My Short Croatian Grammar CROATIAN

Moja mala hrvatska gramatika HRVATSKI

Nouns • Mobile a (an unstressed a is lost):

Sg. Pl. Sg. Pl.
Animate masculine nouns (people or animals) have
the same form in the Genitive and Accusative
Capitalisation mẹtar mẹtri čamac – boat čamci Singular. All other masculine nouns are inanimate
In Croatian, nouns are written in lower case letters: and have the same form in the Nominative and
rịba – fish, more – see. Upper case is used for: • The consonant t is lost (the mobile a disappears
+ sibilarization: k/g/h + -i ->-ci, -zi, -si): Accusative Singular.
a) proper nouns: Marko Mạrulić, b) nationalities:
Sg. zadatak - task Pl. zadatci/zadaci animate G = A inanimate N = A
Nijemac – the German, c) countries: Hṛvatska – Sg. brother friend table city
Croatia, and d) place names: Vẹla Luka, Sẹverin na Kụpi Irregular plurals: N brạt prịjatelj stol grad
(Prepositions are always in lower case). Sg. Pl. G brạta prịjatelja stola grada
čọvjek – man, person ljudi
If proper nouns and titles are compounds of two or dijete – child djẹca A brạta prịjatelja stol grad
This rule also applies to the qualifying adjectives and pronouns.
more parts, only the first word is written in upper case
letters, e.g. a) geographical names: : Plịtvička jezera – Noun Cases • Neuter ending in -o or -e:
Plitvice Lakes, Dụgi ọtok, b) institutions: Hṛvatsko Nouns change according to their case and number. The Sg. place sea name
narodno kạzalište – Croatian National Theatre, Croatian language has seven cases: Nominative, N mjẹsto more ịme
c) adresses: Zagrebačka ụlica – Zagreb Street. Genitive, Dative, Accusative, Vocative, Locative, and G mjẹsta mora ịmena2
Instrumental. The Nominative indicates that a word is D mjẹstu moru ịmenu
Noun Gender the subject of a sentence. It answers the questions A mjẹsto more ịme
Croatian has three genders: masculine, feminine and who?, what? (tko?, što?). The Genitive indicates V mjẹsto more ịme
neuter. Gender is determined by the last letter of the possession or that something is a part of or an amount L mjẹstu moru ịmenu
word in the nominative singular: of something. It answers the questions whose?, of I mjẹstom morem 1 ịmenom
• masculine: most nouns that end in a consanant: what? (koga?, čega?). The Dative expresses a goal or Pl.
dan – day, mụzej – museum, ọtac – father. an intention. It indicates that something is being given N mjẹsta mora imẹna
• feminine: most words ending in -a: kụća – house, to someone. It answers the questions to whom?, to G mjesta mora imena
sọba – room, majka – mother. what? (komu?, čemu?). The Accusative indicates the D mjẹstima morima imẹnima
• neuter: words ending in –o or –e: mjẹsto – place, object or destination in the sentence. It answers the A mjẹsta mora imẹna
sunce – sun, dijete – child. questions whom?, what? (e.g. do I see)? (koga?, što? V mjẹsta mora imẹna
• Careful! There are some feminine words that end in vịdim). The Vocative is used when adressing someone L mjẹstima morima imẹnima
a consonant: noć – night, obitelj – family. They have directly. It is the same as the Nominative except in the I mjẹstima morima imẹnima
their own i-declension. Qualifying adjectives and masculine and feminine singular. The Locative denotes 1
After a palatal consonant (-č, -ć, -dž, -đ, -j, -lj, -nj, -š, -ž, -c, -r) there is -em, 2Word
stem extension -en-.
pronouns are given the standard feminine forms: position or a place where an action takes place and is
dụga noć – long night, mọja obitelj – my family. only used with a preposition: na – on, o – over, po – 2. The e-Declension
to, pri – with, by and u – in. The Dative and the • Feminine nouns ending in -a:
Nouns in Croation do not have articles: Lokative have the same endings. The Instrumental Sg. river teacher pear
họtel – a hotel, the hotel. refers to the instrument or means, or in whose N rijeka učitẹljica krụška
company an action is performed. It stands alone after G rijeke učitẹljice krụške
Natural and grammatical gender certain verbs or after the following prepositions: s/sa – D rijeci1 učitẹljici krụški
In Croatian, the natural (sexus) gender and grammatical with, među – under, between, nad – over, pod – under, A rijeku učitẹljicu krụšku
(genus) gender are generally the same, but not always. pred – in front of, before, za – behind, to; e.g.: V rijeko učitẹljice2 krụško
Male persons and names ending in -a, and some Vọzim se vlakom. – I am going by train. L rijeci1 učitẹljici krụški
masculine terms of endearment ending in -e and -o are Vọzim se s brạtom. – I am going with my brother. I rijekom učitẹljicom krụškom
declined like feminine nouns, even though the natural Pl.
gender is masculine: tạta – dad, kolega – colleague, Noun Declension N rijeke učitẹljice krụške
Nịkola, Stipe, Anto. Possessive pronouns and adjectives The grammatical gender of nouns determines how they G rijeka učitẹljica krụšaka3/krụški4
are declinated according to the natural gender: moj are declinated. The three main types are the a-, e- and D rijekama učitẹljicama krụškama
tạta – my dad, dọbar kolega – a good colleague. i-Declensions (they are named after the vowel ending A rijeke učitẹljice krụške
in the Genitive Singular). V rijeke učitẹljice krụške
Singular and Plural L rijekama učitẹljicama krụškama
Most nouns have both singular and plural forms. The 1. Nouns following the a-Declension I rijekama učitẹljicama krụškama
single and plural endings for nouns are: • Masculine nouns ending in a consonant: 1
Sibilarization, 2after a palatal consonant (-c, -č, -ć, -dž, -đ, -j, -lj, -nj, -š, -ž,
Sg. day passenger the German sometimes -r) there can sometimes also be the ending -e, 3mobile -a-,4the ending -i
N Sg. Pl. Sg. Pl.
is possible if there are two consonants before the ending.
m. - -i prozor prozori window N dan putnik Nijemac4
f. -a -e žẹna žẹne woman G dana putnika Nijemca Nouns referring to male persons and masculine names
n. -o/ -a sẹlo sẹla village D danu putniku Nijemcu ending in -a as well as male terms of endearment
-e more mora sea A dan putnika1 Nijemca1 ending in -e and -o are declinated according to the
f. (i) - -i ljubav ljubavi love V dane putniče2 Nijemče2 e-Declension.
L danu putniku Nijemcu
Some nouns only have plural forms: hlạče (f.Pl.) – I danom putnikom Nijemcem 5 3. The i-Declension
trousers, vrata (n.Pl.) – door, nạočale (f.Pl.) – glasses. Pl. • Feminine nouns ending in a consonant:
Some nouns are only used in the singular: vọda – N dani putnici3 Nijemci Sg. evening night Pl.
water, mlijeko – milk, jụg – South. G dana putnika Nijemaca4 N vẹčer noć vẹčeri nọći
D danima putnicima Nijemcima G vẹčeri nọći večẹri nọći
Some masculine nouns change in their plural forms: A dane putnike Nijemce D vẹčeri nọći večẹrima nọćima
• Monosyllabic masculine nouns take -ov- or -ev- V dani putnici Nijemci A vẹčer noć vẹčeri nọći
(after palatal consonants: -č, -ć, -dž, -đ, -j, -lj, -nj, -š, -ž, L danima putnicima Nijemcima V vẹčeri nọći vẹčeri nọći
-c, sometimes -r) before the plural endings: I danima putnicima Nijemcima L vẹčeri nọći večẹrima nọćima
Sg. Pl. Sg. Pl.
I vẹčeri nọći/ večẹrima nọćima
1
Animate G=A,2palatalisation, 3sibilarization, 4mobile -a-, 5after palatal consonants
grad - city grạdovi nož - knife noževi (-č, -ć, -dž, -đ, -j, -lj, -nj, -š, -ž, -c, sometimes -r) there is an -e instead of an -o.
nọću
• Sibilarization (k/g/h + -i ->-ci, -zi, -si): Some nouns ending in -e, -i,-o or -u are masculine and
are declinated as such: a) names : Mario, Tọni, Exceptions
Sg. rječnik – dictionary Pl. rječnici
b) internationalisms: ạuto, radio, kupe, tạksi, tabu, Some nouns are not declinated in Croatian. These
sụprug – husband sụpruzi
c) masculine words with changes in their word stems include feminine proper names that do not end in -a:
ọrah – walnut ọrasi
(-l ® -o): N pọsao - G pọsla – work, job. Kạrin, Ạni, Renate.

1
1
Pronouns The reflexive possessive pronoun svoj
Svoj always refers to the subject of the same sentence
ne-
nẹtko
(indefinite)
someone
ni- (negative)
nịtko/nịko no one
Personal pronouns nẹšto something nịšta nothing
and carries the meaning of vlastit – own:
1. ja I mi we nẹkakav some kind of nịkakav none (no kind of)
On ịma svọju sọbu.– He has his own room.
2. ti you vi/Vi you/(you formal) nẹki some nịjedan none, not even one
Svoj is declinated like moj. nẹčiji someone‘s nịčiji no one‘s
3. on he ọni they (m.)
ọna she ọne they (f.) sva- (universal) i-( (hypothetical)
Demonstrative pronouns
svạtko everyone ịtko anyone
ọno it ọna they (n.) ọvaj, ọva, ọvo this one (here) svạšta all sorts of ịšta anything
taj, ta, to that one (there) svạkakav every kind of ịkakav any kind of
The declension of personal pronouns ọnaj, ọna, ọno that one over there (far away)
Sg. m./n. f. svạki every ịkoji any
svạčiji everyone‘s ịčiji anyone‘s
N ja ti on/ọno ọna Ọvaj, ọva, ọvo refers to something that is close to the
G mẹne, me tẹbe, te njẹga, ga nje, je The particles -god and bilo give the indefinite pronoun
speaker (ja – I), taj, ta, to refers to something closer to a hypothetical meaning: tkọ god – whoever, bilo tkọ –
D mẹni, mi tẹbi, ti njẹmu, mu njoj, joj the person the speaker is talking to (ti – you):
A mẹne, me tẹbe, te njẹga, ga nju, ju, je anyone (no matter who it is).
Ọva kụća – this house (here), ta kụća – that house.
V - ti - - Ọnaj, ọna, ọno refers to something far away from both Indefinite pronouns with particles are declinated like
L mẹni tẹbi njẹmu njoj speakers: ọna kụća – that house (over there). the interrogative pronoun without the particle: (A)
I (sa) (s) (s) njim, (s) njom, nẹkoga – someone, …
mnom tọbom njime njome Ọvo, to, ọno can be used as the subject or the object in
Pl. m./f./n. sentences that do no have nouns: To mi se sviđa.– I like Interrogative pronouns with the particles ni- and i- are
N mi vi/Vi* ọni/ọne/ọna that (there)., Vịdiš li ọvo? – Do you see this (here)? separated by a preposition in the G/A/L/I: (L) nị o kome
G nas, nas vas, vas njih, ih – about no one/not about anyone, (I) nị s kim – with no
D nạma,nam vạma, vam njịma, im Declension of demonstrative pronouns one / not with anyone.
A nas, nas vas, vas njih, ih Demonstrativ pronouns are declinated like njẹgov:
V - vi - Sg. masculine neuter feminine Nẹki, nịjedan and svạki as well as sạv, svạ, svẹ – all,
L nạma vạma njịma N/V ọvaj ọvo ọva every and sam, sama, samo – alone, by -self are
I (s) nạma (s) vạma (s) njima G ọvog(a) ọve declinated like njẹgov.
*The polite/formal Vi – you is written in upper case, all the forms the same as for vi D/L ọvom(u) ọvoj

Most personal pronouns have a long (stressed) and

A = N/G* ọvo ọvu Numbers
I ọvim ọvom Cardinal Numbers
short (unstressed) forms. The stressed form can be at Pl.
the beginning of a sentence or stand alone. The 0 nụla 10 dẹset 20 dvadeset
N/V ọvi ọva ọve
unstressed form can never stand alone. It comes after a 1 jẹdan,-a,-o 11 jedạnaest 21 dvadeset jẹdan
G ọvih
stressed word: Mẹni je drago. / Drago mi je. – I’m 2 dva,dvịje 12 dvanaest 22 dvadeset dva
D/L /I ọvim(a)
glad., Kọga vịdiš? Njẹga. – Who do you see? Him. 3 tri 13 trinaest 30 trideset
A ọve ọva ọve
*With animate nouns A= G 4 čẹtiri 14 četṛnaest 40 četrdẹset
Only the long form can be used after prepositions or 5 pet 15 pẹtnaest 50 pedẹset
conjunctions: On gọvori o tẹbi. – He talks about you. Interrogative pronouns 6 šest 16 šẹsnaest 60 šezdẹset
tkọ? štọ? who? what? 7 sẹdam 17 sedạmnaest 70 sedamdẹset
Reflexive pronouns sebe, se kạkav, kạkva, kạkvo? what kind? 8 ọsam 18 osạmnaest 80 osamdẹset
Sẹbe (the long, stressed form) or se (the short, kọji, kọja, kọje? which? 9 dẹvet 19 devẹtnaest 90 devedẹset
unstressed form) refers to the subject of the sentence. čịji, čịja, čịje? whose?
There is no nominative form. The plural form is the kọlik/i, kọlika, kọliko? how big? 100 sto 1 000 tịsuća/tịsuću
same as the singular form: kọliko? (See: Adverbs) how many? 200 dvjẹsto 2 000 dvịje tịsuće
N/V - A sẹbe, se 300 trịsto 5 000 pet tịsuća
G sẹbe, se L sẹbi Tkọ refers to persons. Štọ refers to non-persons, 400 čẹtiristo 1 000 000 milịjun/milịon
D sẹbi, si I (sa) sọbom things or objects: 500 petsto 2 000 000 dva milijuna/miliona
Sg. N tkọ štọ 600 šesto 5 000 000 pet milijuna/miliona
(Mi) gọvorimo o sẹbi. – We are talking about ourselves.
G kọga čẹga 700 sẹdamsto 1 000 000 000 milịjarda
Possessive pronouns D kọmu/kọme čẹmu 800 ọsamsto 2 000 000 000 dvịje milịjarde
moj my nạš our A kọga štọ 900 dẹvetsto 5 000 000 000 pet milịjardi
tvoj your vạš/Vạš* your L (o) kọmu/kọme (o) čẹmu
njẹgov his njịhov their I (s) kim, kime (s) čim/ čime The number jẹdan, jẹdna, jẹdno – one is declinated like
njezin / njen her an adjective. Two, three, and four have their own
*The formal/polite form Vaš – Your in upper case, all the forms the same as for vaš Verbs and adjectives that refer to tkọ are used in the declination (used mostly in writing):
masculine form: Tkọ je to bịo? – Who was that?, N/A/V dva (m,n) dvịje (f) tri čẹtiri
Declension of possessive pronouns
Tkọ je gọtov? – Who is finished? G dvạju dvịju trịju četirịju
• if the word stem of the noun it refers to ends in a soft
Verbs and adjectives that refer to štọ as the subject are D/L/I dvạma dvjẹma trịma četirịma
consonant (-j, -š), then (moj, tvoj, naš, vaš/Vaš):
Sg. masculine neuter feminine
used in the neuter form: Štọ je to bilo? – What was
that?, Štọ je gọtovo? – What is finished? The numbers 5 - 20, 25 - 30, …, 100 to 900 do not
N/V moj mọje mọja change. Tịsuća, milịjun und milịjarda are treated as
G mọjeg(a)/mog(a)** mọje Kạkav is declinated like the possessive pronoun njẹgov. nouns.
D/L mọjem(u)/mom(u/e)** mọjoj Kọji is declinated like the possessive pronoun moj. When nouns are used with cardinal numbers:
A = N/G* mọje mọju • after 1, 21, 31,… in the same case in the Singular:
I mọjim mọjom With čịji – whose the question is asked who something jẹdan dan – one day, dvadeset jẹdan dan* – 21 days
Pl. or someone belongs to (declinated like moj): • after 2, 3, 4 and 22, 23, 24,… in the Genitive Singular:
N/V mọji mọja mọje Sg. mackuline neuter feminine
dva dana – 2 days, dvadeset dva dana* – 22 daysTage
G mọjih N/V čịji čịje čịja
• after 5 – 20 and 25 – 30, … in the Genitive Plural: pet
D/L /I mọjim(a) G čịjeg(a) čịje
dana – 5 days, dvadeset pet dana* – 25 days
A mọje mọja mọje D/L čịjem(u) čịjoj *The last digit in the number determines the case and number of the noun.
*With animate nouns A= G, **short form possible with moj, tvoj, svoj A = N/G* čịje čịju
I čịjim čịjom Ordinal numbers
• if the word stem of the noun it refers to ends in a
Pl. Ordinal numbers are formed by adding -ti,-ta,-to (Sg.
hard consonant (-v, -n) then (njẹgov, njezin/njen, njịhov):
Sg. masculine neuter feminine
N/V čịji čịja čịje m./f./n.) to the cardinal number. The numbers 1., 2., 3.,
N/V njẹgov njẹgovo njẹgova G čịjih 4., 7. and 8. are irregular:
G njẹgovog(a) njẹgove D/L /I čịjim(a) 1. prvi, -a, -o 6. šesti, -a, -o
A čịje čịja čịje 2. drụgi, -a, -o 7. sedmi, -a, -o
D/L njẹgovom(u/e) njẹgovoj *with animate nouns A= G
A = N/G* njẹgovo njẹgovu 3. trẹći, -a, -e 8. osmi, -a, -o
I njẹgovim njegovom Kọlik/i,-a,-o – how big is declinated like an adjective: 4. čẹtvrti, -a, -o 9. dẹveti, -a, -o
Pl. Kọlika je štẹta? – How extensive is the damage? 5. peti, -a, -o 10. dẹseti, -a, -o
N/V njẹgovi njẹgova njẹgove They are declinated like adjectives: prvi dan – first day,
G njẹgovih Indefinite pronouns trẹće mjẹsto – third place.
D/L /I njẹgovim(a) Indefinite pronouns are formed by adding an indefinite With larger ordinal numbers, only the last digit is
A njẹgove njẹgova njẹgove particle to the interrogative pronouns: ne-, ni-, sva-, i-, treated as an ordinal number and determines the
*With animate nouns A= G -god, bilo: declension: dvịje tịsuće prve gọdine – in the year 2001.

2
2
Adjectives Adjective declension
The declension of definite adjectives is the same as for
Comparative m., f.,n.
nọviji, -a, -e
Superlative m., f., n.
najnoviji, -a, -e the newest
Adjectives can be used as to modify nouns (mala kụća vịši, -a, -e najviši, -a, -e the highest
possessive pronouns:
– small house) or as a compliment to a verb (Kụća je bọlji, -a, -e najbolji, -a, -e the best
• if the word stem ends in a hard consonant (-b, -g, -h,
mala. – The house is small.). They are declinated the -k, -l, -m, -n, -p, -r,-s, t, -v, -z, …):
same (gender, number and case) as the noun they
modify:
Sg.
N/V
masculine
nọvi nọvo
neuter feminine
nọva
Adverbs
Sg.
G nọvog(a) nọve Adverbs do not change their forms. They are used to
m. vẹlik(i) prozor big window D/L nọvom(u,e) nọvoj modify verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, and sentences.
f.
vẹlika žẹna big/great woman A = N/G* nọvo nọvu Adverb groups
f. (i) ljubav* big/great love I nọvim nọvom • Adverbs of time: dạnas – today, jụčer – yesterday,
n. vẹliko mjẹsto big place Pl.
sụtra – tomorrow, sạd(a) – now, tạd(a)/ọnda – then,
Pl. N/V nọvi nọva nọve
ụskoro – bald, često – oft, …
m. vẹliki prozori big windows G nọvih
• Adverbs of place: ovdje – here, tu – here, ondje –
f. žẹne big/great women D/L /I nọvim(a)
vẹlike there
f. (i) ljubavi* big/great loves A nọve nọva nọve
*With animate nouns A= G
• Adverbs of direction: ọvamo – here, tạmo/ọnamo –
n. vẹlika mjẹsta big places there, ọdavde – from here, …
*See: Noun gender: i-Declension
• if the word stem end in a soft consonant (-č, -ć, -đ, -j, • Adverbs of degree: ovạko/tạko/onạko – like this,
Adjective groups -lj, -nj, -š, -ž, sometimes -r, -c): ovolịko/tolịko/onolịko – this much, vṛlo/jako –
Adjectives can be divided into three groups: descriptive, relational, and Sg. masculine neuter feminine very/much, …
possessiv adjectives. N/V vrući vruće vruća • Interrogative adverbs: gdjẹ – where, kạd(a) – when,
Descriptive adjektives G vrućeg(a) vruće kạko – how, kạmo – where to, kolịko – how
D/L vrućem(u/e) vrućoj much/many, ọdakle – from where
Descriptive adjectives describe nouns: lijep(i) dan – a
A = N/G* vruće vruću
nice/beautiful day, nọva kụća – a new house, zrẹlo
I vrućim vrućom After the adverb kolịko – how much/many (in all its
vọće – ripe fruit.
Pl. variations) the modified noun is used in the genitive
Descriptive adjectives in the masculine, nominative, N/V vrući vruća vruće plural: Kọliko jạbuka žẹlite kupiti? – How many apples
singular form show the difference between the definite G vrućih would you like to buy?,
and the indefinite adjective forms, similar to how they D/L /I vrućim(a) Sạmo nẹkoliko jạbuka. – Only a few apples.
are used in English: A vruće vruća vruće
*With animate nouns A= G Uncountable nouns such as vọda – water, meso – meat,
indefinite form m. N Sg. definite form m. N Sg.
… are used in the Genitive Singular after koliko: Kolịko
vẹlik a big vẹliki the big Degrees of Comparison of Adjectives vọde žẹlite kupiti? – How much water would you like to
krạtak a short krạtki the short Only descriptive adjectives can be compared. buy?
dọbar a good dọbri the good Comparative and superlative forms only have definite
adjective forms. The comparative is formed by putting If the adverb (n.Sg.) is used as the subject of a
Please note: The difference between the definite and
a soft consonant at the end of the adjective stem with sentence, then the verb is used in the 3.Pers.Sg.: Kọliko
indefinite adjective forms is used in writing. Indefinite
which they are declinated. žena je ovdje? – How many women are there here?
adjectives in the masculine singular and neuter
singular are declinated in the same way as the noun Comparative • Indefinite adverbs are formed by adding the particles
they describe, but not always: in the N/G/D/A/L they There are two groups of comparatives according to ne-, ni-, sva-/sve-, i-, -god, bilo, … to the interrogative
are, but not in the V/I. Definite adjectives are how they are formed: adverbs:
declinated according to the rules of declination of • Regular forms: the comparative suffix -iji, -ija, -ije ne- (indefinite) ni- (negative)
adjectives (and indefinite adjectives in V/I). There are (Sg. m.,f.,n.) is added to the adjective stem: nẹgdje somewhere nịgdje nowhere
no differences with the feminine adjective forms. m. f. n. nẹkad(a) sometime nịkad(a) never
nọv nọviji nọvija nọvije newer nẹkako somehow nịkako by no means
The indefinite adjective form is used: stạr stạriji stạrija stạrije older nẹkamo somewhere nịkamo nowhere
• when the adjective is part of the predicate:
nẹkoliko some nịkoliko none
Dan je lijep i sụnčan. – The day is beautiful and sunny. • Some adjectives that have monosyllabic stems are
• when someone/something is mentioned for the first given the suffix -ji, -ja, -je (Sg. m.,f.,n.) and the sva-/sve- (universal) i- (hypothetical )

time: Vẹlik čọvjek stọji ịspred vrata. – A big man is consonant changes*: svạgdje everywhere ịgdje somewhere
standing in front of the door. m. f. n. ụvijek always ịkad(a) ever
• as part of the attribute in the Genitive: djẹvojka lijepa drag drạži drạža drạže dearer svạkako in any case ịkako somehow
lica – A/the girl with a beautiful face. jak jạči jạča jạče stronger svạkamo everywhere ịkamo somewhere
skup skụplji skụplja skụplje more svẹ everything ịkoliko however much/many
The definite adjective form is only used as an attribute: expensive The particles -god and bilo give the indefinite adverb a
Moj dọbri prịjatelj je dọšao. – My good friend came. *iotation (consonant + j -> softer consonant): g+j ->ž, k+j ->č, p+j ->plj, … hypthothetical and indefinite meaning: gdjẹgod –
wherever, bilo gdjẹ – no matter where, kạdgod –
Relational adjectives • Adjectives that end in -ak, -ek, -ok, -eo/-el in the
whenever, …
Relational adjectives express a relation between two positive lose these suffixes and are given the
entities: kụća – house -> kụćni red – house rules, comparative suffix -ji, -ja, -je (Sg. m.,f.,n.) and the Adverbs derived from adjectives
djẹca – children -> djẹčje ịgralište – children‘s consonant is changed*: Adverbs that are derived from adjectives are used as
playground, grad– city -> grạdski tṛg – city square. m. f. n.
neuter adjectives.
krạt-ak krạći krạća krạće shorter
pạmetan/pạmetni,-a,-o -> pạmetno – smart,
These adjectives have a definite adjective form and as dạl-ek dạlji dạlja dạlje further
dọbar/dọbri,-a,-o -> dọbro – good.
such are used both as attributes and predicates. vịs-ok vịši vịša vịše higher
dẹb-eo dẹblji dẹblja dẹblje thicker, If the adjective ends in -ski, -ški, -(a)čki then the adverb
Possessive adjectives fatter is formed from the masculine adjective form:
Possessive adjektives indicate belonging to a specific *iotation: t+j ->ć, l+j ->lj, s+j ->š, b+j ->blj, …
brạtski,-a,-o -> brạtski – brotherly,
person or living being. They are formed by adding
• The adjectives lijep – beautiful, mẹk - soft and lạk – ekọnomski,-a,-o -> ekọnomski – economic.
-ov/-ev to the masculine and neuter forms, and -in to
easy are given the endings -ši, -ša, -še (Sg. m.,f.,n.):
the feminine forms. To these, the adjective endings Adverbs derived from ordinal numbers are formed
m. f. n.
-, -a, -o (Sg. m.,f.,n.), -i, -e, -a (Pl. m.,f.,n.) are added: more beautiful from the neuter form of the ordinal number:
lijep* ljẹpši ljẹpša ljẹpše
brạt – brother -> brạtov ključ – brother's key, *Positive: long (-ije-) -> Comparative: short (-je-) prvi,-a,-o -> prvo – first, firstly.
baka – grandmother -> bakin ọrmar – grandmother’s
wardrobe. • Irregular comparative forms: The adjective stems are Degrees of comparison of adverbs
different in the positive and in the comparative: Adverbs formed from descriptive adjectives are
Geographic names and nationalities are given the m. f. n. declinated in the same way as the neuter form of the
endings -ski/-ški,/(a)čki, to indicate the place of origin: dọbar bọlji bọlja bọlje better adjective:
Nijemac – German -> njẹmački – German (as an adjective), mali/mạlen mạnji mạnja mạnje smaller Positive Comparative Superlative
Hṛvat – Croat -> hṛvatski jẹzik – Croatian language. vẹlik vẹći vẹća vẹće bigger tọplo warm tọplije najtoplije
hladno cold hlạdnije najhladnije
Please note: Country names that end in -ska/-ška, Superlative pụno much/many vịše najviše
/(a)čka: Hṛvatska – Croatia, Njẹmačka – Germany are The superlative is formed by adding the prefix naj- to dọbro good bọlje najbolje
used as nouns, but declinated as adjectives. the comparative form:

3
3
Verbs When a suffix is added, there are often vowel or
consonant changes as well:
Personal endings in the four conjugation groups
-a- -i- -e- -je-
Croatian verb forms are formed according to aspect, tense, person,
number, and mood (indicative, conditional, imperative and optative)as imperfektiv perfektiv znạti raditi jẹsti pịti
well as voice (active and passive). plaćati platiti pay Sg. know do eat drink

Verbal aspect otvarati otvọriti open ja znam radim jẹdem pịjem

Most verbs have two aspects – the imperfective ti znaš radiš jẹdeš pịješ
There are a number of aspect pairs that do not have on/ona/ono zna radi jẹde pịje
(process, repition) and the perfective (completion).
the same word stems: Pl.
These verbs have the same meaning and form an imperfective perfective
aspect pair: mi znamo radimo jẹdemo pịjemo
govọriti rẹći say vi znate radite jẹdete pịjete
imperfective perfective
raditi nạpraviti do oni/one/onaznaju rade jẹdu pịju
kupọvati kupiti buy
pisati napisati write Some verbs express both aspects: The -a-conjugation includes:
dọlaziti doći come vịdjeti – see, dọručkovati – have/eat breakfast, • most verbs ending in -ati: pitati, pitam – ask,…
čestitati – congratulate. These include verbs ending in • verbs ending in -irati: planirati, plạniram – plan,…
Imperfective aspect
the suffix -irati: telefonirati – talk on the phone. • some verbs ending in -ivati: pozivati, pọzivam –
The imperfective aspect stands for verbs which
describe states or actions that are in process, invite, pokrivati, pọkrivam – cover, …
Verbs that express a state or the duration of an action
incomplete, or repeated. The emphasis is on the can only exist in the imperfective aspect: ịmati – have, The -i-conjugation includes:
process of the action. ịći – go, sụdjelovati – participate. • most verbs ending in -iti: vọziti, vọzim – drive, …
The imperfective aspect: • verbs ending in -jeti, -ljeti, -njeti: vịdjeti, vịdim - see
The infinitive and the present tense stem • verbs which have č, j, š, ž, št oder žd before the
• describes an action that is in process and is used in There is a difference between the infinitive and the present tense stem of
the present tense: a verb. suffix -ati in the infinitive: tṛčati, tṛčim – run, lẹžati,
Radimo u vṛtu. – We are working in the garden. lẹžim – lay, dṛžati, dṛžim – hold, …
The infinitiv is formed with the infinitive stem and a
• describes actions that are repeated: The -e-conjugation includes:
suffix (-ti, -ći oder -sti). Remove the suffix from the
On ụvijek kụpuje krụh. – He always buys bread. • verbs ending in -sti and -nijeti: jẹsti, jẹdem – eat,
infinitive to get the infinitive stem:
• describes to actions in process at the same time: Infinitive Infinitive stem ọdnijeti, odnẹsem – take away, …
Telefonirala je dọk je čẹkala. – She was talking on the čịtati čita- read • verbs ending in -ći: ịći, ịdem – go, rẹći, rẹčem – say,
phone while she was waiting. rẹći rek- say • verbs ending in -nuti: krenuti, krenem – start, leave
• is used after certain verbs such: pọčinjati/pọčeti – jẹsti je- eat • some verbs ending in -jati, -njati, -rati: trạjati,
start, nạstavljati/nạstaviti – continue, ụčiti/naụčiti –
The infinitive stem is used to form infinitives, trạjem – last, pọčinjati, pọčinjem – begin, …
learn. • verbs ending in -ati, whose infinitive and present
participles (active past participle and passive past
Signal words for the use of the imperfective aspect participle), the aorist as well as the adverbial participle stems are very different: slạti, šạljem – send,
includ: svạki dan – every day, ụvijek – always, stalno – in the past tense. • verbs ending in -eti and -uti, whose present tense
constantly, pọnekad – sometimes, nịkad(a) – never, … stem ends in m, n, p: ụzeti, ụzmem – take,…
The present tense stem is formed by removing the • verbs ending in -rti,-reti,-rijeti: ụmrijeti, ụmrem – die
Perfektive aspekt ending of the 3. Person Plural Present: • verbs ending in -ati, and with a consonant change at
Infinitive Present stem 3. P. Pl. present
The perfective aspect indicates a one-time, specific, the end of the present tense stem: pisati, pišem –
completed action, or a sequence of actions or events. morati mor- moraju must
write, kazati, kažem – say, pomagati, pọmažem – help,
The emphasis is on the result or the time limit of the raditi rad- rade do
…
action. doći dođ- dođu come
pịti pi- pịju drink The most important consonant changes are:
s, h> š z, g > ž c, k > č d>đ t>ć
The perfective aspect: The present stem is used to form the present, the
• describes an action that has been completed: m, p, b, v > mlj, plj, blj, vlj
imperative, active past participle, and theadverbial
Kupila je knjịgu. – She bought the book. participle in the present tense. The -je-conjugation includes:
• is used after modal verbs: morati – must, have to,
• verbs ending in -uti (except verbs ending in -nuti), -iti
trẹbati – should, need, mọći – can, smjẹti – may, Conjugations
and -jeti: čụti, čụjem – hear, smjẹti, smịjem – allowed
allowed, žẹljeti – want, wish, as well as after certain Auxiliary verb biti – to be
• verbs ending in -ovati, -ivati: kupọvati, kụpujem –
perfective verbs such as: zabọraviti – forget, ụspjeti – The verb bịti – to be is completely irregular and is used
buy, upisivati, upịsujem – register, …
succeed. as a main verb as well as an auxiliary verb:
Sg. unstressed stressed negated perfective
• verbs ending in -vati, -avati: davati, dajem – give, …
The present form of perfective verbs cannot express ja sam jẹsam nisam bụdem Perfect
absolute (true) present time, only relative (untrue) ti si jẹsi nisi bụdeš The Perfect is derived from the present of the auxiliary
present time. It is used: on/ona/ono. je jẹ/jẹst nije bụde verb bịti and the active past participle:
• in subordinate clauses that express a series of Pl.
Sg. ja sam čịtao(m.)*
consecutive actions: Kạd dođem kụći, pripremit ću mi smo jẹsmo nismo bụdemo
ti si čịtala(f.)**
vẹčeru. – When I get home I will make dinner. vi ste jẹste niste bụdete
on/ọna/ọno je č̣italo(n.)
• when talking about things in the past in the historic oni/one/ona su jẹsu nisu bụdu
Pl. mi smo čịtali(m.)
presence: Ọna brzo uđe i zạtvori vrata. – She quickly
Auxiliary verb htjẹti – want, will vi ste čịtale(f.)
goes (went) inside and locks (locked) the door.
As a modal verb htjeti means want. As an auxiliary ọni/ọne/ọna su čịtala(n.)
• in questions with zạšto – why and when a *ja sam čitao = čitao sam(m.) /**ja sam čitala = čitala sam (f.) – I read
simultaneous action is negated: Zạšto nẹ uđeš? – verb it is used to make the future tense.
Sg. unstressed stressed negated
Why don't you come in? Aorist and Imperfect
ja ću họću neću The aorist indicates an action that has been terminated in the recent past,
• when giving instructions: Stạviš mạlo češnjaka,
ti ćeš họćeš nećeš it is often used to express short, fast, dynamic actions. The imperfect
dọdaš pạpriku i prọmiješaš. – Add a little bit of garlic indicates habits, repeated actions in the past, or ongoing or simultaneous
on/ona/ono će họće neće
and some ground paprika and stir. Pl.
actions. They are used mostly in writing, and have almost completely
disappeared from everyday use.
There are signal words that indicate the use of the mi ćemo họćemo nećemo
vi ćete họćete nećete • The Aorist is formed by adding personal endings to
perfective aspect: jedạnput – once, ịznenada –
oni/one/ona će họće neće the infinitive stem of perfective and imperfective
suddenly, nạpokon – finally, ạko – if, kạd(a) – when, …
verbs:
Aspect formation The stressed and negated forms of biti und htjeti can skọčiti – jump rẹći (rek-ti) – say
By adding a prefix (prefixion), an imperfective verb stand alone and at the beginning of a sentence (as can Sg. ja skọčih* rẹkoh**
becomes perfective: the perfective form of biti). The unstressed form can ti skọči rẹče***
imp. perf. only be used together with a stressed word. on/ọna/ọno skọči rẹče
jẹsti pọjesti eat – finish eating Pl. mi skọčismo rẹkosmo
Tenses
pisati napisati write – write down In Croatian there are three verb tense groups: Present, Past (perfect, vi skọčiste rẹkoste
aorist, imperfect, plusquamperfect) and Future (Future I and Future II). ọni/ọne/ọna skọčiše rẹkoše
By adding a suffix (suffixion), a perfective verb
Infinitive stems that end in a vowel are given the endings -h, -, -, -smo, -ste, -še ,
becomes imperfective: Present tense and infinitive stems that in a consonant -oh, -e, -e, -osmo, -oste, -oše.
imperfective perfective The present tense is derived by adding the personal *skočih – I jumped, **rekoh – I said,***consonant change k+e > če
prodavati prọdati sell endings to the stem of the present tense. There are
ọstajati ọstati stay four basic conjugation types: -a-, -i-, -e- and -je- The aorist of the auxiliary verb bịti (bịh, bị, bị, bịsmo,
dọlaziti doći come (based on the vowel in the conjugation ending): bịste, bị) is used to form the conditional.

4
4
• The Imperfect is formed by adding personal endungs Conjugation Infinitive 3.Pers.Pl. -> without the final vowel • The second is formed with the Present/Perfect
to the word stems of imperfective verbs: -a- pjẹvati pjẹvaju pjevaj- /Future of the auxiliary verb bịti and the passive past
Sg. ja pjẹvah* bịjah** -i- nọsiti nọse nos- participle (see: Participles). The focus is on the state or
ti pjẹvaše bịjaše -e- doći dođu dođ- condition:
on/ọna/ọno pjẹvaše bịjaše -je- pịti pịju pij- The house bịti – be PPP – built
pjevati – sing, nositi – carry, doći – come, piti – drink Präsens je
Pl. mi pjẹvasmo bịjasmo
vi pjẹvaste bịjaste • The imperative endings of the verbs of the -a- and Perfekt Kụća je bila građena.
ọni/ọne/ọna pjẹvahu bịjahu -je-conjugations (word stem of the 3.Pers.Pl. ending in Futur će bịti
The following endings are also possible: -ijah, -ijaše, -ijaše, -ijasmo, -ijaste, -ijahu. -j): This passive form can be used to express something in
* pjevati – sing -> pjevah – I sang, ** biti – be -> bijah – I was
Conjugation -a- -je-
the future as well as in the past: Kuća je građena. –
Pluperfect Sg. ti pjẹvaj pij
The house is being built. / The house was built.
The Pluperfect expresses an action that took place before another in the Pl. mi pjẹvajmo pijmo
past. vi pjẹvajte pijte If the actor is mentioned, he/she is indicated using the
• The Pluperfect is formed from the perfect form of
construction od (strane) + Genitiv (actor): rọđen od
bịti and and the active past participle: For the 3.Pers.Sg. and Pl. the present form of the word
majke – born of the mother; nạgrađen od strane
Sg. ja sam bịo dọnio (m.)* nẹk(a) (should) is used: On nẹka pjẹva. – He should
ụčitelja – rewarded by the teacher.
ti si bila dọnijela (f.)** sing., Ọni nẹka pjẹvaju. – They should sing.
on/ọna/ọnoje bilo dọnijelo (n.) Participles
• The Imperative endings of the verbs of the -i- and -e- Participles are derived from verbs and can be used attributively with
Pl. mi smo bili dọnijeli (m.)
conjugations (word stem of the 3.Pers.Pl. ending in a features similar to adjectives. When used in combination with nouns, they
vi ste bile dọnijele (f.) assume the gender, number and case of the noun. There are two kinds of
consonant other than -j):
ọni/ọne/ọnasu bila dọnijela (n.) Conjugation -i- -e-
participles: the Active Past Participle (APP) and the Passive Past Participle
donijeti – bring, *bio sam donio (m.)/**bila sam donijela (f.) – I had brought (PPP).
Sg. ti nọsi dođi Active Past Participle (APP)
• The Pluperfect can also be formed from the Pl. mi nọsimo dođimo The APP is used to form the Perfect, the Pluperfect,
Imperfect of bịti and the active past participle: vi nọsite dođite the Future II, the Conditional and the Optative. It is
Sg. ja bịjah ụčio (m.)* formed by adding -o,-la,-lo (Sg. m.,f.,n.) and -li,-le,-la
ti bịjaše ụčila (f.)** • There is a consonant change in the verbs whose
(Pl. m.,f.,n.) to the infinite stem:
on/ọna/ọno bịjaše ụčilo (n.) word stem of the 3.Pers.Pl. ends in -k, -g, -h: bịti – be > was ịmati – have > had
Infinitive 3.Pers.Pl. Imperative 2.Pers.Sg. m. f. n. m. f. n.
Pl. mi bịjasmo ụčili (m.) rẹći – say rẹku rẹci*
vi bịjaste ụčile (f.) Sg. bịo bila bilo ịmao ịmala ịmalo
lẹći – lie down lẹgu/legnu lẹzi*/lẹgni Pl. bili bile bila ịmali ịmale ịmala
ọni/ọne/ọna bịjahu ụčila (n.) *Sibilarization: k,g,h + i>c,z,s
učiti – learn, *bijah učio (m.) /**bijah učila (f.) – I had learned
Verbs with infinitives ending in -ći and -jeti have
• The imperative of the verbs biti are: (ti) bụdi – be,
Future I und II special forms in the APP:
(mi) bụdimo – let us be, (vi) bụdite – (you) be. Infinitive Sg. m. Sg. f. Pl. m.
• The Future I is formed with the present of the
auxiliary verb htjeti and the infinitive of the verb: • The negated imperative is formed in two ways: ịći ịšao ịšla ịšli went
Sg. ja ću ne + Imperative extra form + Infinitive mọći mọgao mọgla mọgli could
ti ćeš Sg. ti ne žuri nẹmoj htjẹti htịo htjẹla htjẹli wanted
Pl. mi ne žurimo nẹmojmo žuriti žẹljeti žẹlio žẹljela žẹljeli wanted
on/ọna/ọno će pisati
vi ne žurite nẹmojte ići – go, moći – can, htjeti – want, željeti – want
Pl. mi ćemo
žuriti – hurry
vi ćete Passive Past Participle (PPP) or Verbal Adjektive
ọni/ọne/ọna će Reflexive verbs The PPP is used to form the passive voice and can also
pisati – write, ja ću pisati / pisat ću – I will write
Reflexive verbs have all the usual verb forms along be used as an adjective. It can only be formed from
• The Future II is formed with the perfective present with the indeclinable reflexive pronoun se: transitive verbs. These verbs have accusative objects
of the auxiliary verb bịti and the active past participle : Infinitive Reflexive verb without prepositions: kupiti krụh – buy the bread,
prạti – wash prạti se – wash oneself čịtati knjịgu – read the book.
Sg. ja bụdem pitao (m.)*
kupati – bathe kupati se – bathe oneself
ti bụdeš pitala (f.)** A suffix is added to the infinitive stem:
on/ọna/ọno bụde pitalo (n.) Please note: The reflexive pronoun se is unstressed • -n to verbs ending in -ati: kụhati -> kụhan – cooked
Pl. mi bụdemo pitali (m.) and needs to be used together with a stressed word: • -t to verbs ending in -eti, -(n)uti:zapọčeti -> zạpočet
vi bụdete pitale (f.) 1.Pers.Sg. with a personal pronoun without a personal pronoun – started, mạknuti -> mạknut – moved
ọni/ọne/ọnabụdu pitala (n.) Present ja se zọvem zọvem se • -ven to certain verbs: mljẹti -> mljẹven – ground
pitati – ask, *budem pitao (m.) /**budem pitala (f.) – I will have asked zvạo sam se (m.)
ja sam se zvạo (m.)
Perfect
ja sam se zvala (f.) zvala sam se (f.) A suffix is added to the present stem:
It describes an action that happens before another
Future ja ću se zvạti zvạt ću se • -en to verbs ending in -ći,-sti: rẹći, rẹčem -> rẹčen –
future action. It is used in the subordinate clause: Javi se
kạd bụdeš dọšao (m.) / dọšla (f.). – Call me when you will have arrived.
Imperative ti se zọvi zọvi se said, pọjesti, pọjedem ->pojẹden – eaten
2.Pers.Sg.
zvati se – call onself, ja se zovem / zovem se – my name is
• -en or -jen (*iotation) to verbs ending in -iti:
Conditional I and II pṛžiti, pṛžim -> pṛžen – fried, roasted,
• The Conditional I is formed with the aorist of the Verbs that are reflexive in Croatian are not always platiti, platim -> plat+jen -> plaćen* – paid, …
auxiliary verb bịti and the active past participle of the reflexive in English: Some words have more than one possible suffix:
verb: Reflexive in Croatian Reflexive in English sạkriti -> sakrịven / sạkrit – hidden, …
nadati se – hope There is one important example of a verb
Sg. ja bịh rẹkao (m.)* that is reflexive in English but not in
ti bị rẹkla (f.)** smịjati se – laugh The proper adjective endings -/-i,-a,-o (Sg. m.,f.,n.), -
Croatian: uživati – enjoy oneself
on/ọna/ọno bị rẹklo (n.) sviđati se – like i,-e,-a (Pl. m.,f.,n.) are added.
Pl. mi bịsmo rẹkli (m.) PPP can be used as a predicate (Parkiranje je
Optative
vi bịste rẹkle (f.) zạbranjeno. – Parking is vorbidden.), as well as an
The Optative is a grammatical mode that indicates a
ọni/ọne/ọna bị rẹkla (n.) attribute in which case it is declinated like an adjective
*ja bih rekao = rekao bih (m.) /** ja bih rekla = rekla bih (f.) – I would say
wish or hope. In Croatian, the active past participle is
used alone to express a wish: (Kupi mljẹvenu pạpriku! – Buy ground paprika!).
• The Conditional II is formed with the Conditional I of Živio! (Sg.m.) / Živjela! (Sg.f.) – (long) live (he/she)! /
the auxiliary verb bịti and the active past participle of Adverbial participles
Cheers!; Živjeli! (Pl.m.) – (long) live! (you pl. / you Adverbial participles act as adverbs: they remain unchanged and describe
the verb: formal) / Cheers! an action of the subject in the sentence.
Sg. ja bịh bịo kupio (m.)*
ti bị bila kupila (f.)** Passive The adverbial present participle is used to express
on/ọna/ọno bị bilo kupilo (n.) The passive voice is formed in two ways: that two actions are taking place at the same time.
• The first is formed with the Present/Perfect/Future The suffix -ći is added to the present of the 3.Pers.Pl.
Pl. mi bịsmo bili kupili (m.)
of a verb in the 3.Pers.Sg. or Pl. and the impersonal of imperfective verbs: ọni kụpuju -> kụpujući – buying
vi bịste bile kupile (f.)
participle se (one, people, they, someone). The focus (while buying).
ọni/ọne/ọna bị bila kupila (n.)
kupiti – buy, * bio bih kupio (m.) / **bila bih kupila (f.) – I would have bought is on the process:
The house graditi – build The adverbial past participle is used to express that
Imperative Präsens se gradi. is being built one action takes place before another. The suffix –vši
The Imperative is formed by adding the personal Perfekt* Kụća se gradila. was being built or -avši is added to the infinite stem of perfective
endings to the word stem that is derived by dropping Futur će se graditi. will be built verbs : vịdjeti -> vịdjevši – after he/she saw,
the final vowel from the present form of the 3.Pers.Pl.: *In the Perfect in the 3.Pers.Sg. with se, “je” is dropped: Kuća se je gradila. rẹći (rek-ti) -> rẹkavši – after he/she said.

5
5
Prepositions Placing words or phrases at the beginning of the
sentence is a form of emphasis: Plažu je glẹdala žẹna.
Word order of the unstressed words (clitics)
The question particle li, the short (unstressed) forms
Prepositions stand before nouns, adjectives or pronouns and determine
their case. – At the beach the woman was looking. of bịti, htjẹti, and personal pronouns, as well as the
Prepositions with one case reflexive pronoun se cannot be placed at the
Genitive Interrogative sentences beginning of a sentence or stand alone. They always
bẹz – without ọkolo, nạokolo – around Wh-Questions depend on a stressed word. The unstressed forms are
blizu – near ọsim – except The question word is placed at the beginning of the in the second position in the sentence: Kạko se zọveš?
dọ – to/until pọmoću – by, with, using sentence: Štọ glẹda mala žẹna? – What is the small – What is your name?; Mi smo srẹtni. / Srẹtni smo. –
ịspod – under(neath) pọput – like woman looking at? We are happy.
ịspred – in front of pọred, pọkraj – next to If there is a pronoun instead of a noun it can be left
iz – from pọslije – after out: Štọ glẹdaš (ti)? – What are you looking at? If there or more than one unstressed words in a row,
iza – behind pọtkraj – at the end they are placed in the following order:
Yes/No-Questions 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
ịzmeđu – between pọvodom – during, on the Yes/No-Questions are formed by placing the question
occasion of li htjeti, Personal pronouns se je
ịznad – above, over particle li in the second position: Glẹda li žẹna plažu? Dative
biti (except je) Gen./Akk.
ịzvan – outside (of) prẹko – over – Is the woman looking at the beach?
kọd – at, by prịje – before Sjẹćaš li ga se? – Do you remember him?
nạkon – after prọtiv – against In Yes/No-Questions that are formed with either the
On će joj ga dạti. – He will give it to her.
nạsred, (ụ)sred tijekom – during, in the auxiliary verb, bịti or htjẹti, the long (stressed) verb
Drago mi je. – I'm glad.
– in the middle of course of form is used: Jẹsi li (ti) na plaži? – Are you on/at the
nạvrh, (ụ)vrh (ụ)mjesto – instead beach?, Họćeš li (ti) doći? – Are you coming? Main clauses + subordinate clauses
– at the top of In Croatian, the position of the verb is the same in the
ụnutar – within Compound verb tenses which are formed with more
main clause as well as in the subordinate clause:
ọd – from (ụz)duž – along than one word (Perfect, Future, …) are separated by
Iva pịje vino. Vino ịma dọbar ọkus.
ọko – around zbọg, rạdi – because of the question particle li:
Iva pịje vino kọje ịma dọbar ọkus. Iva is drinking wine
Dative Jẹ li glẹdala žẹna plažu? – Was the woman looking at
that tastes good (has a good taste).
k(a) – to nạsuprot – across from the beach?, Họće li (ọna) doći? – Is she coming?
ụnatoč, ụ(s)prkos – despite nadọmak – near The rule that the unstressed word must be in the
Accusative Negation
second position applies to subordinate clauses as well:
krọz(a) – through uz(a) – beside, with, by The negation ne is placed before the verb:
Marko plịva ụ moru. Dạnas je vrụće.
nịz(a) – down (Ja) nẹ idem na plažu. – I am not going to the beach.
Marko plịva ụ moru jẹr je dạnas vrụće.
Locative Exceptions are:
Marko is swimming in the sea because it is hot today.
prẹma – to, according to prị – in, at • negated present forms of bịti – be, htjẹti – want, will,
ịmati (nemati) – have (don’t have). The negated form Infinitive clauses
Prepositions with two cases is fused with the verb: An infinitive clause is a subordinate clause whose verb
Genitive Instrumental Nismo na plaži. – We aren't at the beach., is in the infinitive form. In Croatian, infinitive clauses
s(a) from with Nemam sụncobran.– I don't have a sun shade/parasol. are often introduced by a subordinating conjunction
Accusative (where to?) Locative (where?) • the negation of compound tenses (Perfect, Future, (in English they are not):
na on, to, in on, to, in, at …) are formed with the negated form of the auxiliary Dạnas ịmam vrẹmena, da ịdem u restọran.
o against, on about, on verb bịti or htjẹti: Today I have time to go to a restaurant.
pọ ịći pọ – pick up after, in, on, at … Nismo bili na plaži. – We weren't at the beach.,
Accusative (where to?) Instrumental (where?) Nećemo bịti dọma. – We won't be at home. Otputọvala je u Zạdar da vịdi svọju baku. /
mẹđu under, between • the special form nẹmoj, -mo, -te is used to negate Otputọvala je u Zạdar kạko bi vịdjela svọju baku.
nạd(a) above the imperative: Nẹmoj ịći! – Don’t go! She traveled to Zadar to see her grandmother.
pọd(a) under
prẹd(a) in front of, before Double and triple negatives Inversion (subordinate clause + main clause)
If there is a negated indefinite pronoun in the If a subordinate clause comes before the main clause,
Prepositions with three cases sentence, the verb is also negated: the position of the verb does not change:
Genitive Accusative Lokative Nịtko nema vrẹmena. – No one has time. Dọk Maja prịprema kavu, mi razgọvaramo.
u at, on, with in, to in Nịtko nịkamo nẹ ide. – No one is going anywhere. While Maja is preparing coffee, we are talking.
Genitive Accusative Instrumental
za during for, in (time) behind The negation can be intensified with ni or nịti – Unstressed words are in the second position in the
neither, none: Ni dạnas nije dọšao (m). – He didn't subordinate clause: Vrijeme je lijepo. Ịdemo šetati. ->
Bụdući da je vrijeme lijepo, ịdemo šetati.
Conjunctions come today either.
Since the weather is nice, we are going for a walk.
Conjunctions are words that join together words, phrases, clauses or
sentences. Sentences without a subject
Sentences without a subject only have a predicate without an actor in the Please note: Main and subordinate clauses are not
Coordinating conjunctions sentence. separated by commas in Croatian. The exceptions are
a – but, and ni – nor, not, neither Impersonal sentences when certain conjunctions are used: a, ạli, nẹgo, no,
ạli – but, however nịti – neither, not If the state or action is independent of an actor, this is vẹć, dạkle, stọga, zạto.
dạkle – so, therefore ni… ni – neither… nor expressed with an impersonal sentence structure. The
i – and, also no – but, though, however verb is used in the 3.Pers.Sg. and the adjective in the Direct and indirect speech
i… i – and… and, both pa – and, so, and neuter, e.g. the weather: Gṛmi. – It thunders., There is no subjunctive mood in Croatian. The
ịli – or stọga – therefore Sụnčano je. – It is sunny. indicative is used for indirect speech. Only the
ịli… ịli – either… or te – and perspective of the speaker is changed accordingly:
nẹgo – but, than vẹć – already The impersonal use of the verb trẹbati – should/need On kaže brạtu da ịde ụ grad. (da – that)
(to) is often used: Trẹba kupiti mlijeka. – It is He says to his brother that he's going into town.
Subordinating conjunctions necessary to buy milk.
ạko – if kạd(a) – when
The verbs ịmati – have and ḅiti – be can be used Unstressed words are in the second position in
bụdući da – since kạko – like, in order to
without a subject with the meaning there is/are and subordinate clauses. The perspective of the speaker is
čim – once, as soon as kạo da – as if
that something exists. The verb is used in the changed accordingly:
da – that, if, in order to kạo (štọ) – like, as
3.Pers.Sg. with the object in the genitive: Rẹkao je: „Drago mi je.“ -> Rẹkao je da mu je drago.
da li, je li – if ọsim (štọ) – except
• ịmati in the present: Ịma vọde. – There is water. He said: „I am happy“. -> He said he was happy.
dọk – while, until tẹk (štọ) – only just
ịako,prẹmda – although štọ – that • bịti in the past and future: Bilo je vọde. – There was Abbreviations:
jẹr – because, since zạto (štọ) – because water., Bịt će vọde. – There will be water. Pers. – Person, Sg. – Singular, Pl. – Plural; N – Nominative, G – Genitive,
D– Dative, A – Accusative, V – Vocative, L – Locative, I – Instrumental;
Indefinite-impersonal sentences f. – feminine, m. – maskuline, n. – neuter; APP – Active Past Participle,
Syntax and word order The passive is used when the actor in the sentence is
PPP – Passive Past Participle; Adv. – Adverb; a – mobile „a“ in the word;
ạ, ẹ, ị, ọ, ụ, ṛ – short stress; a, e, i, o, u, r – long stress
Declarative sentences undetermined. The verb is in the 3.Pers.Sg. with se –
Word order in Croatian is quite flexible: someone/everyone/anyone (see: Passive): Radi se. – My Short Croatian Grammar DIGITAL
Subject + Verb + Object They/people are working., Priča se. – They/people say. by Marija Flüchter-Krstulja
Mala žẹna je glẹdala plažu. A/The small woman Editing and translation in English: Claudia Keller-Pilsel
© 2023 Flüchter Verlag, Thurgaustr. 6, 81475 Munich, Germany
Mala je žẹna glẹdala plažu. was looking An undetermined actor can also be expressed with the www.fluechter-verlag.de, info@fluechter-verlag.de
Mala žẹna glẹdalaje plažu. at the beach. 3.Pers.Pl.: Pričaju, da je u Hṛvatskoj lijepo. – They say All rights reserved. Price: D/A: 4,00 €, CH: 6,00 CHF (digital)
that it is beautiful in Croatia. ISBN: 978-3-9825159-2-2

6
6