Meaning
Feeling the need for food.
Cultural Background
It is common to offer food multiple times. Even if you say 'Nisam gladan', a host might still bring out a plate of 'narezaka' (cold cuts). The 'marenda' is a sacred late-morning meal. If someone is 'gladan' at 10:30 AM, they are looking for a marenda, which is often a warm, cooked dish. The term 'gablec' is used similarly to 'marenda' but often refers to a quicker, work-break meal. In the east of Croatia, portions are notoriously large. Being 'gladan' there usually results in a very heavy, meat-based meal.
Gender Matters
Always check the gender of the person you are talking about. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
Don't use 'Imati'
Never say 'Imam glad'. It sounds like you are possessing a physical object named 'Hunger'.
Meaning
Feeling the need for food.
Gender Matters
Always check the gender of the person you are talking about. It's the most common mistake for beginners.
Don't use 'Imati'
Never say 'Imam glad'. It sounds like you are possessing a physical object named 'Hunger'.
The Wolf Idiom
Use 'gladan kao vuk' to sound more like a native speaker when you are really hungry.
Politeness
If you are a guest, it's okay to say you are hungry, but it's even better to wait for the host to offer.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'gladan' based on the subject.
Ana je ____.
Ana is a female name, so the adjective must end in -na.
Choose the correct translation for 'We are hungry'.
How do you say 'We are hungry'?
'Mi smo' means 'We are' and 'gladni' is the plural form.
Complete the dialogue.
Marko: 'Jesi li gladan?' Ivan: 'Da, ____ sam.'
'Jako' (very) fits perfectly to emphasize hunger.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You haven't eaten all day and you are talking to a close friend.
This slang expression is perfect for extreme hunger with friends.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Forms of Gladan
Masculine
- • gladan (sing.)
- • gladni (plur.)
Feminine
- • gladna (sing.)
- • gladne (plur.)
Neuter
- • gladno (sing.)
- • gladna (plur.)
Hungry vs Full
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAna je ____.
Ana is a female name, so the adjective must end in -na.
How do you say 'We are hungry'?
'Mi smo' means 'We are' and 'gladni' is the plural form.
Marko: 'Jesi li gladan?' Ivan: 'Da, ____ sam.'
'Jako' (very) fits perfectly to emphasize hunger.
You haven't eaten all day and you are talking to a close friend.
This slang expression is perfect for extreme hunger with friends.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, it is perfectly normal. 'Pas je gladan' (The dog is hungry).
You can say 'Umirem od gladi' (I'm dying of hunger) or 'Izgladnio sam'.
No, for thirst you must use 'žedan'.
For a mixed or male group, use 'gladni'. For a female group, use 'gladne'.
Yes, it sounds very professional and motivated.
'Gladan' is the state (I am hungry), 'ogladnio' is the action (I became hungry).
You say 'Tko je gladan?'.
It is neutral. It's fine in any situation.
The opposite is 'sit' (full/satiated).
Sometimes 'gladan novca' can imply greed, but 'pohlepan' is the specific word for greedy.
No, you can just say 'Gladan sam'. The verb ending tells us it's 'I'.
In some dialects, the accent changes, but 'gladan' with a long 'a' is standard.
Related Phrases
žedan
similarthirsty
sit
contrastfull/satiated
ogladnjeti
builds onto become hungry
izgladnio
specialized formstarved
imati apetit
similarto have an appetite
