Questions & Answers about On svira klavir i gitaru.
Why is it gitaru instead of gitara?
The guitar is the receiving the action of the verb svira (plays), which makes it the direct object. Direct objects need to be in the accusative case. For feminine nouns ending in -a like gitara, the ending changes to -u in the accusative.
Why didn't klavir change its ending like gitara did?
klavir (piano) is also in the accusative case because it is a direct object. However, for masculine nouns that are inanimate (objects, not living beings), the accusative form looks exactly the same as the dictionary form.
How would I say "He can play the piano and the guitar" using the modal verb from this lesson?
You would use the 'he' form of moći (can), which is može, followed by the dictionary form (infinitive) of the main verb: On može svirati klavir i gitaru.
What is the dictionary form of the verb svira?
The dictionary form (infinitive) is svirati. Note that in Croatian, this specific verb is only used for playing musical instruments. If you want to talk about playing sports or games, you use a completely different verb: igrati.