When you're trying to describe watching or looking at something in Croatian, the most common verb you'll encounter is gledati. This verb is versatile and can be used in many contexts, whether you're watching a movie, looking at a picture, or simply observing something. It's a fundamental verb to learn early on.
For example, if you want to say "I am watching TV," you would say, "Gledam televiziju." If you're looking at a friend, you might say, "Gledam prijatelja." It's an imperfective verb, meaning it describes an ongoing or repeated action, so it's good for habitual viewing or observing.
§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
Alright, let's talk about 'gledati'. This is a super common and important verb in Croatian, and you're going to use it a lot. It generally means 'to watch' or 'to look at'. Think of it as the Croatian equivalent of those English phrases. It's used in many situations where you're directing your eyes or attention towards something.
- DEFINITION
- Gledati (verb, imperfective) - To watch, to look at.
So, when do we use 'gledati'? Pretty much any time you'd use 'to watch' or 'to look at' in English. Are you watching TV? Gledati TV. Looking at a picture? Gledati sliku. Watching a movie? Gledati film. It's that versatile.
The verb 'gledati' is imperfective, which means it describes an ongoing or repeated action. If you're talking about a completed action of 'looking' or 'watching' at a specific moment, you might use the perfective counterpart 'pogledati', but for now, focus on 'gledati' for general and continuous actions. We'll get to perfective and imperfective aspects later, don't worry too much about it right now. Just know that 'gledati' is for actions that are happening or habitually happen.
Let's look at some examples to make this crystal clear. These examples will show you how 'gledati' fits into everyday sentences.
Ja gledam televiziju. (I watch television.)
Here, 'gledam' is the first-person singular form of 'gledati'. It's a direct translation of 'I watch'.
On gleda kroz prozor. (He looks through the window.)
In this example, 'gleda' is the third-person singular form. It shows an ongoing action of looking.
Mi gledamo film. (We are watching a movie.)
And 'gledamo' is the first-person plural, indicating that a group of people is watching something.
It's also common to use 'gledati' when you're simply observing something without a specific object, like just 'looking'.
Molim te, gledaj! (Please, look!)
Here, 'gledaj' is the informal imperative form, used to tell someone to 'look'.
A common mistake English speakers make is trying to use a separate word for 'watch' and 'look at'. In Croatian, 'gledati' covers both these meanings, so you don't need to overthink it. If your eyes are involved in observing something, 'gledati' is probably the word you need.
So, in summary, 'gledati' is your go-to verb for anything related to visually observing. Whether it's active watching or simply looking, this word will serve you well. Practice using it in sentences, and you'll get comfortable with it in no time.
Here are a few more quick examples to solidify your understanding:
Oni gledaju utakmicu. (They are watching the game.)
Ti često gledaš u nebo. (You often look at the sky.)
Dijete gleda crtić. (The child is watching a cartoon.)
As you can see, the context usually makes it clear whether it's 'watching' or 'looking at'. Don't sweat the small stuff, just focus on getting the verb into your vocabulary and start using it!
Beispiele nach Niveau
Gledam televiziju svaku večer.
I watch television every evening.
Present tense, first person singular.
On gleda nogometnu utakmicu.
He is watching a football match.
Present tense, third person singular.
Gledaš li me?
Are you looking at me?
Present tense, second person singular, question form.
Gledali smo film jučer.
We watched a movie yesterday.
Past tense, first person plural.
Želim gledati izlazak sunca.
I want to watch the sunrise.
Infinitive form after 'želim' (I want).
Molim te, gledaj gdje hodaš.
Please, watch where you are walking.
Imperative form, second person singular.
Oni često gledaju u zvijezde.
They often look at the stars.
Present tense, third person plural.
Možemo gledati ptice u parku.
We can watch birds in the park.
Infinitive form after 'možemo' (we can).
Wird oft verwechselt mit
To see (passive perception).
To guard, to protect, to keep (can sometimes imply watching over something, but the primary meaning is different from 'gledati').
To listen (auditory perception, not visual).
Leicht verwechselbar
'vidjeti' also means 'to see' which can be confused with 'gledati' (to watch/look at).
'Gledati' implies intentional action, focusing your gaze on something. 'Vidjeti' is more passive, meaning to perceive something with your eyes without necessarily intending to.
Ja gledam televiziju. (I am watching television.) Ja vidim televiziju. (I see the television.)
'Paziti' can mean 'to watch out for' or 'to pay attention', which can sometimes overlap with the idea of 'watching'.
'Gledati' is about observing visually. 'Paziti' is about being careful, vigilant, or paying attention to avoid something or ensure something happens.
Gledam djecu u parku. (I am watching the children in the park.) Pazim na djecu u parku. (I am looking after the children in the park/I am being careful with the children in the park.)
'Promatrati' also means 'to observe', which is close in meaning to 'gledati'.
'Gledati' is a more general term for looking or watching. 'Promatrati' implies a more detailed, often analytical or prolonged observation.
Gledam sliku. (I am looking at the picture.) Promatram detalje na slici. (I am observing the details in the picture.)
Similar to 'promatrati', 'posmatrati' also means 'to observe' and is often used interchangeably with it, causing confusion with 'gledati'.
While 'posmatrati' and 'promatrati' are very similar and often interchangeable, both imply a more deliberate and often scientific or analytical observation than 'gledati'. 'Gledati' is the everyday act of watching.
Posmatram zvijezde. (I am observing the stars.) Gledam zvijezde. (I am looking at the stars.)
'Pratiti' can mean 'to follow' or 'to keep track of', which can sometimes involve watching.
'Gledati' is focused on the visual act of watching. 'Pratiti' implies following something or someone, either literally or metaphorically, often over a period of time, and may or may not involve constant visual attention.
Gledam utakmicu. (I am watching the game.) Pratim rezultate utakmice. (I am following the results of the game.)
Teste dich selbst 30 Fragen
Write a short sentence using 'gledati' to say 'I am watching TV.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Gledam TV.
Write a sentence using 'gledati' to say 'He looks at the cat.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
On gleda mačku.
Form a question using 'gledati' to ask 'Are you watching a movie?' (formal 'vi' form)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Gledate li film?
What does the person like to do in the park?
Read this passage:
Ja volim gledati ptice u parku. Ptice su lijepe. Park je velik.
What does the person like to do in the park?
The passage says 'Ja volim gledati ptice u parku' which means 'I like to watch birds in the park.'
The passage says 'Ja volim gledati ptice u parku' which means 'I like to watch birds in the park.'
Where is she looking?
Read this passage:
Ona gleda more. More je plavo. Sunce sja.
Where is she looking?
The passage states 'Ona gleda more', which translates to 'She looks at the sea.'
The passage states 'Ona gleda more', which translates to 'She looks at the sea.'
What are 'we' watching?
Read this passage:
Mi gledamo utakmicu. Utakmica je zanimljiva. Volimo nogomet.
What are 'we' watching?
'Utakmica' means 'game' or 'match', and the sentence 'Mi gledamo utakmicu' means 'We are watching a game.'
'Utakmica' means 'game' or 'match', and the sentence 'Mi gledamo utakmicu' means 'We are watching a game.'
Ja volim ___ televiziju navečer. (I like to ___ television in the evening.)
The infinitive form 'gledati' is used after verbs like 'voljeti' (to like) when expressing what one likes to do.
On ___ film sa svojom djevojkom. (He ___ a movie with his girlfriend.)
The third person singular present tense form 'gleda' is used for 'on' (he).
Mi ćemo ___ utakmicu sutra. (We will ___ the game tomorrow.)
The infinitive form 'gledati' is used with the future tense auxiliary verb 'ćemo'.
Jesi li ___ vijesti jutros? (Did you ___ the news this morning?)
The masculine past participle 'gledao' is used here to form the past tense for a male subject. If the subject were female, it would be 'gledala'.
Oni ___ crtiće svako jutro. (They ___ cartoons every morning.)
The third person plural present tense form 'gledaju' is used for 'oni' (they).
Volim ___ ptice u parku. (I like to ___ birds in the park.)
Similar to the first exercise, the infinitive form 'gledati' is used after 'volim' (I like).
Choose the correct translation: 'I watch TV every evening.'
The verb 'gledati' (to watch) needs to be conjugated to 'gledam' for 'I watch'.
Which sentence correctly uses 'gledati' to mean 'to look at'?
The preposition 'na' (on/at) is used here to indicate looking at a specific object. 'U' can also be used for looking 'into' something, as in looking into the future.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'gledati': 'Mi često ___ sportske utakmice.' (We often watch sports games.)
For 'mi' (we), the correct conjugation of 'gledati' is 'gledamo'.
The sentence 'On gledaju novi film' is grammatically correct.
The correct form for 'he' (on) watching (gledati) is 'On gleda novi film'. 'Gledaju' is for 'they'.
In Croatian, 'gledati' can be used for both 'to watch' and 'to look at'.
Yes, 'gledati' covers both meanings, similar to how 'watch' or 'look' can be used in English depending on context.
'Gledam te' means 'I see you'.
While 'gledati' can mean 'to look at' or 'to watch', in this context, 'Gledam te' directly translates to 'I am looking at you', which implies 'I see you'.
Ona voli ___ filmove kad je slobodna.
The sentence requires a verb meaning 'to watch' in the infinitive form to complete the idea 'to like to watch'. 'Gledati' (to watch) is the correct choice.
Moramo pažljivo ___ znakove na cesti.
Here, 'gledati' (to look at) is used to express the act of actively observing the signs. 'Vidjeti' (to see) is more passive.
Jesi li ___ jučer onaj novi dokumentarac?
The question asks if 'you' (male, singular) watched the documentary yesterday. 'Gledao' is the correct past tense form for 'to watch'.
Djeca su s oduševljenjem ___ crtiće.
The sentence describes children 'watching' cartoons with enthusiasm. 'Gledala' is the correct past tense form for 'they watched' (neuter plural/feminine plural).
Uvijek ___ vijesti ujutro dok pijem kavu.
This sentence describes a habitual action of 'watching' the news in the morning. 'Gledam' is the correct first-person singular present tense for 'to watch'.
Možemo li ___ zalazak sunca s plaže?
The question asks if 'we can watch' the sunset from the beach. 'Gledati' (to watch) is the appropriate infinitive form.
The speaker watched a documentary all night. What kind of documentary was it and what was the effect?
What should be observed more closely to understand the crisis?
Despite advice, how did he view the past?
Read this aloud:
Kako biste opisali situaciju u kojoj se netko ponaša kao da 'gleda kroz prste' na nešto, zanemarujući očite probleme?
Focus: gleda kroz prste
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Predstavite složen argument o tome zašto je važno 'gledati dalje od površine' prilikom analize društvenih fenomena.
Focus: gledati dalje od površine
Du hast gesagt:
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Read this aloud:
Objasnite kontekst i implikacije fraze 'gledati nekoga ispod oka' u međuljudskim odnosima.
Focus: gledati nekoga ispod oka
Du hast gesagt:
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/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
