Learn Hardcore Croatian: Zbog gužve u prometu kasnimo na sastanak. - Because of the traffic jam we are late for the meeting.

zbog kiše (because of the rain)
zbog posla (because of work)
If you use an adjective: zbog prometne gužve (because of a traffic jam), both words go to genitive.

Why is it u prometu and not u promet?

After u, use:

Locative for location/state: u prometu = in traffic (no movement).
Accusative for motion into: u grad = into the city. Here we’re describing the state of congestion happening in traffic, so locative (prometu) is correct.

What exactly does gužva u prometu mean? Is there a single-word option for “traffic jam”?

It literally means “congestion in traffic,” i.e., heavy traffic/traffic jam. Common alternatives:

prometna gužva (very common)
zastoj (a standstill)
kolona (a line/queue of cars) All are natural; prometna gužva is the go-to phrase.

What form is kasnimo?

It’s 1st person plural present of kasniti (to be late): “we are late/we’re running late.”

I: kasnim
You (sg): kasniš
He/She: kasni
We: kasnimo
You (pl): kasnite
They: kasne Negation: ne kasnimo. Past: kasnili smo. Future: kasnit ćemo.

What’s the difference between kasniti and zakasniti?

kasniti (imperfective): being late as an ongoing state (“We’re late/running late”).
zakasniti (perfective): end up late, a completed outcome (“We will end up being late”). Examples:
Kasnimo na sastanak. We’re running late for the meeting.
Zakasnit ćemo na sastanak. We will be late for the meeting (result).

Why na sastanak? Could I use u sastanak or za sastanak?

Use na + accusative with events/appointments: na sastanak (to a meeting), na koncert, na utakmicu.
u sastanak is not used for events like this.
za sastanak is not used to mean “late for a meeting.” With lateness:
- kasniti na + event: kasniti na sastanak (be late for the meeting)
- kasniti za + amount: kasniti za 10 minuta (be late by 10 minutes)

What’s the difference between na sastanak and na sastanku?

na sastanak (accusative) = to the meeting (destination). Works with motion or being late for it: Kasnimo na sastanak.
na sastanku (locative) = at the meeting (location): Na sastanku smo (We are at the meeting). Not used for being late for it.

Can I reorder the sentence?

Yes. Word order is flexible; choose based on what you want to emphasize:

Kasnimo na sastanak zbog gužve u prometu. (neutral)
Zbog gužve u prometu kasnimo na sastanak. (emphasizes the reason first)
Na sastanak kasnimo zbog gužve u prometu. (emphasizes the meeting) All are correct.

There’s no “the” before sastanak. Are there articles in Croatian?

No articles. Specificity comes from context or demonstratives:

taj sastanak = that/the meeting (specific)
ovaj sastanak = this meeting

How do I pronounce the tricky parts (like zbog, ž, sastanak)?

ž = the sound of s in “measure.”
zbog = “z-bog” (both consonants voiced; the final g stays [g]).
prometu = “PROH-meh-too” (roughly; vowels are pure).
kasnimo = “KAS-nee-mo.”
sastanak = “SAH-sta-nak.”

Can I just say Zbog prometa instead of Zbog gužve u prometu?

Yes, colloquially Zbog prometa (“Because of traffic”) is common and understood. If you want to be more precise: Zbog prometne gužve or Zbog gužve u prometu.

Is sastanak always the right word for “meeting”?

Mostly for business/organized meetings. Alternatives:

termin = appointment/time slot (doctor, hairdresser)
sjednica = formal session (board, council)
susret = meeting/encounter (often between people/teams)
Avoid miting for business; it usually means a rally/demonstration.

How do I say “We will be late for the meeting because of traffic”?

Result-focused: Zakasnit ćemo na sastanak zbog gužve u prometu.
Neutral/colloquial: Kasnit ćemo na sastanak zbog gužve u prometu.

How do I say “We’re 10 minutes late”?

Both are used:

Kasnimo 10 minuta.
Kasnimo za 10 minuta. The version without za is very common in speech.

Is there a regional difference between promet and saobraćaj?

Yes:

Croatia: promet (traffic) → gužva u prometu, prometna gužva
Serbia/Bosnia/Montenegro: saobraćaj → gužva u saobraćaju The structure of the sentence stays the same.

Can I use kasniti s to say I’m late with something?

Yes. Use kasniti s + instrumental for being late with a task/thing, not for events:

Kasnimo s projektom. (We’re late with the project.) For events/appointments, stick to kasniti na + accusative:
Kasnimo na sastanak.