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Vocabulary
televizija

A1 noun 10 min read

televizija

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips televizija in 30 Seconds

Explanation televizija in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'televizija' is one of the first nouns you will learn. It is a fundamental part of daily life vocabulary. You should focus on the basic nominative form 'televizija' and the accusative form 'televiziju' because you will most often use it with the verb 'gledati' (to watch). At this stage, you are learning to express simple likes, dislikes, and daily routines. For example, 'Ja gledam televiziju' (I watch television). You also learn that it is a feminine noun, which is important for basic adjective agreement, such as 'dobra televizija' (good television). The concept is simple: it is the thing you watch for entertainment or news. You might also learn the phrase 'na televiziji' (on television) to describe where a show or a movie is being shown. The goal is to be able to identify the object and use it in a basic sentence about your hobbies.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'televizija' in more varied contexts and with a wider range of verbs. You might talk about turning it on ('upaliti televiziju') or turning it off ('ugasiti televiziju'). You also start to distinguish between 'televizija' as a medium and 'televizor' as the physical object. You can describe your favorite types of programs, such as 'filmovi na televiziji' (movies on television) or 'vijesti na televiziji' (news on television). You will use the genitive case more frequently, for example, 'nema ništa na televiziji' (there is nothing on television). At this level, you can also start using the informal 'TV' and understand that it refers to the same thing. You are able to have a short conversation about what you watched yesterday or what you plan to watch tonight, using past and future tenses of verbs associated with 'televizija'.

At the B1 level, 'televizija' becomes a topic for discussion rather than just a vocabulary word. you can express opinions about the quality of television programs and discuss the role of television in society. You might use phrases like 'javna televizija' (public television) versus 'komercijalna televizija' (commercial television). You can talk about the influence of television on children or its role in providing information during important events. Your grammatical usage becomes more precise, correctly applying all cases (genitive, dative, accusative, vocative, locative, and instrumental) in more complex sentence structures. For instance, 'Raspravljali smo o utjecaju televizije na društvo' (We discussed the influence of television on society). You also begin to learn related professional terms like 'televizijski voditelj' (television host) or 'televizijska pretplata' (television subscription).

At the B2 level, you can use 'televizija' in debates and formal writing. You understand the nuances of media terminology and can discuss 'televizijska produkcija' (television production), 'televizijska mreža' (television network), and 'digitalna televizija'. You can critique television content using more sophisticated vocabulary, discussing things like 'televizijski rejting' (television ratings) or 'uređivačka politika' (editorial policy). You are comfortable using the word in abstract contexts, such as 'televizija kao četvrta grana vlasti' (television as the fourth branch of government). You can also understand and use idiomatic expressions or metaphors related to television. Your ability to distinguish between the various roles of television—educational, informative, and entertaining—is reflected in your more complex sentence constructions and vocabulary choices.

At the C1 level, your use of 'televizija' is near-native. You can discuss the historical evolution of television in Croatia, from the first black-and-white broadcasts to the modern digital era. You are familiar with the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding 'televizija', such as 'zakon o elektroničkim medijima' (law on electronic media). You can analyze the rhetorical strategies used on television and discuss the sociological impact of 'televizijska kultura'. You use the word effortlessly in academic or professional settings, perhaps in a thesis or a high-level business presentation. You are also aware of the subtle differences in register, knowing when to use 'televizija', 'TV', or more technical terms like 'radiodifuzija'. Your sentences are long, complex, and grammatically perfect, showing a deep understanding of how 'televizija' fits into the broader linguistic and cultural landscape of Croatia.

At the C2 level, 'televizija' is a concept you can deconstruct and analyze at a philosophical level. You can discuss the 'ontologija televizije' (ontology of television) or its role in the 'post-istinito doba' (post-truth era). You are capable of understanding any television program, no matter how fast or dialect-heavy the speech is. You can write sophisticated critiques of television history and its interplay with national identity. Your command of the word and its family is absolute, including rare or archaic terms related to early broadcasting. You can use 'televizija' as a starting point for deep cultural analysis, connecting it to literature, politics, and philosophy. At this level, you are not just a user of the language but a master who can play with the word's meanings and associations to convey subtle, complex ideas to a sophisticated audience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

televizija in 30 Seconds

Televizija is a feminine noun meaning television, used for the medium, institution, or activity of watching.
It is essential for A1 learners to master the accusative form 'televiziju' when using the verb 'gledati'.
In Croatia, 'televizija' (the medium) is distinct from 'televizor' (the physical TV set).
Commonly heard in phrases like 'na televiziji' (on TV) and related to the national broadcaster HRT.

The Croatian word televizija is a feminine noun that refers to the medium of television, the institution of broadcasting, or the technology itself. While it is often used interchangeably with the physical device in casual conversation, purists and formal speakers distinguish between 'televizija' (the system/industry) and 'televizor' (the physical TV set). In Croatia, television has a deep-rooted history, with the national broadcaster, Hrvatska radiotelevizija (HRT), playing a central role in cultural identity since its inception. When you use this word, you are often talking about the act of consuming media or the presence of the media industry in society.

The Medium: Refers to the entire system of transmitting moving images and sound. For example, 'Povijest televizije' means 'The history of television'.
The Institution: Refers to a specific broadcasting company or station. 'Radim na televiziji' means 'I work at a television station'.
The Activity: Used to describe the act of watching. 'Gledam televiziju' is 'I am watching television'.

Hrvatska televizija emitira vijesti svakoga dana u isto vrijeme.

Translation: Croatian television broadcasts news every day at the same time.

In a sociological context, 'televizija' in Croatia transitioned from a state-controlled monopoly during the Yugoslav era to a diverse market with private channels like Nova TV and RTL. This shift changed how the word is used; it no longer implies a single source of truth but a competitive landscape of entertainment and information. People use 'televizija' when discussing media trends, advertising, and public opinion. It is a word that carries the weight of 20th-century modernization in the Balkans, representing the window through which most Croatians first saw the wider world.

Moderna televizija se suočava s velikom konkurencijom od strane interneta.

Translation: Modern television faces great competition from the internet.

Furthermore, the word appears in many compound forms and administrative titles. When paying your monthly media tax in Croatia, you are paying the 'HRT pristojba', which is often colloquially called paying for 'televizija'. This illustrates how the word is embedded in the financial and legal structures of Croatian life. In educational settings, 'televizija' is studied as a form of mass communication, where students analyze its impact on language and culture.

Social Context: Watching 'televizija' is a common social activity in Croatian households, often accompanied by drinking coffee or 'kava'.

Ugasite tu televiziju i dođite na večeru!

Translation: Turn off that television and come to dinner!

Using the word televizija correctly involves understanding Croatian noun declensions. As a feminine noun ending in '-a', it follows the first declension pattern. This means the ending changes depending on its role in the sentence (subject, object, location, etc.). For beginners, the most common forms you will encounter are the nominative ('televizija') and the accusative ('televiziju'), which is used after verbs of action like 'gledati' (to watch).

Nominative (Subject): Televizija je dosadna danas. (Television is boring today.)
Accusative (Direct Object): Gledam televiziju svaku večer. (I watch television every evening.)
Locative (Location/Topic): Govorili su o novoj seriji na televiziji. (They were talking about a new series on television.)

Moja baka ne može zamisliti život bez televizije.

Translation: My grandmother cannot imagine life without television (Genitive case).

When constructing sentences, it is important to pair 'televizija' with the correct verbs. Common verbs include gledati (to watch), upaliti (to turn on), ugasiti (to turn off), and emitirati (to broadcast). In Croatian, we say 'na televiziji' (on television) to describe where something is being shown. This preposition 'na' plus the locative case 'televiziji' is a very frequent construction.

In more complex sentences, 'televizija' can be part of a prepositional phrase indicating possession or origin. For example, 'programi naše televizije' (the programs of our television station). Here, 'televizije' is in the genitive case. If you are describing a person's profession, you might say 'On je čovjek s televizije' (He is a man from television/TV personality).

Nova televizija nudi mnogo zabavnog sadržaja.

Translation: The new television (station) offers a lot of entertainment content.

Dative (To/Toward): Pristup televiziji je danas lakši nego ikad. (Access to television is easier today than ever.)

In summary, while 'televizija' is a simple A1 word, its usage spans all grammatical cases. Mastering the transition from 'televizija' to 'televiziju' and 'televiziji' is a key milestone for any learner of Croatian. Always pay attention to whether you are talking about the subject of a sentence, the object of an action, or a location.

Djeca provode previše vremena pred televizijom.

Translation: Children spend too much time in front of the television (Instrumental case).

The word televizija is ubiquitous in Croatian daily life. You will hear it in the comfort of a family home, in professional media environments, and in public discourse. One of the most common places to hear it is in the title of the national broadcaster: Hrvatska radiotelevizija (HRT). When people discuss the news, they often start with 'Čuo sam na televiziji...' (I heard on the television...). It is the primary source of information for many, especially the older generation in Croatia.

Home Environment: 'Što ima na televiziji?' is a standard question when someone picks up the remote control.
Professional Settings: In marketing meetings, experts might say, 'Moramo kupiti oglasni prostor na televiziji' (We need to buy advertising space on television).

Cijela država je pratila utakmicu na televiziji.

Translation: The whole country followed the match on television.

In Croatia, 'televizija' is also a frequent topic of debate regarding cultural influence. You might hear intellectuals on talk shows discussing 'utjecaj televizije na mlade' (the influence of television on the youth). Additionally, during election cycles, 'televizija' becomes the main stage for political debates. Phrases like 'televizijsko sučeljavanje' (television confrontation/debate) are heard constantly during these times. It remains a powerful word because it represents the most widespread form of mass media in the country.

In rural areas, 'televizija' often serves as a primary link to the capital, Zagreb, and the rest of the world. You will hear people in local cafes discussing what they saw on 'televizija' the previous night, whether it was a popular soap opera (sapunica) or a documentary. The word is synonymous with 'the window to the world' for many Croatians who grew up before the internet era.

Oni rade na lokalnoj televiziji u Splitu.

Translation: They work at a local television station in Split.

News Reporting: Reporters often sign off with, 'Za Hrvatsku televiziju, [Name]'.

Kvaliteta programa na javnoj televiziji je vrlo visoka.

Translation: The quality of the program on public television is very high.

Finally, you will hear it in academic and technical discussions. Engineers might talk about 'digitalna televizija' (digital television), and media students might discuss 'povijest hrvatske televizije'. It is a versatile word that bridges the gap between high-tech industry and everyday domestic life.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with the word televizija is confusing it with televizor. While in English 'television' can mean both the medium and the device, in Croatian, 'televizor' is strictly the physical box (the hardware), and 'televizija' is the service or the institution (the software/medium). Saying 'Kupio sam novu televiziju' is common but technically refers to buying a station, whereas 'Kupio sam novi televizor' means you bought a TV set.

The 'Televizija' vs 'Televizor' Trap: Mistake: 'Gledam u televizor.' (Technically correct if you are staring at the box, but 'Gledam televiziju' is better for watching a show.)
Preposition Errors: Mistake: 'U televiziji' (In the television). Correct: 'Na televiziji' (On the television).

Ne kažemo 'u televiziji' osim ako doslovno ne ulazimo u zgradu.

Translation: We don't say 'in the television' unless we are literally entering the building.

Another common error involves the declension of the word. Because it ends in '-a', English speakers often forget to change the ending to '-u' when it is the object of a verb. For instance, saying 'Gledam televizija' is a classic A1 mistake. It must be 'Gledam televiziju'. Similarly, forgetting the locative '-i' in phrases like 'na televiziji' can make you sound like a beginner. Consistency in case endings is vital for natural-sounding Croatian.

Usage of the word 'program' can also be confusing. In English, we might say 'What's on TV?', but in Croatian, we often ask 'Što ima na televiziji?' or 'Kakav je program?'. Using 'televizija' to refer to a specific show (e.g., 'Volim tu televiziju' instead of 'Volim tu emisiju') is also a mistake. 'Televizija' is the broad category, while 'emisija' is the specific program or show.

Pogrešno: Gledam televizija. Ispravno: Gledam televiziju.

Translation: Wrong: I watch television (nom). Correct: I watch television (acc).

The 'TV' Abbreviation: When using the abbreviation 'TV', it remains feminine in gender if it stands for 'televizija', but it is often treated as indeclinable or masculine in slang.

Lastly, learners often struggle with the difference between 'gledati' and 'vidjeti' in relation to television. You 'gledati' (watch) television as a continuous action. If you say 'vidio sam to na televiziji', it means you 'saw' it (a specific instance). Confusing these two verbs when talking about 'televizija' is a common hurdle for native English speakers.

To enrich your Croatian vocabulary, it is essential to know the words related to televizija. While 'televizija' is the general term, several alternatives and related nouns can add precision to your speech. Understanding the nuances between these words will help you sound more like a native speaker and less like a textbook.

Televizor: The physical device. Example: 'Moj televizor je pokvaren.' (My TV set is broken.)
Program: The schedule or specific content being broadcast. Example: 'Večerašnji program je odličan.'
Emisija: A specific show or broadcast. Example: 'Moja omiljena emisija počinje u osam.'

Razlika između televizije i interneta postaje sve manja.

Translation: The difference between television and the internet is becoming smaller.

Another useful word is kanal (channel) or program (used in the sense of Channel 1, Channel 2). In Croatia, people often say 'Prvi program' or 'Drugi program' when referring to HRT 1 and HRT 2. You might also hear ekran (screen), used metonymically to refer to television itself, as in 'mali ekrani' (the small screens/television).

In a technical or professional context, you might encounter difuzija (broadcasting) or prijenos (transmission/broadcast). For example, 'prijenos uživo' (live broadcast). These words are more specific than 'televizija' and are used when discussing the logistics of how the content reaches the viewer. Comparing 'televizija' with 'radio' is also common, as they are both traditional forms of 'elektronički mediji' (electronic media).

Danas rijetko tko koristi radio, svi su na televiziji.

Translation: Nowadays hardly anyone uses the radio, everyone is on television.

Medij: The general word for 'medium'. 'Televizija je moćan medij.'

By learning these alternatives, you can better describe your experiences. If you say 'Gledao sam emisiju o prirodi na drugom programu hrvatke televizije', you are providing a much richer and more accurate description than just saying 'Gledao sam televiziju'. This level of detail is what separates an A1 learner from a more advanced speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Hrvatska radiotelevizija objavljuje natječaj."

Neutral

"Večeras na televiziji gledamo film."

Informal

"Daj upali tu televiziju."

Child friendly

"Možeš gledati televiziju deset minuta."

Slang

"Nema ništa na telki."

Fun Fact

The first television broadcast in Croatia (and the former Yugoslavia) took place in Zagreb in 1956, on the 30th anniversary of Radio Zagreb. The word 'televizija' was quite exotic to most people at that time.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tɛlɛvǐzija/

US /ˌtɛləˈvɪʒən/

The primary stress in Croatian is on the syllable 'vi' (televIzija), with a short rising tone.

Rhymes With

vizija (vision) divizija (division) provizija (commission) kolizija (collision) revizija (revision) precizija (precision) tradicija (tradition - near rhyme) ambicija (ambition - near rhyme)

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like the English 'television' with a 'zh' sound. In Croatian, 'z' is always like 'z' in 'zebra'.
Putting the stress on the first syllable.
Swallowing the final 'a'.
Pronouncing 'j' as 'dzh' instead of 'y' as in 'yes'.
Misplacing the accent on the 'le' syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to international roots.

Writing 2/5

Requires attention to the 'j' and the feminine endings.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you follow the phonetic rules.

Listening 1/5

Clear and distinct word in most contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

gledati (to watch) kuća (house) program (program) dobar (good) novi (new)

Learn Next

televizor (TV set) daljinski (remote control) emisija (show) vijesti (news) glumac (actor)

Advanced

radiodifuzija pretplata produkcija scenarij montaža

Grammar to Know

Feminine Noun Declension (-a type)

Televizija (Nom), Televizije (Gen), Televiziji (Dat/Loc), Televiziju (Acc).

Adjective-Noun Agreement

Hrvatska (Fem) televizija (Fem).

Preposition 'Na' with Locative

Na televiziji (On the television).

Accusative as Direct Object

Gledam televiziju.

Genitive after Negation

Ne gledam televizije (though 'televiziju' is also used colloquially).

Examples by Level

Gledam televiziju.

I watch television.

Accusative case: televiziju.

Televizija je u sobi.

The television is in the room.

Nominative case: televizija.

Volim televiziju.

I like television.

Accusative case: televiziju.

Što je na televiziji?

What is on television?

Locative case: na televiziji.

Ovo je nova televizija.

This is a new television (station).

Nominative case: televizija.

Mama gleda televiziju.

Mom is watching television.

Subject + Verb + Object (Accusative).

Televizija je zanimljiva.

Television is interesting.

Adjective agreement (feminine).

Nemam televiziju.

I don't have television.

Genitive case after negation: televizije.

Ugasio sam televiziju prije spavanja.

I turned off the television before sleep.

Past tense + Accusative.

Na televiziji nema ničeg dobrog.

There is nothing good on television.

Locative case: na televiziji.

Moja baka stalno gleda televiziju.

My grandmother watches television all the time.

Adverb 'stalno' + Accusative.

Kupili smo novu televiziju za dnevni boravak.

We bought a new television for the living room.

Accusative case: televiziju.

On radi na televiziji kao novinar.

He works on television as a journalist.

Locative case: na televiziji.

Televizija emitira puno reklama.

Television broadcasts a lot of commercials.

Verb 'emitirati' (to broadcast).

Idem gledati televiziju kod prijatelja.

I am going to watch television at a friend's place.

Infinitive 'gledati' + Accusative.

Svi pričaju o toj emisiji na televiziji.

Everyone is talking about that show on television.

Preposition 'o' + Locative.

Javna televizija ima obrazovnu ulogu.

Public television has an educational role.

Adjective 'javna' (public).

Utjecaj televizije na djecu je velik.

The influence of television on children is great.

Genitive case: televizije.

Mnogi ljudi se informiraju putem televizije.

Many people get informed via television.

Instrumental case: televizije (via).

Televizija je promijenila način na koji živimo.

Television has changed the way we live.

Perfect tense of 'promijeniti'.

Pretplata za televiziju se mora plaćati mjesečno.

The television subscription must be paid monthly.

Noun 'pretplata' (subscription).

Na televiziji su objavili važne vijesti.

They announced important news on television.

Verb 'objaviti' (to announce).

Ova televizija ima najbolji sportski program.

This television (station) has the best sports program.

Possessive 'ova' (this).

Gledanje televizije može biti gubljenje vremena.

Watching television can be a waste of time.

Gerund 'gledanje' (watching).

Komercijalna televizija ovisi o prihodima od oglasa.

Commercial television depends on advertising revenue.

Verb 'ovisiti' + preposition 'o'.

Televizija je izgubila primat pred internetom.

Television has lost its primacy to the internet.

Noun 'primat' (primacy).

Analizirali smo sadržaj lokalne televizije.

We analyzed the content of local television.

Verb 'analizirati' (to analyze).

Televizija često oblikuje javno mnijenje.

Television often shapes public opinion.

Phrase 'javno mnijenje' (public opinion).

Novi zakon regulira rad privatnih televizija.

The new law regulates the work of private television stations.

Plural genitive: televizija.

Televizija je postala platforma za političke debate.

Television has become a platform for political debates.

Noun 'platforma' (platform).

Kvaliteta slike na digitalnoj televiziji je izvrsna.

The image quality on digital television is excellent.

Adjective 'digitalna'.

Televizija je ključni igrač u medijskoj industriji.

Television is a key player in the media industry.

Phrase 'ključni igrač' (key player).

Evolucija televizije pratila je tehnološki napredak.

The evolution of television followed technological progress.

Noun 'evolucija' (evolution).

Televizija se suočava s krizom identiteta.

Television is facing an identity crisis.

Phrase 'kriza identiteta' (identity crisis).

Urednik na televiziji ima veliku odgovornost.

An editor on television has a great responsibility.

Noun 'urednik' (editor).

Televizija je instrumentalizirana u propagandne svrhe.

Television was instrumentalized for propaganda purposes.

Passive voice 'instrumentalizirana'.

Fenomen televizije zahtijeva interdisciplinarni pristup.

The phenomenon of television requires an interdisciplinary approach.

Noun 'fenomen' (phenomenon).

Televizija je odigrala presudnu ulogu u demokratizaciji.

Television played a decisive role in democratization.

Phrase 'presudna uloga' (decisive role).

Konvergencija televizije i mobilnih tehnologija je neizbježna.

The convergence of television and mobile technologies is inevitable.

Noun 'konvergencija' (convergence).

Televizija ostaje moćno sredstvo masovne komunikacije.

Television remains a powerful means of mass communication.

Phrase 'masovna komunikacija' (mass communication).

Ontološki status televizije u digitalnom dobu je upitan.

The ontological status of television in the digital age is questionable.

Adjective 'ontološki' (ontological).

Televizija kao simulakrum stvarnosti dominira diskursom.

Television as a simulacrum of reality dominates the discourse.

Noun 'simulakrum' (simulacrum).

Fragmentacija publike ugrožava tradicionalnu televiziju.

Audience fragmentation threatens traditional television.

Noun 'fragmentacija' (fragmentation).

Televizija je postala arhiv kolektivnog pamćenja.

Television has become an archive of collective memory.

Phrase 'kolektivno pamćenje' (collective memory).

Kritička teorija televizije istražuje moć slike.

Critical theory of television explores the power of the image.

Phrase 'kritička teorija' (critical theory).

Televizija prožima svaku poru suvremenog društva.

Television permeates every pore of contemporary society.

Verb 'prožimati' (to permeate).

Erozija povjerenja u televiziju je globalni trend.

The erosion of trust in television is a global trend.

Noun 'erozija' (erosion).

Televizija je katalizator društvenih promjena.

Television is a catalyst for social change.

Noun 'katalizator' (catalyst).

Common Collocations

gledati televiziju

na televiziji

javna televizija

upaliti televiziju

ugasiti televiziju

televizijski program

raditi na televiziji

digitalna televizija

lokalna televizija

televizijska zvijezda

Common Phrases

Što ima na televiziji?

— What's on TV? Used to ask about the current schedule.

Što ima na televiziji večeras?

Čuo sam na televiziji.

— I heard it on TV. Used to cite a source of information.

Čuo sam na televiziji da će padati kiša.

Kao na televiziji.

— Like on TV. Used to describe something that looks perfect or unreal.

Ova kuća izgleda kao na televiziji.

Mali ekrani.

— The small screens. A poetic or journalistic way to say television.

Pozdrav svim gledateljima uz male ekrane.

Izaći na televiziju.

— To appear on TV. Used when someone is interviewed or featured.

Moj susjed je izašao na televiziju.

Vrijeme pred televizijom.

— Time in front of the TV. Refers to the duration of watching.

Djeca provode previše vremena pred televizijom.

Televizija u boji.

— Color television. Now mostly historical, but used to distinguish from B&W.

To je bila prva televizija u boji u našem selu.

Gostovati na televiziji.

— To be a guest on TV. Used for talk shows or interviews.

Pisac će gostovati na televiziji sutra.

Televizijska pretplata.

— TV license fee/subscription. A common topic of discussion in Croatia.

Zaboravio sam platiti televizijsku pretplatu.

Televizijski prijenos.

— TV broadcast/transmission. Used for sports or live events.

Prijenos utakmice je na drugom programu.

Often Confused With

televizija vs televizor

Televizor is the physical device; televizija is the medium or station.

televizija vs emisija

Emisija is a specific show; televizija is the whole system.

televizija vs program

Program is the content or schedule; televizija is the medium.

Idioms & Expressions

"Prodavati maglu na televiziji"

— To sell fog on TV. Meaning to talk nonsense or deceive people through the media.

Političari samo prodaju maglu na televiziji.

Informal/Critical

"Biti rob televizije"

— To be a slave to television. Meaning to be addicted to watching TV.

On ne izlazi iz kuće, postao je rob televizije.

Informal

"Prozor u svijet"

— Window to the world. A common metaphor for television.

Za mnoge je televizija jedini prozor u svijet.

Neutral/Poetic

"Televizijska faca"

— A TV face. Someone who looks good on screen or is a known TV personality.

On je prava televizijska faca, kamera ga voli.

Informal

"Isprati mozak televizijom"

— To brainwash with television. Used to criticize the influence of media.

Paze da im televizija ne ispere mozak.

Critical

"Televizijska sapunica"

— TV soap opera. Often used to describe a real-life situation that is overly dramatic.

Njihov razvod se pretvorio u pravu televizijsku sapunicu.

Informal

"Biti na tapeti televizije"

— To be on the wallpaper of television. Meaning to be the main topic of TV news or gossip.

Danas je taj skandal na tapeti svih televizija.

Informal

"Televizijska kuhinja"

— Television kitchen. Refers to the behind-the-scenes manipulation or production.

To je sve izašlo iz njihove televizijske kuhinje.

Metaphorical

"Ugasiti mozak uz televiziju"

— To turn off the brain with TV. Meaning to watch something mindless to relax.

Nakon posla samo želim ugasiti mozak uz televiziju.

Informal

"Televizijski rat"

— Television war. Refers to fierce competition between channels for ratings.

Počeo je novi televizijski rat za gledatelje.

Journalistic

Easily Confused

televizija vs televizor

Both translate to 'television' in English.

Televizor is the hardware (the box you buy). Televizija is the software/service (what you watch).

Kupio sam televizor da bih gledao televiziju.

televizija vs kanal

Sentence Patterns

Gledam [televiziju].

Gledam televiziju.

[Televizija] je [adjective].

Televizija je dobra.

Na [televiziji] ima [noun].

Na televiziji ima film.

Idem [verb] [televiziju].

Idem gledati televiziju.

Zbog [televizije] [sentence].

Zbog televizije ne učim.

Raditi na [televiziji].

On radi na televiziji.

Utjecaj [televizije] na [noun].

Utjecaj televizije na mlade.

U kontekstu [televizije]...

U kontekstu televizije, to je važno.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in both spoken and written Croatian.

Common Mistakes

Gledam televizija. → Gledam televiziju.
You must use the accusative case for the object of the verb 'gledati'.
To je na televizor. → To je na televiziji.
Use 'televizija' for the medium and the locative case after 'na'.
Dobar televizija. → Dobra televizija.
Adjectives must match the feminine gender of 'televizija'.
U televiziji ima film. → Na televiziji ima film.
The preposition 'na' is used for media like TV, radio, and internet.
On radi u televizoru. → On radi na televiziji.
He doesn't work inside the TV set; he works for the TV station.

Tips

Master the Accusative

Since you will mostly 'watch' television, the form 'televiziju' is actually more common in daily speech than 'televizija'. Practice the '-u' ending.

Learn Related Verbs

Don't just learn the noun. Learn 'gledati' (to watch), 'upaliti' (to turn on), and 'ugasiti' (to turn off) to actually use the word in sentences.

Public vs Private

In Croatia, people distinguish between 'državna' (state/public) and 'privatna' (private) television. This is a common topic of conversation.

Natural Phrases

Instead of asking 'What is the program?', ask 'Što ima na telki?' to sound more like a local.

News Anchors

Watch Croatian news (Dnevnik) to hear the word 'televizija' pronounced with perfect formal accents.

Spelling

Remember the 'j' before the 'a'. It is 'televizija', not 'televizia'. Croatian is phonetic, so every letter matters.

Daily Routine

Try to say 'Gledam televiziju' every time you sit down to watch a show to build muscle memory.

Medium vs Object

If you are moving to a new apartment, you buy a 'televizor'. If you want to know the news, you watch 'televizija'.

Beyond TV

The word can also refer to the company. 'Radim na televiziji' is a common way to say you work in the TV industry.

Internationalism

Use the fact that it sounds like 'television' to your advantage, but don't let the English pronunciation mess up your Croatian accent.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tele' (like a telescope, seeing far) and 'Vizija' (like a vision). A vision from far away: Tele-vizija.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant eye with a long telescope lens looking at a screen. The telescope reaches far (Tele) and shows a vision (Vizija).

Word Web

HRT Vijesti Daljinski Serija Film Kanal Ekran Pretplata

Challenge

Try to name three things you saw on 'televizija' yesterday using the sentence: 'Na televiziji sam vidio...'

Word Origin

The word is a hybrid loanword, combining Greek and Latin elements. It entered Croatian through international scientific and technical terminology in the early 20th century.

Original meaning: Derived from the Greek 'tele' (far) and the Latin 'visio' (sight), literally meaning 'far-seeing' or 'seeing from a distance'.

Indo-European (Internationalism)

Cultural Context

Be aware that discussing the 'televizijska pretplata' (TV fee) can be a sensitive or annoying topic for some Croatians.

Unlike in the US or UK, where 'TV' is the standard, 'televizija' is used quite formally in Croatia, though 'TV' is also common.

HRT (Hrvatska radiotelevizija) - the public broadcaster. Kviskoteka - a legendary Croatian TV quiz show. Dnevnik - the main evening news program.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At home

Gdje je daljinski?
Što gledaš?
Ugasi televiziju.
Prebaci kanal.

At work (Media)

Snimamo za televiziju.
Idemo uživo.
Provjeri ton.
Gdje je kamera?

Socializing

Jesi li vidio ono na televiziji?
Mrzim reklame.
Volim ovaj program.
Dobra je emisija.

News/Politics

Javna televizija mora biti objektivna.
Govorio je na televiziji.
Pratimo vijesti.
Izborna debata.

Technology

Digitalni signal.
Visoka rezolucija.
Smart televizija.
Kabel za televiziju.

Conversation Starters

"Gledaš li često televiziju ili radije koristiš internet?"

"Koja je tvoja omiljena emisija na hrvatskoj televiziji?"

"Misliš li da djeca provode previše vremena pred televizijom?"

"Što si zadnje zanimljivo vidio na televiziji?"

"Plaćaš li televizijsku pretplatu u svojoj zemlji?"

Journal Prompts

Opiši svoj omiljeni televizijski program i objasni zašto ti se sviđa.

Kako se televizija promijenila od tvog djetinjstva do danas?

Da imaš svoju televiziju, kakve bi emisije emitirao?

Raspravi o prednostima i manama gledanja televizije svaki dan.

Je li televizija još uvijek važna u svijetu društvenih mreža?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is a feminine noun. You can tell because it ends in '-a' in the nominative singular. This means you use feminine adjectives like 'lijepa' or 'nova' with it.

You say 'Gledam televiziju'. Note the '-u' ending because 'televizija' is the direct object in the accusative case.

Use 'televizor' for the physical object (the TV set). Use 'televizija' for the medium, the programs, or the broadcasting company.

The correct phrase is 'na televiziji'. This uses the preposition 'na' followed by the locative case.

Yes, 'TV' is very common. It is pronounced 'te-ve'. It is used exactly like 'television' in English.

The most common slang word is 'telka'. It is used mostly in informal situations among friends.

The nominative plural is 'televizije'. For example, 'Sve televizije prenose vijest' (All TV stations are broadcasting the news).

HRT stands for 'Hrvatska radiotelevizija'. It is the public broadcasting service of Croatia.

Only if you are literally inside the building of a TV station. If you mean 'watching something on TV', use 'na televiziji'.

Yes, it is extremely common and one of the first words any learner should know.