Question 1

Why does fizički end in an -i while zdrav and težak do not?

Accepted Answer

Fizički (physical) is a relational adjective classifying the type of work, and these always take the definite -i ending in the masculine nominative. However, zdrav (healthy) and težak (hard) are used here as predicate adjectives (they come after the verb je to describe the subject). In Croatian, masculine adjectives used as predicates must take the indefinite (short) form, which drops the final -i.

Question 2

I learned that težak means "heavy". Does it also mean "hard"?

Accepted Answer

Yes! While težak literally translates to "heavy" (like a heavy suitcase), it is universally used in Croatian to mean "hard" or "difficult" when talking about tasks, situations, or work. If you wanted to say "hard" in the sense of a solid object (like a rock), you would use the word tvrd.

Question 3

Why is there an -a- in težak, but the feminine form is teška?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of the "fleeting a" (nepostojano a). Croatian avoids ending words with awkward consonant clusters like -šk. To make it easier to pronounce, an -a- is inserted before the final consonant in the masculine nominative singular. When you add an ending for other genders or cases (like the feminine -a to make teška), the cluster is no longer at the very end, so the extra -a- disappears.

Question 4

Could I use nego instead of ali for "but" in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

No, you must use ali here. Ali is used to add contrasting but compatible information (the work is healthy, and it is also hard). You only use nego when the first half of the sentence is negative and you are directly contradicting it (for example: Nije zdrav, nego težak - It is not healthy, but rather hard).

Fizički rad je zdrav, ali težak.

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