Meaning
Waiting at a bus stop.
Cultural Background
In the capital, the blue ZET buses are iconic. People often say 'Čekam plavi bus' (I'm waiting for the blue bus). In coastal cities like Split, life is slower. 'Čekati autobus' is often done with 'fjaka'—a state of mind where you don't mind the wait. In villages, buses are infrequent. Waiting for the bus is a planned event and a time to talk to neighbors. Students heavily rely on the 'pokaz' (monthly pass). 'Čekati autobus' is the most common phrase in student dorms.
Drop the 'Auto'
In 90% of casual conversations, just say 'bus'. It sounds much more natural.
No 'For'!
Never say 'čekam za'. It's the most obvious sign of a non-native speaker.
Meaning
Waiting at a bus stop.
Drop the 'Auto'
In 90% of casual conversations, just say 'bus'. It sounds much more natural.
No 'For'!
Never say 'čekam za'. It's the most obvious sign of a non-native speaker.
Use 'na stanici'
Adding the location 'na stanici' makes you sound very fluent and specific.
Small Talk
Complaining about the bus being late is a great way to start a conversation with a local.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'čekati'.
Ja ______ autobus na stanici.
The subject is 'Ja' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'I am waiting for the bus'?
In Croatian, you don't use a preposition like 'za' or 'na' for this phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Gdje si? B: Na stanici sam. _______ autobus.
If you are at the station (na stanici), the most logical action is waiting (čekam).
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are 10 minutes late because of transport.
Waiting for the bus is a common reason for delays in public transport systems.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Transport Verbs
Action
- • Čekati
- • Ući
- • Izaći
- • Voziti se
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJa ______ autobus na stanici.
The subject is 'Ja' (I), so the verb must end in '-am'.
How do you say 'I am waiting for the bus'?
In Croatian, you don't use a preposition like 'za' or 'na' for this phrase.
A: Gdje si? B: Na stanici sam. _______ autobus.
If you are at the station (na stanici), the most logical action is waiting (čekam).
You are 10 minutes late because of transport.
Waiting for the bus is a common reason for delays in public transport systems.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, 'čekati' takes the direct object in the Accusative case. Just say 'Čekam autobus'.
Yes, 'bus' is very common and perfectly acceptable in neutral and informal speech.
You say 'Čekam sedmicu' (I'm waiting for the number seven) or 'Čekam autobus broj sedam'.
Use the present tense: 'Čekam autobus već deset minuta'.
'Čekati' is the process of waiting. 'Dočekati' is the successful completion (the bus arrived).
Yes, 'Čekam školski autobus'.
If you are waiting for multiple buses (e.g., any bus that comes), you say 'Čekam autobuse'.
Always 'na stanici' (at the station/stop).
Koji autobus čekaš?
Not strictly. It's more of a loose group, but people generally know who was there first.
Related Phrases
ići autobusom
builds onto go by bus
zakasniti na autobus
contrastto miss the bus
ući u autobus
next stepto get on the bus
autobusna stanica
similarbus stop
