In Croatian, when a generic noun (like a title or geographic term) modifies a proper noun (like a name or city), both nouns take the same case. This is called appositional agreement.
Geographic Terms
When using words like grad (city) or rijeka (river) with a specific name, both words decline together.
For example, expressing location with u (in) requires the Locative case for both the generic noun and the proper noun:
| We will be in the city of Zagreb. | Bit ćemo u gradu Zagrebu. |
| We will be at the symposium in the city of Split. | Bit ćemo na simpoziju u gradu Splitu. |
Expressing a destination with u (to) requires the Accusative case:
| I am traveling to the city of Split by train. | Putujem u grad Split vlakom. |
Professional Titles
When using titles like doktor (doctor), predsjednik (president), or dekan (dean) with a name, both the title and the name decline.
With the preposition s or sa (with), both take the Instrumental case:
| The scientist is talking with Doctor Ana. | Znanstvenik razgovara s doktoricom Anom. |
| I have a meeting with President Horvat. | Imam sastanak s predsjednikom Horvatom. |
| We are talking with the head of the department, Ivan. | Razgovaramo s voditeljem odjela Ivanom. |
For an indirect object (like the recipient of an email), both take the Dative case:
| I am writing an e-mail to Dean Horvat. | Pišem e-mail dekanu Horvatu. |
Combining Appositions
You can combine these phrases in a single sentence. Just ensure each proper noun matches its modifying generic noun.
| We live in the city of Zagreb on the river Sava. | Živimo u gradu Zagrebu na rijeci Savi. |