Questions & Answers about Svaki list je zelen.
Why do we use svaki here instead of svaka or svako?
Does list mean a leaf on a tree or a piece of paper?
It can mean both! List is a versatile word in Croatian. It can mean a leaf on a plant, a sheet of paper, a letter, or a list of items. In this sentence, the adjective zelen (green) makes it clear we are talking about a plant's leaf.
Why is the adjective zelen and not zeleni?
We use zelen because it is the indefinite (short) form of the adjective. You use this form when making a statement about a noun using a verb like je (is). You would use the definite (long) form zeleni if you were saying the green leaf directly before the noun, like in the phrase zeleni list.
Can I use svaki in the plural to say all leaves?
No, svaki specifically means every or each and is almost always followed by a singular noun, just like in English. If you want to talk about all leaves in the plural, you would use the word svi (all), making the sentence Svi listovi su zeleni.