Bilo bi lijepo da se pomirimo prije večere, jer jedan poljubac ponekad znači više od deset riječi.

Bilo bi lijepo means It would be nice, not It is nice.

This is the Croatian conditional:

• bilo = the l-participle of biti (to be)
• bi = the conditional particle

So:

• Lijepo je = It is nice
• Bilo bi lijepo = It would be nice

In this sentence, the speaker is expressing a wish or suggestion, not describing a present fact. That is why the conditional is used.

Here lijepo is used impersonally. Croatian often uses neuter singular adjectives in expressions like:

• Lijepo je = It is nice
• Dobro je = It is good
• Važno je = It is important

There is no visible noun because the idea is something like It is nice [that...]. The neuter singular form is the normal form in this type of construction.

So Bilo bi lijepo da... literally works like It would be nice if / that...

Da se pomirimo means that we make up / that we reconcile.

Breakdown:

• da = introduces a clause, often corresponding to that, to, or sometimes if depending on context
• se = reflexive marker
• pomirimo = we reconcile / we make up

In sentences like this, Croatian often uses da + present tense where English might use:

• to + verb
• that + clause
• a subjunctive-like idea

So:

• Bilo bi lijepo da se pomirimo = It would be nice if we made up / for us to make up

The verb pomiriti se is a reflexive verb. In this context it means to make up, to reconcile, or to become reconciled.

Without se, the meaning changes or the verb may not work the same way.

Here se helps express that the action involves the participants themselves:

• pomiriti se = to reconcile, make peace, make up

Since the subject is we, the meaning is basically we make up with each other.

This is one of those verbs that learners usually need to memorize together with se.

Yes, pomirimo is formally a present-tense form, but after da Croatian often uses the present tense to express something that English would phrase differently.

So:

• da se pomirimo literally looks like that we reconcile
• but in natural English after It would be nice..., we usually say:
  • if we made up
  • for us to make up

This is a normal Croatian pattern. Do not expect a one-to-one tense match with English here.

Also, pomiriti se is a perfective verb, so the form here points to a single completed event: making up, not an ongoing process.

This is mainly a question of aspect.

• pomiriti se = perfective
  • focuses on the result: to make up, to become reconciled
• miriti se = imperfective
  • focuses more on the process, repetition, or general activity

In this sentence, the speaker is talking about achieving reconciliation before dinner, so the perfective verb pomiriti se is the natural choice.

Prije requires the genitive case.

So:

• večera = nominative singular
• večere = genitive singular

That is why you get:

• prije večere = before dinner

This is a very common pattern:

• prije sastanka = before the meeting
• prije škole = before school
• prije puta = before the trip

So the key point is: prije + genitive.

Sometimes, but they are not exactly the same.

• prije večere = before dinner
  • neutral and straightforward
• pred večeru is generally not the standard form here

More standard would be:

• pred večeru is not usually used in this meaning
• pred večer means toward evening
• pred večerom would mean in front of dinner, which does not fit here

So for before dinner, prije večere is the correct and natural choice.

Yes, both can mean because.

• jer = because
• zato što = because

In this sentence:

• ..., jer jedan poljubac... = ..., because one kiss...

Jer is shorter and very common in everyday speech and writing.

So:

• Bilo bi lijepo da se pomirimo prije večere, jer... is completely natural.

You could also say:

• Bilo bi lijepo da se pomirimo prije večere, zato što...

That would also be correct, though slightly heavier in rhythm.

Jedan literally means one, but it is often used where English might simply say a or one for emphasis.

So:

• jedan poljubac = one kiss / a single kiss

In this sentence, jedan adds emphasis and contrast:

• one kiss versus ten words

That contrast is important because the sentence is saying that a small act of affection can mean more than many words.

Without jedan, poljubac would still make sense, but jedan poljubac sounds stronger and more expressive.

Because this part expresses a general truth or general observation:

• jedan poljubac ponekad znači više od deset riječi
• one kiss sometimes means more than ten words

Croatian uses the present tense here just as English does, because the statement is not tied to one specific moment. It is presenting a general idea about life or relationships.

Riječi here is genitive plural.

There are two useful things to notice:

1. više od means more than

   • više od deset = more than ten

2. After numbers like pet, šest, deset, Croatian normally uses the genitive plural noun:

   • deset riječi = ten words

So:

• više od deset riječi = more than ten words

The noun riječ is a feminine noun, and its genitive plural form is riječi.

Yes, ponekad is fairly flexible.

The sentence has:

• jedan poljubac ponekad znači više od deset riječi

But you could also hear:

• ponekad jedan poljubac znači više od deset riječi
• jedan poljubac znači ponekad više od deset riječi

The original order is natural because ponekad sits in a comfortable middle position and modifies the whole statement smoothly.

Croatian word order is more flexible than English, but the chosen order usually reflects emphasis, rhythm, and style rather than a big change in basic meaning.

It is the 1st person plural present form of the perfective verb pomiriti se.

So:

• infinitive: pomiriti se
• present stem form here: pomirimo
• person/number: we

That means:

• (mi) se pomirimo = we make up / we reconcile

Even though Croatian grammar calls it a present-tense form, in a da-clause its English translation depends on context. Here it fits the meaning if we made up or for us to make up.

Yes, it sounds natural and idiomatic.

It is a bit thoughtful or emotional in tone, but completely normal Croatian. A native speaker could genuinely say it in a romantic or personal context.

Why it sounds natural:

• Bilo bi lijepo da... is a common soft way to make a suggestion
• prije večere is straightforward
• jer jedan poljubac ponekad znači više od deset riječi sounds like a warm, expressive observation

So it is not overly stiff or artificial. It reads like real Croatian.

A more direct version might be:

• Pomirimo se prije večere. = Let’s make up before dinner.

Or:

• Volio bih da se pomirimo prije večere. = I’d like us to make up before dinner.

The original sentence is softer and more tactful:

• Bilo bi lijepo da se pomirimo... = It would be nice if we made up...

So the original wording is less forceful and more gentle.