Questions & Answers about Ne želim ući u hodnik.
Why use ući here instead of a regular word for "go" like ići?
The verb ući specifically means "to enter" or "to go into". It is created by attaching the prefix u- (in/into) to the base verb ići (to go). In Croatian, when you are talking about crossing a boundary to go inside a space like a hallway, it is much more natural to use the perfective prefixed verb ući to focus on the completed action of entering.
Since ući already means "to go into", why do we need the preposition u right after it?
It is very common in Croatian to repeat a verb's prefix as a preposition! Even though the u- in ući implies entering, you still need the preposition u to link the verb to the actual destination. Think of it as saying "to enter into".
What case is hodnik in after the preposition u?
It is in the accusative case because it indicates the direction of motion, showing where you are going. Because hodnik (hallway) is a masculine inanimate noun, its accusative form looks exactly the same as its basic nominative dictionary form. If you were going into a feminine noun like soba (room), you would see the ending change, as in u sobu.
Why is ući in its infinitive (dictionary) form here?
Whenever you use a verb expressing desire or obligation like željeti (to want), moći (can), or morati (must), the second verb that follows it usually stays in the infinitive. Since želim is already conjugated for "I want", ući stays in its base form, just like "to enter" does in English.
Learn Ne želim ući u hodnik and more in Croatian
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free