Do you love a challenges and think you speak Croatian well? Jezikolomke (tongue twisters) are the perfect way to test your pronunciation skills and have fun at the same time!
What are jezikolomke?
Jezikolomke are short phrases or sentences that are difficult to pronounce because of repeated sounds or tricky syllables. They’re a great way to practice pronunciation, improve fluency, and challenge your speaking skills.
Popular Croatian Tongue Twisters:
Šeširi, šašavi šeširi, šeširi šašavi! – Hats, crazy hats, hats crazy!Na vrh brda vrba mrda. – On the hilltop, the willow wiggles.
Prstom prodrti po prutu puru. – Pierced the loaf with a stick with your finger.
Četiri čavla u čavlarskom čavlu. – Four nails in the nailer’s nail.
Tko tko tuče tikve? – Who is hitting the pumpkins?
Svi su svici svijetlili sve svibanjske večeri. – All fireflies shone every May evening.
Kokoš kod kocke koka kljuca kukuruz. – The hen pecks corn by the cube.
Many countries have their own popular tongue twisters too! For example, in English: “She sells seashells by the seashore”, in Spanish: “Tres tristes tigres tragaban trigo en un trigal”, and in French: “Les chaussettes de l’archiduchesse sont-elles sèches ou archi-sèches?”
Why we love them:
They help improve pronunciation and dictionPractice listening and speaking at the same time
Perfect for playing with friends or students
And honestly, they’re just plain fun!
Learning tip:
Start slowly and clearly, then gradually speed up. Record yourself and see how you sound- Croatian tongue twisters can be surprisingly tricky!
Try it yourself: Can you say “Na vrh brda vrba mrda” three times fast without messing up?
If you love the Croatian language and want to improve your pronunciation in a fun way, jezikolomke are the perfect challenge! Tell us, which ones are popular in your countries, and which ones are your favourites?
Source: Pexels
Loreta, OLS Community Manager – Croatian