Meaning
Informal term for a good-looking person.
Cultural Background
In Croatia, 'špica' is a Saturday morning ritual where people dress in their best clothes to drink coffee in the city center. This is the prime time for 'komad' sightings and comments. The term is ubiquitous in lyrics. It often portrays a 'macho' perspective, but female artists also use it to describe men, showing a shift in power dynamics. While 'komad' is masculine, it is used for all genders. This reflects a linguistic quirk of Croatian where some slang nouns don't change gender to match the subject. In Zagreb, 'komad' is the standard. In Split, you might hear 'komad' but also 'mačka' or 'koka' (hen/chick) more frequently.
The 'I pol' trick
If you want to sound like a local, add 'i pol' (and a half). 'Komad i pol' is the ultimate way to say someone is a 10/10.
Gender Trap
Never say 'dobra komad.' It's the #1 giveaway that you are a beginner. Keep it masculine!
Meaning
Informal term for a good-looking person.
The 'I pol' trick
If you want to sound like a local, add 'i pol' (and a half). 'Komad i pol' is the ultimate way to say someone is a 10/10.
Gender Trap
Never say 'dobra komad.' It's the #1 giveaway that you are a beginner. Keep it masculine!
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the adjective 'dobar'.
Vidi onu curu, ona je ______ komad!
Even though 'cura' is feminine, 'komad' is masculine, so the adjective must be 'dobar'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal job interview?
How would you describe a colleague's professional appearance?
'Komad' is slang and inappropriate for formal settings.
Match the Croatian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the various literal and figurative uses of the word.
Complete the dialogue between two friends.
A: Jesi vidio novu susjedu? B: Jesam, ______!
The nominative case is used after the verb 'biti' (to be).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesVidi onu curu, ona je ______ komad!
Even though 'cura' is feminine, 'komad' is masculine, so the adjective must be 'dobar'.
How would you describe a colleague's professional appearance?
'Komad' is slang and inappropriate for formal settings.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the various literal and figurative uses of the word.
A: Jesi vidio novu susjedu? B: Jesam, ______!
The nominative case is used after the verb 'biti' (to be).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt depends on the context and the person. In a casual setting among friends, it's usually seen as a harmless compliment. However, in a professional or formal setting, it can be seen as objectifying.
Yes! You can tell your friends 'Moj dečko je baš dobar komad.' It's a common way to show you're proud of his looks.
The plural is 'komadi'. For example: 'Oni su pravi komadi.'
Yes, 'komad' is almost exclusively about physical attractiveness. It doesn't imply anything about the person's personality.
No, that would be very weird and inappropriate. For children, use 'slatkiš' (sweetie) or 'medeni' (honey).
Yes, 'komad' is understood and used throughout Croatia, from Zagreb to Dubrovnik.
'Zgodan' is an adjective meaning 'handsome/fit.' 'Komad' is a noun. You can say 'On je zgodan' or 'On je komad.' 'Komad' is more slangy.
Only in the literal sense (a piece of something). You wouldn't call a beautiful car a 'komad'—you'd call it a 'mrak' or 'pila'.
That is 'komad papira'. This is the literal, non-slang usage.
'Komadina' is an augmentative. It can mean a 'huge piece' or a 'huge hottie.' It's more emphatic.
Related Phrases
mačka
synonymLiterally 'cat', used for an attractive woman.
frajer
similarA cool guy or a boyfriend.
treba
similarSlang for a girl/chick.
avion
specialized formLiterally 'airplane', meaning someone is 'top tier' attractive.
