 'lj' as two distinct sounds (l + y).
Pronouncing the final 'i' as a long 'ee' like in 'bee' instead of a shorter Croatian 'i'.
Misplacing the stress on the second syllable.
Confusing the 'v' with a 'w' sound.
Forgetting to palatalize the 'lj' sound.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 1/5

Very easy to recognize as it appears in almost every text.

الكتابة 2/5

Requires knowledge of present tense conjugation and accusative case.

التحدث 2/5

Pronunciation of 'lj' can be tricky, but the word is short and common.

الاستماع 1/5

Easily distinguishable in spoken Croatian due to its frequency.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

ja (I) ti (you) kava (coffee) mama (mom) raditi (to work/do)

تعلّم لاحقاً

sviđati se (to like) mrziti (to hate) željeti (to want) sreća (happiness) prijatelj (friend)

متقدم

obožavati (to adore) zavoljeti (to fall in love) privrženost (attachment) uzvraćen (requited)

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Accusative Case

Volim (koga? što?) - Volim sestru.

Verb + Infinitive

Volim + pjevati.

Present Tense Conjugation (Class i)

Volim, voliš, voli...

Conditional Mood

Volio bih (I would like).

Reflexive Verbs (Reciprocal)

Vole se (They love each other).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Ja volim moju obitelj.

I love my family.

Subject 'Ja' (I) + Verb 'volim' (1st person sing.) + Object 'moju obitelj' (Accusative).

Voliš li ti kavu?

Do you like coffee?

Interrogative with 'li' particle. 'Kavu' is accusative of 'kava'.

On voli igrati nogomet.

He likes playing football.

Verb 'voljeti' followed by an infinitive 'igrati'.

Mi volimo ljeto.

We love summer.

1st person plural 'volimo'.

One vole čokoladu.

They (fem.) love chocolate.

3rd person plural feminine 'one vole'.

Ne volim hladnoću.

I don't like the cold.

Negation with 'ne' before the verb.

Voliš li jabuke?

Do you like apples?

Plural object 'jabuke' in accusative.

Ona voli svoju mačku.

She loves her cat.

Possessive 'svoju' must match the object 'mačku'.

Volio sam taj film.

I liked that movie.

Past tense masculine 'volio sam'.

Voljela bih čašu vode, molim.

I would like a glass of water, please.

Conditional feminine 'voljela bih' for polite requests.

Hoćeš li me uvijek voljeti?

Will you always love me?

Future tense with 'hoćeš li' + infinitive 'voljeti'.

Nismo voljeli školu kad smo bili mali.

We didn't like school when we were little.

Negative past tense 'nismo voljeli'.

Voliš li više more ili planine?

Do you like the sea or mountains more?

Comparison using 'više' (more).

Moja sestra voli pjevati pod tušem.

My sister likes to sing in the shower.

Infinitive 'pjevati' after 'voli'.

Oni su se uvijek jako voljeli.

They always loved each other very much.

Reflexive 'se' indicates reciprocal love.

Što si voljela raditi kao dijete?

What did you like to do as a child?

Past tense question for a female subject.

Zavolio sam je čim sam je vidio.

I fell in love with her as soon as I saw her.

Use of the perfective verb 'zavoljeti'.

Volio bih da možemo ostati duže.

I would like it if we could stay longer.

Conditional 'volio bih' followed by 'da' clause.

Nikad neću prestati voljeti ovaj grad.

I will never stop loving this city.

Future tense with 'prestati' (to stop).

Volim kad me netko iznenadi cvijećem.

I love it when someone surprises me with flowers.

'Volim' followed by a 'kad' (when) clause.

Voliš li me onakvog kakav jesam?

Do you love me just as I am?

Complex construction with 'onakvog kakav'.

Moraš voljeti sebe da bi volio druge.

You must love yourself to love others.

Reflexive 'sebe' (self).

Oni vole putovati u nepoznate krajeve.

They love traveling to unknown regions.

Accusative plural 'nepoznate krajeve'.

Tko voli, taj i oprašta.

He who loves, also forgives.

A proverbial expression using the verb.

Volio bih da si mi ranije rekao istinu.

I wish you had told me the truth earlier.

Conditional expressing regret about the past.

Ona voli isticati svoje uspjehe.

She likes to emphasize her successes.

Infinitive 'isticati' (to emphasize).

Nije lako voljeti nekoga tko te ne primjećuje.

It's not easy to love someone who doesn't notice you.

Impersonal construction 'Nije lako'.

Volim način na koji razmišljaš.

I love the way you think.

'Način na koji' (the way in which).

Hrvati vole misliti da su najbolji u sportu.

Croatians like to think they are the best at sports.

'Voljeti' followed by 'misliti' and a 'da' clause.

Voljeli ili ne, moramo se prilagoditi.

Whether we like it or not, we must adapt.

Concessive construction 'Voljeli ili ne'.

On voli glumiti žrtvu u svakoj situaciji.

He likes to play the victim in every situation.

Idiomatic use of 'glumiti žrtvu'.

Svi mi volimo vjerovati u bajke.

We all like to believe in fairy tales.

Infinitive 'vjerovati' (to believe).

Pjesnik voli opisivati prolaznost vremena.

The poet likes to describe the fleeting nature of time.

Abstract literary context.

Volio bih da se nismo nikada ni sreli.

I wish we had never even met.

Complex conditional expressing strong regret.

On voli provocirati svojim kontroverznim stavovima.

He likes to provoke with his controversial views.

Instrumental case 'stavovima'.

Mnogi ljudi vole moć više od pravde.

Many people love power more than justice.

Comparison of abstract nouns.

Volim tvoju sposobnost da u svemu nađeš nešto dobro.

I love your ability to find something good in everything.

Noun 'sposobnost' followed by a 'da' clause.

Nije dovoljno samo voljeti, treba znati i pokazati.

It's not enough just to love; one must also know how to show it.

Philosophical statement.

Volio bih kad bi ljudi bili malo ljubazniji.

I would like it if people were a bit kinder.

Conditional with 'kad bi'.

Uvijek sam volio miris mora u rano jutro.

I always loved the smell of the sea in the early morning.

Sensory description.

Njegova tendencija da voli preuveličavati stvari je iritantna.

His tendency to like exaggerating things is irritating.

Complex noun phrase with 'tendencija'.

Volio bih da mogu proniknuti u tvoje misli.

I wish I could penetrate your thoughts.

Literary verb 'proniknuti'.

Filozof voli propitivati temelje našeg postojanja.

The philosopher likes to question the foundations of our existence.

Academic context.

Volim tu tvoju crtu cinizma koja te čini jedinstvenim.

I love that streak of cynicism in you that makes you unique.

Specific character trait description.

Voljeti nekoga unatoč svim njegovim manama je prava umjetnost.

To love someone despite all their flaws is a true art.

Infinitive as subject.

Volio bih da smo imali više vremena za dublje razgovore.

I wish we had had more time for deeper conversations.

Pluperfect meaning in a conditional structure.

On voli koketirati s opasnošću.

He likes to flirt with danger.

Metaphorical use.

Koliko god ga voljela, morala ga je pustiti.

No matter how much she loved him, she had to let him go.

Concessive clause 'Koliko god'.

تلازمات شائعة

jako voljeti

voljeti svim srcem

voljeti život

voljeti prirodu

voljeti sport

voljeti istinu

voljeti raditi

voljeti putovati

voljeti se smijati

voljeti slobodu

العبارات الشائعة

Volim te.

— The classic 'I love you'. Used for romantic partners and family.

Laku noć, volim te.

Što voliš raditi?

— A standard ice-breaker asking 'What do you like to do?'.

Bok! Što voliš raditi u slobodno vrijeme?

Volim popiti kavu.

— A very Croatian expression for enjoying coffee culture.

Subotom ujutro volim popiti kavu na špici.

Voliš li me?

— A direct question: 'Do you love me?'.

Reci mi istinu, voliš li me?

Voliš li više...?

— Used to ask for a preference: 'Do you like ... more?'.

Voliš li više pizzu ili pastu?

Baš te volim!

— An enthusiastic 'I really love/like you!', often friendly.

Hvala na pomoći, baš te volim!

Oni se vole.

— They love each other. Used for couples.

Pogledaj ih, kako se vole.

Volim te najviše na svijetu.

— I love you most in the world. Common with children or partners.

Mama, volim te najviše na svijetu.

Volio bih...

— I would like... (masculine). Used for polite requests.

Volio bih jedan sok, molim.

Voli što radiš.

— Love what you do. A piece of advice.

Ako želiš biti sretan, voli što radiš.

يُخلط عادةً مع

voljeti vs sviđati se

English speakers use 'like' for both, but 'sviđati se' is for casual appeal, while 'voljeti' is deeper.

voljeti vs željeti

Means 'to want'. 'Volio bih' (I would like) is often used where English uses 'I want' to be polite.

voljeti vs ljubiti

Mostly means 'to kiss' today, though it meant 'to love' in the past.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Voljeti kao boga"

— To love someone like a god; to idolize someone.

Ona ga voli kao boga.

informal/emphatic

"Tko se tuče, taj se voli"

— Those who fight, love each other. Often said about children or bickering couples.

Djeca se stalno svađaju, ali tko se tuče, taj se voli.

proverbial

"Voljeti do groba"

— To love until the grave; eternal love.

Obećao joj je da će je voljeti do groba.

literary/dramatic

"Voljeti više nego zjenicu oka"

— To love more than the pupil of one's eye; to treasure immensely.

Svoju kćer voli više nego zjenicu oka.

poetic

"Voli - ne voli"

— The game of pulling petals off a daisy (Loves me, loves me not).

Igrala se 'voli - ne voli' s tratinčicom.

informal

"Voljeti popiti"

— To like to drink (often implying alcohol).

Stari Marko voli popiti koju čašicu više.

colloquial

"Voljeti se kao pas i mačka"

— To love each other like a dog and a cat (ironic: to fight constantly).

Brat i sestra se vole kao pas i mačka.

informal

"Voljeti zagristi u jabuku"

— To like to take a bite of the apple (to take a risk or a challenge).

On voli zagristi u jabuku i probati nešto novo.

metaphorical

"Voljeti tuđe više nego svoje"

— To like others' things more than one's own (grass is greener).

Neki ljudi uvijek vole tuđe više nego svoje.

critical

"Voli te tvoj/tvoja..."

— A common way to sign off a letter or message (Your ... loves you).

Voli te tvoja baka.

affectionate

سهل الخلط

voljeti vs sviđati se

Both translate to 'to like'.

Voljeti is a direct verb (I love/like X). Sviđati se is a reflexive dative construction (X is pleasing to me). Voljeti is more personal and intense.

Volim svoju ženu. Sviđa mi se tvoja nova frizura.

voljeti vs ljubiti

Both relate to affection.

Ljubiti is the physical act of kissing in modern Croatian. Voljeti is the emotional state of loving.

Majka ljubi dijete. Majka voli dijete.

voljeti vs obožavati

Both express positive feelings.

Obožavati is 'to adore' or 'to worship'. It is more hyperbolic and enthusiastic than voljeti.

Volim pizzu, ali obožavam tvoju domaću tjesteninu.

voljeti vs uživati

Used to describe activities.

Uživati means 'to enjoy'. It is usually followed by 'u' + locative. Voljeti is followed by an infinitive.

Volim čitati. Uživam u čitanju.

voljeti vs preferirati

Both express choice.

Preferirati is formal and Latin-based. Voljeti is Slavic and emotional.

Volim crno vino. U ovom restoranu preferiram crno vino.

أنماط الجُمل

[Subject] volim [Object-Accusative]

Ja volim jabuku.

Voliš li [Object-Accusative]?

Voliš li pizzu?

[Subject] voli [Infinitive]

Ona voli plivati.

[Subject] je volio/voljela [Object-Accusative]

On je volio taj grad.

Volio/Voljela bih [Infinitive]

Voljela bih ići u kino.

Volim kad [Clause]

Volim kad sunce sja.

Voljeti nekoga/nešto više nego [Comparison]

Volim te više nego ikoga.

[Subject] se voli [Infinitive]

On se voli praviti važan.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

ljubav (love)

volja (will/desire)

ljubimac (pet/favorite)

ljubavnik (lover)

الأفعال

zavoljeti (to fall in love)

prevoljeti (to get over someone)

udovoljeti (to satisfy/please)

izvoljeti (to be so kind/please - formal)

الصفات

voljen (loved)

omiljen (favorite)

ljubazan (kind/lovely)

dobrovoljan (voluntary)

مرتبط

srce (heart)

osjećaj (feeling)

strast (passion)

privrženost (attachment)

naklonost (affection)

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كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely high; among the top 50 most used verbs in Croatian.

أخطاء شائعة

Ja voljeti kava. → Ja volim kavu.
The verb must be conjugated (volim) and the object must be in the accusative case (kavu).
Oni vole se. → Oni se vole.
The reflexive pronoun 'se' usually comes before the verb or in the second position of the sentence.
Volim moj brat. → Volim mog brata.
Masculine animate nouns (like 'brat') take the ending -a in the accusative case.
Volim da jedem. → Volim jesti.
While 'da + present' is used, the infinitive is more standard and natural in Croatian.
Volim tebe. → Volim te.
Use the short form 'te' unless you want to specifically emphasize 'YOU' (and not someone else).

نصائح

Master the Accusative

Since 'voljeti' always takes an object, you must master the accusative case. Remember: feminine nouns in -a change to -u, and masculine animate nouns add -a.

Don't be afraid to use it

Croatians use 'voljeti' more freely for hobbies and things than English speakers might use 'love'. It's perfectly fine to say 'Volim ovaj kruh!'

Drop the Pronoun

In speech, you don't need to say 'Ja volim'. Just 'Volim' is enough. The 'm' at the end tells the listener it is 'I'.

Learn 'Sviđati se' too

To sound like a pro, use 'sviđati se' for things you find cool or people you just met, and 'voljeti' for things you are truly passionate about.

Volition

Associate 'voljeti' with 'volition' (will). Love is a choice of the will.

Listen for 'li'

When you hear 'Voliš li...', a question is coming. It's the standard way to ask about preferences.

Use Conditional for Politeness

When ordering in a restaurant, 'Volio bih' sounds much more polite than 'Želim' (I want).

Friends vs. Lovers

Be careful saying 'Volim te' to a new friend of the opposite sex; it's almost always interpreted romantically.

Reflexive Reciprocity

Remember 'se' for 'each other'. 'Oni se vole' (They love each other) vs 'Oni vole' (They love [something]).

Regional Variations

In Dalmatia, you might hear 'volin' instead of 'volim'. It's the same word, just a local flavor!

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of the word 'VOLume'. When you love a song, you turn the VOLume up. 'VOL-jeti' is what you do when you want more of something.

ربط بصري

Imagine a heart (love) with a 'V' inside it. The 'V' stands for 'Voljeti'.

Word Web

ljubav srce poljubac prijatelj obitelj sreća osmijeh strast

تحدٍّ

Try to list five things you love and five things you only like using 'voljeti' with different adverbs (jako, malo, puno).

أصل الكلمة

The verb 'voljeti' comes from the Proto-Slavic root *voliti, which is related to the noun *volja (will).

المعنى الأصلي: The original meaning was closer to 'to wish', 'to want', or 'to choose'. Over time, this evolved into the emotional sense of 'to love' or 'to like'.

Indo-European > Balto-Slavic > Slavic > South Slavic > Croatian.

السياق الثقافي

While 'voljeti' is generally safe, using 'Volim te' too early in a romantic context in Croatia carries the same heavy weight as in English. Be mindful of the emotional depth you are conveying.

English speakers should be careful not to use 'voljeti' for every 'like'. In English, 'I like your shirt' is common, but in Croatian, 'Sviđa mi se tvoja košulja' is more natural.

The song 'Cesarica' by Oliver Dragojević (a masterpiece about love). The phrase 'Volim Hrvatsku' (national slogan and TV show). The poem 'Povratak' by Dobriša Cesarić which touches on love and memory.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Dating and Relationships

Volim te.
Zaljubljen sam u tebe.
Voliš li me?
Želim te uvijek voljeti.

Food and Dining

Volim domaću hranu.
Voliš li začinjeno?
Volim popiti čašu vina.
Što volite jesti?

Hobbies and Travel

Volim putovati.
Volim čitati knjige.
Volim planinariti.
Voliš li sport?

Family and Friends

Volim svoju djecu.
Oni se jako vole.
Volim provoditi vrijeme s tobom.
Voli te tvoja mama.

Preferences

Više volim ljeto.
Ne volim gužvu.
Volim kad je tišina.
Što više voliš?

بدايات محادثة

"Što najviše voliš raditi vikendom?"

"Voliš li više talijansku ili kinesku kuhinju?"

"Koji grad na svijetu najviše voliš?"

"Voliš li više provoditi vrijeme sami ili s drugima?"

"Što voliš kod svojih najboljih prijatelja?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Napiši pet stvari koje voliš kod sebe i objasni zašto.

Opiši osobu koju najviše voliš i kako se osjećaš kad si s njom.

Koja je tvoja omiljena knjiga ili film i zašto ga toliko voliš?

Razmisli o hobiju koji si nedavno zavolio. Što te privuklo tome?

Napiši pismo sebi u budućnosti o stvarima koje se nadaš da ćeš i dalje voljeti.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

It means both! The context determines the intensity. For a romantic partner, it means 'to love'. For a slice of pizza, it means 'to like' (though quite strongly). To say 'like' in a casual way, Croatians often use 'sviđati se'.

Even though it ends in -jeti, it follows the -im pattern: ja volim, ti voliš, on/ona/ono voli, mi volimo, vi volite, oni/one/ona vole.

Yes, you can use it with an infinitive. For example, 'Volim spavati' (I like to sleep). This is the most common way to describe hobbies.

It depends on the gender of the subject: 'volio' (masculine), 'voljela' (feminine), 'voljelo' (neuter). You add the auxiliary verb 'biti': 'Ja sam volio/voljela'.

'Volim te' is 'I love you' (deep emotion). 'Sviđaš mi se' is 'I like you' or 'I find you attractive' (initial attraction).

Yes, the direct object must be in the Accusative case. 'Volim koga/što?' -> 'Volim tvoju majku'.

Use the conditional of 'voljeti': 'Volio bih' (masc.) or 'Voljela bih' (fem.). Example: 'Volio bih kavu'.

It is imperfective, meaning it describes an ongoing state. The perfective counterpart is 'zavoljeti', which means 'to fall in love' or 'to start liking'.

No, 'ljubiti' means 'to kiss'. While they are related in meaning, 'voljeti' is strictly for the feeling of love or liking.

Yes, you can say 'Volim svog psa' (I love my dog). Pets are called 'ljubimci', which comes from the same root.

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