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Croatian in Croatia


Telling Time

A sign showing departure times

Although Croatia uses a 24-hour clock to write official time schedules, citizens use a 12-hour clock in ordinary conversation. Thus a train schedule may say the train departs at 13:00, but in conversation a person will say s/he is leaving at 1:00 pm. Croatia follows daylight savings time from late spring until early fall. In general, business appointments run on time, and one should arrive five to ten minutes early. Socializing is much more casual. For example, if someone invites a guest for dinner at 5:00 p.m., it would be proper for the guest to arrive twenty minutes to a half-hour early to talk and have drinks ahead of time. The 5:00 p.m. dinner might well not be served until 6:00 p.m. or later. When going out with friends, the timing is similarly casual, although being late for a meal is not appreciated. Buses and trains often run behind schedule; however, one should not count on such tardiness.


Audio

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  • "What time is it?"

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