Overview
The Croatian word for 'milk' is 'mlijeko'. It's a very common noun, and like all nouns in Croatian, it changes its form depending on its grammatical case and number. Croatian has seven grammatical cases: nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, vocative, locative, and instrumental. 'Mlijeko' is a neuter noun, which means its declension (how it changes form) follows patterns typical for neuter nouns ending in '-o' or '-e'.
Here's a breakdown of its declension:
- Nominative (N. - tko? što? / who? what?): mlijeko (milk - as the subject of a sentence, e.g., 'Mlijeko je bijelo.' - Milk is white.)
- Genitive (G. - koga? čega? / whose? of what?): mlijeka (of milk, e.g., 'čaša mlijeka' - a glass of milk. This is often used to express possession or quantity.)
- Dative (D. - komu? čemu? / to whom? to what?): mlijeku (to milk, e.g., 'dodati šećer mlijeku' - to add sugar to milk. This case indicates the indirect object.)
- Accusative (A. - koga? što? / whom? what?): mlijeko (milk - as the direct object of a sentence, e.g., 'Pijem mlijeko.' - I drink milk. For neuter nouns, the accusative singular is often the same as the nominative singular.)
- Vocative (V. - oj! hej! / oh! hey!): mlijeko (milk - used for direct address, though less common with inanimate objects like milk. Again, for neuter nouns, it's often the same as the nominative singular.)
- Locative (L. - o komu? o čemu? / about whom? about what?): mlijeku (about milk, in milk, e.g., 'govoriti o mlijeku' - to talk about milk; 'kuhati u mlijeku' - to cook in milk. This case is always used with prepositions.)
- Instrumental (I. - s kim? s čim? / with whom? with what?): mlijekom (with milk, by means of milk, e.g., 's mlijekom' - with milk. This case can indicate accompaniment or the instrument used.)
* **Mliječni proizvodi**: Dairy products
Understanding the declension of 'mlijeko' is fundamental to constructing grammatically correct sentences in Croatian when referring to milk in various contexts.
Exemples
Kupio sam svježe mlijeko.
Daily lifeI bought fresh milk.
Volim piti toplo mlijeko prije spavanja.
Personal preferenceI like to drink warm milk before bed.
Dodaj malo mlijeka u kavu.
Cooking/Beverage preparationAdd a little milk to the coffee.
Mlijeko je bogato kalcijem.
Nutrition/HealthMilk is rich in calcium.
Dječje mlijeko je posebno formulirano.
Parenting/Child careBaby milk is specially formulated.
Collocations courantes
Souvent confondu avec
one letter
Modèles grammaticaux
Comment l'utiliser
Notes d'usage
In Croatian, 'mlijeko' is a neuter noun. The declension of 'mlijeko' is important for correct grammatical usage. For example, in the genitive case (of milk), it becomes 'mlijeka'. In the dative and locative cases (to/at milk), it is 'mlijeku'. The instrumental case (with milk) is 'mlijekom'. When referring to different types of milk, you would typically add an adjective, such as 'svježe mlijeko' (fresh milk) or 'kravlje mlijeko' (cow's milk). It's common to use 'mlijeko' in phrases like 'šalica mlijeka' (a cup of milk) or 'popiti mlijeko' (to drink milk). When ordering in a cafe, you might say 'kava s mlijekom' (coffee with milk). The diminutive form 'mliječac' or 'mliječnica' is less common for milk itself but can refer to a small amount of milk or a milk container. The plural 'mlijeka' is used when referring to multiple types or quantities of milk, though 'mlijeko' is often treated as an uncountable noun.
Erreurs courantes
A common mistake for English speakers is to mispronounce the 'ije' sound. It's not a simple 'ee' sound. The 'i' and 'e' are pronounced distinctly but flow together quickly, almost like 'y-eh'. Another mistake could be forgetting the 'j' sound, which is like the 'y' in 'yes'. So it's 'mlee-yeh-ko', not 'mlee-ko'. Ensure you distinguish between 'mlijeko' (milk) and similar-sounding words or words with common letter patterns.
Origine du mot
From Proto-Slavic *melko, from Proto-Balto-Slavic *melźo, from Proto-Indo-European *h₂melǵ- ('to milk'). Cognates include Sanskrit 'marjati' (wipes, cleans), Ancient Greek 'amelgo' (to milk), Latin 'mulgeō' (to milk), Old Irish 'bligim' (I milk), English 'milk', German 'Milch'.
Contexte culturel
Mlijeko, or milk, holds a significant place in Croatian culture, both as a dietary staple and in traditional customs. Dairy products are a cornerstone of Croatian cuisine, with milk being consumed daily, often with breakfast cereals, coffee, or as a standalone drink. Farmers' markets throughout Croatia frequently feature fresh, locally sourced milk, reflecting a strong connection to agricultural traditions. In some rural areas, particularly historically, milk was seen as a symbol of nourishment and prosperity. Traditional proverbs and sayings occasionally reference milk, highlighting its importance in daily life and well-being. It also plays a role in certain celebratory occasions, where special milk-based desserts or beverages might be prepared. The quality and freshness of milk are highly valued, often preferred from smaller, local producers rather than large-scale industrial farms.
Astuce mémo
Visualize a cow producing 'mlijeko'. The 'mli' part sounds a bit like 'mil' in milk, and 'jeko' could remind you of an echo, a sound that carries, just like milk is carried from the farm to your home. So, 'mil-echo' for milk. Also, remember the 'ije' sequence, which is common in Croatian words where English might have a simple 'e' or 'i'.
Questions fréquentes
4 questions'Mlijeko' is the Croatian word for 'milk.' It is a common noun in the Croatian language, referring to the nutritious white liquid produced by mammals, which is often consumed by humans. In Croatia, as in many other parts of the world, milk is a staple food, used in various culinary applications from drinking on its own to being an ingredient in cooking and baking. It holds cultural significance in many aspects of Croatian daily life and traditional cuisine.
The pronunciation of 'mlijeko' in Croatian can be broken down as follows: 'mlee-yeh-koh.' The 'mli' part is pronounced similarly to 'mlee' in English, with the 'i' being a long 'ee' sound. The 'je' is a common Croatian sound, often similar to the 'yeh' in 'yes.' Finally, 'ko' is pronounced like 'koh' in 'go.' So, when you put it all together, it flows as 'mlee-yeh-koh,' with a gentle emphasis on the 'mlee' and 'koh' syllables.
Yes, just like in many other countries, you can find various types of 'mlijeko' in Croatia. The most common types include full-fat milk, semi-skimmed milk, and skimmed milk, distinguished by their fat content. You can also find lactose-free milk for those with dietary sensitivities, and organic milk, which is produced under specific farming standards. Furthermore, plant-based milk alternatives such as almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk are also becoming increasingly popular and widely available in Croatian supermarkets and cafes.
Absolutely! 'Mlijeko' is part of several common Croatian phrases and expressions. For example, 'mlijeko i med' literally translates to 'milk and honey,' and it's often used to describe a land of abundance or prosperity, similar to its biblical connotations. Another expression, 'bijel kao mlijeko,' means 'white as milk,' and it's used to describe something very white. These phrases showcase how deeply ingrained 'mlijeko' is in the Croatian language and culture, extending beyond its literal meaning to convey broader concepts.
Teste-toi
Pijem ______ svako jutro.
U kavu stavljam malo ______.
Volim čokoladno ______.
Score : /3
Exemples
5 sur 5Kupio sam svježe mlijeko.
I bought fresh milk.
Volim piti toplo mlijeko prije spavanja.
I like to drink warm milk before bed.
Dodaj malo mlijeka u kavu.
Add a little milk to the coffee.
Mlijeko je bogato kalcijem.
Milk is rich in calcium.
Dječje mlijeko je posebno formulirano.
Baby milk is specially formulated.
