Breakdown of Trebam sedamnaest dana za posao.
dan
day
posao
job / work
trebati
to need / should (ought to)
za
for / at (a table) (+ instrumental)
Questions & Answers about Trebam sedamnaest dana za posao.
Why is the word for "days" written as dana instead of the usual plural dani?
This is the main rule for numbers five and up! In Croatian, numerals from 5 onwards (like sedamnaest, seventeen) require the noun that follows them to be in the genitive plural case. The basic plural is dani, but the genitive plural form is dana.
Is there an easy way to remember how to build teen numbers like sedamnaest?
Why doesn't the sentence start with ja for "I"?
Croatian typically drops subject pronouns like ja because the verb ending already tells you who is doing the action. The -m ending on Trebam specifically means "I need". You would only include ja for strong emphasis.
Which case is used for posao (job) after the preposition za?
It is in the accusative case, which is used after za when talking about a purpose or goal. Because posao is a masculine inanimate noun (a thing, not a living being), its accusative form looks exactly the same as its basic dictionary form.