Short Dative Pronouns
When you replace an indirect object noun (like "to the doctor") with a pronoun (like "to him"), you use a dative pronoun. In Croatian, we most commonly use these short, unstressed forms:
| Person | Singular | Plural |
|---|
| 1st (to me, to us) | mi | nam |
| 2nd (to you) | ti | vam |
| 3rd (to him/it, to her, to them) | mu (m/n), joj (f) | im |
Verbs Taking the Dative
Some verbs require a dative object in Croatian even if they take a direct object in English. For example, vjerovati (to believe) takes the dative, as if you are giving your trust to someone.
Expressing States and Opinions
In English, you describe yourself by saying "I am bored" or "He is cold." In Croatian, physical and emotional states are often expressed as happening to you. The structure is Dative pronoun + je (is) + state word.
You also use this structure to express how a situation or object seems to someone, such as whether a problem is clear (jasan).
Physical and Emotional States
This same dative construction is used for feeling cold (zima) or feeling sorry (žao). Notice how the pronoun changes depending on who is experiencing the feeling.
Plural Dative Pronouns
The plural pronouns nam (to us), vam (to you), and im (to them) plug directly into these same patterns for groups of people.
