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A1 noun 11 min read

cijena

Examples cijena in 30 Seconds
Explanation cijena in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'cijena' is one of the most practical words you will learn. It is essential for basic survival tasks like shopping and dining out. At this stage, you should focus on the nominative case ('cijena') and the accusative case ('cijenu'). You will primarily use it to ask 'Kolika je cijena?' (How much is the price?) or 'Koja je cijena?' (What is the price?). You will also learn to pair it with simple adjectives like 'velika' (big/high) or 'mala' (small/low). Understanding 'cijena' allows you to interact with shopkeepers and understand price tags. It is usually introduced alongside numbers and currency (Euro). You don't need to worry about complex declensions yet; just focus on the basic 'a' ending and how it changes to 'u' when you are buying or looking at something (e.g., 'Gledam cijenu' - I am looking at the price). This word is a building block for your shopping vocabulary and will be used in almost every dialogue involving a transaction.
At the A2 level, you begin to use 'cijena' in more varied contexts and with slightly more complex grammar. You will learn to compare prices using comparative adjectives, such as 'niža cijena' (lower price) or 'viša cijena' (higher price). You will also encounter 'cijena' in the plural form, 'cijene', when talking about general shopping or categories of items (e.g., 'Cijene u ovom dućanu su dobre' - Prices in this shop are good). You will start using prepositions like 'po' (at) to say things like 'Kupio sam to po dobroj cijeni' (I bought it at a good price). At this stage, you should also be aware of the difference between 'cijena' and 'račun' (bill/receipt). You are expanding your ability to describe your shopping experiences and can now express whether something was 'skupo' (expensive) or 'jeftino' (cheap) by referring to its 'cijena'. You might also learn the phrase 'puna cijena' (full price) versus 'snižena cijena' (reduced price).
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By B1, you are moving beyond simple shopping and into the realm of everyday economics and social discussion. You will use 'cijena' to discuss the cost of living ('troškovi života') and how 'cijene rastu' (prices are rising) or 'cijene padaju' (prices are falling). You will become comfortable with using 'cijena' in various cases, including the genitive (e.g., 'bez cijene' - without a price, though usually meaning priceless in a literal sense) and the locative (e.g., 'u cijeni' - included in the price). You will also start encountering the word in more abstract or figurative contexts, such as 'cijena uspjeha' (the price of success). Your vocabulary will include more specific collocations like 'tržišna cijena' (market price) and 'fiksna cijena' (fixed price). You can now participate in discussions about whether a certain 'cijena' is fair ('pravedna') or unfair ('nepravedna') and explain your reasoning using more complex sentence structures.
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At the B2 level, your use of 'cijena' becomes more sophisticated and nuanced. You will understand and use idiomatic expressions like 'pod svaku cijenu' (at any cost) in both professional and personal contexts. You will be able to discuss market trends, inflation, and economic policies using terms like 'indeks potrošačkih cijena' (consumer price index) or 'formiranje cijena' (price formation). You can distinguish between 'cijena' and related concepts like 'vrijednost' (value), 'naknada' (fee), and 'iznos' (amount) with precision. In writing, you can use 'cijena' to construct arguments about social issues, such as the 'cijena modernog načina života' (the price of a modern way of life). You will also be familiar with the nuances of word order and emphasis, knowing how to place 'cijena' in a sentence to highlight different aspects of your statement. Your understanding of the word now includes its role in formal contracts and legal documents.
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At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of 'cijena' and its many layers. You can use it in highly formal or academic contexts, such as discussing 'elastičnost cijena' (price elasticity) or 'psihološke cijene' (psychological pricing). You are comfortable with the word's appearance in literature and high-level journalism, where it might be used to describe complex trade-offs in politics or history. You understand the subtle cultural connotations of 'cijena' in Croatia, such as how it relates to the transition to the Euro or the impact of tourism on local costs. You can use the word in complex grammatical constructions without hesitation, including various participial phrases and relative clauses. You are also proficient in using the related verb 'cijeniti' in all its shades of meaning, from 'to estimate a price' to 'to deeply respect someone'. Your speech and writing show a mastery of synonyms and antonyms, allowing you to avoid repetition and express precise shades of meaning.
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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of 'cijena'. You can use the word with absolute precision in any context, from the most technical economic treatise to the most evocative piece of poetry. You are familiar with rare or archaic uses of the word and can appreciate its etymological roots. You can engage in complex debates about the ethics of pricing in various industries or the philosophical implications of 'the price of a human life'. You understand the full range of idioms and can even play with the word in puns or creative writing. Your mastery of Croatian allows you to use 'cijena' as a tool for sophisticated rhetoric, whether you are negotiating a multi-million Euro deal or writing a critique of contemporary society. At this level, 'cijena' is not just a vocabulary item; it is a versatile concept that you can manipulate to suit any communicative purpose, with a complete understanding of its impact on the listener or reader.
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Examples

cijena in 30 Seconds

  • Cijena means 'price' and is a feminine noun used for literal costs and metaphorical sacrifices.
  • It is essential for shopping and asking questions like 'Kolika je cijena?' (How much is the price?).
  • The word declines as a regular feminine noun, changing to 'cijenu' in the accusative case.
  • Commonly paired with adjectives like 'visoka' (high), 'niska' (low), or 'povoljna' (favorable).

The Croatian word cijena is a fundamental noun that every learner must master early in their journey. At its most basic level, it translates to 'price' in English. It refers to the amount of money expected, required, or given in payment for something. However, in the Croatian language and culture, the word carries both literal economic weight and deep metaphorical significance. Whether you are strolling through a bustling tržnica (open-air market) in Split, negotiating a business contract in Zagreb, or discussing the personal sacrifices made for success, cijena is the word you will reach for. It is a feminine noun, following the standard '-a' ending declension pattern, which makes it relatively predictable for learners to use in various grammatical cases.

Literal Monetary Value
The most common use of cijena is to denote the cost of goods and services. When you enter a store and look at a tag, you are looking for the 'cijena'. In Croatia, since the adoption of the Euro in 2023, discussions about 'cijena' have become even more prevalent as locals compare current costs to previous years.

Oprostite, kolika je cijena ovog kruha?

Abstract and Metaphorical Cost
Beyond the wallet, 'cijena' describes the effort, loss, or suffering required to achieve an objective. Croatians often speak of the 'cijena slobode' (the price of freedom) or the 'cijena uspjeha' (the price of success), indicating that nothing valuable comes without a trade-off.

Sve ima svoju cijenu, čak i tišina.

In professional settings, you might encounter 'cijena' in phrases like 'nabavna cijena' (purchase price) or 'tržišna cijena' (market price). The word is versatile enough to appear in high-level economic reports and daily casual conversations alike. Understanding 'cijena' is not just about shopping; it is about understanding the value system of the society. When a Croatian tells you something was 'prava sitnica' (a real trifle), they are ironically emphasizing that the 'cijena' was surprisingly low. Conversely, if something is 'paprena cijena' (peppery price), it means it is exorbitantly expensive, enough to make your eyes water like a hot pepper.

Grammatical Context
As a feminine noun, 'cijena' changes its ending. For example, 'bez cijene' (without a price) uses the genitive case ending '-e'. 'U cijeni' (included in the price) uses the locative case ending '-i'. Mastering these shifts is key to sounding natural.

U ovu cijenu je uključen i doručak.

Fiksna cijena znači da nema pregovaranja.

Visoka cijena nafte utječe na sve nas.

Using the word cijena correctly requires an understanding of Croatian noun cases and common sentence structures. Because it is a feminine noun ending in 'a', it follows the first declension. Let us explore how it functions in daily speech, from asking simple questions to expressing complex ideas about value. The most frequent use case is the Nominative (subject) and Accusative (direct object) cases.

Asking for Information
When you want to know how much something costs, you use 'cijena' as the subject of the sentence. The verb 'biti' (to be) must agree with it. 'Koja je cijena?' (What is the price?) is the standard, polite way to ask. You can also use 'Kolika je cijena?' which is slightly more common when referring to the amount.

Koja je cijena ulaznice za muzej?

Describing Costs with Adjectives
Adjectives must agree with 'cijena' in gender, number, and case. Since it is feminine, adjectives will typically end in '-a' in the nominative. Common pairings include 'visoka cijena' (high price), 'niska cijena' (low price), and 'povoljna cijena' (favorable/good price).

Ovaj auto ima vrlo visoku cijenu.

Negotiating and Discounts
In business or shopping contexts, you will often hear about 'sniženje cijena' (price reduction) or 'puna cijena' (full price). If you want to ask if the price can be lowered, you might say 'Može li cijena biti malo niža?'

Svi artikli su sada po pola cijene.

In more advanced usage, you will see 'cijena' used in the plural 'cijene' to talk about the general cost of living or market trends. 'Cijene rastu' (Prices are rising) is a phrase you will hear on every news channel during inflationary periods. It is also important to note the phrase 'pod svaku cijenu' (at any cost/at all costs), which is a common idiom for determination.

Moramo stići tamo pod svaku cijenu.

Usporedili smo cijene u tri različite trgovine.

Njegova cijena je previsoka za moj budžet.

The word cijena is ubiquitous in Croatian daily life. You cannot go through a single day in Croatia without hearing or seeing it, from the moment you buy your morning kava (coffee) to when you watch the evening news. Its presence spans across various social and professional domains, each with its own nuances and typical phrases. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word even when spoken quickly or in a noisy environment.

In the Retail and Service Industry
This is the most literal environment. You will see 'cijena' on price tags in supermarkets like Konzum or Tommy, on menus in restaurants (though usually, the price is just listed next to the dish), and on websites. Sales staff will often mention 'akcijska cijena' (sale price) to attract customers.

Pogledaj ovu cijenu! Stvarno je jeftino.

News and Economic Reports
Turn on HRT (Croatian Radio Television) or open a news portal like Index.hr, and you will see 'cijena' in headlines. Reporters frequently discuss 'cijene nekretnina' (real estate prices), 'cijena goriva' (fuel price), and the general 'rast cijena' (rise in prices). It is a central topic of political and social debate.
In Professional and Legal Settings
Contracts and invoices always specify the 'ukupna cijena' (total price). In business negotiations, terms like 'neto cijena' (net price) and 'bruto cijena' (gross price) are standard. Lawyers and accountants use the word to define the financial obligations of parties involved.

U ugovoru je navedena fiksna cijena rada.

Socially, you will hear 'cijena' used in philosophical discussions. Croatians are known for being quite direct and often discuss the 'cijena života' (cost of living) or the 'cijena koju plaćamo' (the price we pay) for our choices. It is not uncommon to hear a friend say, 'To je bila visoka cijena za malo zabave' (That was a high price for a little fun), referring perhaps to a hangover or a spent weekend. It is a word that bridges the gap between the cold world of finance and the warm, often dramatic world of personal experience.

Koja je cijena tvoje lojalnosti?

Tržišna cijena dionica stalno varira.

Nevjerojatna cijena samo ovaj tjedan!

While cijena is a common word, English speakers and other learners often make specific errors when integrating it into their Croatian speech. These mistakes usually fall into three categories: grammatical gender/case errors, confusion with related words like 'vrijednost' (value), and unnatural phrasing borrowed from English structures. Avoiding these will help you sound much more like a native speaker.

Confusion with 'Vrijednost' (Value)
In English, 'price' and 'value' are sometimes used interchangeably in casual speech, but in Croatian, they are distinct. 'Cijena' is the sticker price—the amount requested. 'Vrijednost' is the inherent worth of something. Saying 'Ovo ima veliku cijenu' (This has a big price) when you mean 'This has great value' sounds like you're complaining about the cost rather than praising the quality.

Pogrešno: Ova slika ima veliku cijenu. (Unless you mean it's expensive!)

Incorrect Question Forms
English speakers often translate 'What is the price?' literally as 'Što je cijena?'. While understandable, a native speaker would almost always use 'Koja je cijena?' (Which is the price?) or 'Kolika je cijena?' (How much is the price?). Using 'što' sounds clunky and foreign.
Gender Agreement Failures
Since 'cijena' is feminine, all adjectives and pronouns must match. A common mistake is using the masculine 'visok' instead of 'visoka'. Always remember: 'visoka cijena', 'niska cijena', 'povoljna cijena'.

Pogrešno: Cijena je previsok. (Correct: Cijena je previsoka.)

Another subtle mistake is the use of prepositions. Learners often say 'za cijenu' when they mean 'at the price'. The correct preposition is 'po'. For example: 'Kupio sam to po cijeni od deset eura' (I bought it at the price of ten euros). Lastly, watch out for the plural genitive. If you want to say 'the price of prices' (metaphorically), it is 'cijena cijena', which sounds repetitive but is grammatically correct. However, usually, you are talking about 'cijene' (prices) in general.

Pogrešno: Kupio sam to za dobru cijenu. (Correct: Kupio sam to po dobroj cijeni.)

Ova cijena ne uključuje porez.

Usporedba cijena je ključna za uštedu.

To truly master Croatian, you need to know when to use cijena and when to reach for a more specific alternative. Depending on the context—whether it is an invoice, a casual talk about expenses, or a philosophical debate—other words might be more appropriate. Here is a comparison of 'cijena' with its closest linguistic relatives.

Cijena vs. Iznos
'Cijena' is the price per unit or the set cost. 'Iznos' refers to the 'amount' or 'sum', especially on a bill or bank statement. You ask for the 'cijena' of a shirt, but you pay the 'iznos' shown at the bottom of the receipt.
Cijena vs. Trošak
'Trošak' means 'expense' or 'cost'. While 'cijena' is what is asked for, 'trošak' is what you actually spend. If you fix a car, the 'cijena' of parts is one thing, but your total 'trošak' includes labor and time.

Ukupni trošak je veći od same cijene proizvoda.

Cijena vs. Vrijednost
As mentioned before, 'vrijednost' is 'value'. Oscar Wilde famously said a cynic is someone who 'knows the price (cijena) of everything and the value (vrijednost) of nothing.' This distinction is perfectly preserved in Croatian.

Other useful terms include 'naknada' (fee or compensation), used for services like banking or legal fees, and 'tarifa' (tariff or rate), used for standardized pricing like electricity or taxi rates. If you are talking about a discount, you use 'popust'. If you want to say something is 'priceless', you use 'neprocjenjivo'—a beautiful word derived from the same root as 'cijena'. Understanding these nuances allows you to navigate Croatian commerce and conversation with precision and confidence.

Ova usluga ima fiksnu tarifu, a ne cijenu po dogovoru.

Niska cijena ne jamči uvijek kvalitetu.

Prava cijena će se znati tek sutra.

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Examples by Level

1

Koja je cijena?

What is the price?

Simple question using the nominative case.

2

Cijena je pet eura.

The price is five euros.

Declarative sentence with the verb 'biti'.

3

Ova cijena je dobra.

This price is good.

Adjective 'dobra' agrees with the feminine noun 'cijena'.

4

Kolika je cijena kave?

How much is the price of coffee?

Use of 'kolika' for amount and genitive 'kave'.

5

Gledam cijenu.

I am looking at the price.

Accusative case 'cijenu' as the direct object.

6

Cijena nije visoka.

The price is not high.

Negation with 'nije'.

7

To je niska cijena.

That is a low price.

Adjective 'niska' in the nominative.

8

Pitam za cijenu.

I am asking for the price.

Preposition 'za' followed by the accusative 'cijenu'.

1

Cijene su ovdje vrlo visoke.

The prices here are very high.

Plural nominative 'cijene' and plural verb 'su'.

2

Kupio sam cipele po dobroj cijeni.

I bought shoes at a good price.

Preposition 'po' with locative 'cijeni'.

3

Može li cijena biti niža?

Can the price be lower?

Comparative adjective 'niža'.

4

U cijenu je uključen doručak.

Breakfast is included in the price.

Preposition 'u' with accusative 'cijenu'.

5

Ova cijena je samo za danas.

This price is only for today.

Limiting the scope of the noun.

6

Cijena ulaznice je deset eura.

The ticket price is ten euros.

Genitive 'ulaznice' modifying 'cijena'.

7

Ne volim visoke cijene.

I don't like high prices.

Accusative plural 'visoke cijene'.

8

Koja je vaša najbolja cijena?

What is your best price?

Superlative adjective 'najbolja'.

1

Cijena nafte stalno raste.

The price of oil is constantly rising.

Abstract use of price in economics.

2

To je bila visoka cijena za slobodu.

That was a high price for freedom.

Figurative use of 'cijena'.

3

Sve cijene su navedene u eurima.

All prices are listed in euros.

Passive construction with 'navedene'.

4

Tražimo proizvod s najnižom cijenom.

We are looking for the product with the lowest price.

Preposition 's' with instrumental 'cijenom'.

5

Cijena se može promijeniti bez najave.

The price can change without notice.

Reflexive verb 'se promijeniti'.

6

Plaćamo cijenu naših pogrešaka.

We are paying the price of our mistakes.

Metaphorical 'paying the price'.

7

Ova cijena ne uključuje PDV.

This price does not include VAT.

Business terminology (PDV is VAT).

8

Usporedili smo cijene u tri trgovine.

We compared prices in three stores.

Past tense 'usporedili smo'.

1

Moramo pobijediti pod svaku cijenu.

We must win at any cost.

Idiomatic phrase 'pod svaku cijenu'.

2

Tržišna cijena dionica je pala.

The market price of stocks has fallen.

Compound subject 'tržišna cijena'.

3

Ovo je fiksna cijena i nema popusta.

This is a fixed price and there is no discount.

Formal business statement.

4

Cijena rada u Hrvatskoj raste.

The cost of labor in Croatia is rising.

Economic term 'cijena rada'.

5

Oni formiraju cijene prema potražnji.

They set prices according to demand.

Verb 'formirati' used with 'cijene'.

6

Cijena stana ovisi o lokaciji.

The price of the apartment depends on the location.

Verb 'ovisiti' with preposition 'o'.

7

To je previsoka cijena za takvu kvalitetu.

That is too high a price for such quality.

Use of 'pre-' prefix for emphasis.

8

Sniženje cijena privuklo je kupce.

The reduction in prices attracted buyers.

Genitive 'cijena' used with 'sniženje'.

1

Indeks potrošačkih cijena je stabilan.

The consumer price index is stable.

Technical economic terminology.

2

Cijena koju plaćamo za napredak je velika.

The price we pay for progress is great.

Relative clause 'koju plaćamo'.

3

Dampinške cijene štete domaćoj industriji.

Dumping prices harm the domestic industry.

Specific economic adjective 'dampinške'.

4

Cijena je izražena u bruto iznosu.

The price is expressed in the gross amount.

Passive participle 'izražena'.

5

Prava cijena rata se tek otkriva.

The true price of war is only just being revealed.

Reflexive passive 'se otkriva'.

6

Odluka je donesena unatoč visokoj cijeni.

The decision was made despite the high price.

Preposition 'unatoč' with dative 'cijeni'.

7

Strategija niskih cijena nije uvijek održiva.

A low-price strategy is not always sustainable.

Genitive plural 'niskih cijena'.

8

Cijena dionice je odraz stanja na tržištu.

The share price is a reflection of the market state.

Metaphorical use in finance.

1

Cijena slave često je gubitak privatnosti.

The price of fame is often the loss of privacy.

Philosophical subject-complement structure.

2

Njegova šutnja imala je previsoku cijenu.

His silence had too high a price.

Nuanced narrative use.

3

Cijene su se otelile kontroli uslijed inflacije.

Prices have spiraled out of control due to inflation.

Idiomatic verb 'oteti se kontroli'.

4

Pitanje cijene postalo je kamen spoticanja.

The question of price became a stumbling block.

Idiom 'kamen spoticanja' (stumbling block).

5

Bez obzira na cijenu, moramo ustrajati.

Regardless of the price, we must persevere.

Complex prepositional phrase 'bez obzira na'.

6

Cijena je bila puka formalnost u pregovorima.

The price was a mere formality in the negotiations.

Use of 'puka' (mere/pure).

7

Analiza cijena otkrila je duboke nepravilnosti.

The price analysis revealed deep irregularities.

Formal investigative language.

8

Cijena opstanka bila je odricanje od ideala.

The price of survival was the renunciation of ideals.

Highly abstract and literary.

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