Saying "Don't": Negative Commands
When giving a safety warning or telling someone not to do something, Croatian uses a special helper verb. Instead of modifying the main verb into a negative imperative form, you use the auxiliary verb nemoj or nemojte, followed directly by the infinitive of the action verb.
Informal Warnings: "nemoj" + Infinitive
If you are speaking to one person informally (someone you address as "ti"), use nemoj followed by the infinitive.
| Don't touch that cable! | Nemoj dirati taj kabel! |
| Don't approach her because she is angry. | Nemoj joj prilaziti jer je ljuta. |
| Don't touch, the fire is hot. | Nemoj dirati, vatra je vruća. |
Formal and Plural Warnings: "nemojte" + Infinitive
If you are addressing multiple people, or speaking formally to one person (someone you address as "vi"), simply add the plural suffix -te to make it nemojte, again followed by the infinitive.
| Don't run, the floor is slippery! | Nemojte trčati, pod je sklizak! |
| Don't touch the glass because it is sharp. | Nemojte dirati staklo jer je oštro. |
Giving Reasons for Warnings
Safety instructions rarely exist in a vacuum. You will frequently see these negative commands paired with descriptions of hazards—such as slippery floors, dangerous items, or necessary safety gear—often linked by jer (because) or by placing the hazard in a neighboring clause.
| That is poison, don't drink it! | To je otrov, nemoj ga piti! |
| Don't forget the helmet for work. | Nemoj zaboraviti kacigu za posao. |
| Don't ignore my advice. | Nemojte ignorirati moj savjet. |
