A0 Expressions & Patterns 1 min read Fácil

Please and You're Welcome (Molim, Nema na čemu)

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Practícalo

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

In Croatian, 'Molim' is your Swiss Army knife for 'please', 'you're welcome', and 'pardon me'.

  • Use 'Molim' to say 'please' when asking for something: 'Kavu, molim.'
  • Use 'Molim' to say 'you're welcome' after someone thanks you.
  • Use 'Nema na čemu' as a more emphatic 'you're welcome' (literally: 'there is nothing to it').
Request + 'molim' | Thanks + 'molim' | 'Nema na čemu' = You're welcome

Usage of Molim

Function Croatian English Context
Request
Kavu, molim
Coffee, please
Ordering
Response
Hvala - Molim
Thanks - You're welcome
Social
Clarification
Molim?
Pardon?
Listening
Emphasis
Nema na čemu
You're welcome
Polite
Formal Request
Molim vas
Please (formal)
Polite
Instruction
Molim, sjednite
Please, sit
Command

Meanings

These expressions are the foundation of Croatian social interaction, used to show respect and acknowledge favors.

1

Please

Used to soften a request or command.

“Jednu vodu, molim.”

“Molim, zatvorite vrata.”

2

You're welcome

A polite response to 'Hvala' (Thank you).

“Hvala. - Molim.”

“Hvala puno. - Nema na čemu.”

3

Pardon/Excuse me

Used when you didn't hear someone or want to get attention.

“Molim?”

“Oprostite, molim?”

Reference Table

Reference table for Please and You're Welcome (Molim, Nema na čemu)
Form Structure Example
Request
Noun + molim
Pivo, molim
Response
Molim
Hvala - Molim
Emphatic Response
Nema na čemu
Hvala - Nema na čemu
Clarification
Molim?
Molim?
Formal Request
Molim vas + Verb
Molim vas, idite
Negative Request
Molim, ne + Verb
Molim, ne pričajte

Espectro de formalidad

Formal
Molim vas, jednu kavu.

Molim vas, jednu kavu. (Ordering coffee)

Neutral
Kavu, molim.

Kavu, molim. (Ordering coffee)

Informal
Kavu, molim.

Kavu, molim. (Ordering coffee)

Jerga
Kava, može?

Kava, može? (Ordering coffee)

The Many Faces of Molim

Molim

Requesting

  • Kavu, molim Coffee, please

Responding

  • Molim You're welcome

Clarifying

  • Molim? Pardon?
Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

1

Kavu, molim.

Coffee, please.

2

Hvala. - Molim.

Thanks. - You're welcome.

3

Molim?

Pardon?

4

Jedan sladoled, molim.

One ice cream, please.

1

Nema na čemu, bilo mi je drago.

You're welcome, it was my pleasure.

2

Molim vas, gdje je kolodvor?

Please, where is the station?

3

Hvala na pomoći. - Nema na čemu.

Thanks for the help. - You're welcome.

4

Molim, sjednite.

Please, sit down.

1

Molim vas, možete li mi dodati sol?

Please, could you pass me the salt?

2

Hvala vam na informacijama. - Nema na čemu, uvijek.

Thank you for the information. - You're welcome, anytime.

3

Oprostite, molim vas, znate li koliko je sati?

Excuse me, please, do you know what time it is?

4

Molim, nemojte se ljutiti.

Please, don't be angry.

1

Molim vas, budite tako ljubazni pa zatvorite prozor.

Please, be so kind as to close the window.

2

Zahvaljujem na suradnji. - Nema na čemu, zadovoljstvo je moje.

I thank you for the cooperation. - You're welcome, the pleasure is mine.

3

Molim, recite mi što mislite o tome.

Please, tell me what you think about that.

4

Molim vas, nemojte me krivo shvatiti.

Please, don't misunderstand me.

1

Molim vas, dopustite mi da objasnim situaciju.

Please, allow me to explain the situation.

2

Nema na čemu, doista nije bilo nikakvog problema.

You're welcome, it really was no problem at all.

3

Molim, budite strpljivi dok čekamo.

Please, be patient while we wait.

4

Molim vas, obratite pažnju na detalje.

Please, pay attention to the details.

1

Molim vas, budite ljubazni i razmotrite moj zahtjev.

Please, be kind and consider my request.

2

Nema na čemu, bilo mi je zadovoljstvo pomoći vam u ovome.

You're welcome, it was my pleasure to help you with this.

3

Molim, nemojte se ustručavati kontaktirati me.

Please, do not hesitate to contact me.

4

Molim vas, prihvatite moje iskrene isprike.

Please, accept my sincere apologies.

Fácil de confundir

Please and You're Welcome (Molim, Nema na čemu) vs Molim vs Oprostite

Learners use 'molim' for 'sorry'.

Please and You're Welcome (Molim, Nema na čemu) vs Molim vs Hvala

Learners use 'hvala' to respond to 'hvala'.

Please and You're Welcome (Molim, Nema na čemu) vs Molim vs Molim vas

Learners don't know when to use 'vas'.

Errores comunes

✗

Molim za kavu

✓

Kavu, molim

You don't need 'za' (for) here.
✗

Hvala, molim

✓

Hvala - Molim

These are separate turns in a conversation.
✗

Molim, hvala

✓

Hvala, molim

Gratitude comes before the response.
✗

Molim te

✓

Molim

Molim te is 'I beg you', too strong for ordering.
✗

Nema na čemu, hvala

✓

Hvala - Nema na čemu

The person being thanked says 'Nema na čemu'.
✗

Molim vas, hvala

✓

Hvala, molim vas

Politeness markers usually follow the request.
✗

Molim, što?

✓

Molim?

Just 'Molim?' is enough for 'What?'.
✗

Molim, učinite to

✓

Molim vas, učinite to

Use 'vas' for formal requests.
✗

Nema na čemu, molim

✓

Nema na čemu

Don't combine two responses.
✗

Molim, oprostite

✓

Oprostite

Don't use 'molim' for apologies.
✗

Molim, budite ljubazni

✓

Molim vas, budite ljubazni

Formal address requires 'vas'.
✗

Nema na čemu, hvala na pitanju

✓

Nema na čemu, hvala vama

Maintain correct pronoun usage.

Patrones de oraciones

___, molim.

Molim vas, ___.

Hvala. - ___.

Molim, ___ se ljutiti.

Real World Usage

Cafe constant

Kavu, molim.

Texting common

Hvala! - Molim.

Job Interview common

Molim vas, sjednite.

Travel very common

Molim vas, gdje je wc?

Food Delivery common

Jednu pizzu, molim.

Social Media occasional

Hvala na komentaru! - Nema na čemu.

Regístrate gratis para ver todos los ejemplos
💡

Use it everywhere

Don't be afraid to use 'molim' in every request. It's never too much.
⚠️

Don't apologize

Don't use 'molim' when you mean 'sorry'. Use 'oprostite' instead.
🎯

Rising intonation

When you don't hear someone, use 'Molim?' with a rising tone.
💬

Modesty

Use 'Nema na čemu' to sound modest when someone thanks you.

Smart Tips

Always add 'molim' at the end of your order.

Jedna kava. → Jedna kava, molim.

Use 'Nema na čemu' to sound more natural.

Molim. → Nema na čemu.

Use 'Molim?' with a question mark.

Što? → Molim?

Use 'Molim vas'.

Molim, dajte mi to. → Molim vas, dajte mi to.

Pronunciación

/mɔliːm/

Molim

Pronounced 'MO-leem'. Stress on the first syllable.

Rising

Molim? ↑

Used when asking for clarification or repeating a question.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of 'Molim' as 'More-lim' — you want 'more' of something, so you say 'Molim'!

Asociación visual

Imagine a waiter bringing you a coffee. You say 'Molim' (please). Then you thank him, and he says 'Nema na čemu' (it's nothing).

Rhyme

When you want to be polite, say 'Molim' day and night.

Story

Mark walks into a cafe. He says 'Kavu, molim.' The waiter brings it. Mark says 'Hvala.' The waiter smiles and says 'Nema na čemu.'

Word Web

MolimHvalaNema na čemuOprostiteMolim vas

Desafío

Use 'molim' every time you ask for something today, even in English, to build the habit!

Notas culturales

Politeness is expected in all service interactions. Not saying 'molim' can be perceived as rude.

In the coast, people are often more relaxed but still value 'molim'.

More formal and polite, especially with strangers.

Derived from the verb 'moliti' (to pray/beg).

Inicios de conversación

“

Kako se kaže 'please' na hrvatskom?

“

Što kažeš kad ti netko kaže 'hvala'?

“

Kada koristiš 'molim vas' umjesto 'molim'?

“

Kako bi zamolio nekoga za pomoć u uredu?

Temas para diario

Napiši kratki dijalog u kafiću.
Opiši situaciju u kojoj si nekome pomogao.
Zašto je važno biti pristojan u Hrvatskoj?
Usporedi pristojnost u svojoj zemlji i Hrvatskoj.

Errores comunes

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

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Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

Kavu, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: molim
Molim is for requests.
Choose the correct response. Opción múltiple

Hvala! - ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Molim
Molim is the response to thanks.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Molim za vodu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vodu, molim
Direct object + molim.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Molim vas sjednite
Standard order.
Translate to Croatian. Traducción

You're welcome.

Answer starts with: Mol...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Molim
Molim means you're welcome.
Match the phrase to its meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
Basic vocabulary.
Which is more formal? Opción múltiple

How to say please formally?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Molim vas
Vas adds formality.
Fill in the blank.

Hvala na pomoći. - ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nema na čemu
Nema na čemu is emphatic.

Score: /8

Ejercicios de practica

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Kavu, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: molim
Molim is for requests.
Choose the correct response. Opción múltiple

Hvala! - ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Molim
Molim is the response to thanks.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Molim za vodu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vodu, molim
Direct object + molim.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

molim / vas / sjednite

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Molim vas sjednite
Standard order.
Translate to Croatian. Traducción

You're welcome.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Molim
Molim means you're welcome.
Match the phrase to its meaning. Match Pairs

1. Molim, 2. Hvala, 3. Oprostite

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-B, 2-A, 3-C
Basic vocabulary.
Which is more formal? Opción múltiple

How to say please formally?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Molim vas
Vas adds formality.
Fill in the blank.

Hvala na pomoći. - ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nema na čemu
Nema na čemu is emphatic.

Score: /8

Preguntas frecuentes (8)

Yes, it's very versatile, but use 'molim vas' for formal requests.

'Molim' is standard, 'nema na čemu' is more emphatic.

No, it's an invariant particle.

No, it's the opposite! It's very polite.

No, use 'oprostite'.

Use 'Molim?' with a rising tone.

Yes, it's standard throughout Croatia.

It's okay, but you might sound a bit direct or demanding.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Regístrate gratis para practicar

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Por favor / De nada

Croatian uses one word for two functions.

French moderate

S'il vous plaît / Je vous en prie

Croatian is more concise.

German high

Bitte

Both are multifunctional.

Japanese low

Onegaishimasu / Douitashimashite

Croatian is less complex.

Arabic moderate

Min fadlak / Afwan

Croatian uses 'molim' for both.

Chinese low

Qing / Bu keqi

Croatian is more flexible.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Expressing Thanks and Apologies (Hvala, Oprostite)
Next
Basic Courtesy Phrases

Related Grammar Rules

A0

Ordering Food and Drinks
A0

Saying Hello and Goodbye (Dobar dan, Doviđenja)
A2

Dative with Impersonal Constructions (e.g., Hladno mi je)
A2

Impersonal Expressions with 'Je' (It is...)
B2

Expressing Wishes and Regrets with Conditionals
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