Breakdown of Naknada ostaje ista, osim ako promijenite cijenu.
cijena
price
isti
same
promijeniti
to change
ako
if
osim
except / besides, apart from
ostajati
to stay (imperfective)
naknada
fee (f)
Questions & Answers about Naknada ostaje ista, osim ako promijenite cijenu.
How does the phrase osim ako build the meaning of 'unless'?
Literally, osim means 'except' and ako means 'if'. When put together, osim ako means 'except if', which functions exactly like the English word 'unless' to introduce an exceptive conditional clause.
The verb promijenite is perfective. Can we use perfective verbs in the present tense like this?
Yes, in subordinate clauses! While you cannot use the present tense of a perfective verb to describe an action happening right now, it is completely standard to use it in conditional clauses (like those starting with ako or osim ako). Here, the present perfective is used to express an action that might be completed in the future.
Could I use the future tense ćete promijeniti after osim ako instead?
You could, and it wouldn't be grammatically wrong, but using the present tense of a perfective verb (promijenite) is much more natural and common for this kind of strict condition. It also neatly mirrors how English uses the present tense in 'unless you change'.
What is the exact difference between naknada and cijena here?
While both relate to money, naknada refers specifically to a 'fee', 'charge', or 'compensation' (such as an administrative fee or bank charge). cijena is the broad, general word for the 'price' of an item or service. This sentence highlights how a fixed fee might remain the same even if you alter the overall price.
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