Želim ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme.

Because ugovor is the direct object of želim (I want), and with this verb Croatian normally uses the accusative case.

For masculine nouns like ugovor that refer to non-living things, the accusative singular is the same as the nominative singular:

• nominative: ugovor
• accusative: ugovor

So Želim ugovor is correct.

If it were a masculine animate noun, the accusative would usually look different.

Literally, it means for an undefined time or for an indefinite period.

Breakdown:

• na = on / for
• neodređeno = indefinite / unspecified
• vrijeme = time

In context, ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme is the standard way to say a permanent contract or an open-ended contract.

Because after na, Croatian often uses the accusative when expressing purpose, duration, or a kind of arrangement.

Here, na neodređeno vrijeme is a fixed expression meaning for an indefinite period.

Both words are in the accusative singular:

• neodređeno agrees with vrijeme
• vrijeme is a neuter noun

Since vrijeme is neuter singular, the adjective also takes the neuter singular accusative form:

• neodređeno vrijeme

Yes, very much so. In job and legal contexts, ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme is the normal standard phrase for a permanent/open-ended contract.

You will often see it contrasted with:

• ugovor na određeno vrijeme = a fixed-term contract

So learners should treat na određeno vrijeme and na neodređeno vrijeme as common set expressions.

Correct — here na does not mean the literal English on.

Prepositions in Croatian often have several meanings depending on context. In this sentence, na is part of the expression na neodređeno vrijeme, which means for an indefinite period.

So it is better to learn the whole phrase as a unit rather than translating na word for word.

Yes, you may hear stalni ugovor, and it can mean something like a permanent contract. However, ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme is more precise and more standard in administrative, HR, and legal contexts.

So:

• Želim stalni ugovor = understandable, somewhat more general
• Želim ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme = the standard formal expression

If you are talking about employment contracts specifically, the second one is usually safer.

Želim literally means I want, so it can sound direct. Whether it feels natural depends on context.

It is grammatically fine, but in real-life conversation people may also say softer versions such as:

• Htio/Htjela bih ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme. = I would like a permanent contract.
• Volio/Voljela bih dobiti ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme. = I’d like to get a permanent contract.

So Želim is correct, but in a job interview or formal discussion, a softer form may sound more polite.

Because Croatian has no articles.

English distinguishes:

• a contract
• the contract

Croatian does not mark that difference with separate words. The meaning depends on context.

So ugovor can mean:

• a contract
• the contract

In this sentence, English will usually translate it as a contract.

A simple learner-friendly pronunciation guide:

• Želim ≈ ZHEH-leem
• ugovor ≈ OO-go-vor
• na ≈ nah
• neodređeno ≈ neh-oh-DREH-jeh-no
• vrijeme ≈ VREE-yeh-meh

A few useful sound notes:

• ž sounds like the s in measure
• đ is a soft sound, roughly like j in gentle or a soft dy
• ije in vrijeme is pronounced as two syllables for many learners: vri-je-me

The stress system in Croatian is more complex than English learners usually need at first, so getting the sounds clear is more important than perfect pitch or stress.

Because Croatian uses the singular here just like English uses time in for an indefinite time/period.

The phrase refers to the duration or term of the contract, not to multiple separate times. So singular vrijeme is the normal form.

Yes, Croatian word order is relatively flexible, but not every order sounds equally natural.

The most natural neutral order here is:

• Želim ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme.

You could change it for emphasis, for example:

• Ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme želim.

But that sounds marked or emphatic, as if contrasting it with some other option. For normal use, stick with the original order.

You would say:

• Želim ugovor na određeno vrijeme.

The difference is:

• na određeno vrijeme = for a fixed/specified period
• na neodređeno vrijeme = for an indefinite period

This pair is extremely common in Croatian employment language.

It is most commonly associated with employment contracts, but grammatically the phrase itself is not limited to jobs.

Still, in everyday use, if someone says ugovor na neodređeno vrijeme, most people will immediately think of a work contract. That is the default context.