Topic Fronting: Što se tiče
When coordinating a complex plan, you often need to set the agenda by bringing a specific topic to the front of the sentence. In English, we use phrases like "as for..." or "regarding...". In Croatian, we use the phrase što se tiče.
The phrase translates to "what concerns..." and requires the following noun to take the genitive case.
Here is how to front a feminine noun like ekspedicija (genitive: ekspedicije) and a masculine noun like botaničar (genitive: botaničara):
| As for the expedition, we must be ready. | Što se tiče ekspedicije, moramo biti spremni. |
| As for the botanist, he will stay in the camp. | Što se tiče botaničara, ostat će u logoru. |
Delegating in the Rainforest
You can use this structure to efficiently delegate tasks and address hazards. Simply state your topic using što se tiče + genitive, add a comma, and follow it with your main instruction or observation.
| As for the vegetation, we will cut it with a machete. | Što se tiče vegetacije, rezat ćemo je mačetom. |
| As for the humidity, it is terrible in the rainforest. | Što se tiče vlažnosti, u prašumi je užasna. |
| As for the machete, leave it in the tent. | Što se tiče mačete, ostavi je u šatoru. |
It works exactly the same for plural nouns, like pijavice (genitive plural: pijavica):
| As for the leeches, we must walk regardless of them. | Što se tiče pijavica, moramo hodati bez obzira na njih. |