In Croatian, there are two different ways to say "you" depending on who you are talking to. Use the informal ti with friends, family, children, and peers. Use the formal Vi with strangers, elders, and in professional settings to show respect. Notice that Vi is often capitalized in writing when used as a polite address.
The verb changes to match the pronoun. For the verb "to be" (are), use si with ti, and ste with Vi.
Saying "Excuse Me"
When you want to get someone's attention or apologize, you must also choose the correct level of formality. Use oprosti for informal situations, and oprostite for formal ones.
Your vs Your: Possessives
The word for "your" also changes based on formality. Use tvoj for informal situations, and Vaš for formal ones.
Just like other adjectives in Croatian, these possessive words must match the gender of the noun they describe. For example, a masculine noun takes tvoj or Vaš, while a feminine noun takes tvoja or Vaša.
Everyday Politeness
When ordering at a cafe or interacting in shops, you will often use standard greetings alongside molim (please) and hvala (thank you). These polite words do not change based on who you are talking to.