Question 1

Why is the order mu ga instead of ga mu?

Accepted Answer

In Croatian, short pronoun words (clitics) must follow a strict order when they group together. The rule is that the dative pronoun always comes before the accusative pronoun. Here, the dative mu (to him) comes before the accusative ga (it).

Question 2

Why do mu and ga go immediately after moraš?

Accepted Answer

Because they are clitics, they must take the second position in a sentence or clause. The comma starts a new clause, making moraš the first word. Therefore, the clitic cluster mu ga must jump into the second position right after it.

Question 3

What exactly do the pronouns mu and ga refer to here?

Accepted Answer

The word mu (to him) refers to brat (brother). The word ga (it) refers to the charger. Because punjač is a masculine noun in Croatian, it takes the masculine accusative pronoun ga, even though a charger is just an object.

Question 4

If punjač is the object of the sentence, why doesn't its ending change?

Accepted Answer

It is actually in the accusative case here because it is the direct object. However, for masculine nouns that are inanimate (not alive), the accusative form looks exactly the same as the basic nominative dictionary form. That is why it stays punjač.

Question 5

Where is the negative word for does not have in nema?

Accepted Answer

The verb imati (to have) is special when negated. Instead of keeping the negative word separate like with most other verbs, the word ne merges with the verb to create the single word nema.

Tvoj brat nema punjač, moraš mu ga dati.

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