Learn Croatian: Hvala na komplimentu! - Thanks for the compliment!

In Croatian, when you are thanking someone for a specific thing (like a compliment, a gift, or help), you use the preposition na. While za is the usual word for "for", the phrase hvala na is the standard and most natural way to express gratitude for objects or concepts.

What case is komplimentu in, and why?

It is in the locative case. The preposition na can take either the accusative or the locative case. When used in the fixed expression hvala na (thanks for), it always triggers the locative case. Since kompliment is a regular masculine noun, it gets the -u ending.

Is it ever correct to say hvala za kompliment?

While people will understand you, it sounds less natural. Hvala za is sometimes used when thanking someone for an action or a broader situation, but for concrete nouns and abstract concepts like a compliment, hvala na plus the locative case is the expected choice.