Breakdown of Ako dodamo previše svile, to će otežati popravak.
to
that
htjeti
to want (intent, will)
previše
too many / too (with an adjective)
svila
silk
ako
if
dodati
to add
popravak
alteration
otežati
to make difficult
Questions & Answers about Ako dodamo previše svile, to će otežati popravak.
How is the verb otežati formed, and what adjective does it come from?
It is built from the adjective težak (heavy, difficult). Following the pattern of this lesson, we take the root (tež-), add the prefix o- and the suffix -ati, creating a verb that means 'to make heavy' or 'to make difficult'. This perfectly demonstrates how to express a change of state.
Why do we use the present tense dodamo if the sentence is talking about a future condition?
The verb dodati (to add) is perfective, meaning it describes a completed action. In Croatian, when an ako (if) clause refers to the future, you typically use the present tense of a perfective verb to show that the condition must be met before the consequence (će otežati) happens.
Why is the noun svile in the genitive case?
It is triggered by the adverb of quantity previše (too much). In Croatian, words expressing quantity require the following noun to be in the genitive case, much like saying 'too much of silk' in English. Thus, the nominative svila becomes svile.
I usually see popravak translated as 'repair'. Why does it mean 'alteration' here?
You are right that popravak literally means a repair or a fix. However, in the context of sewing and clothing (which we can guess from the mention of silk), it is the most natural term used for making an adjustment or alteration to a garment.
Why do we need the pronoun to in the second half of the sentence?
The neuter pronoun to (that/it) is used here to refer back to the entire situation described in the first clause ('adding too much silk'). It acts as the subject for će otežati, smoothly connecting the condition to its consequence.
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