Fluent Fiction - Croatian: Capturing Dubrovnik's Magic: A Serendipitous Holiday Photo
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-16-23-34-02-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: Dubrovnik je sjajio kao biser u prosincu.
En: Dubrovnik shone like a pearl in December.

Hr: Luka i Ivana šetali su kroz Stari Grad, gdje su tisuće svjetlucavih lampica krasile ulice.
En: Luka and Ivana strolled through the Stari Grad, where thousands of twinkling lights adorned the streets.

Hr: Luka je držao kameru u ruci.
En: Luka held a camera in his hand.

Hr: Ovaj je put bio odlučan pronaći savršenu fotografiju za svoj profil na društvenim mrežama.
En: This time he was determined to find the perfect photograph for his social media profile.

Hr: Njegova prijateljica Ivana, strpljiva kao uvijek, smireno ga je pratila.
En: His friend Ivana, patient as always, calmly accompanied him.

Hr: "Ajmo, ovdje!
En: "Let's go, here!

Hr: Pogledaj kako ovo svjetlo pada baš lijepo," rekao je Luka pokazavši na mjesto blizu Straduna, pod svjetlima koje su visile poput zvijezda.
En: Look how this light falls so beautifully," Luka said, pointing to a spot near Stradun, under lights hanging like stars.

Hr: Luka je namjestio kameru.
En: Luka adjusted his camera.

Hr: Ali svaki put kad bi kliknuo, neki turista bi prošao ispred njih.
En: But every time he clicked, a tourist would walk in front of them.

Hr: Mali, veliki, parovi, obitelji – svi su se činili da baš tada moraju proći.
En: Small, large, couples, families – they all seemed to have to pass by just then.

Hr: "Ovo je nevjerojatno," rekao je Luka frustrirano, dok se jedno dijete obuklo kao Djed Božićnjak pojavilo u kadru.
En: "This is unbelievable," Luka said frustratedly, as a child dressed as Santa Claus appeared in the frame.

Hr: Ivana se nasmijala.
En: Ivana laughed.

Hr: "Možda da probamo gore na zidinama?
En: "Maybe we should try up on the walls?"

Hr: " predložila je Ivana.
En: Ivana suggested.

Hr: "Možda tamo nema toliko ljudi.
En: "Maybe there aren't as many people there."

Hr: "Otišli su na gradske zidine.
En: They went up to the city walls.

Hr: Gore se pružao predivan pogled na grad, ali čak i tamo, turisti nisu nestali.
En: From there, a beautiful view of the city spread out, but even there, the tourists didn't disappear.

Hr: "Možda trebamo biti strpljivi," šapnula je Ivana.
En: "Maybe we need to be patient," Ivana whispered.

Hr: Luka je uzdahnuo, ali odlučio poslušati.
En: Luka sighed but decided to listen.

Hr: Stali su u tišini gledajući kako ljudi polako odlaze, gužva se smanjila.
En: They stood in silence watching as people slowly left, the crowd thinned.

Hr: Luka podiže kameru, Ivana se nasmiješi i klik.
En: Luka raised his camera, Ivana smiled, and click.

Hr: Savršena fotografija!
En: The perfect photograph!

Hr: Isprva su svi detalji izgledali baš kako je htio.
En: At first, all the details looked just as he wanted.

Hr: Dok nije primijetio nešto neobično.
En: Until he noticed something unusual.

Hr: U desnom kutu, povijesna statua na zidu, kao da nosi kapu Djeda Mraza.
En: In the right corner, a historical statue on the wall seemed to be wearing a Santa hat.

Hr: Luka se prvo namrštio, ali onda je prasnuo u smijeh.
En: Luka frowned at first, but then burst out laughing.

Hr: "Pogledaj ovo!
En: "Look at this!

Hr: Čak se i kip pridružio slavlju.
En: Even the statue joined the celebration."

Hr: "Ivana je zavrtjela očima i nasmijala se zajedno s njim.
En: Ivana rolled her eyes and laughed with him.

Hr: "To je savršena fotografija!
En: "It's a perfect photo!"

Hr: " rekla je.
En: she said.

Hr: Luka je slegnuo ramenima.
En: Luka shrugged.

Hr: "Nema veze.
En: "Doesn't matter.

Hr: Dodati ću smiješan opis.
En: I'll add a funny caption.

Hr: Savršeno nije zabavno.
En: Perfect isn't fun."

Hr: "Kroz smijeh i uz sjetu lampica koje su treptale poput zvjezdanog neba, Luka je naučio uživati u sadašnjosti.
En: Through laughter and with the glow of lights flickering like a starry sky, Luka learned to enjoy the present.

Hr: Zajedno su krenuli prema kući, noseći uspomene na još jednu veselu zimu.
En: They headed home together, carrying memories of another joyous winter.

Hr: I tako je fotografija s statua "Doktor Djed Mraz" postala hit na internetu sa opisom: "Kad i kamene legende slave Božić.
En: And so the photo of the "Doctor Santa" statue became a hit on the internet with the caption: "When even stone legends celebrate Christmas."

Hr: " Povremeni smijeh i topla srca bili su najbolji dar, veći od savršene slike.
En: Occasional laughter and warm hearts were the best gift, greater than a perfect picture.

Hr: I to je upravo ono što je Luka naučio iz te večeri u Dubrovniku.
En: And that is exactly what Luka learned from that evening in Dubrovnik.


Vocabulary Words:

• shone: sjajio
• pearl: biser
• strolled: šetali
• adorned: krasile
• determined: odlučan
• patient: strpljiva
• calmly: smireno
• accompanied: pratila
• adjusted: namjestio
• frustratedly: frustrirano
• disappear: nestali
• thinned: smanjila
• unusual: neobično
• historical: povijesna
• statue: statua
• frowned: namrštio
• burst: prasnuo
• laughing: smijeh
• shrugged: slegnuo
• caption: opis
• flickering: treptale
• present: sadašnjosti
• memories: uspomene
• joyous: veselu
• occasional: povremeni
• warm: topla
• gift: dar
• perfect: savršenu
• glow: svjetlo
• celebrate: slave

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: Unexpected Christmas Surprises on Split's Magical Riva
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-16-08-38-19-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: U Splitu, na šetalištu Riva, sunce se polako spuštalo prema horizontu, obasjavajući more zlatnim svjetlom.
En: In Split, on the Riva promenade, the sun was slowly setting towards the horizon, illuminating the sea with a golden light.

Hr: Božićne lampice visjele su između palmi, stvarajući čarobnu atmosferu dok su se mirisi pečenih kestena širili zrakom.
En: Christmas lights hung between palm trees, creating a magical atmosphere while the scent of roasted chestnuts filled the air.

Hr: Ana je polako hodala, zamišljeno gledajući u more.
En: Ana was walking slowly, thoughtfully looking at the sea.

Hr: Ivica je bio njen najbolji prijatelj već godinama.
En: Ivica had been her best friend for years.

Hr: Uvijek je voljela blagdane, ali ove godine osjećala se usamljeno.
En: She always loved the holidays, but this year she felt lonely.

Hr: Ivica je postao zauzet svojim planovima, a ona nije bila sigurna gdje točno stoji s njim.
En: Ivica had become busy with his plans, and she wasn't sure exactly where she stood with him.

Hr: Jednog popodneva, čekajući Ivicu na šetalištu, Ana je slučajno čula njegov razgovor telefonom.
En: One afternoon, while waiting for Ivica on the promenade, Ana overheard his phone conversation by chance.

Hr: Govorio je o planovima za Božić, a spominjao je "posebnu osobu".
En: He was talking about plans for Christmas, and he mentioned a "special person."

Hr: Ana je osjetila tupi osjećaj tuge.
En: Ana felt a dull sense of sadness.

Hr: Pomislila je da možda planira Božić provesti s nekime drugim.
En: She thought maybe he was planning to spend Christmas with someone else.

Hr: Ivica je prišao sestrane s osmijehom i donio joj čaj od cimeta.
En: Ivica came up to her with a smile and brought her cinnamon tea.

Hr: "Ana, imam iznenađenje za tebe," rekao je radostan, no ona je već bila na rubu suza.
En: "Ana, I have a surprise for you," he said joyfully, but she was already on the verge of tears.

Hr: "Ivica, zašto jednostavno nisi rekao da ne misliš provesti Božić sa mnom?
En: "Ivica, why didn't you just say you don't plan to spend Christmas with me?"

Hr: " Ana je tiho upitala, pokušavajući zadržati glas čvrstim.
En: Ana asked quietly, trying to keep her voice steady.

Hr: Ivica je zbunjeno gledao, a zatim se nasmijao.
En: Ivica looked confused and then laughed.

Hr: "Ana, krivo si me shvatila.
En: "Ana, you misunderstood me.

Hr: Posebna osoba, to si ti!
En: The special person, that's you!

Hr: Želim tebo dati pozivnicu da dođeš sa mnom i provedeš Božić s mojom obitelji.
En: I want to invite you to come with me and spend Christmas with my family.

Hr: Pripremio sam sve što voliš.
En: I've prepared everything you love.

Hr: Čak pečemo tvoje omiljene kolače!
En: We're even baking your favorite cakes!"

Hr: "Ana se postidjela svog nesporazuma, no osjetila je i olakšanje.
En: Ana was embarrassed by her misunderstanding but also felt relieved.

Hr: "Oh, Ivica, oprosti.
En: "Oh, Ivica, I'm sorry.

Hr: Nisam trebala sumnjati.
En: I shouldn't have doubted.

Hr: To je najljepša stvar koju si mogao napraviti," rekla je kroz osmijeh.
En: That's the loveliest thing you could have done," she said with a smile.

Hr: Riva je bljeskala u božićnim svjetlima dok su njih dvojica nastavili šetati, razgovarajući i smijući se.
En: The Riva sparkled with Christmas lights as the two of them continued to walk, talking and laughing.

Hr: Ana je osjetila toplinu oko srca, zahvalna što ima prijatelja poput Ivice.
En: Ana felt warmth around her heart, grateful to have a friend like Ivica.

Hr: Naučila je koliko je važno govoriti srce i bez straha uložiti svoje osjećaje.
En: She learned how important it is to speak from the heart and invest her feelings without fear.

Hr: Ivica je, s druge strane, shvatio koliko je bitno biti jasan i iskren.
En: Ivica, on the other hand, realized how important it is to be clear and honest.

Hr: Taj božić na Rivi postao je početak jednog novog poglavlja u njihovom prijateljstvu, s mogućnošću da se jednog dana pretvori u nešto još dublje.
En: That Christmas on the Riva became the beginning of a new chapter in their friendship, with the possibility that one day it might turn into something even deeper.

Hr: Ispred njih, more je šaptalo svoje tajne, dok se Split pripremao za još jednu božićnu noć, ispunjenu smehom, prijateljstvom i neizrečenom ljubavi.
En: In front of them, the sea whispered its secrets, as Split prepared for another Christmas night filled with laughter, friendship, and unspoken love.


Vocabulary Words:

• promenade: šetalište
• horizon: horizont
• illuminating: obasjavajući
• scent: mirisi
• roasted: pečenih
• thoughtfully: zamišljeno
• overheard: čula slučajno
• conversation: razgovor
• dull: tupi
• verge: rub
• steady: čvrstim
• special: posebna
• embarrassed: postidjela
• misunderstanding: nesporazuma
• relieved: olakšanje
• invest: uložiti
• sparkled: bljeskala
• whispered: šaptalo
• secrets: tajne
• grateful: zahvalna
• realized: shvatio
• clear: jasan
• honest: iskren
• chapter: poglavlja
• unspoken: neizrečenom
• lonely: usamljeno
• baking: pečemo
• prepared: pripremio
• invite: pozivnicu
• Christmas: Božić

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: A Christmas Mystery: Unwrapping Zagreb's Hidden Heart
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-15-23-34-02-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: Tijekom ljupke, hladne zime, Zagreb je bio prekriven tankim slojem snijega.
En: During the lovely, cold winter, Zagreb was covered with a thin layer of snow.

Hr: Blagdanske svjetiljke svjetlucale su duž ulica, a zrak je ispunjavao miris kuhanog vina i kolača.
En: Holiday lights twinkled along the streets, and the air was filled with the scent of mulled wine and pastries.

Hr: Ivana je hodala do vrata svog stana kad je ugledala smeđi paket ostavljen na pragu.
En: Ivana was walking up to her apartment door when she spotted a brown package left on the doorstep.

Hr: Nije imalo adresu ni ime.
En: It had no address or name.

Hr: Samo tajanstveni, teški paket.
En: Just a mysterious, heavy package.

Hr: Ivana je bila poznata po svojoj znatiželji.
En: Ivana was known for her curiosity.

Hr: Voljela je zagonetke i uvijek se trudila pomagati svojoj obitelji.
En: She loved puzzles and always tried to help her family.

Hr: Ovaj paket bio je izazov kojeg nije mogla ignorirati.
En: This package was a challenge she could not ignore.

Hr: Znala je da svi susjedi odlaze za blagdane, pa je pomoć potražila kod svojih prijatelja, Marka i Ane.
En: She knew that all the neighbors were leaving for the holidays, so she sought help from her friends, Marko and Ana.

Hr: "Zar ne misliš da je čudno?
En: "Don't you think it's strange?"

Hr: " Ivana upita dok su sjedili u njezinoj kuhinji, zagrijavajući se čajem.
En: Ivana asked as they sat in her kitchen, warming up with tea.

Hr: Marko pogleda paket oprezno.
En: Marko looked at the package cautiously.

Hr: "Može biti bilo što.
En: "It could be anything.

Hr: Ne bih ga samo tako otvorio.
En: I wouldn't just open it like that."

Hr: " Ana je kimnula u znak slaganja, "Možda prvo treba otkriti tko ga je i zašto ostavio.
En: Ana nodded in agreement, "Maybe we should first find out who left it and why."

Hr: "Proveli su sate ispitujući svaki komadić pakiranja.
En: They spent hours examining every piece of the packaging.

Hr: Gledali su pod svjetlom, pipkali površinu u potrazi za skrivenim znakom.
En: They looked under the light, feeling the surface for any hidden sign.

Hr: Upravo kad su mislili da neće naći ništa, Ana, s oštrim okom, primijetila je lagani odsječak na jednom uglu.
En: Just when they thought they wouldn't find anything, Ana, with her sharp eye, noticed a slight cut on one corner.

Hr: "Pogledaj ovo!
En: "Look at this!"

Hr: " povikala je pokazavši na malenu karticu skriven unutra.
En: she exclaimed, pointing to a small card hidden inside.

Hr: Na njemu je bila napisana adresa s malom porukom: "Treba mi pomoć.
En: On it was an address with a small message: "I need help."

Hr: "Idućeg jutra, okupani zrakama zimskog sunca, Ivana, Marko i Ana pratili su trag.
En: The next morning, bathed in the rays of the winter sun, Ivana, Marko, and Ana followed the trail.

Hr: Odveli su ih na drugi kraj susjedstva do skromne kuće.
En: It led them to the other side of the neighborhood to a modest house.

Hr: Tamo su našli starijeg gospodina, gospodina Petrovića, koji je bio dugogodišnji stanovnik.
En: There they found an elderly gentleman, Mr. Petrović, who had been a long-time resident.

Hr: "Sretan Božić!
En: "Merry Christmas!"

Hr: " Ivana je pozdravila.
En: Ivana greeted.

Hr: "Našli smo vaš paket.
En: "We found your package.

Hr: Trebate li pomoć?
En: Do you need help?"

Hr: "Gospodin Petrović, vidno dirnut, objasnio je kako se osjeća usamljenim i bolesnim, ali mu je ponos bio prepreka traženju pomoći.
En: Mr. Petrović, visibly moved, explained how he felt lonely and ill, but his pride was a barrier to asking for help.

Hr: Mislio je da će čudan paket privući pažnju susjeda.
En: He thought the strange package would attract the attention of the neighbors.

Hr: Ivana je osjetila toplinu u grudima.
En: Ivana felt warmth in her chest.

Hr: Razumjela je sada bolje od svih blagdanskih sjajeva, prava je čarolija u povezivanju s ljudima.
En: She understood now that beyond all the holiday glitters, the true magic lies in connecting with people.

Hr: Zajedno su proveli dan s gospodinom Petrovićem, pomažući mu da okiti svoj stan i kuhajući zajednički ručak.
En: They spent the day with Mr. Petrović, helping him decorate his apartment and cooking a shared meal.

Hr: Dok su dani odmicali i nova godina približavala, Ivana je naučila važnost zajednice i brige za druge.
En: As the days passed and the new year approached, Ivana learned the importance of community and caring for others.

Hr: Osjećala se povezanijom i cijenjenijom nego ikad prije.
En: She felt more connected and appreciated than ever before.

Hr: Zagreb, u svom zimskom ruhu, postao je još topliji zahvaljujući novim prijateljstvima i nadolazećim pričama zajedništva.
En: Zagreb, in its winter attire, became even warmer thanks to new friendships and upcoming stories of togetherness.


Vocabulary Words:

• lovely: ljupke
• thin: tankim
• twinkled: svjetlucale
• mulled wine: kuhanog vina
• pastries: kolača
• curiosity: znatiželji
• puzzles: zagonetke
• mysterious: tajanstveni
• heavy: teški
• challenge: izazov
• cautiously: oprezno
• agreement: slaganja
• examining: ispitujući
• surface: površinu
• hidden: skriven
• sharp: oštrim
• cut: odsječak
• bathed: okupani
• rays: zrakama
• trail: trag
• modest: skromne
• lonely: usamljenim
• pride: ponos
• barrier: prepreka
• connecting: povezivanju
• glitters: sjajeva
• decorate: okiti
• shared meal: zajednički ručak
• community: zajednice
• attire: ruhu

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: Discovering Imperfect Magic: A Christmas Adventure
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-15-08-38-20-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: U mirnom susjedstvu, gdje snijeg pokriva stabla poput bijelog pokrivača i svjetla trepere na kućama, Ivana i Marko krenuli su u kupnju božićnih ukrasa.
En: In a quiet neighborhood, where snow covers the trees like a white blanket and lights twinkle on the houses, Ivana and Marko set out to shop for Christmas decorations.

Hr: Prozori kuća sjaje jarkim bojama, a u zraku se osjeća miris kolačića i svježeg zimskog zraka.
En: The windows of the houses shine with bright colors, and the air is filled with the scent of cookies and fresh winter air.

Hr: Ivana želi da njihov dom izgleda kao dvorište Djeda Božićnjaka.
En: Ivana wants their home to look like Santa Claus's yard.

Hr: Svake godine nastoji stvoriti savršenu božićnu atmosferu.
En: Every year she strives to create the perfect Christmas atmosphere.

Hr: Međutim, ove godine ponuda u trgovinama nije bila kao što je zamišljala.
En: However, this year's selection in the stores was not what she envisioned.

Hr: Marko, s druge strane, uživa jednostavno biti s njom, ne shvaćajući uvijek njene visoke standarde.
En: Marko, on the other hand, simply enjoys being with her, not always understanding her high standards.

Hr: "Idemo još u ovu trgovinu," rekla je Ivana odlučno dok su stajali pred vratima dućana.
En: "Let's go to this store too," Ivana said decisively as they stood in front of the store's door.

Hr: Marko je klimnuo glavom, znajući da je njezina potpora njegov najveći poklon.
En: Marko nodded, knowing that her support was his greatest gift.

Hr: Unutar trgovine nalazili su se razni ukrasi, neki sjajni i savršeno oblikovani, no Ivana je i dalje bila skeptična.
En: Inside the store were various decorations, some shiny and perfectly shaped, but Ivana was still skeptical.

Hr: Previše je izgledalo generički.
En: Too much looked generic.

Hr: Frustracija je rasla dok su prolazili od jednog do drugog mjesta.
En: Frustration grew as they moved from one place to another.

Hr: "Ivane, jesi li sigurna da ne pretjerujemo?
En: "Ivana, are you sure we're not overdoing it?"

Hr: " upitao je Marko nježno.
En: Marko asked gently.

Hr: "Božić nije samo u ukrasima.
En: "Christmas isn't just about decorations.

Hr: Najvažnije je da smo zajedno.
En: The most important thing is that we're together."

Hr: "Ivana je uzdahnula.
En: Ivana sighed.

Hr: Markove riječi su bile tako jednostavne, ali imale su smisla.
En: Marko's words were so simple, yet they made sense.

Hr: Već su obišli nekoliko trgovina i još uvijek nije pronašla ono što traži.
En: They had already visited several stores and still hadn't found what she was looking for.

Hr: Možda je vrijeme da se zaustavi.
En: Maybe it was time to stop.

Hr: Dok su napuštali jednu trgovinu, skrenuli su u malu uličicu.
En: As they were leaving one store, they turned into a small alley.

Hr: Na kraju su našli malu trgovinu bez blještavih natpisa.
En: At the end, they found a small shop without flashy signs.

Hr: Unutra su bili ručno izrađeni ukrasi, svaki s svojim pričama i nesavršenostima.
En: Inside were handmade decorations, each with its own stories and imperfections.

Hr: Ivana je bila očarana njihovom unikatnošću.
En: Ivana was enchanted by their uniqueness.

Hr: Svaki je predmet imao dušu, a to je bilo ono što je tražila cijelo vrijeme.
En: Each item had a soul, and that was what she had been looking for all along.

Hr: "Možda je ovo ono što nam treba," rekla je Ivana, njezin glas sada s primjesom uzbuđenja.
En: "Maybe this is what we need," Ivana said, her voice now tinged with excitement.

Hr: Marko se nasmijao, zadovoljan što je Ivana pronašla nešto što ju veseli.
En: Marko laughed, pleased that Ivana found something that made her happy.

Hr: Kupili su nekoliko ukrasa, svaki drugačiji, svaki poseban.
En: They bought several decorations, each different, each special.

Hr: Dok su koračali prema domu, rukama punima vrećica i srcima punima radosti, Ivana se osvrnula oko sebe.
En: As they walked home, with arms full of bags and hearts full of joy, Ivana looked around.

Hr: Snijeg je još uvijek tiho padao, a svjetla su sjala.
En: The snow was still falling quietly, and the lights were shining.

Hr: Marko i ona hodali su polako, uživajući u trenutku.
En: Marko and she walked slowly, enjoying the moment.

Hr: Na kraju, Ivana je naučila važnu lekciju.
En: In the end, Ivana learned an important lesson.

Hr: Savršenstvo nije u izgledu, već u osjećaju.
En: Perfection isn't in the appearance, but in the feeling.

Hr: Oni su već imali ono najvažnije - jedno drugo.
En: They already had the most important thing - each other.

Hr: Zajedno, pod zvjezdanim nebom, s osmijesima na licima i toplinom u srcima, dočekali su nadolazeći Božić.
En: Together, under the starry sky, with smiles on their faces and warmth in their hearts, they welcomed the upcoming Christmas.


Vocabulary Words:

• blanket: pokrivač
• twinkle: trepere
• scent: miris
• envisioned: zamišljala
• strives: nastoji
• decisively: odlučno
• nodded: klimnuo
• skeptical: skeptična
• generic: generički
• frustration: frustracija
• imperfect: nesavršenosti
• enchanted: očarana
• uniqueness: unikatnošću
• tinged: s primjesom
• upcoming: nadolazeći
• starry: zvjezdanim
• simple: jednostavne
• flashy: blještavih
• perfection: savršeno
• appearance: izgledu
• lesson: lekciju
• together: zajedno
• support: potpora
• shaped: oblikovani
• gentle: nježno
• sigh: uzdahnula
• soul: duša
• standards: standarde
• welcomed: dočekali
• journeyed: krenuli

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: Unearthing Dubrovnik's Hidden Charms: Ana's Festive Tour
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-14-23-34-01-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: Snijeg je lepršao iznad Dubrovnika, prekrivajući povijesni Stari grad poput bijelog pokrivača.
En: The snow danced lightly above Dubrovnik, covering the historic Old Town like a white blanket.

Hr: U tom čarobnom zimskom danu, Ana je hodala sporim korakom kroz uske ulice.
En: On this magical winter day, Ana walked slowly through the narrow streets.

Hr: Zrak je bio svjež, a miris borova i kolačića širili su se iz malih trgovina.
En: The air was fresh, and the scent of pine and cookies wafted from the small shops.

Hr: Ana je radila kao vodič već nekoliko godina.
En: Ana had been working as a guide for several years.

Hr: Voljela je svoj grad i povijest.
En: She loved her city and its history.

Hr: No, zima je bila drugačija.
En: But winter was different.

Hr: Manje turista, više tišine.
En: Fewer tourists, more silence.

Hr: Manje uzbuđenja.
En: Less excitement.

Hr: Marko, njezin prijatelj i kolega, uvijek joj je rekao, "Ana, trebamo probati nešto novo.
En: Marko, her friend and colleague, always told her, "Ana, we need to try something new."

Hr: " Ali ona, iako znatiželjna i željna promjena, ostala je u svojoj rutini, vodeći turiste kroz iste priče i ulice.
En: But she, although curious and eager for change, stayed in her routine, guiding tourists through the same stories and streets.

Hr: Stigao je Božić.
En: Christmas arrived.

Hr: Ulice su bile oslikane svjetiljkama i ukrasima.
En: The streets were adorned with lights and decorations.

Hr: Ipak, osjećala je pritisak obitelji da sve bude savršeno.
En: Still, she felt the pressure from her family for everything to be perfect.

Hr: Svake godine isto.
En: Every year the same.

Hr: Tradicija je imala svoje mjesto, ali Ana je tražila nešto drukčije.
En: Tradition had its place, but Ana was searching for something different.

Hr: Tog dana, Petar, njezin mlađi brat, došao je posjetiti ju.
En: That day, Petar, her younger brother, came to visit her.

Hr: "Ana," rekao je, "zašto ne pokažeš ljudima skrivene ljepote Dubrovnika?
En: "Ana," he said, "why not show people the hidden beauties of Dubrovnik?"

Hr: "I tako je odlučila.
En: And so she decided.

Hr: Sljedeći dan, Ana je počela svoju turu s drukčijim planom.
En: The next day, Ana began her tour with a different plan.

Hr: Vodila je malu skupinu turista kroz manje poznate gradske kutke.
En: She led a small group of tourists through lesser-known corners of the city.

Hr: Pričala im je o svojim djetinjim avanturama i zaboravljenim pričama grada.
En: She told them about her childhood adventures and the forgotten stories of the city.

Hr: Njihova lica bila su iznenađena, ushićena.
En: Their faces were surprised, excited.

Hr: Kako je sunce polako zalazilo, Ana ih je odvela do malog trga, skrivenog među starim zidinama.
En: As the sun slowly set, Ana led them to a small square, hidden among the old walls.

Hr: Ondje je grupa pjevača iznenada počela pjevati.
En: There, a group of singers suddenly began to sing.

Hr: Ljepota glazbe ispunila je zrak - tradicionalne hrvatske pjesme s dodacima svjetskih melodija.
En: The beauty of the music filled the air - traditional Croatian songs with touches of world melodies.

Hr: Zvukovi gitare i tamburice ispunili su prostor, povezujući sve prisutne.
En: The sounds of guitar and tamburica filled the space, connecting everyone present.

Hr: Ana je osjetila toplinu i radost.
En: Ana felt warmth and joy.

Hr: Shvatila je koliko je važno otvoriti se novim stvarima.
En: She realized how important it is to open up to new things.

Hr: Tog je trenutka pozvala sve – turiste, prolaznike i lokalce – da se pridruže slavlju.
En: At that moment, she invited everyone – tourists, passersby, and locals – to join in the celebration.

Hr: Plešući i pjevajući zajedno, osjećala je kako se stvara nova tradicija.
En: Dancing and singing together, she felt a new tradition being created.

Hr: Te večeri, Ana nije samo naučila vrijednost spontanosti već i moć povezivanja ljudi kroz ljepotu kulture i noviteta.
En: That evening, Ana not only learned the value of spontaneity but also the power of connecting people through the beauty of culture and novelty.

Hr: U svojim pričama i sljedećim turama, uvijek je ostavljala malo mjesta za iznenađenje.
En: In her stories and subsequent tours, she always left a little room for surprise.

Hr: Kroz zimu i Božić, Ana je osjetila kako se u njoj budi nova energija, spremna za sve avanture koje dolaze.
En: Through winter and Christmas, Ana felt a new energy awakening in her, ready for all the adventures that lay ahead.


Vocabulary Words:

• danced: lepršao
• blanket: pokrivač
• magical: čarobnom
• narrow: uske
• fresh: svjež
• scent: miris
• eager: željna
• routine: rutini
• adorned: oslikane
• pressure: pritisak
• perfect: savršeno
• arrived: stigao
• hidden: skrivene
• beauties: ljepote
• corners: kutke
• surprised: iznenađena
• hidden: skrivenog
• walls: zidinama
• singers: pjevača
• filled: ispunila
• melodies: melodija
• tamburica: tamburice
• warmth: toplinu
• joy: radost
• spontaneity: spontanosti
• power: moć
• connecting: povezivanja
• subsequent: sljedećim
• awakening: budi
• adventures: avanture

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: Marko's Winter Canvas: A Tale of Art and Self-Discovery
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-14-08-38-20-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: Zima je stigla u Zagreb.
En: Winter had arrived in Zagreb.

Hr: Grad je bio prepun šarenih lampica i ljudi u zimskim kaputima.
En: The city was filled with colorful lights and people in winter coats.

Hr: Miris kuhanog vina širio se zrakom.
En: The scent of mulled wine wafted through the air.

Hr: U središtu grada, blizu Zrinjevca, održavala se školska izložba umjetnosti.
En: In the city center, near Zrinjevac, a school art exhibition was being held.

Hr: Male prostorije centra bile su ukrašene slikama, kipovima, i crtežima.
En: The small rooms of the center were adorned with paintings, sculptures, and drawings.

Hr: Razgovor i smijeh ispunjavali su prostor dok su ljudi promatrali izložene radove.
En: Conversations and laughter filled the space as people observed the displayed works.

Hr: Marko je stajao uz svoje platno.
En: Marko stood by his canvas.

Hr: Ruke su mu bile lagano znojne, a srce je kucalo brzo.
En: His hands were slightly sweaty, and his heart was beating quickly.

Hr: Bio je učenik srednje škole, pun ljubavi prema umjetnosti, ali uvijek nesiguran u svoje sposobnosti.
En: He was a high school student, full of love for art, but always unsure of his abilities.

Hr: Naslikao je prizor svog omiljenog kafića prekrivenog snijegom.
En: He had painted a scene of his favorite café covered in snow.

Hr: Uz njega je bio Ivan, najbolji prijatelj, uvijek spreman pružiti podršku.
En: Next to him was Ivan, his best friend, always ready to offer support.

Hr: "Ne brini, Marko, tvoje je dobro," rekao je Ivan s osmijehom.
En: "Don't worry, Marko, it's good," Ivan said with a smile.

Hr: Marko je duboko udahnuo i razmislio o svemu.
En: Marko took a deep breath and thought about everything.

Hr: Želio je impresionirati suce i prijatelje.
En: He wanted to impress the judges and friends.

Hr: Međutim, konkurencija je bila oštra, a borba s vlastitim sumnjama nemilosrdna.
En: However, the competition was fierce, and the battle with his own doubts relentless.

Hr: Izložba je bila prilika, ali i test njegove hrabrosti.
En: The exhibition was an opportunity but also a test of his courage.

Hr: U trenu odluke, odlučio je pokazati svoju sliku jer je želio izraziti temelje svoje strasti prema umjetnosti.
En: At the moment of decision, he chose to show his painting because he wanted to express the foundations of his passion for art.

Hr: Dok su ljudi prilazili njegovom djelu, Marko je osjetio svrbež nelagode.
En: As people approached his work, Marko felt an itch of discomfort.

Hr: Primijetio je kritične poglede promatrača.
En: He noticed the critical glances of the viewers.

Hr: "Što ako nije dovoljno dobro?
En: "What if it's not good enough?"

Hr: " mislio je.
En: he thought.

Hr: No, Ivan ga je potapšao po ramenu i pogledao ga s povjerenjem, "Ovo si ti.
En: But Ivan patted him on the shoulder and looked at him with confidence, "This is you."

Hr: "Tijekom večeri, Marko je dobio neočekivano mnogo pozitivnih komentara.
En: Throughout the evening, Marko received an unexpectedly large amount of positive feedback.

Hr: Hvalili su njegov stil, boje, i atmosferu slike.
En: They praised his style, colors, and the atmosphere of the painting.

Hr: Ljudi su ga pitali o njegovom izvoru inspiracije.
En: People asked him about his source of inspiration.

Hr: Marko je počeo osjećati toplinu u srcu, a njegov osmijeh bio je sve širi.
En: Marko began to feel warmth in his heart, and his smile grew wider.

Hr: Shvatio je kako je važno izražavati sebe, bez obzira na tuđa mišljenja.
En: He realized how important it is to express oneself, regardless of others' opinions.

Hr: Na kraju večeri, Marko je izišao iz centra s novim osjećajem samopouzdanja.
En: By the end of the evening, Marko left the center with a new sense of confidence.

Hr: Bijeli snijeg nježno je padao po ulicama Zagreba, prekrivajući sve mirisom zime i blagdana.
En: White snow gently fell over the streets of Zagreb, covering everything with the scent of winter and holidays.

Hr: Marko je hodao uz Ivana, razmišljajući kako je umjetnost nešto više od perfektnih linija i boja - to je priča, njegova priča.
En: Marko walked alongside Ivan, pondering how art is more than perfect lines and colors – it's a story, his story.

Hr: Taj je dan naučio vrednovati svoj rad i hrabro koračati prema svojim snovima.
En: That day he learned to value his work and bravely step towards his dreams.

Hr: Ispod raskošnih božićnih lampica, Marko je shvatio da ništa nije važnije od autentičnosti.
En: Underneath the lavish Christmas lights, Marko realized that nothing is more important than authenticity.


Vocabulary Words:

• arrived: stigla
• adorned: ukrašene
• sweaty: znojne
• fierce: oštra
• relentless: nemilosrdna
• courage: hrabrosti
• discomfort: nelagode
• critical: kritične
• glances: poglede
• confidence: samopouzdanja
• lavish: raskošnih
• authenticity: autentičnosti
• scent: miris
• mulled wine: kuhano vino
• exhibition: izložba
• drawings: crteži
• observed: promatrali
• canvas: platno
• hopes: nadanja
• impress: impresionirati
• judges: suci
• doubts: sumnje
• opportunity: prilika
• foundations: temelje
• viewers: promatrači
• patted: potapšao
• unexpectedly: neočekivano
• atmosphere: atmosfera
• inspiration: inspiracija
• value: vrednovati

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: Ivana's Christmas Escape: A Journey to Self-Liberation
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-13-23-34-02-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: Ivana je sjedila na hladnoj, plastičnoj stolici u hodniku psihijatrijskog odjela.
En: Ivana was sitting on a cold, plastic chair in the hallway of the psychiatric ward.

Hr: Svjetla su bila jaka i bijela, prigušena melodija božićne pjesme dolazila je iz daljine.
En: The lights were bright and white, and a muted melody of a Christmas song was coming from a distance.

Hr: U zraku je bio miris dezinficijensa.
En: The air smelled of disinfectant.

Hr: Bio je Badnjak, ali odjel nije znao za slavlje.
En: It was Christmas Eve, but the ward knew nothing of celebration.

Hr: Ivana je osjećala mrak u sebi.
En: Ivana felt darkness within her.

Hr: Znala je da treba izaći.
En: She knew she had to get out.

Hr: Nije bolesna, uvjeravala je samu sebe.
En: She wasn't sick, she kept convincing herself.

Hr: Samo je trebala priliku.
En: She just needed an opportunity.

Hr: U glavi je već skovala plan.
En: She had already devised a plan in her mind.

Hr: Morala je pobjeći prije nego je zauvijek zaključaju.
En: She had to escape before they locked her away forever.

Hr: Marko, medicinski brat, prošao je kraj nje gužvajući papir.
En: Marko, the male nurse, passed by her, crumpling a piece of paper.

Hr: Pogledao ju je s osmijehom, ali Ivana se pravila da ga ne vidi.
En: He looked at her with a smile, but Ivana pretended not to see him.

Hr: Ona je znala da je on bio ljubazan, ali sada nije imala vremena za prijateljstva.
En: She knew he was kind, but she didn't have time for friendships right now.

Hr: Ana, njena cimerica, sjela je pored Ivane.
En: Ana, her roommate, sat next to Ivana.

Hr: "Sretan Božić", rekla je šapatom.
En: "Merry Christmas," she whispered.

Hr: "I dalje ideš svojim putem?
En: "Are you still going your way?"

Hr: " Ivana je kimnula.
En: Ivana nodded.

Hr: Osjećala se krivom što ostavlja Anu, ali znala je da mora.
En: She felt guilty for leaving Ana, but she knew she had to.

Hr: Došla je večer.
En: Evening came.

Hr: Odjel je bio još tiši, a osoblje se pripremilo za malu božićnu proslavu na kraju hodnika.
En: The ward was even quieter, and the staff was preparing for a small Christmas celebration at the end of the hallway.

Hr: Ljudi su dijelili kolače i toplu čokoladu.
En: People were sharing cakes and hot chocolate.

Hr: Bio je to njen trenutak.
En: It was her moment.

Hr: Ivana je duboko udahnula, srce joj je ubrzano kucalo.
En: Ivana took a deep breath, her heart was pounding.

Hr: Sjećaš se plana, pomislila je.
En: Remember the plan, she thought.

Hr: Ustala je polako, promatrajući osoblje.
En: She stood up slowly, observing the staff.

Hr: Svi su bili zauzeti.
En: Everyone was busy.

Hr: Počela je hodati prema izlazu.
En: She started walking towards the exit.

Hr: S vrata na kraju hodnika, pogledala je Marka.
En: From the door at the end of the hallway, she looked at Marko.

Hr: Bio je okrenut i razgovarao s Anom.
En: He was turned around and talking to Ana.

Hr: Sada, šaptala je sebi.
En: Now, she whispered to herself.

Hr: Ivana je otvorila vrata, hladan zrak ju je zapljusnuo.
En: Ivana opened the door, and the cold air hit her.

Hr: Izašla je van.
En: She stepped outside.

Hr: Vani je bila zima.
En: Outside, it was winter.

Hr: Snijeg je lagano padao, a svjetla grada sjala su u daljini.
En: Snow was falling gently, and the city lights shone in the distance.

Hr: Ivana je osjetila slobodu.
En: Ivana felt freedom.

Hr: Stvarnu, fizičku slobodu.
En: Real, physical freedom.

Hr: Ali nešto je nedostajalo.
En: But something was missing.

Hr: Njezin um je još bio zarobljen.
En: Her mind was still trapped.

Hr: Kako je hodala gradom, shvatila je da je oslobođenje tek počelo.
En: As she walked through the city, she realized that liberation had just begun.

Hr: Da bi stvarno bila slobodna, mora se pomiriti s vlastitim strahovima.
En: To truly be free, she must come to terms with her own fears.

Hr: Te noći, pod zvijezdama, Ivana je obećala sebi da će potražiti pomoć.
En: That night, under the stars, Ivana promised herself she would seek help.

Hr: Na svoj način, na svojim uvjetima.
En: In her own way, on her own terms.

Hr: Ivana je znala da je put dug, ali nije se bojala.
En: Ivana knew the path was long, but she wasn't afraid.

Hr: Božić je donio novu nadu.
En: Christmas brought new hope.

Hr: Bila je spremna za promjenu.
En: She was ready for change.

Hr: Počela je svoju novu priču.
En: She started her new story.


Vocabulary Words:

• hallway: hodnik
• psychiatric: psihijatrijskog
• muted: prigušena
• disinfectant: dezinficijensa
• celebration: slavlje
• darkness: mrak
• convincing: uvjeravala
• devised: skovala
• escape: pobjeći
• crumpling: gužvajući
• smile: osmijehom
• friendships: prijateljstva
• whispered: šapatom
• guilty: krivom
• celebration: proslavu
• opportunity: priliku
• breath: udahnu
• pounding: kucalo
• observing: promatrajući
• busy: zauzeti
• whispered: šaptala
• gently: lagano
• freedom: slobodu
• liberation: oslobođenje
• trapped: zarobljen
• realized: shvatila
• fears: strahovima
• seek: potražiti
• terms: uvjetima
• hope: nadu

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: From Darkness to Light: A Christmas Sketch of Hope
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-13-08-38-20-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: Snijeg je tiho padao na dvorište psihijatrijske bolnice.
En: The snow was quietly falling on the courtyard of the psychiatric hospital.

Hr: Božićne lampice treperile su na malom boru ispred glavnog ulaza.
En: Christmas lights twinkled on the small tree in front of the main entrance.

Hr: Ivana je hodala prema ulazu, noseći torbu punu pažljivo odabranih poklona.
En: Ivana was walking towards the entrance, carrying a bag full of carefully selected gifts.

Hr: U njoj je bilo nešto posebno - stara skica, ispunjena sjećanjima na prošle, sretnije dane.
En: There was something special in it - an old sketch, filled with memories of past, happier days.

Hr: Bila je odlučna unijeti barem malo topline i radosti u život svog brata.
En: She was determined to bring at least a little warmth and joy into her brother's life.

Hr: Dario je sjedio u sobi, zamišljen.
En: Dario was sitting in his room, pensive.

Hr: Zidovi oko njega bili su ukrašeni jednostavnim božićnim ukrasima, ali on ih jedva da je primjećivao.
En: The walls around him were decorated with simple Christmas decorations, but he barely noticed them.

Hr: U njegovim očima odražavala se tjeskoba i tuga.
En: Anxiety and sadness were reflected in his eyes.

Hr: Posljednjih mjeseci, osjećao se kao stranac u vlastitom životu.
En: In recent months, he felt like a stranger in his own life.

Hr: No, u dubini duše, želja za ponovnim povezivanjem sa svijetom tinjala je.
En: Yet, deep down, there was a smoldering desire to reconnect with the world.

Hr: Kada je Ivana ušla, Dario ju je pogledao, a njegov izraz lica bio je mješavina iznenađenja i nesigurnosti.
En: When Ivana entered, Dario looked at her, his expression a mix of surprise and uncertainty.

Hr: "Ivana", šapnuo je, nesiguran hoće li moći podnijeti mnogo više emocija.
En: "Ivana," he whispered, unsure if he could handle much more emotion.

Hr: "Božić je", veselo je odgovorila, pokušavajući razvedriti atmosferu.
En: "It's Christmas," she replied cheerfully, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

Hr: Razgovarali su kratko, Ivana se trudila održati ton vedrim.
En: They talked briefly, Ivana trying to maintain a cheerful tone.

Hr: Pokušavala je uljepšati trenutak pričama iz djetinjstva, smiješnim događajima i neugodnim situacijama koje su dijelili.
En: She attempted to brighten the moment with stories from their childhood, funny events, and awkward situations they shared.

Hr: Ali Dario je bio tih, a njegova povučenost činila je situaciju teškom.
En: But Dario was quiet, and his withdrawal made the situation difficult.

Hr: Ivana je iz torbe izvukla skicarnu, polako je gurnuvši prema Dariu.
En: Ivana pulled a sketchbook out of the bag, slowly pushing it towards Dario.

Hr: "Sjeti se ovoga?
En: "Remember this?"

Hr: " upitala je, nadajući se da će probuditi tračak sjećanja i nade.
En: she asked, hoping to awaken a glimmer of memory and hope.

Hr: Dario je pogledao skicarnu, a zatim Ivanu.
En: Dario looked at the sketchbook, then at Ivana.

Hr: Oči su mu zasuzile dok je prelazio prstima po izblijedjelim crtežima.
En: His eyes teared up as he traced his fingers over the faded drawings.

Hr: Bili su to trenuci iz prošlosti koji su im svima nešto značili.
En: They were moments from the past that meant something to all of them.

Hr: Soba je bila tiha, ukrašena tek šumom lampica i sitnim zvucima božićne glazbe koja je dopirala s hodnika.
En: The room was silent, adorned only by the rustle of lights and the faint sounds of Christmas music coming from the hallway.

Hr: U tom trenutku, nečujna bitka odvijala se u Dariju.
En: At that moment, a silent battle was waging inside Dario.

Hr: Borba između želje da se povuče i snage sjećanja.
En: A struggle between the desire to retreat and the strength of memories.

Hr: Duboko je udahnuo, vratio svoj pogled na skicarnu i počeo crtati.
En: He took a deep breath, returned his gaze to the sketchbook, and began to draw.

Hr: Prvi potezi olovkom bili su nesigurni, ali postupno su postajali čvrsti i jasni.
En: The first strokes of the pencil were uncertain but gradually became firm and clear.

Hr: Ivana se pomaknula bliže, promatrajući tiho, pažljivo.
En: Ivana moved closer, watching quietly, carefully.

Hr: Vidjela je ocrtavati novi oblik, novi početak.
En: She saw a new shape taking form, a new beginning.

Hr: Bilo je to prvo što je Dario nacrtao nakon dugo vremena.
En: It was the first thing Dario had drawn in a long time.

Hr: Ivana je znala da je to bio mali, ali vrijedan korak prema oporavku i ponovnom povezivanju.
En: Ivana knew that it was a small but valuable step towards recovery and reconnection.

Hr: U očima su mu zasvjetlucali tračci one stare, strastvene energije.
En: In his eyes, glimmers of that old, passionate energy sparkled.

Hr: Ivana je osjetila kako joj srce ispunjava toplina.
En: Ivana felt warmth filling her heart.

Hr: Shvatila je koliko je bio težak put kojim je morao proći, ali i kako je svaki trenutak proveden s njim pomogao izgraditi most prema nadi.
En: She realized how difficult the journey he had to go through was, but also how every moment spent with him helped build a bridge to hope.

Hr: Dario se, iako polako, vraćao u život, a Ivana nije bila sama u tom procesu.
En: Dario, though slowly, was coming back to life, and Ivana was not alone in that process.

Hr: Dok su se zvukovi božićnih pjesama i dalje širili hodnicima, u Darijevoj sobi, rođen je novi početak.
En: As the sounds of Christmas songs continued to spread through the hallways, in Dario's room, a new beginning was born.

Hr: Novi crtež na papiru bio je simbol nečeg još važnijeg - ponovne povezanosti s obitelji i životom.
En: The new drawing on the paper was a symbol of something even more important - the reconnection with family and life.


Vocabulary Words:

• courtyard: dvorište
• twinkled: treperile
• pensive: zamišljen
• decorated: ukrašeni
• anxiety: tjeskoba
• smoldering: tinjala
• uncertainty: nesigurnosti
• cheerfully: veselo
• withdrawal: povučenost
• sketchbook: skicarnu
• teared up: zasuzile
• rustle: šumom
• smoldering: nečujna
• stroke: potezi
• firm: čvrsti
• gaze: pogled
• sparkled: zasvjetlucali
• glimmers: tračci
• awaken: probuditi
• adorned: ukrašena
• trace: prstima
• reconnect: ponovnim povezivanjem
• retreat: povuče
• strength: snage
• recovery: oporavku
• moment: trenutak
• attempted: pokušavala
• faded: izblijedjelim
• carefully: pažljivo
• hallway: hodnika

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: Mystery of the Missing Gingerbread at Zagreb's Xmas Market
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-12-23-34-02-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: Snijeg je tiho prekrivao ulice Zagreba.
En: The snow quietly covered the streets of Zagreb.

Hr: Zrake lampica blještale su poput zvijezda, dok su se glasovi božićnih pjesama širili zrakom.
En: The lights' rays shone like stars while the voices of Christmas carols filled the air.

Hr: Ivana, vesela djevojka s osmijehom na licu, uživala je u idili božićnog sajma.
En: Ivana, a cheerful girl with a smile on her face, enjoyed the idyllic setting of the Christmas market.

Hr: Za nju, ovo je bilo čarobno doba godine.
En: For her, it was a magical time of the year.

Hr: Hodajući među štandovima, osjetila je miris cimeta i klinčića.
En: Walking among the stalls, she sensed the aroma of cinnamon and cloves.

Hr: Njezin cilj bio je pronaći savršeno licitarsko srce za mamu.
En: Her goal was to find the perfect gingerbread heart for her mom.

Hr: Upravo ispred jednog od štandova, Ivana je ugledala idealno srce.
En: Right in front of one of the stalls, Ivana spotted the perfect heart.

Hr: Crveno, s bijelim slovima, bilo je kao stvoreno za njezinu majku.
En: Red, with white letters, it seemed made for her mother.

Hr: Okrenula se da pronađe novčanik u torbi, kad iznenada nije bilo srca na stolu.
En: She turned to find her wallet in the bag when suddenly there was no heart on the table.

Hr: Pogledala je oko sebe i ugledala Marka, svog rođaka, sanjarski promatrao uokolo, držeći srce u ruci.
En: She looked around and saw Marko, her cousin, dreamily looking around, holding the heart in his hand.

Hr: „Marko, što radiš?“ upitala ga je Ivana, nestrpljivo ga gledajući.
En: "Marko, what are you doing?" she asked him, looking at him impatiently.

Hr: „Što? Oh, Ivana! Nisam ništa uzeo... mislio sam da to gledam,“ slegnuo je ramenima, ne baš svjestan Ivaničinog ljutitog pogleda.
En: "What? Oh, Ivana! I didn't take anything... I thought I was just looking at it," he shrugged, not fully aware of Ivana's angry gaze.

Hr: Ivana je bila sigurna da je Marko uzeo srce zbog svoje zaboravnosti.
En: Ivana was sure that Marko had taken the heart due to his forgetfulness.

Hr: Bez mnogo razmišljanja, pripremila se da ga suoči.
En: Without much thought, she prepared to confront him.

Hr: U tom trenutku, kroz gužvu je prodrla Petra, noseći licitarsko srce.
En: At that moment, through the crowd, Petra pushed through, carrying the gingerbread heart.

Hr: „Ej, Ivana! Pogledaj što sam pronašla! Netko je ostavio ovo na stolu,“ viknula je Petra, sretna što je otkrila srce.
En: "Hey, Ivana! Look what I found! Someone left this on the table," shouted Petra, happy to have discovered the heart.

Hr: Ivana je odahnula s olakšanjem, a zatim prasnula u smijeh.
En: Ivana sighed with relief, then burst into laughter.

Hr: „Oh, Petra... bila sam sigurna da ga Marko uzeo!“ rekla je kroz smijeh.
En: "Oh, Petra... I was sure that Marko had taken it!" she said through her laughter.

Hr: Marko je također počeo smijati, shvativši zabunu.
En: Marko also began to laugh, realizing the misunderstanding.

Hr: „Naravno, ja sam uvijek krivac!“ dodao je veselo.
En: "Of course, I'm always the culprit!" he added cheerfully.

Hr: Svjetla sajma zasvijetlila su još jače dok su troje prijatelja, sada bez nesporazuma, uživali u toploj atmosferi.
En: The market lights shone even brighter as the three friends, now free of misunderstanding, enjoyed the warm atmosphere.

Hr: Ivana se okrenula prema Petri i Marku s osmijehom.
En: Ivana turned to Petra and Marko with a smile.

Hr: Naučila je lekciju da ne sudi prebrzo.
En: She had learned a lesson not to judge too quickly.

Hr: „Znate, možda je ovo zapravo bio božićni poklon za sve nas,“ rekla je Ivana.
En: "You know, maybe this was actually a Christmas gift for all of us," said Ivana.

Hr: Svi se složili u smijehu, osjećajući radost blagdanskog duha.
En: Everyone agreed in laughter, feeling the joy of the holiday spirit.

Hr: Dok su lutali dalje među štandovima, prijatelji su uživali u blagdanskoj čaroliji, svatko držeći po komad licitarskog srca, dijeleći toplinu Božića među sobom.
En: As they wandered further among the stalls, the friends enjoyed the festive magic, each holding a piece of gingerbread heart, sharing the warmth of Christmas among themselves.


Vocabulary Words:

• quietly: tiho
• idyllic: idili
• market: sajam
• stalls: štandovi
• aroma: miris
• cinnamon: cimeta
• cloves: klinčića
• wallet: novčanik
• dreamily: sanjarski
• impatiently: nestrpljivo
• shrugged: slegnuo
• forgetfulness: zaboravnosti
• confront: suoči
• crowd: gužvu
• relief: olakšanjem
• burst: prasnula
• misunderstanding: nesporazuma
• culprit: krivac
• wandered: lutali
• festive: blagdanskoj
• magical: čarobno
• lights: lampica
• cheerful: vesela
• stared: promatrao
• gaze: pogleda
• lesson: lekciju
• judge: sudi
• spirit: duha
• sharing: dijeleći
• joy: radost

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: The Curious Case of the Christmas Bread and Pigeons
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2024-12-12-08-38-20-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: Ivana je stajala ispred glavne policijske postaje u Zagrebu, njezin nos crven od zimskog zraka, odlučna kao nikada prije.
En: Ivana stood in front of the main police station in Zagreb, her nose red from the winter air, more determined than ever.

Hr: U ruci je čvrsto držala fascikl prepun slika, dijagrama i, kako bi ona rekla, "dokaza" o misterioznom nestanku kruha.
En: In her hand, she held tightly a folder full of pictures, diagrams, and what she would call "evidence" of the mysterious bread disappearance.

Hr: Bio je Badnjak, i Ivana nije mogla zamisliti bolji poklon nego riješiti ovu zagonetku.
En: It was Christmas Eve, and Ivana couldn't imagine a better gift than solving this riddle.

Hr: Službenici u postaji bili su zaokupljeni svojim zadacima, ali božićna svjetla i okićeno drvce davali su prostoru toplinu i veselost.
En: The officers at the station were engrossed in their tasks, but the Christmas lights and decorated tree gave the place warmth and cheer.

Hr: Ivana je duboko udahnula i ušla unutra, prateći Marka i Petru, koji su je, sramežljivo ali s osmijehom, pratili.
En: Ivana took a deep breath and stepped inside, following Marko and Petra, who shyly but smiling, accompanied her.

Hr: "Ivana, jesi li sigurna u ovo?
En: "Ivana, are you sure about this?"

Hr: " upitao je Marko, pokušavajući zadržati ozbiljno lice.
En: asked Marko, trying to keep a straight face.

Hr: "Marko, ovo je više od običnog nestalog kruha.
En: "Marko, this is more than just a missing loaf of bread.

Hr: Ovo je misterija!
En: This is a mystery!

Hr: Moram to riješiti," odgovorila je Ivana s ozbiljnošću detektiva.
En: I have to solve it," replied Ivana with the seriousness of a detective.

Hr: Petra, koja je uvijek bila otvorena za Ivane ideje, podržala je njezin entuzijazam.
En: Petra, who was always open to Ivana's ideas, supported her enthusiasm.

Hr: "Ako Ivana kaže da su golubovi krivi, onda oni vjerojatno imaju plan," nasmijala se.
En: "If Ivana says the pigeons are guilty, then they probably have a plan," she laughed.

Hr: Kad su stigli do službenika za pultom, Ivana je hrabro krenula s pričom.
En: When they reached the officer at the counter, Ivana bravely started the story.

Hr: "Dobar dan, imam slučaj za vas.
En: "Good day, I have a case for you.

Hr: Moj kruh je ukraden, a sumnjam da su golubovi organizirali ovu krađu," rekla je s uvjerenjem.
En: My bread was stolen, and I suspect the pigeons organized this theft," she said with conviction.

Hr: Službenik ih je pogledao iznad ruba naočala, a zatim, siskajući usne da ne prasne u smijeh, rekao: "Dobro, da čujemo.
En: The officer looked at them over the rim of his glasses, then, pursing his lips to avoid bursting into laughter, said, "Alright, let's hear it."

Hr: "Ivana je otvorila fascikl i počela prezentaciju.
En: Ivana opened the folder and began her presentation.

Hr: "Ovdje su slike tragova krušnih mrvica koje vode do parka.
En: "Here are the pictures of breadcrumb trails leading to the park.

Hr: A ovo su dijagrami s označenim 'perje-pad zonama'.
En: And these are diagrams marked with 'feather-drop zones.'"

Hr: "Marko se držao za čelo i uzdahnuo, dok je Petra promatrala reakcije policajaca s veseljem.
En: Marko held his forehead and sighed, while Petra watched the officers' reactions with delight.

Hr: Službenici su se polako naslonili u svojim stolicama, uživajući u neočekivanoj stanci od stvarnih zločina.
En: The officers slowly leaned back in their chairs, enjoying an unexpected break from real crimes.

Hr: Kad je Ivana završila, jedan od službenika se nasmijao i rekao: "Možda su ti golubovi samo htjeli kruh za svoju božićnu večeru.
En: When Ivana finished, one of the officers laughed and said, "Maybe those pigeons just wanted bread for their Christmas dinner.

Hr: Mislim da ova prijava nema temelja za daljnje istraživanje.
En: I think this report doesn't have grounds for further investigation."

Hr: "Ivana je uzdahnula, pomalo razočarana.
En: Ivana sighed, slightly disappointed.

Hr: Ali tada je Marko predložio: "Zašto ne bismo ispekla novi kruh zajedno?
En: But then Marko suggested, "Why don't we bake a new loaf together?

Hr: Možeš nas naučiti kako se to radi.
En: You can teach us how it's done.

Hr: Možda golubovi nisu jedini koji žele nešto ukusno za Božić.
En: Maybe the pigeons aren't the only ones wanting something tasty for Christmas."

Hr: "Ivana je zastala, promislila, i njezin osmijeh se proširio.
En: Ivana paused, thought, and her smile widened.

Hr: "To je predivna ideja, Marko.
En: "That's a wonderful idea, Marko.

Hr: Hajde, Petra, idemo kući i napravimo božićni kruh zajedno.
En: Come on, Petra, let's go home and make Christmas bread together."

Hr: "Dok su izlazili iz postaje, osjećala je toplinu i ljubav Božića.
En: As they left the station, she felt the warmth and love of Christmas.

Hr: Nije važno što kruš nije pronađen, jer je otkrila nešto vrjednije: prijateljstvo i radost u dijeljenju.
En: It didn't matter that the bread wasn't found, because she discovered something more valuable: friendship and the joy of sharing.

Hr: Golubovi će možda imati svoju božićnu priču, ali Ivana je imala svoju, ispunjenu smijehom i zadovoljstvom.
En: The pigeons might have their own Christmas story, but Ivana had hers, filled with laughter and contentment.


Vocabulary Words:

• determined: odlučna
• disappearance: nestanku
• riddle: zagonetku
• engrossed: zaokupljeni
• counter: pultom
• pigeon: golub
• conviction: uvjerenjem
• pursuing: siskajući
• presentation: prezentaciju
• diagram: dijagrami
• burden: teret
• forehead: čelo
• unexpected: neočekivanoj
• further: daljnje
• investigation: istraživanje
• suggested: predložio
• bake: ispekla
• tasty: ukusno
• pause: zastala
• bread: kruh
• delight: veseljem
• contentment: zadovoljstvom
• enjoying: uživajući
• leaned: naslonili
• mystery: misterija
• bravely: hrabro
• glasses: naočala
• crumb: mrvica
• organized: organizirali
• feather: perje