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A1 noun 8 min de lecture

hlače

Exemples Notes et astuces hlače en 30 secondes
Explication hlače in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'hlače' is one of the first clothing items you learn. You should focus on identifying them, describing their color (e.g., 'plave hlače', 'crne hlače'), and using them with the basic verb 'imati' (to have) or 'nositi' (to wear). The key challenge is remembering that 'hlače' is always plural. You don't need to worry about complex cases yet; just focus on the nominative 'hlače' and the accusative 'hlače' (which look the same). You will use this word when talking about what you are wearing today or what you want to buy at a store. Simple sentences like 'Ovo su hlače' (These are pants) are your starting point.
At A2, you begin to use 'hlače' in more practical scenarios like shopping. You will learn to use it with adjectives like 'duge' (long), 'kratke' (short), 'široke' (wide), or 'uske' (tight). You'll also start using the genitive case after numbers (e.g., 'dva para hlača') and prepositions like 'bez' (without). You might describe an outfit in more detail: 'Nosim smeđu majicu i sive hlače.' You also learn the distinction between 'hlače' and 'traperice' (jeans) and start using verbs like 'probati' (to try on) and 'kupiti' (to buy).
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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable declining 'hlače' in all cases. You will use the dative/locative 'hlačama' when talking about things in your pockets ('u hlačama') or the instrumental when talking about matching items ('uz ove hlače'). You will also learn more specific vocabulary related to pants, such as 'džep' (pocket), 'patentni zatvarač' (zipper), and 'pojas' (belt). You can discuss fashion choices, the quality of materials (pamuk, vuna, lan), and express preferences or complaints about how they fit ('ove hlače su mi preuske u struku').
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At B2, you use 'hlače' in more abstract or idiomatic contexts. You might encounter idioms like 'ostati bez hlača' (to lose everything/become bankrupt). You can discuss the social implications of clothing, dress codes in professional environments, and the history of fashion. You are expected to use precise adjectives like 'ispeglane' (ironed), 'izgužvane' (wrinkled), or 'poderane' (torn/ripped). You can also handle more complex grammatical structures, such as using 'hlače' in relative clauses: 'Hlače koje sam jučer kupila već su se podrapale.'
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At C1, your usage of 'hlače' is nuanced and stylistically varied. You can distinguish between subtle registers—using 'hlače' in formal reports vs. 'hlače' in colloquial storytelling. You understand regional variations and can appreciate humor or literature that plays with clothing terminology. You can discuss the manufacturing process, sustainability in the textile industry, and the cultural evolution of 'hlače' in Croatian society. Your command of cases is flawless, even in rapid conversation or complex academic writing about social norms.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of the word's etymology and its place in the broader Slavic linguistic family. You can analyze the use of 'hlače' in historical texts or archaic poetry. You are aware of rare dialectal forms and can use the word in high-level metaphors. You might discuss the semiotics of 'hlače' in gender studies or art history. For you, the word is not just a label for a garment, but a tool for precise, evocative communication that reflects a deep cultural and linguistic immersion.
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Exemples Notes et astuces

hlače en 30 secondes

  • Hlače is the Croatian word for pants/trousers, essential for daily vocabulary.
  • It is a 'pluralia tantum', meaning it is always plural in grammar.
  • Common types include traperice (jeans) and kratke hlače (shorts).
  • It declines like a feminine plural noun across all seven Croatian cases.

The Croatian word hlače is the standard term for 'pants' or 'trousers'. It is a fundamental noun that every beginner must learn, as it covers everything from casual jeans to formal suit trousers. Linguistically, hlače is a pluralia tantum, which means it only exists in the plural form. Even if you are referring to a single pair of pants, the word remains plural in its grammatical agreement. This is similar to the English 'pants' or 'scissors', but in Croatian, this affects every adjective and verb associated with it. For example, you would say 'moje hlače su' (my pants are) rather than 'moja hlača je'. This concept is vital for mastering Croatian syntax early on.

Grammatical Category
Feminine Plural Noun (Pluralia Tantum). It follows the declension of feminine nouns in the plural, but lacks a singular form entirely.
Usage Context
Used in daily life, shopping, fashion, and descriptions of people. It is the most common and neutral way to describe legwear.

Gdje su moje nove hlače? (Where are my new pants?)

Historically, the term has evolved from older Slavic roots, but in modern Croatia, it is the universal term used from Zagreb to Split. While dialects might offer variations like pantalone (more common in some eastern regions or older generations) or rebe (specifically for jeans in Dalmatia), hlače remains the gold standard for media, education, and formal business. When you walk into a store like Zara or H&M in Croatia, the section will always be labeled 'Hlače'. It encompasses various styles: kratke hlače (shorts), traperice (jeans), and sportske hlače (sweatpants). Understanding this word is the first step toward discussing personal style and shopping in a Croatian-speaking environment.

Ove hlače su mi prevelike. (These pants are too big for me.)

Register
Neutral to Formal. It is appropriate for all social situations, from a coffee with friends to a job interview.

Trebam crne hlače za posao. (I need black pants for work.)

Using hlače correctly requires an understanding of Croatian cases, specifically in the plural. Since the word is always plural, you will only ever use the plural endings. The nominative plural is hlače, the genitive is hlača (note the long 'a'), and the dative/locative/instrumental is hlačama. This consistency makes it somewhat easier once you memorize the pattern. For instance, if you are talking about something 'in the pants' (locative), you would say 'u hlačama'. If you are buying 'pants' (accusative), it remains 'hlače' because it's an inanimate feminine noun.

Kupila sam tri para hlača. (I bought three pairs of pants.)

Adjective agreement is another crucial aspect. Every adjective describing hlače must also be in the feminine plural form. If you want to say 'blue pants', it is 'plave hlače'. If you want to say 'expensive pants', it is 'skupe hlače'. Notice how the ending '-e' matches. This rhythmic symmetry is a hallmark of the Croatian language and helps in identifying the relationship between words in a sentence. Furthermore, when using verbs, the verb must be in the plural form. 'Hlače stoje' (The pants stand/fit) or 'Hlače su' (The pants are).

Common Verb Pairings
Obući hlače (to put on pants), skinuti hlače (to take off pants), oprati hlače (to wash pants), skratiti hlače (to shorten pants).

Ove hlače ti jako dobro stoje! (These pants fit you very well!)

U džepu ovih hlača nema ništa. (There is nothing in the pocket of these pants.)

Prepositional Usage
Use 'u' (in) with locative: 'u hlačama'. Use 'bez' (without) with genitive: 'bez hlača'. Use 's' (with) with instrumental: 's hlačama'.

You will encounter the word hlače everywhere in Croatia. In a domestic setting, parents might tell their children: 'Obuci čiste hlače!' (Put on clean pants!). In the workplace, discussions about dress codes often involve this word, especially in offices where 'traperice' (jeans) might be discouraged in favor of 'svečane hlače' (formal pants). Shopping malls (trgovački centri) like Arena Centar in Zagreb or Mall of Split are primary locations where you will see this word on price tags, signage, and in conversations between customers and shop assistants.

Tražim hlače veličine trideset osam. (I am looking for pants size 38.)

On the radio or TV, fashion commentators use it frequently when describing celebrity outfits or upcoming trends. In news reports, it might appear in more serious contexts, such as describing a suspect's clothing: 'Osumnjičeni je nosio tamne hlače' (The suspect was wearing dark pants). Furthermore, in Croatian literature and music, hlače can be used to evoke specific imagery—from the humble linen pants of a peasant to the sharp trousers of a city dweller. Even in sports, particularly in martial arts or certain team sports, the terminology for the lower part of the uniform often stems from this word.

Public Signage
In department stores, look for signs like 'Muške hlače' (Men's pants) or 'Ženske hlače' (Women's pants).

Oprostite, gdje su kabine za probanje hlača? (Excuse me, where are the fitting rooms for pants?)

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is trying to use hlače in the singular. In English, we can say 'a pant leg', but in Croatian, even the concept of one leg of the pants is usually expressed as 'nogavica hlača'. Never say 'moja hlača' or 'tražim jednu hlaču'. This will sound extremely unnatural and grammatically incorrect to a native speaker. Always remember: one pair = jedne hlače (plural agreement).

Pogrešno: Moja hlača je prljava. (Wrong: My 'pant' is dirty.)

Another common error involves the genitive plural form. Many learners forget that the genitive plural for feminine nouns ending in '-e' often results in a long '-a' ending. So, 'of the pants' is hlača (with a long 'a'), not 'hlači' or 'hlaču'. This is particularly important when using numbers or expressions of quantity, like 'puno hlača' (a lot of pants). Misgendering the word is less common, but some might mistake it for a masculine plural because it ends in '-e' (like 'ljudi'), but it is strictly feminine.

Mistake #1: Singular Usage
Using 'hlača' as a singular nominative. Correction: Always use 'hlače'.
Mistake #2: Adjective Agreement
Using a singular adjective like 'plava hlače'. Correction: 'plave hlače'.

Točno: Hlače su na krevetu. (Correct: The pants are on the bed.)

While hlače is the most versatile word, Croatian offers several specific alternatives depending on the style and material. For instance, traperice is the specific word for 'jeans' (derived from 'traper' meaning denim/trapper). If you are talking about 'shorts', you should use kratke hlače or the diminutive hlačice. For athletic wear or sweatpants, the word is trenirka (often used in the plural 'donji dio trenirke' for just the pants part).

Hlače vs. Traperice
Hlače is the general category. Traperice are specifically denim jeans. You can call jeans 'hlače', but you can't call suit pants 'traperice'.
Hlače vs. Tajice
Tajice refers to leggings or tights. They are tight-fitting and usually worn for exercise or as a casual layer.

Danas nosim traperice, a ne svečane hlače. (Today I am wearing jeans, not formal pants.)

In regional dialects, especially along the Adriatic coast, you might hear rebe (from 'revel' or 'blue') for jeans, or gaće. Be careful with gaće: in standard Croatian, 'gaće' usually means 'underpants' or 'panties', but in Dalmatian dialect, it can colloquially mean 'pants' in general. To avoid embarrassment, stick to hlače unless you are very familiar with the local dialect. Another specific term is bermude for knee-length shorts, often used in summer contexts.

Ljeti najviše volim nositi lanene hlače. (In summer, I like wearing linen pants the most.)

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In some older Slavic dialects, the root also related to coldness, perhaps because pants were a necessity for surviving cold climates.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈxlǎːt͡ʃɛ/
US /ˈxlɑːt͡ʃeɪ/
The stress is on the first syllable (HLA-če).
Rime avec
plače (cries) skače (jumps) jače (stronger) drače (thorns) pače (duckling) inače (otherwise) otkače (to unhook) potače (to encourage)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing 'h' too harshly like a Russian 'kh'.
  • Treating it as a singular word 'hlača'.
  • Mixing up the 'č' sound with 'ć'.
  • Shortening the stressed 'a'.
  • Using English plural 'pants' logic in singular Croatian contexts.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Écriture 2/5

Need to remember the 'č' and plural endings.

Expression orale 2/5

First syllable stress is key.

Écoute 1/5

Distinct sound, easy to pick out.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

odjeća boje ja imati nositi

Apprends ensuite

majica cipele jakna suknja košulja

Avancé

krojač materijal konfekcijski broj porub šav
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Exemples par niveau

1

Ovo su moje nove hlače.

These are my new pants.

Nominative plural.

2

Hlače su plave.

The pants are blue.

Plural agreement with the verb 'su'.

3

Imam crne hlače.

I have black pants.

Accusative plural.

4

Gdje su hlače?

Where are the pants?

Question with plural verb.

5

Moje hlače su čiste.

My pants are clean.

Adjective 'čiste' is feminine plural.

6

Volim ove hlače.

I like these pants.

Demonstrative 'ove' is feminine plural.

7

Hlače su u ormaru.

The pants are in the closet.

Preposition 'u' with locative.

8

Kupi hlače.

Buy the pants.

Imperative verb form.

1

Trebam nove hlače za školu.

I need new pants for school.

Usage in a purpose clause.

2

Ove hlače su preduge.

These pants are too long.

Adjective 'preduge' (too long).

3

Kupio sam dva para hlača.

I bought two pairs of pants.

Genitive plural after 'para'.

4

Želim probati ove hlače.

I want to try on these pants.

Infinitive 'probati'.

5

Hlače su na sniženju.

The pants are on sale.

Locative case 'sniženju'.

6

Ne volim uske hlače.

I don't like tight pants.

Adjective 'uske'.

7

Hlače su od pamuka.

The pants are made of cotton.

Material description.

8

Možeš li mi dodati hlače?

Can you hand me the pants?

Modal verb 'možeš'.

1

U džepovima hlača su ključevi.

The keys are in the pockets of the pants.

Genitive plural 'hlača'.

2

Ove hlače savršeno pristaju uz tvoju košulju.

These pants match your shirt perfectly.

Verb 'pristajati' with 'uz'.

3

Moram skratiti ove hlače kod krojača.

I must have these pants shortened at the tailor's.

Infinitive 'skratiti'.

4

Zaboravio sam mobitel u hlačama.

I forgot my phone in my pants.

Locative 'hlačama'.

5

Hlače su se skupile u pranju.

The pants shrank in the wash.

Reflexive verb 'skupiti se'.

6

Kupila sam hlače visokog struka.

I bought high-waisted pants.

Genitive of quality.

7

Ove hlače su vrlo udobne za putovanje.

These pants are very comfortable for traveling.

Adjective 'udobne'.

8

Nosiš li hlače ili suknju na vjenčanje?

Are you wearing pants or a skirt to the wedding?

Alternative question.

1

Iako su hlače bile skupe, kvaliteta je loša.

Although the pants were expensive, the quality is poor.

Concessive clause.

2

Hlače s ravnim nogavicama su opet u modi.

Straight-leg pants are back in fashion.

Preposition 's' + instrumental.

3

Nije pristojno doći u poderanim hlačama na razgovor.

It is not polite to come to an interview in torn pants.

Adjectival participle 'poderanim'.

4

On uvijek nosi hlače s remenom.

He always wears pants with a belt.

Instrumental case.

5

Ove hlače su previše elegantne za planinarenje.

These pants are too elegant for hiking.

Adverbial modifier.

6

Mrlju na hlačama je teško ukloniti.

The stain on the pants is hard to remove.

Dative/Locative 'hlačama'.

7

Hlače su izrađene od recikliranog materijala.

The pants are made of recycled material.

Passive construction.

8

Pazi da ne zapneš hlačama za ogradu.

Be careful not to snag your pants on the fence.

Instrumental case.

1

Njegov stil karakteriziraju široke hlače i predimenzionirani sakoi.

His style is characterized by wide pants and oversized blazers.

Passive-like active structure.

2

U starim filmovima često vidimo hlače s visokim strukom.

In old movies, we often see high-waisted pants.

Accusative plural.

3

Dizajner je predstavio hlače koje prkose tradiciji.

The designer presented pants that defy tradition.

Relative clause.

4

Bez obzira na cijenu, ove hlače su investicija.

Regardless of the price, these pants are an investment.

Prepositional phrase.

5

Tkanina ovih hlača je izuzetno fina na dodir.

The fabric of these pants is exceptionally fine to the touch.

Genitive plural.

6

Hlače su postale simbol ženske emancipacije u 20. stoljeću.

Pants became a symbol of women's emancipation in the 20th century.

Historical context.

7

Ove hlače odražavaju duh vremena.

These pants reflect the zeitgeist.

Metaphorical usage.

8

Krojač je precizno izmjerio duljinu hlača.

The tailor precisely measured the length of the pants.

Genitive plural.

1

Arhaični izraz za hlače u ovom kraju je gotovo zaboravljen.

The archaic term for pants in this region is almost forgotten.

Linguistic analysis.

2

Njezina interpretacija klasičnih hlača unijela je svježinu u kolekciju.

Her interpretation of classic pants brought freshness to the collection.

Abstract noun phrase.

3

Hlače, kao odjevni predmet, nose duboko ukorijenjena društvena značenja.

Pants, as a garment, carry deeply rooted social meanings.

Apposition.

4

U strogo formalnim krugovima, hlače moraju imati besprijekoran 'crt'.

In strictly formal circles, pants must have an impeccable crease.

Technical fashion term 'crt'.

5

Evolucija hlača kroz povijest odražava promjene u načinu života.

The evolution of pants throughout history reflects changes in lifestyle.

Genitive plural.

6

Suptilna tekstura hlača doprinosi ukupnom dojmu elegancije.

The subtle texture of the pants contributes to the overall impression of elegance.

Subject of the sentence.

7

Nije se libio kritizirati čak ni njezine hlače.

He did not hesitate to criticize even her pants.

Negative construction with 'čak ni'.

8

Hlače su u ovoj drami metafora za gubitak autoriteta.

Pants are a metaphor for the loss of authority in this drama.

Literary analysis.

Collocations courantes

duge hlače
kratke hlače
uske hlače
široke hlače
obući hlače
skinuti hlače
ispeglane hlače
poderane hlače
crne hlače
lanene hlače

Phrases Courantes

hlače na crtu

— Formal pants with a crease down the leg.

On uvijek nosi hlače na crtu.

sportske hlače

— General term for sweatpants or athletic trousers.

Kupio sam nove sportske hlače.

radne hlače

— Durable pants worn for manual labor.

Majstor nosi plave radne hlače.

hlače s džepovima

— Cargo pants or pants with many pockets.

Volim hlače s puno džepova.

hlače za planinarenje

— Specialized hiking trousers.

Ove hlače za planinarenje su nepromočive.

hlače visokog struka

— High-waisted pants.

Hlače visokog struka su opet popularne.

hlače niskog struka

— Low-waisted pants.

Hlače niskog struka su bile hit u 2000-ima.

hlače od odijela

— Suit trousers.

Gdje su hlače od mog crnog odijela?

hlače za jogu

— Yoga pants.

Moje hlače za jogu su u perilici.

hlače na tregere

— Pants with suspenders or overalls.

Dijete nosi slatke hlače na tregere.

Expressions idiomatiques

"ostati bez hlača"

— To lose everything, usually financially.

Zbog loših ulaganja ostao je bez hlača.

informal
"tresti hlače"

— To be very afraid or nervous.

Trese hlače pred ispit.

informal
"puniti hlače"

— To be terrified (literally: to fill one's pants).

Puni hlače od straha.

slang
"nositi hlače u kući"

— To be the one who makes decisions in a household (usually referring to a woman).

U njihovoj obitelji ona nosi hlače.

informal
"skinuti hlače pred nekim"

— To surrender or give in completely to someone's demands.

Nećemo samo tako skinuti hlače pred konkurencijom.

metaphorical
"ući u tuđe hlače"

— To try to understand someone else's perspective (similar to 'in someone's shoes').

Teško je ući u njegove hlače.

informal
"hlače mu same padaju"

— Refers to someone who has lost a lot of weight.

Toliko je smršavio da mu hlače same padaju.

informal
"pune hlače"

— A state of great fear.

Imao je pune hlače kad je vidio psa.

slang
"skrojiti hlače"

— To set someone straight or to punish them.

Ja ću mu već skrojiti hlače!

idiomatic
"zakrpati hlače"

— To fix a situation or 'patch things up' (rarely used literally in idioms).

Moramo nekako zakrpati ove hlače u proračunu.

metaphorical

Famille de mots

Noms

hlačice (shorts)
hlačetine (big/ugly pants)

Verbes

razhlačiti se (to undress)

Adjectifs

hlačast (pant-like)

Apparenté

nogavica (pant leg)
džep (pocket)
pojas (waistband)
remen (belt)
zatvarač (zipper)
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Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'H'anger for your 'LA'rge 'ČE' (pants). Or imagine 'Hlače' rhymes with 'Skače' (jumps) - you jump into your pants!

Association visuelle

Visualize a pair of pants hanging on a line, and the shape of the 'H' in hlače looks like the two legs of the pants.

Word Web

odjeća moda trgovina traperice noge obući skinuti ormar

Défi

Try to name five different colors of hlače you own in Croatian.

Origine du mot

The word 'hlače' comes from the Proto-Slavic *xolty, which originally referred to a type of leg covering or wrap. It is related to other Slavic words for clothing.

Sens originel : Leg wraps or basic trousers used by early Slavic tribes.

Indo-European > Slavic > South Slavic > Croatian.

Contexte culturel

No specific sensitivities; it's a neutral everyday word.

English speakers often say 'a pair of pants'. Croatians say 'jedne hlače'. The logic is identical, but the grammar is stricter in Croatian.

The song 'Hlače' by various local pop artists. Traditional sayings about 'wearing the pants in the house'. Fashion blogs in Croatia like Buro 24/7.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Shopping

  • Koliko koštaju ove hlače?
  • Mogu li probati ove hlače?
  • Imate li manje hlače?
  • Ove hlače su mi prevelike.

At home

  • Gdje su moje hlače?
  • Hlače su prljave.
  • Stavi hlače u perilicu.
  • Ove hlače treba ispeglati.

Work

  • Moram nositi crne hlače.
  • Ove hlače su previše ležerne.
  • Uredske hlače su u ormaru.
  • Trebam nove hlače za posao.

Weather

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