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A1 verb 9 min de lecture

kupiti

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces kupiti en 30 secondes

Explication kupiti in your Level:

At the A1 level, you learn 'kupiti' as a basic survival verb. You use it to express the simple need or desire to get something in a shop. It is usually paired with 'želim' (I want) or 'moram' (I must). You focus on simple nouns in the accusative case like 'kruh' (bread), 'mlijeko' (milk), or 'voda' (water). At this stage, you don't need to worry too much about complex grammar, just remember that if you want to buy something, you say 'Želim kupiti...' followed by the item. You will mostly use it in the infinitive form.

At the A2 level, you start using 'kupiti' in different tenses. You can talk about what you bought yesterday ('Kupio sam...') or what you will buy tomorrow ('Kupit ću...'). You also begin to understand the difference between 'kupiti' (one time) and 'kupovati' (often). You can handle more complex objects, like 'novu košulju' (a new shirt) or 'dar za prijatelja' (a gift for a friend). You also learn to ask questions like 'Gdje mogu kupiti...?' (Where can I buy...?) to navigate a city or a store more effectively.

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At the B1 level, you use 'kupiti' in more varied social and professional contexts. You can discuss the quality of things you want to buy and compare prices. You understand how to use 'kupiti' with the dative case to say who you are buying something for ('Kupio sam majci cvijeće'). You also start to encounter common phrases and some simple idioms. Your sentences become longer, incorporating reasons and conditions, such as 'Kupio bih taj auto da imam više novca' (I would buy that car if I had more money).

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At the B2 level, you are comfortable with the nuances of the perfective aspect. You understand how prefixes change the meaning, such as 'potkupiti' (to bribe) or 'iskupiti' (to redeem). You can discuss consumer rights, warranties, and the ethics of what you buy. You might use 'kupiti' metaphorically, such as 'kupiti nečiju priču' (to believe someone's story/lie). Your vocabulary around 'kupiti' expands to include economic terms like 'kupovna moć' (purchasing power) and 'kupoprodajni ugovor' (purchase agreement).

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At the C1 level, you use 'kupiti' with precision in formal, academic, or literary contexts. You can analyze the implications of 'kupiti' in a macro-economic sense or use it in complex rhetorical structures. You are aware of regional variations like 'pazariti' and can use them appropriately to fit the social setting. You understand the historical etymology of the word and its Slavic roots. Your usage is fluid, and you can easily switch between literal and figurative meanings without hesitation.

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At the C2 level, you have a near-native command of 'kupiti'. You can use it in highly specialized legal or financial discussions. You understand the subtle emotional weight the word can carry in literature or poetry. You can play with the word in puns or complex wordplay. You are also fully aware of the most obscure idioms and historical usages that might be found in classic Croatian literature. 'Kupiti' is no longer just a verb for you; it is a versatile tool for expressing a wide range of human interactions and economic realities.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

kupiti en 30 secondes

Kupiti is a perfective verb meaning 'to buy', focusing on the completion of the purchase rather than the process.
It requires the direct object to be in the Accusative case, such as 'kupiti knjigu' (to buy a book).
It is commonly used in the past tense (kupio sam) and future tense (kupit ću) in daily conversation.
The word is essential for shopping, navigating markets, and discussing financial transactions in any Croatian-speaking environment.

The Croatian verb kupiti is a fundamental pillar of the language, primarily signifying the act of acquiring something in exchange for money. As a perfective verb, it focuses on the completion of the action—the moment the transaction is finalized and the item becomes yours. This distinguishes it from its imperfective counterpart, kupovati, which describes the ongoing process of shopping or the habit of buying. When you use kupiti, you are usually talking about a specific instance or a completed goal.

The Transactional Core: At its simplest level, it refers to the exchange of currency for goods or services. Whether you are at a local 'pekara' (bakery) or a high-end 'trgovina' (store), the moment you hand over your Euros and receive your product, you have performed the action of kupiti.
The Metaphorical Acquisition: Beyond physical objects, one can 'kupiti' time (kupiti vrijeme) or even 'kupiti' someone's favor, though the latter often carries a negative connotation of bribery or manipulation in specific contexts. It implies the successful attainment of a result through some form of cost.

Želim kupiti ovaj stan jer ima predivan pogled na more.
— Translation: I want to buy this apartment because it has a beautiful view of the sea.

In Croatia, the culture of buying is deeply rooted in both modern shopping malls and traditional open-air markets called 'pijaca' or 'pazar'. When you decide to kupiti fresh produce at a market like Zagreb's Dolac, you are participating in a social ritual that has existed for centuries. The verb carries a sense of decision-making; you have looked at the options, compared the quality, and finally decided to make the purchase.

Economic Significance: Since Croatia joined the Eurozone, the context of 'kupiti' has shifted slightly as people adapt to new price points. Discussions about what one can kupiti for ten Euros are common in daily conversation, reflecting the economic reality of the transition.

Moramo kupiti dar za Marijin rođendan prije nego što trgovine zatvore.
— Translation: We must buy a gift for Marija's birthday before the stores close.

Whether you are buying a loaf of bread ('kupiti kruh') or a luxury vehicle ('kupiti luksuzni automobil'), the verb remains the same, emphasizing the transfer of ownership. It is one of the first verbs a learner should master, as it is essential for survival and social interaction in any Croatian-speaking environment.

Using kupiti correctly requires an understanding of the Croatian case system, specifically the Accusative case. The object that you are buying must be in the accusative form. For most masculine inanimate nouns, the form stays the same as the nominative, but for feminine nouns ending in '-a', it changes to '-u'. For example, if you want to buy a 'karta' (ticket), you would say 'kupiti kartu'.

Common Sentence Structures: The most common pattern is [Subject] + [Verb] + [Accusative Object]. For instance: 'Ja želim kupiti jabuku' (I want to buy an apple). If you are buying something for someone else, you add the Dative case: 'Kupio sam joj cvijeće' (I bought her flowers).

Planirali su kupiti novu kuću, ali su cijene previše porasle.
— Translation: They planned to buy a new house, but the prices rose too much.

In the future tense, kupiti is often used with the auxiliary verb 'htjeti' (to want/will). For example, 'Kupit ću kruh' (I will buy bread). Note that in writing, the 'i' at the end of the infinitive 'kupiti' is often dropped when followed by 'ću', resulting in 'kupit ću', though it is pronounced as one word.

Negation: To negate the action, simply add 'ne' before the verb: 'Ne želim kupiti taj auto' (I do not want to buy that car). In the past tense, it becomes 'Nisam kupio' (I didn't buy).

Možeš li mi kupiti vodu na kiosku?
— Translation: Can you buy me water at the kiosk?

Finally, remember that kupiti is also used in reflexive forms or with prefixes to change the meaning slightly, such as 'potkupiti' (to bribe) or 'iskupiti se' (to redeem oneself). However, for daily communication, sticking to the base form 'kupiti' with the correct accusative object will cover 90% of your needs.

The word kupiti is ubiquitous in Croatian daily life. You will hear it in various settings, ranging from the casual atmosphere of a neighborhood cafe to the more formal environment of a bank or a real estate agency. Understanding the context helps in grasping the subtle nuances of how the word is deployed.

At the Local Market (Pijaca): In places like Split's Pazar or Zagreb's Dolac, you'll hear vendors shouting their prices and customers asking, 'Gdje mogu kupiti najbolje maslinovo ulje?' (Where can I buy the best olive oil?). Here, the word is associated with freshness, bargaining, and quality.
In Commercial Advertisements: Television and radio commercials are filled with imperatives like 'Kupite odmah!' (Buy now!) or 'Kupite dva, platite jedan' (Buy two, pay for one). It is the standard call to action for consumers across the country.

Idem u grad kupiti nove cipele za vjenčanje.
— Translation: I am going to town to buy new shoes for the wedding.

In a domestic setting, family members often discuss their needs using this verb. 'Moramo kupiti mlijeko' (We must buy milk) is a common refrain in many households. It signifies the planning of daily life and the management of a home. You'll also hear it in news reports concerning the economy, such as 'Hrvatska će kupiti nove borbene avione' (Croatia will buy new fighter jets), where the scale of the purchase is national.

Digital Spaces: On websites like Njuškalo (Croatia's popular classifieds site), the button 'Kupi' (Buy) or 'Želim kupiti' (I want to buy) is the primary interface for millions of transactions monthly.

Jesi li uspio kupiti karte za koncert prije nego što su se rasprodale?
— Translation: Did you manage to buy the concert tickets before they sold out?

Whether you are eavesdropping in a tram or negotiating in a shop, kupiti is the word that connects desire with possession. It is a word of action, decision, and economic exchange that resonates through every level of Croatian society.

For English speakers, the most frequent pitfall when using kupiti is failing to distinguish it from the imperfective verb kupovati. In English, 'to buy' covers both the act and the process, but in Croatian, the distinction is vital. If you say 'Kupim kruh svaki dan', it sounds strange because kupiti is perfective and implies a one-time completion, whereas 'kupujem' (from kupovati) is needed for habitual actions.

Case Errors: Another common error is using the Nominative case for the object. Beginners often say 'Želim kupiti kava' instead of the correct Accusative 'Želim kupiti kavu'. Always remember that the thing being bought is the direct object and must change its ending accordingly.

Pogrešno: Želim kupiti ovaj knjiga.
Točno: Želim kupiti ovu knjigu.
— Note: 'Knjiga' (feminine) must change to 'knjigu' in the accusative.

Using the wrong auxiliary in the past tense is also a hurdle. Croatian uses 'biti' (to be) for the past tense of kupiti. A common mistake is trying to translate 'I have bought' literally. The only correct way is 'Kupio sam' (male) or 'Kupila sam' (female). Using 'imam kupio' is an absolute no-go in Croatian grammar.

Confusion with 'Platiti': Learners sometimes use kupiti when they mean 'platiti' (to pay). You 'kupiti' an item, but you 'platiti' the price or the bill. 'Kupio sam račun' would mean you literally bought the physical piece of paper that is the bill, rather than paying the amount owed.

Zaboravio sam kupiti ulje, pa se moram vratiti u dućan.
— Translation: I forgot to buy oil, so I have to go back to the store.

Avoiding these mistakes requires practice and a keen ear. Pay attention to the endings of the nouns that follow kupiti and always consider if you are talking about a completed purchase or a general habit of shopping.

While kupiti is the most common way to say 'to buy', Croatian offers several alternatives depending on the register, region, and specific nuance you wish to convey. Understanding these synonyms can make your speech sound more natural and sophisticated.

Kupovati (Imperfective): This is the most important 'alternative'. Use it for the act of shopping. 'Volim kupovati odjeću' means 'I love shopping for clothes' (as a general hobby), whereas 'Želim kupiti ovu majicu' means 'I want to buy this specific shirt'.
Nabaviti (To Procure/Obtain): This verb is used when the process of getting something involves some effort or searching. 'Uspio sam nabaviti karte' suggests that the tickets were hard to get, and you successfully procured them.
Pazariti (Regional/Colloquial): Common in Dalmatia and other regions, this comes from 'pazar' (market). It specifically refers to buying things at a market and often implies a bit of bargaining or social interaction.

Moramo nabaviti novi printer za ured što prije.
— Translation: We must procure a new printer for the office as soon as possible.

In formal or legal contexts, you might encounter otkupiti (to buy out/redeem) or zakupiti (to lease/rent out). These are specific technical terms. For instance, a company might 'otkupiti' shares from another company. In everyday life, paziti (to watch/take care) is sometimes confused phonetically by beginners, but they are unrelated.

Idemo na tržnicu pazariti svježe povrće.
— Translation: Let's go to the market to shop for fresh vegetables.

Choosing the right word adds flavor to your Croatian. While kupiti is your reliable workhorse, knowing when to use nabaviti or pazariti will show a deeper connection to the language and culture.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word is related to the English word 'cheap' and the German word 'kaufen'. They all share the same ancient Germanic root meaning to trade.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈkupiti/

US /ˈkupɪti/

Stressed on the first syllable: KU-pi-ti.

Rime avec

stupiti tupiti skupiti lupiti izstupiti nastupiti postupiti odstupiti

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it like 'cup-iti' with an English 'u' sound.
Stressing the second syllable.
Confusing it with 'kupati' (to bathe).
Making the 'i' sounds too long.
Dropping the final 'i' in contexts where it is required.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text as it is a short, common word.

Écriture 2/5

Requires knowledge of the accusative case for the following noun.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires quick thinking for aspect choice.

Écoute 1/5

Clear phonetic profile makes it easy to hear in conversation.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

novac htjeti ići trgovina kruh

Apprends ensuite

kupovati prodati platiti cijena račun

Avancé

nabaviti otkupiti potkupiti zakupiti pazariti

Grammaire à connaître

Accusative Case

Kupiti (koga? što?) -> Knjigu.

Perfective Aspect

Kupiti (once) vs Kupovati (regularly).

Dative for Recipient

Kupio sam (kome?) majci dar.

Future I Tense

Kupit ću (Kupiti + ću).

Past Tense (L-participle)

On je kupio / Ona je kupila.

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Exemples par niveau

Želim kupiti kruh.

I want to buy bread.

Simple infinitive after 'želim'.

Moram kupiti vodu.

I must buy water.

Accusative 'vodu' from 'voda'.

Gdje mogu kupiti kartu?

Where can I buy a ticket?

Accusative 'kartu' from 'karta'.

Želiš li kupiti jabuku?

Do you want to buy an apple?

Question form with 'li'.

Idem kupiti novine.

I am going to buy a newspaper.

Infinitive of purpose.

Kupi mi čokoladu.

Buy me a chocolate.

Imperative form 'kupi'.

Nemoj kupiti to.

Don't buy that.

Negative imperative.

Mogu li kupiti ovo?

Can I buy this?

Using 'ovo' as a direct object.

Jučer sam kupio novi mobitel.

Yesterday I bought a new mobile phone.

Past tense, masculine form.

Kupit ću ti kavu.

I will buy you a coffee.

Future tense with enclitic 'ti'.

Jesi li kupila haljinu?

Did you buy the dress?

Past tense, feminine form.

Nismo kupili ništa.

We didn't buy anything.

Negative past tense.

Oni će kupiti novi auto.

They will buy a new car.

Future tense for third person plural.

Kupio sam joj cvijeće za rođendan.

I bought her flowers for her birthday.

Dative 'joj' for the recipient.

Moramo kupiti namirnice za večeru.

We must buy groceries for dinner.

Plural accusative 'namirnice'.

Kupila je kartu za kino preko interneta.

She bought a movie ticket online.

Feminine past tense.

Htio bih kupiti ovaj sat, ali je preskup.

I would like to buy this watch, but it is too expensive.

Conditional mood 'Htio bih'.

Ako kupiš tri proizvoda, dobit ćeš popust.

If you buy three products, you will get a discount.

Conditional sentence type 1.

Kupio sam kartu unaprijed da izbjegnem gužvu.

I bought the ticket in advance to avoid the crowd.

Using 'da' for purpose.

Gdje je najbolje kupiti svježu ribu u gradu?

Where is the best place to buy fresh fish in the city?

Superlative 'najbolje'.

Kupili su kuću na selu kako bi imali više mira.

They bought a house in the countryside to have more peace.

Plural past tense.

Možete li mi reći gdje mogu kupiti markice?

Can you tell me where I can buy stamps?

Indirect question.

Kupio sam ovaj kaput na sniženju prošli tjedan.

I bought this coat on sale last week.

Prepositional phrase 'na sniženju'.

Nije lako kupiti savršen poklon za svakoga.

It is not easy to buy the perfect gift for everyone.

Infinitive as subject complement.

Država je odlučila kupiti dionice te tvrtke.

The state decided to buy shares of that company.

Formal political context.

Pokušao me potkupiti, ali sam odbio.

He tried to bribe me, but I refused.

Prefix 'pot-' changes meaning to bribe.

Kupio sam mačka u vreći jer nisam provjerio auto.

I bought a pig in a poke because I didn't check the car.

Idiomatic expression.

Kupili su slobodu nakon dugogodišnjeg ropstva.

They bought their freedom after years of slavery.

Abstract usage.

Trebali bismo kupiti osiguranje prije putovanja.

We should buy insurance before the trip.

Conditional 'trebali bismo'.

On je spreman kupiti bilo čiju šutnju.

He is ready to buy anyone's silence.

Metaphorical usage.

Kupila sam to samo zato što je bilo na reklami.

I bought that only because it was in the advertisement.

Conjunction 'zato što'.

Uspjeli su kupiti vrijeme pregovorima.

They managed to buy time through negotiations.

Idiom 'kupiti vrijeme'.

Investitori su pohrlili kupiti nekretnine na obali.

Investors rushed to buy real estate on the coast.

Advanced verb 'pohrliti'.

Njegovim se novcem ne može kupiti sreća, ali može mir.

His money can't buy happiness, but it can buy peace.

Philosophical contrast.

Kupio je povjerenje birača obećanjima o nižim porezima.

He bought the voters' trust with promises of lower taxes.

Figurative acquisition.

Mnogi su prisiljeni kupiti mirnu savjest kroz donacije.

Many are forced to buy a clear conscience through donations.

Complex abstract object.

Kupiti dionice u ovom trenutku bio bi veliki rizik.

Buying stocks at this moment would be a great risk.

Infinitive as a noun phrase.

Nije se moglo kupiti bolje rješenje za taj problem.

A better solution for that problem could not be bought.

Passive-like construction with 'se'.

Oni nastoje kupiti utjecaj u međunarodnim krugovima.

They strive to buy influence in international circles.

Abstract political usage.

Kupiti pristanak naroda nije uvijek lako.

Buying the people's consent is not always easy.

Social-political context.

Njegova je jedina želja bila kupiti iskupljenje za prošle grijehe.

His only desire was to buy redemption for past sins.

High literary style.

Kupiti naklonost sudbine nemoguća je misija.

Buying the favor of fate is an impossible mission.

Metaphysical usage.

Cijeli je grad bio spreman kupiti njegovu laž bez pitanja.

The whole city was ready to buy his lie without question.

Idiomatic 'buy a lie'.

Kupiti tišinu svjedoka postalo je uobičajena praksa u tom podzemlju.

Buying the silence of witnesses became a common practice in that underworld.

Criminal terminology.

U svijetu gdje se sve može kupiti, on je tražio ono neprocjenjivo.

In a world where everything can be bought, he sought the priceless.

Reflexive passive.

Kupiti lojalnost je kratkoročno rješenje za dugoročni problem.

Buying loyalty is a short-term solution to a long-term problem.

Philosophical maxim.

Nisu uspjeli kupiti pobjedu unatoč ogromnim ulaganjima.

They failed to buy victory despite enormous investments.

Abstract competitive usage.

Kupiti zaborav bio je jedini način da nastavi dalje.

Buying oblivion was the only way to move on.

Poetic usage.

Collocations courantes

kupiti kartu

kupiti stan

kupiti poklon

kupiti vrijeme

kupiti auto

kupiti dionice

kupiti namirnice

kupiti povjerenje

kupiti ulaznicu

kupiti odjeću

Phrases Courantes

Gdje mogu kupiti...?

— Standard way to ask for the location of a product.

Gdje mogu kupiti markice?

Želim kupiti ovo.

— Simple way to indicate a purchase intent.

Želim kupiti ovo ogledalo.

Kupio sam to na sniženju.

— Common phrase for bragging about a good deal.

Odlično izgleda, kupio sam to na sniženju.

Moram nešto kupiti.

— General statement of need.

Moram nešto kupiti za jelo.

Kupi mi...

— Casual request for someone to buy something for you.

Kupi mi vodu, molim te.

Što si kupio?

— Standard question after someone returns from shopping.

Vratio si se! Što si kupio?

Idem kupiti kruh.

— The most cliché daily errand phrase.

Vraćam se brzo, idem kupiti kruh.

Nemoj to kupiti.

— Advice against a purchase.

Preskupo je, nemoj to kupiti.

Mogu li to kupiti karticom?

— Asking about payment methods.

Mogu li to kupiti karticom ili samo gotovinom?

Kupit ću ti to kasnije.

— A promise to purchase something in the future.

Sada nemam novca, kupit ću ti to kasnije.

Souvent confondu avec

kupiti vs kupati

Means 'to bathe'. Confusing 'kupiti' (to buy) with 'kupati' can lead to saying 'I want to bathe a car' instead of 'buy a car'.

kupiti vs kupiti (gather)

A homonym that means 'to gather' or 'to collect'. Context usually clarifies the meaning.

kupiti vs skupiti

Means 'to collect' or 'to shrink'. Phonetically similar but different meaning.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Kupiti mačka u vreći"

— To buy something without inspecting it first, often resulting in a bad deal.

Nemoj kupiti taj auto bez mehaničara, kupit ćeš mačka u vreći.

informal

"Kupiti vrijeme"

— To delay an event or decision to gain an advantage.

Političari samo pokušavaju kupiti vrijeme.

neutral

"Kupiti nekoga za male novce"

— To easily bribe someone or gain their loyalty cheaply.

On je potkupljiv, možeš ga kupiti za male novce.

informal

"Kupiti mir"

— To pay or concede something just to avoid conflict.

Dao im je što su htjeli samo da kupi mir.

neutral

"Kupiti foru"

— To fall for a trick or a joke.

Stvarno si kupio tu foru?

slang

"Kupiti nečiju priču"

— To believe someone's explanation or excuse, often when it's false.

Nitko nije kupio njegovu priču o kašnjenju.

informal

"Kupiti ulaznicu za pakao"

— To do something very bad that will have consequences.

S tim lažima kupio si ulaznicu za pakao.

figurative

"Kupiti tišinu"

— To pay someone not to speak about something.

Pokušali su kupiti tišinu svjedoka.

neutral

"Kupiti naklonost"

— To try to make someone like you by giving them things.

Darovima pokušava kupiti njezinu naklonost.

neutral

"Kupiti prnje"

— To pack up one's things and leave (often in a hurry).

Kupi prnje i odlazi!

informal

Facile à confondre

kupiti vs kupovati

It is the imperfective pair.

Kupovati is for the process/habit, kupiti is for the completed act.

Kupujem (shopping) vs Kupio sam (bought).

kupiti vs platiti

Both involve money.

Kupiti is to get the item; platiti is to give the money.

Kupio sam kruh i platio sam dva eura.

kupiti vs prodati

Opposite sides of the same transaction.

Kupiti is to receive; prodati is to give away for money.

On prodaje, ja kupujem.

kupiti vs uzeti

Both mean 'to take'.

Uzeti is general; kupiti specifically implies paying money.

Uzeo sam jabuku (maybe for free) vs Kupio sam jabuku.

kupiti vs dobiti

Both result in possession.

Dobiti means 'to get' or 'to receive' (often as a gift or result), kupiti is always a purchase.

Dobio sam poklon vs Kupio sam poklon.

Structures de phrases

Želim kupiti [Accusative Noun].

Želim kupiti jabuku.

Kupio sam [Accusative Noun] jučer.

Kupio sam kruh jučer.

Kupio bih [Accusative Noun] da imam novca.

Kupio bih auto da imam novca.

Moramo kupiti [Accusative Noun] prije nego što [Verb].

Moramo kupiti kartu prije nego što vlak krene.

Nije bilo moguće kupiti [Accusative Noun] bez [Genitive Noun].

Nije bilo moguće kupiti stan bez kredita.

Kupiti [Accusative Noun] značilo bi [Verb].

Kupiti njegovu šutnju značilo bi priznati krivnju.

Mogu li kupiti [Accusative Noun]?

Mogu li kupiti vodu?

Kupit ću [Dative Pronoun] [Accusative Noun].

Kupit ću ti čokoladu.

Famille de mots

Noms

kupnja (purchase)

kupac (buyer)

kupovina (shopping)

kupoprodaja (buying and selling)

otkup (buyout)

Verbes

kupovati (to shop - imperfective)

otkupiti (to buy back)

potkupiti (to bribe)

zakupiti (to lease)

skupiti (to gather)

Adjectifs

kupovni (purchasing)

kupljen (bought)

potkupljiv (bribable)

skup (expensive)

Apparenté

trgovina

novac

cijena

račun

pijaca

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high; one of the top 100 most used verbs in Croatian.

Erreurs courantes

On je kupiti kruh. → On je kupio kruh.
The infinitive 'kupiti' cannot be used alone in the past tense; you need the L-participle 'kupio'.
Želim kupiti kava. → Želim kupiti kavu.
The noun 'kava' is feminine and must be in the accusative case ('kavu') after 'kupiti'.
Kupim kruh svaki dan. → Kupujem kruh svaki dan.
For habitual actions, you must use the imperfective 'kupovati' (kupujem) instead of the perfective 'kupiti'.
Kupio sam račun. → Platio sam račun.
You 'pay' (platiti) a bill, you don't 'buy' (kupiti) it unless you are literally buying the paper.
Hoćeš li kupiti me? → Hoćeš li mi kupiti?
Using 'me' makes you the object of the purchase. Use 'mi' (dative) to mean 'buy FOR me'.

Astuces

Aspect Pairing

Always learn 'kupiti' together with 'kupovati'. This will help you choose the right verb for 'I bought' vs 'I was buying'.

Short 'u'

Make sure the 'u' is short and sharp. If you stretch it, it might sound like a different word.

Market Etiquette

When you 'kupiti' at a market, it's okay to ask for a taste of the cheese or fruit first!

Accusative Mastery

Use 'kupiti' as your primary practice verb for learning feminine accusative endings (-a to -u).

Future Tense

Remember that 'kupit ću' is the most common way to express intent to buy something soon.

Buying Coffee

In Croatia, 'kupiti kavu' (to buy coffee) is the ultimate social lubricant. Use it often!

Avoid 'Imam kupio'

Never use 'imam' to form the past tense. It is always 'sam' (from 'biti').

The Cat in the Bag

Memorize 'mačka u vreći' to impress locals with your idiomatic knowledge.

Check the Bill

After you 'kupiti' something, always check the 'račun' (bill) – it's a good way to learn product names.

Daily Goal

Try to say 'Danas moram kupiti...' followed by one new noun every day.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a 'CUP' (kup) that you have to fill with money to 'IT' (iti) buy something.

Association visuelle

Visualize yourself handing a coin to a merchant and receiving a small item in return, completing the 'kupiti' action.

Word Web

novac trgovina cijena kupac prodavač račun kartica gotovina

Défi

Try to name five things you want to kupiti today and say them out loud in Croatian using the accusative case.

Origine du mot

From Proto-Slavic *kupiti, which is a very old loanword from Proto-Germanic *kaupijaną.

Sens originel : To trade, to bargain, or to deal in goods.

Indo-European > Balto-Slavic > Slavic > South Slavic > Croatian.

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'kupiti' with people (buying someone), as it almost always implies bribery or corruption.

English speakers often use 'buy' for both the act and the process, which is why the perfective/imperfective split in Croatian is the biggest hurdle.

The song 'Kupit ću ti trešnje' (I will buy you cherries). Common proverbs about buying wisdom. The 'Kupi me' marketing slogans of the 90s.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Grocery Shopping

Moram kupiti mlijeko.
Gdje su košare?
Kupit ću i kruh.
Koliko košta?

Real Estate

Želimo kupiti stan.
Kolika je kvadratura?
Kupili smo kuću.
Ugovor o kupnji.

Gifts/Social

Kupio sam ti nešto.
Što da mu kupim?
Idemo kupiti dar.
Kupit ću cvijeće.

Travel

Moram kupiti kartu.
Gdje se kupuju karte?
Kupio sam kartu online.
Kupi mi povratnu kartu.

Technology

Želim kupiti novi mobitel.
Koji laptop da kupim?
Kupio sam ga na akciji.
Gdje si to kupio?

Amorces de conversation

"Što si zadnje kupio/kupila zanimljivo?"

"Gdje obično voliš kupiti odjeću?"

"Misliš li da je sada dobro vrijeme za kupiti stan?"

"Što bi kupio/kupila da osvojiš na lotu?"

"Jesi li ikada kupio/kupila nešto što ti zapravo nije trebalo?"

Sujets d'écriture

Opiši svoj zadnji posjet tržnici. Što si odlučio/odlučila kupiti i zašto?

Napiši listu od pet stvari koje moraš kupiti ovaj tjedan.

Razmisli o velikoj kupnji koju planiraš. Što želiš kupiti i kako štediš za to?

Da možeš kupiti bilo što na svijetu, što bi to bilo?

Opiši osjećaj kada kupiš nešto što si dugo želio/željela.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

'Kupiti' is a perfective verb. This means it describes a completed action. Its imperfective pair is 'kupovati', which is used for ongoing or repeated actions.

You should use the present tense of the imperfective verb 'kupovati', which is 'kupujem'. Using 'kupim' (present of kupiti) usually implies a future or habitual sense in specific clauses, but 'kupujem' is the standard for 'I am currently buying'.

The Accusative case follows 'kupiti'. For example, 'kupiti knjigu' (feminine) or 'kupiti stol' (masculine).

It follows the standard pattern: kupio (m), kupila (f), kupilo (n), kupili (m. pl), kupile (f. pl), kupila (n. pl).

Literally, yes, but it almost always means bribery ('potkupiti') and is socially negative.

'Kupiti' is simply the act of purchase. 'Nabaviti' implies that you had to find or procure something, often involving more effort than just walking into a store.

You use the future tense: 'Kupit ću' or 'Ja ću kupiti'.

No, for renting you use 'unajmiti' (to rent from someone) or 'iznajmiti' (to rent out to someone). 'Zakupiti' is used for leasing business spaces.

It is an idiom meaning 'to buy a pig in a poke'—to buy something without seeing it first and getting a bad deal.

The verb stays the same, but the object must be in the plural accusative. For example: 'kupiti jabuke' (to buy apples).

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