When giving or asking for directions, you'll hear and use the word desno quite a lot. It simply means 'right', as in the direction. For example, if someone tells you 'Skrenite desno,' they are telling you to 'Turn right.'
You might also hear it in phrases like 'Desno od crkve' meaning 'To the right of the church.' It's a fundamental word for navigating in Croatia. Remember that in Croatian, unlike in English, directions are often stated more directly, so desno will usually stand on its own to indicate 'to the right' or 'rightward.'
When giving or following directions in Croatian, desno is a key word to know. It directly translates to "right" as a direction. You'll hear it frequently in phrases like "Skrenite desno" (Turn right) or "Idite desno" (Go right). It's a straightforward adverb that helps you navigate effectively.
When navigating, you'll often hear desno, meaning 'right.' It's a fundamental directional adverb in Croatian. Remember that desno is an adverb, so it doesn't change form. You might use it to say 'Turn right' or 'It's to the right.' Knowing this word will help you understand directions and get around in Croatia.
§ What does it mean and when do people use it?
The Croatian word "desno" is a fundamental directional adverb that means "right." If you're learning Croatian, this is one of the first words you'll want to master because it's used constantly in everyday conversation, especially when giving or receiving directions.
- Definition
- Right (direction).
Think about how often you say "right" in English. "Turn right at the corner," "It's on your right," "Go right here." "Desno" serves all these purposes in Croatian. It's an essential building block for navigating cities, understanding instructions, or simply describing where something is located.
People use "desno" in a variety of contexts. The most common use is, of course, for directions. When someone tells you to go "desno," they literally mean "to the right."
Skrenite desno na semaforu. (Turn right at the traffic lights.)
You'll also hear it when describing the location of objects or places relative to something else. For example, if you're looking for a specific shop, someone might say it's "desno od banke" (to the right of the bank).
Kafić je desno od pošte. (The cafe is to the right of the post office.)
It's also used in broader contexts, not just literal navigation. For instance, when talking about positions in a group or on a page, you might say something is "na desnoj strani" (on the right side).
Here are some common situations where you'd use "desno":
- Giving directions: This is the most frequent use. Whether you're telling a taxi driver where to go or helping a tourist find their way, "Skrenite desno" (Turn right) will be a phrase you use often.
- Asking for directions: Similarly, when you're the one asking, you'll need to understand "desno" when it's given to you.
- Describing location: "Gdje je kupaonica?" (Where is the bathroom?) "Desno, iza ugla." (Right, around the corner.)
- Referring to sides: "Molim vas, sjednite desno." (Please sit on the right.)
Understanding "desno" is crucial for basic communication in Croatian. It's one of those words that you'll encounter constantly, so getting comfortable with its meaning and usage early on will greatly boost your confidence in speaking and understanding Croatian. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in various sentences, and you'll quickly pick up its nuances.
Idite ravno pa onda desno. (Go straight and then right.)
Practice using it in simple sentences. Imagine you're walking down a street and giving instructions to someone. This kind of active practice will help solidify your understanding and recall of "desno" when you need it in a real conversation.
§ Understanding 'Desno'
The Croatian word 'desno' is an adverb that means 'right' when referring to direction. It's a fundamental word to learn for navigating and giving directions in Croatian. Think of it as directly translating to 'to the right' or 'on the right side.'
- DEFINITION
- Right (direction).
When you're trying to find your way or tell someone where to go, 'desno' will be one of your go-to words. It's straightforward and doesn't change its form, which makes it easier to use than some other Croatian words.
Skrenite desno na semaforu. (Turn right at the traffic light.)
Moj stan je odmah desno od trgovine. (My apartment is immediately right of the store.)
§ 'Desno' in Sentences
Using 'desno' in a sentence is quite simple. As an adverb, it often modifies verbs of movement or indicates a position. You'll typically find it after the verb or after the object it's describing the position of.
Here are some common ways to use 'desno' to give or understand directions:
- Turning right: When instructing someone to turn right, you'll use a verb like 'skrenuti' (to turn) followed by 'desno.'
Molim vas, skrenite desno kod sljedeće ulice. (Please, turn right at the next street.)
- Being on the right: To indicate that something is located on the right side, you can simply place 'desno' after the noun or phrase describing its position.
Knjiga je desno od lampe. (The book is right of the lamp.)
- Going right: If you want to say 'go right,' you can use verbs like 'ići' (to go) or 'nastaviti' (to continue) with 'desno.'
Idite desno nakon mosta. (Go right after the bridge.)
§ Common Phrases with 'Desno'
Here are some useful phrases incorporating 'desno' that you'll hear and use frequently:
- S desne strane: This phrase means 'on the right side' or 'from the right side.' It uses the preposition 's' (from/on) and the genitive case of 'desna' (right, adjective form).
Ulica je s desne strane. (The street is on the right side.)
- Desno od: This translates to 'to the right of.' Here, 'od' is a preposition meaning 'of' or 'from,' and it takes the genitive case.
Restoran je desno od pošte. (The restaurant is to the right of the post office.)
Pay attention to the context. Sometimes, 'desno' alone is enough, and other times, you'll need the help of prepositions to be more specific, especially when referring to something being 'on' or 'to the right of' another object or place. Practice these phrases, and you'll be giving and following directions like a local in no time!
§ Understanding 'Desno'
The Croatian word 'desno' is an adverb that translates directly to 'right' when referring to direction. It's a fundamental word you'll need for giving and receiving directions, so it's good to get familiar with it early on.
- Croatian Word
- desno
- Part of Speech
- Adverb
- CEFR Level
- A1
- Definition
- Right (direction).
§ Examples of 'Desno' in Use
Here are some common ways you'll hear and use 'desno'. Pay attention to how it functions in sentences.
Skrenite desno na semaforu. (Turn right at the traffic lights.)
On je uvijek desno od mene. (He is always to my right.)
Idite ravno, pa onda desno. (Go straight, then right.)
§ Related Words and Usage
While 'desno' is straightforward, it's helpful to know its counterparts and how it differs from other related terms.
- Lijevo
- The opposite of 'desno', meaning 'left' (direction).
- Ravno
- Meaning 'straight', often used in conjunction with 'desno' or 'lijevo' when giving directions.
Idite ravno, pa skrenite lijevo. (Go straight, then turn left.)
§ 'Desno' as an Adjective: 'Desni'
While 'desno' is an adverb, it's important to be aware of its adjectival form, 'desni'. This means 'right' as in 'on the right side' or 'right-handed', and it will change its ending to agree with the noun it describes in gender, number, and case.
- Desni (masculine)
- Right (adjective, e.g., 'the right hand').
- Desna (feminine)
- Right (adjective, e.g., 'the right door').
- Desno (neuter)
- Right (adjective, e.g., 'the right window'). Note this is the same form as the adverb, but its function in the sentence is different.
Moja desna ruka. (My right hand.)
On je desničarski političar. (He is a right-wing politician.)
§ When to Use 'Desno'
Always use 'desno' when you are indicating a direction or position towards the right. It's concise and universally understood in Croatian.
- When giving navigation instructions: 'Skrenite desno.' (Turn right.)
- When describing relative position: 'Stoji desno od stola.' (He stands to the right of the table.)
- As part of a compound direction: 'Prvo lijevo, pa desno.' (First left, then right.)
§ Common Phrases with 'Desno'
Here are a few practical phrases where 'desno' is essential:
- Desna strana
- Right side.
- Ići desno
- To go right.
- S desne strane
- On the right side.
Dućan je s desne strane. (The shop is on the right side.)
By mastering 'desno' and its related terms, you'll be able to navigate and describe locations with confidence in Croatian. Practice using it with its opposite, 'lijevo', and you'll quickly get the hang of it.
Ejemplos por nivel
Skrenite desno na sljedećem raskrižju.
Turn right at the next intersection.
Moja kuća je odmah desno od parka.
My house is immediately to the right of the park.
Pogledajte desno, tamo je vaša autobusna stanica.
Look to the right, your bus stop is there.
Sjednite desno od mene.
Sit to the right of me.
Ova cesta vodi desno prema moru.
This road leads right towards the sea.
Držite se desno na cesti.
Keep to the right on the road.
Uvijek je bolje ići desno ako niste sigurni.
It's always better to go right if you're not sure.
Knjiga je na polici desno od prozora.
The book is on the shelf to the right of the window.
Skrenite desno na sljedećem raskrižju.
Turn right at the next intersection.
Moja kuća je treća kuća desno od crkve.
My house is the third house to the right of the church.
Pogledaj desno, tamo je naš stol.
Look right, our table is there.
Uvijek vozim desno po cesti.
I always drive on the right side of the road.
Njegova soba je odmah desno kad uđeš.
His room is immediately to the right when you enter.
Molim vas, pomaknite se desno da napravite mjesta.
Please move to the right to make space.
Knjiga je na polici, odmah desno od vaze.
The book is on the shelf, right next to the vase.
Vjetar je puhao snažno s desno.
The wind was blowing strongly from the right.
Skrenite desno na sljedećem raskrižju i doći ćete do glavnog trga.
Turn right at the next intersection and you will reach the main square.
Ako želite doći do knjižnice, morate ići ravno pa desno kod pekare.
If you want to get to the library, you need to go straight then right at the bakery.
Sjedim desno od prozora, uživajući u pogledu na more.
I am sitting right by the window, enjoying the sea view.
Na slici je prikazana kuća s velikim vrtom desno od ulaza.
The picture shows a house with a large garden right of the entrance.
Autobusna stanica je desno od pošte, odmah iza kioska.
The bus stop is right of the post office, just behind the kiosk.
Molim vas, pomaknite tanjur malo desno da imam više mjesta.
Please, move the plate a little to the right so I have more space.
Upute su jasne: pratite stazu i skrenite desno kod starog hrasta.
The instructions are clear: follow the path and turn right at the old oak tree.
Njegov ured je na drugom katu, desno od dizala, soba broj 205.
His office is on the second floor, right of the elevator, room number 205.
Cómo usarlo
When giving or following directions, desno indicates 'right'. It's commonly used with verbs of movement, e.g., Idi desno! (Go right!).
A common mistake is confusing desno (right, direction) with pravo (straight ahead) or ravno (also straight ahead). Remember, desno is specifically for the right-hand direction.
Consejos
Basic Direction
When asking for or giving directions, desno means right. It's one of the first words you'll learn for navigation.
Opposite of Lijevo
The opposite of desno (right) is lijevo (left). Learning them together helps reinforce both.
Common Phrases
You'll often hear it in phrases like 'skrenuti desno' (to turn right) or 'ići desno' (to go right).
Listen for -o Ending
The -o ending on desno is typical for adverbs in Croatian, especially those indicating direction.
Hand Gesture
When someone says desno, they might also point to their right. Pay attention to body language.
Use with Impersonal Verbs
You can use it with verbs like 'treba' (one needs to) or 'mora' (one must): 'Treba ići desno.' (One needs to go right.)
Practice with Landmarks
Imagine you're giving directions to a friend: 'Kod banke skreni desno.' (At the bank, turn right.)
Not for 'Right' as Correct
Remember, desno is only for direction. For 'right' meaning correct, you'd use 'točno' or 'ispravno'.
Practice Turning
Physically turn right and say 'desno' out loud. Kinesthetic learning helps.
Memory Hook
Think of a 'dessert' that's always on your right side of the plate. (It's a bit silly, but can help!)
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Imagine a 'desk' on your 'right'. 'Desno' sounds like 'desk-no'.
Asociación visual
Picture a big red arrow pointing right, with the word 'desno' written on it. Every time you think of turning right, visualize this arrow.
Word Web
Desafío
Give someone directions in Croatian, using 'desno' and other direction words you know. For example: 'Idi ravno, pa skrenite desno.' (Go straight, then turn right.)
Ponte a prueba 54 preguntas
Choose the correct translation for 'Go right.'
'Desno' means 'right' in Croatian, so 'Idi desno' means 'Go right'.
Which sentence correctly uses 'desno' to indicate direction?
'Skrenite desno na sljedećem križanju' means 'Turn right at the next intersection', correctly using 'desno' as a directional adverb.
If someone tells you 'Vaš auto je desno od mog', where is their car?
'Desno od mog' translates to 'to the right of mine'.
The sentence 'Uvijek idem desno' means 'I always go right.'
'Uvijek' means 'always', and 'idem desno' means 'I go right'.
If you are told 'Soba je lijevo', it means the room is on the right.
'Lijevo' means 'left', not 'right'. 'Desno' means 'right'.
The word 'desno' can be used as a noun meaning 'the right side'.
'Desno' is an adverb meaning 'right' (direction). To refer to 'the right side' one would typically use 'desna strana'.
Listen for the direction after 'skrenite'.
Listen for where the house is located.
Listen for the car's position relative to the tree.
Read this aloud:
Molim vas, skrenite desno na sljedećem križanju.
Focus: desno, sljedećem, križanju
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Trgovina je desno, pored banke.
Focus: trgovina, desno, pored, banke
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Idite ravno, pa onda desno.
Focus: ravno, onda, desno
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are giving directions to a friend. Tell them to turn right at the next intersection. Use 'desno'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Skreni desno na sljedećem raskrižju. (Turn right at the next intersection.)
Describe how you get to your favorite café. Include a sentence that tells someone to go 'desno' after passing the bakery.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Moja omiljena kavana je blizu. Nakon pekare idite desno. (My favorite cafe is close. After the bakery, go right.)
Imagine you are drawing a map for a tourist. Write a sentence instructing them to look 'desno' to see the old church.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kada prođete park, pogledajte desno, vidjet ćete staru crkvu. (When you pass the park, look right, you will see the old church.)
Što Marko treba učiniti kod semafora?
Read this passage:
Marko hoda ulicom. Traži banku. Na križanju, on ne zna kamo ići. Pita prolaznika: 'Oprostite, gdje je banka?' Prolaznik odgovara: 'Idite ravno pa skrenite desno kod semafora.' Marko zahvaljuje i ide dalje.
Što Marko treba učiniti kod semafora?
Prolaznik je rekao 'skrenite desno kod semafora' (turn right at the traffic lights).
Prolaznik je rekao 'skrenite desno kod semafora' (turn right at the traffic lights).
Gdje se nalazi slobodan stol?
Read this passage:
U restoranu je gužva. Stol je slobodan samo na kraju prostorije. Konobar kaže: 'Pratite me. Idemo pokraj šanka pa onda desno, do prozora.' Gosti prate konobara do svog stola.
Gdje se nalazi slobodan stol?
Konobar je rekao 'Idemo pokraj šanka pa onda desno, do prozora' (We go past the bar then right, to the window).
Konobar je rekao 'Idemo pokraj šanka pa onda desno, do prozora' (We go past the bar then right, to the window).
Gdje je Maja pronašla svoju knjigu?
Read this passage:
Maja traži svoju knjigu. Misli da ju je ostavila u dnevnoj sobi. Gleda na polici. Knjiga nije lijevo, nego desno, pored vaze s cvijećem. Sretna je što ju je pronašla.
Gdje je Maja pronašla svoju knjigu?
U tekstu piše 'Knjiga nije lijevo, nego desno, pored vaze s cvijećem' (The book is not on the left, but on the right, next to the vase with flowers).
U tekstu piše 'Knjiga nije lijevo, nego desno, pored vaze s cvijećem' (The book is not on the left, but on the right, next to the vase with flowers).
This sentence asks someone politely to turn right here.
This sentence states that one always drives on the right in Croatia.
This sentence describes the location of his apartment as being to the right of the entrance.
Odaberite ispravan smjer: Ako želite ići u knjižnicu, trebate skrenuti ___ na sljedećem raskrižju.
U ovom kontekstu 'desno' (right) je ispravan smjer prema knjižnici. 'Lijevo' (left), 'ravno' (straight), i 'gore' (up) nisu odgovarajući smjerovi.
Dovršite rečenicu: Moja kuća je odmah ___ od parka, ne možete je promašiti.
Ako je kuća 'odmah desno' (immediately to the right) od parka, to znači da je lako pronaći. Ostale opcije nisu logične u ovom kontekstu.
Koji je suprotan smjer od 'desno'?
Suprotan smjer od 'desno' (right) je 'lijevo' (left). Ostale opcije su različiti smjerovi ili kretanja, ali ne direktne suprotnosti 'desno'.
Ako vam netko kaže 'idi desno', to znači da trebate skrenuti na lijevu stranu ceste.
Netočno. 'Desno' znači 'right', pa biste trebali skrenuti na desnu stranu ceste, a ne na lijevu.
Kada se vozite po cesti, obično se držite desno ako je to pravilo prometa u zemlji.
Točno. U većini zemalja, pravilo je voziti se desnom stranom ceste. To je uobičajena upotreba riječi 'desno' u kontekstu prometa.
Ako kažete da je nešto 'desno od mene', to znači da je iza vas.
Netočno. 'Desno od mene' znači 'to the right of me', dakle nešto je s vaše desne strane, a ne iza vas.
Listen for the direction to turn.
Listen for the location of the house.
Listen for the instruction at the intersection.
Read this aloud:
Možete li mi reći gdje je ljekarna? Trebam skrenuti desno?
Focus: desno
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Pitam se, je li tržnica desno ili lijevo od crkve?
Focus: desno
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Kada izađete iz hotela, desno je banka.
Focus: desno
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
You are giving directions to a tourist who is looking for the local market. Describe how to get there from their current location, mentioning at least one turn 'desno' (right) and using descriptive language.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Idite ravno ovom ulicom oko dvjesto metara. Vidjet ćete veliki plavi znak. Kod tog znaka skrenite desno. Nastavite ravno još pedesetak metara i tržnica će vam biti s lijeve strane.
Describe a time when you had to give someone directions in a foreign city. Focus on how you felt and whether you successfully conveyed the directions, specifically mentioning using 'desno' or 'right' in your explanation.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Jednom sam morao davati upute u Rimu. Bilo je stresno, ali sam se trudio biti jasan. Sjećam se da sam rekao 'skrenite desno kod crkve' i mislim da su me razumjeli, jer su mi se zahvalili i otišli u tom smjeru.
Imagine you are explaining to a friend how to arrange furniture in a new room. Tell them where to place a bookshelf in relation to a window, making sure to use the word 'desno'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mislim da bi polica za knjige najbolje izgledala desno od prozora. Tako će dobiti dovoljno prirodnog svjetla, ali neće zaklanjati pogled. Krevet možeš staviti na suprotni zid.
Što je vozač trebao učiniti nakon skretanja desno?
Read this passage:
Nakon dugog putovanja, vozač je konačno stigao do svog odredišta. Pogledao je kartu još jednom kako bi se uvjerio da je na pravom putu. 'Prvo skrenite desno na glavnoj cesti, a zatim ravno do parka', pisalo je. Slijedio je upute i ubrzo je ugledao svoju kuću.
Što je vozač trebao učiniti nakon skretanja desno?
Tekst jasno kaže 'zatim ravno do parka' nakon skretanja desno.
Tekst jasno kaže 'zatim ravno do parka' nakon skretanja desno.
Koji je bio prvi korak u sastavljanju ormara prema uputama?
Read this passage:
Upute za sastavljanje ormara bile su prilično komplicirane. 'Pričvrstite dasku A na desnu stranu daske B', stajalo je u prvom koraku. Zatim je trebalo umetnuti vijke i provjeriti stabilnost. Mnogi su se korisnici žalili na nejasne ilustracije, što je otežavalo prepoznavanje 'desne' i 'lijeve' strane.
Koji je bio prvi korak u sastavljanju ormara prema uputama?
Prvi korak je bio 'Pričvrstite dasku A na desnu stranu daske B'.
Prvi korak je bio 'Pričvrstite dasku A na desnu stranu daske B'.
Kamo je putokaz pokazivao desno?
Read this passage:
Planinarska staza bila je slabo označena. Na jednoj su se točki nalazila tri putokaza. Jedan je pokazivao 'lijevo prema jezeru', drugi 'desno prema vidikovcu', a treći 'ravno prema selu'. Grupa se morala brzo odlučiti kamo će ići prije nego što padne mrak.
Kamo je putokaz pokazivao desno?
Tekst navodi 'drugi 'desno prema vidikovcu''.
Tekst navodi 'drugi 'desno prema vidikovcu''.
Nakon prometne nesreće, vozač je bio primoran skrenuti ___ kako bi izbjegao daljnju štetu na vozilu.
U ovom kontekstu, vozač skreće udesno kako bi izbjegao nesreću. 'Desno' je prikladan smjer za izbjegavanje. (In this context, the driver turns right to avoid an accident. 'Desno' is the appropriate direction for avoidance.)
Arhitekt je naglasio da će se ulaz u zgradu nalaziti točno ___ od glavne ceste, radi bolje pristupačnosti.
Ulaz se nalazi desno od glavne ceste, što ukazuje na specifičan položaj. (The entrance is located to the right of the main road, indicating a specific position.)
Na raskrižju je prometni znak pokazivao da vozila za centar grada moraju skrenuti ___, što je mnoge zbunilo.
Znak pokazuje smjer 'desno' za vozila koja idu prema centru. (The sign indicates the 'right' direction for vehicles heading to the city center.)
Unatoč magli i slaboj vidljivosti, pilot je uspješno navigirao avionom, držeći kurs blago ___ od planiranog smjera.
Pilot je korigirao smjer kretanja aviona blago udesno od planiranog kursa. (The pilot corrected the aircraft's direction slightly to the right of the planned course.)
Nakon što je izgubio ravnotežu na skliskom terenu, planinar je pao u stranu, točnije na ___ bok, srećom bez težih ozljeda.
Planinar je pao na desni bok, što opisuje specifičnu stranu pada. (The mountaineer fell on his right side, describing the specific side of the fall.)
U složenoj koreografiji, plesači su morali sinkronizirano napraviti korak ___ i okret, što je zahtijevalo iznimnu preciznost.
Plesači su izveli korak udesno, što je dio koreografije. (The dancers performed a step to the right, which is part of the choreography.)
The speaker is giving directions.
The sentence describes someone stubbornly going in a certain direction, despite advice.
The sentence discusses someone's political views.
Read this aloud:
Njegova desna ruka, uvijek spremna na akciju, bila je simbol njegove odlučnosti i moći.
Focus: desna ruka
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Bez obzira na put kojim idemo, uvijek se čini da skrećemo desno prema nepoznatom, s nadom u bolju budućnost.
Focus: skrećemo desno
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
U diskusiji o složenim etičkim dilemama, on se uvijek pozicionirao desno, braneći tradicionalne vrijednosti.
Focus: pozicionirao desno
Dijiste:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
/ 54 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Direction
When asking for or giving directions, desno means right. It's one of the first words you'll learn for navigation.
Opposite of Lijevo
The opposite of desno (right) is lijevo (left). Learning them together helps reinforce both.
Common Phrases
You'll often hear it in phrases like 'skrenuti desno' (to turn right) or 'ići desno' (to go right).
Listen for -o Ending
The -o ending on desno is typical for adverbs in Croatian, especially those indicating direction.
