Breakdown of Ako trčiš maraton, moraš polako prići prepreci.
morati
must
polako
slowly
trčati
to run
ako
if
prepreka
obstacle
prići
to approach (perfective)
maraton
marathon
Questions & Answers about Ako trčiš maraton, moraš polako prići prepreci.
Why is the obstacle (prepreci) in the Dative case here?
The verb prići (to approach) requires the Dative case for the destination or object you are moving towards. Unlike the English verb "approach" which takes a direct object, in Croatian you are literally "approaching to" the obstacle.
The dictionary word for obstacle is prepreka. Why does it change to prepreci here?
When a feminine noun ending in -ka, -ga, or -ha takes the Dative or Locative ending -i, the final consonant changes to make it easier to say. Here, the k in prepreka changes to c before the i, giving us prepreci. This is a standard sound change called sibilarization that you will see often as a B1 learner.
Could I use the imperfective verb prilaziti instead of prići?
You could, but it changes the focus. Using the perfective prići focuses on the completed action of reaching the obstacle. If you used the imperfective prilaziti, it would focus on the ongoing process of getting closer to it.
Is the word maraton in the Nominative case here?
No, it is in the Accusative case because it is the direct object of the verb trčiš (you run). However, because maraton is a masculine inanimate noun (a non-living thing), its Accusative form looks exactly the same as its Nominative form.
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