Breakdown of Ovaj prolaz vodi kroz opasan labirint.
ovaj
this (m) / ova (f), ovo (n)
kroz
through
opasan
dangerous
prolaz
passage
Questions & Answers about Ovaj prolaz vodi kroz opasan labirint.
Why does the sentence use the accusative case after kroz?
The preposition kroz (meaning 'through') always requires the accusative case when it describes moving through a physical space or object. Here, the passage goes through the labyrinth, so opasan labirint is in the accusative.
Wait, opasan labirint looks exactly like the nominative (dictionary) form. Are we sure it is accusative?
Yes! Because labirint is a masculine inanimate noun (a thing, not a living being), its accusative form is identical to its nominative form. The adjective opasan follows the same rule, so the whole phrase looks just like the nominative.
Why is the adjective opasan used instead of opasni?
Croatian adjectives have indefinite and definite forms. Opasan is the indefinite form, which gives us 'a dangerous labyrinth'. If we used the definite form opasni, it would mean the passage leads through 'the dangerous labyrinth'.
Is the word prolaz (passage) related to the verb for passing through?
Exactly. It comes from the verb prolaziti, which means 'to pass' or 'to go through'. You can see the root -laz- here, which you might recognize from other verbs of motion like dolaziti (to arrive) and odlaziti (to leave).