Just as some Croatian verbs require the accusative or genitive case, a specific group of words requires their objects to be in the dative case. The dative generally answers the question "To whom?" and points out the recipient or the target of an action or state.
Being loyal
It is not just verbs that can trigger the dative case. When expressing that you are loyal to someone, the adjective odan (loyal) requires the dative case for the person or group receiving that loyalty.
Thanking and reaching out
Verbs involving communication or directing attention toward someone often take the dative. For example, zahvaliti (to thank) and obratiti se (to turn to / to address) require the person you are thanking or speaking to to be in the dative case.
Envying and complaining
Verbs expressing feelings or remarks directed at others, such as zavidjeti (to envy) and prigovarati (to complain), also demand a dative object.
Standing up to and pleasing
Whether you are resisting someone or trying to make them happy, the target takes the dative case. This applies to verbs like suprotstaviti se (to stand up to) and udovoljiti (to please or satisfy).
Dedicating and smiling
Finally, positive actions directed at someone follow the same rule. When you dedicate something to someone (posvetiti) or smile at them (nasmiješiti se), the recipient goes into the dative case.
Notice how the examples below use dative nouns like djeci (to the children) or short dative pronouns like mu (to him).
