Connecting Thoughts with "Da"
In English, we often drop the word "that" when connecting thoughts, saying "I hope she works today" instead of "I hope that she works today." In Croatian, the conjunction da (that) is mandatory to connect these clauses.
| that (conjunction) | da |
To express beliefs, claims, or hopes, simply follow your main verb with da and a subordinate clause in the present tense.
| I hope that she works today. | Nadam se da ona danas radi. |
| He claims that he is not guilty. | On tvrdi da nije kriv. |
Facts and Opinions
You will use this exact same structure with verbs like smatrati (to consider) or dokazati (to prove), as well as when stating a fact (činjenica).
| We consider that this is a lie. | Mi smatramo da je to laž. |
| It is a fact that he lies. | Činjenica je da on laže. |
| Can you prove that he lies? | Možeš li dokazati da on laže? |
Awareness and Emotions
Subordinate clauses with da also naturally follow adjectives indicating awareness, like svjestan (aware), or nouns expressing a situation or feeling, like šteta (a pity/shame).
| Are you aware that this is a big problem? | Jesi li svjestan da je to velik problem? |
| It is a pity that they do not see her. | Šteta je da ju ne vide. |
With the Future Tense
Even when the main verb is in the future tense, the subordinate clause following da usually stays in the present tense to describe a state or action that is true at that future moment.
| I will prove that he is guilty. | Dokazat ću da je on kriv. |
| She will claim that she does not know him. | Tvrdit će da ga ne zna. |
