When counting in Croatian, adjective endings depend on the number they follow. The rules are divided into two groups: "paucal" numbers (2, 3, and 4) and quantities of 5 and above.
Numbers 2, 3, and 4
After dva (two), tri (three), and četiri (four), adjectives take a special paucal form:
- Masculine and neuter adjectives end in -a.
- Feminine adjectives end in -e.
Notice the difference between the masculine noun kotač (wheel) and the feminine noun guma (tire):
| The car has four new wheels and two spare tires. | Auto ima četiri nova kotača i dvije rezervne gume. |
This -a ending also applies to neuter nouns like sjedalo (seat) and other masculine words like volan (steering wheel):
| This airplane has two comfortable seats and one strong engine. | Ovaj avion ima dva udobna sjedala i jedan jak motor. |
| We bought three new steering wheels for our cars. | Kupili smo tri nova volana za naše automobile. |
Numbers 5 and Above
For quantities of five or more (pet, šest, deset, etc.), nouns and adjectives take the genitive plural.
For adjectives, the genitive plural ending is always -ih, regardless of gender. Here is what happens to our feminine noun (guma) when increased to five:
| We must buy five new tires for this car. | Moramo kupiti pet novih guma za ovaj auto. |
The exact same -ih ending applies to neuter and masculine nouns:
| Can we put six comfortable seats here? | Možemo li ovdje staviti šest udobnih sjedala? |
| The mechanics must order five spare engines. | Mehaničari moraju naručiti pet rezervnih motora. |