Breakdown of Dječak skakuće po pijesku i traži lopaticu.
i
and (additive)
tražiti
to look for / to demand, request
dječak
boy
po
across, around
skakutati
to hop
pijesak
sand
lopatica
small shovel
Questions & Answers about Dječak skakuće po pijesku i traži lopaticu.
Why is the verb skakuće spelled with a ć?
This verb comes from the infinitive skakutati (to hop around). Just like other verbs in this group, the -ati ending drops and we add a -j- before the present tense endings, causing a sound change (jotation). Here, t + j becomes ć, giving us skakućem, skakućeš, and for the third-person singular 'he hops', skakuće.
The lesson mentions skakati (to jump) becoming skačem. How is skakutati different?
Skakati means 'to jump' (usually referring to single or larger jumps), and its jotation changes k + j into č (skačem). Skakutati is a related verb that means 'to hop around' or 'to skip' (small, repeated jumps). Its stem ends in t, so its jotation changes t + j into ć (skakućem).
Why is pijesak (sand) in the locative case here (po pijesku)?
The preposition po paired with the locative case describes movement distributed over a surface or area. So, po pijesku gives the sense that the boy is hopping all around on or through the sand, rather than moving toward a single specific destination.
Is lopaticu related to the word for a regular shovel?
Yes! The base word is lopata (shovel). By adding the suffix -ica, it becomes lopatica, which is a diminutive meaning 'small shovel' or 'toy shovel' (like the ones kids use at the beach). It is in the accusative case (lopaticu) because it is the direct object of the verb traži (he is looking for).
Learn Dječak skakuće po pijesku i traži lopaticu 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