Meaning
Performing household chores.
Cultural Background
The 'Subotnja generalka' is a sacred time. Don't call your Croatian friends before 12 PM on a Saturday; they are likely 'čiste stan'. Cleanliness is often associated with hospitality. A guest should never see a 'neuredan' (messy) apartment. In cities like Zagreb, 'stan' is the default living space. Most people live in socialist-era or modern apartment buildings. Before the tourist season, 'čistiti stan' (or 'apartman') becomes a full-time job for many locals preparing for rentals.
The Saturday Rule
If you want to sound like a local, mention that you clean your apartment on Saturdays.
Stan vs. Kuća
Always check if the person lives in an apartment (stan) or a house (kuća) before using the phrase.
Meaning
Performing household chores.
The Saturday Rule
If you want to sound like a local, mention that you clean your apartment on Saturdays.
Stan vs. Kuća
Always check if the person lives in an apartment (stan) or a house (kuća) before using the phrase.
Perfective vs. Imperfective
Use 'očistiti' when you want to emphasize that the job is done and the place is now sparkling.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'čistiti' in the present tense.
Ja svake subote ______ stan.
The subject is 'Ja' (I), so the verb must end in -im.
Which sentence is correct?
Select the natural way to say you cleaned yesterday.
'Čistiti stan' is the standard collocation.
Match the Croatian phrase with its English meaning.
1. Čistiti stan, 2. Pospremati stan, 3. Usisavati
'Čistiti' is general cleaning, 'pospremati' is tidying, 'usisavati' is vacuuming.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Zašto ne ideš van? B: Moram ______ stan.
After 'moram' (I must), we use the infinitive form.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Activities involved in 'Čistiti stan'
Tools
- • Usisavač
- • Krpa
- • Metla
Actions
- • Usisavati
- • Brisati prašinu
- • Prati pod
Practice Bank
4 exercisesJa svake subote ______ stan.
The subject is 'Ja' (I), so the verb must end in -im.
Select the natural way to say you cleaned yesterday.
'Čistiti stan' is the standard collocation.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
'Čistiti' is general cleaning, 'pospremati' is tidying, 'usisavati' is vacuuming.
A: Zašto ne ideš van? B: Moram ______ stan.
After 'moram' (I must), we use the infinitive form.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, if you live in a house. 'Stan' specifically means apartment.
'Čistiti' is about removing dirt (vacuuming, dusting), while 'pospremati' is about putting things in their place (tidying).
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, family, or your boss.
You use the perfective past tense: 'Već sam očistio stan'.
It is slang for a 'general clean'—a very thorough cleaning of the whole apartment.
Yes, increasingly so, although traditionally it was seen as a female role. Modern couples usually share the work.
Yes, 'čistiti auto' is correct, though 'prati auto' (washing the car) is more common for the exterior.
The accusative case. 'Čistim stan' (masculine) or 'Čistim sobu' (feminine).
In informal speech, people often just say 'Sređujem' (I'm fixing/tidying up).
It is 'servis za čišćenje'.
Related Phrases
pospremati stan
similarto tidy up the apartment
prati suđe
builds onto wash dishes
brisati prašinu
specialized formto dust
usisavati tepih
specialized formto vacuum the carpet
proljetno čišćenje
specialized formspring cleaning
