June 02, 2025

Market Maneuvers: Chef Marko's Culinary Quest in Split

14 minutes

Fluent Fiction - Croatian: Market Maneuvers: Chef Marko's Culinary Quest in Split
Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:
fluentfiction.com/hr/episode/2025-06-02-22-34-02-hr

Story Transcript:

Hr: U Splitu, pod jutarnjim suncem, bujao je tradicionalni hrvatski pazar.
En: In Split, under the morning sun, the traditional Croatian market was bustling.

Hr: Zvukovi pčela i galebova miješali su se s glasovima trgovaca i kupaca.
En: The sounds of bees and seagulls mixed with the voices of traders and customers.

Hr: Marko, mladi kuhar poznat po svojim kulinarskim kreacijama, prošetao je među štandovima.
En: Marko, a young chef known for his culinary creations, strolled among the stalls.

Hr: Njegova misija bila je pronaći najbolje sastojke za novo jelo u svom restoranu.
En: His mission was to find the best ingredients for a new dish in his restaurant.

Hr: Kamenite staze vodile su ga kroz šarenilo voća i povrća.
En: Stone paths led him through a colorful array of fruits and vegetables.

Hr: Bezbrojne arome–češnjak, svježe začinsko bilje, limun–ispunjavale su zrak.
En: Countless aromas—garlic, fresh herbs, lemon—filled the air.

Hr: "Ana, danas moram pronaći nešto posebno," rekao je svojoj prijateljici Anni, koja ga je pratila.
En: "Ana, today I must find something special," he said to his friend Ana, who was accompanying him.

Hr: Njegov mali budget pomalo ga je brinuo dok je gledao cijene.
En: His small budget worried him slightly as he glanced at the prices.

Hr: Ivan, još jedan iskusni kuhar, već je bio prisutan.
En: Ivan, another experienced chef, was already present.

Hr: Marko je znao da mora brzo djelovati.
En: Marko knew he had to act quickly.

Hr: Pogled mu je pao na košaru punu tartufa.
En: His gaze fell on a basket full of truffles.

Hr: Bile su rijetke i skupe, ali savršene za Markovu ideju proljetnog menija.
En: They were rare and expensive but perfect for Marko's idea for a spring menu.

Hr: Približio se Ivanu i trgovcu: “Pozdrav, gospodine!
En: He approached Ivan and the trader: "Hello, sir!

Hr: Koliko su tartufi danas?
En: How much are the truffles today?"

Hr: ” upitao je Marko, trudeći se zvučati opušteno.
En: Marko asked, trying to sound relaxed.

Hr: Cijena koju je čuo bila je previsoka, ali nije se obeshrabrio.
En: The price he heard was too high, but he wasn't discouraged.

Hr: “Sjećate li se prošlog tjedna, kad sam vam pomagao s promotivnim događajem?
En: "Do you remember last week, when I helped you with the promotional event?

Hr: Možda biste mogli dati mali popust?
En: Maybe you could give a small discount?"

Hr: ” podsjetio je trgovca, s osmijehom.
En: he reminded the trader, with a smile.

Hr: Trgovac se nasmiješio i rekao: “Dobro, za tebe, Marko, može popust.
En: The trader smiled and said, "Alright, for you, Marko, a discount is possible."

Hr: ” No, Ivan je isto pokušao kupiti tartufe.
En: But Ivan also tried to buy the truffles.

Hr: Situacija je postala napeta.
En: The situation became tense.

Hr: Marko je duboko udahnuo i poželio bolje uvjete.
En: Marko took a deep breath and hoped for better terms.

Hr: Nakon kraće tišine, trgovac se odlučio: "Dat ću Marku, jer je redovit posjetitelj.
En: After a brief silence, the trader decided: "I'll sell to Marko, because he is a regular visitor."

Hr: "Marko je uzdahnuo s olakšanjem, zahvalio se i kupio tartufe.
En: Marko sighed with relief, thanked him, and bought the truffles.

Hr: Uzeo je i svježe povrće i začine, osiguravajući kvalitetu i svježinu za svoj restoran.
En: He also picked up fresh vegetables and herbs, ensuring quality and freshness for his restaurant.

Hr: Dok su odlazili, Ana je rekla: “Marko, stvarno si pokazao svoju upornost!
En: As they left, Ana said, "Marko, you really showed your persistence!"

Hr: ” On se nasmijao i kimnuo.
En: He laughed and nodded.

Hr: Naučio je da se trud i znanje o tržištu isplati.
En: He learned that effort and market knowledge pay off.

Hr: Vratio se u svoj restoran uzbuđen zbog onoga što će stvoriti.
En: He returned to his restaurant excited about what he would create.

Hr: Njegovo novo jelo bilo je na putu da impresionira svakog gosta koji svraća.
En: His new dish was on its way to impress every guest who stopped by.

Hr: Početna zabrinutost zbog budžeta zamijenila je ponos u njegovim novim vještinama pregovaranja.
En: The initial worry about the budget was replaced by pride in his newfound negotiation skills.

Hr: Marko je osjetio da je postao ne samo bolji kuhar, nego i bolji pregovarač.
En: Marko felt that he had become not only a better chef but also a better negotiator.

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