Question 1

Why is it dobar and not dobri in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

Because it is being used as a predicative adjective (an adjective that follows the verb "to be" to describe the subject). In Croatian, predicative adjectives generally take the indefinite form (dobar). Dobri is the definite form, which you would use directly in front of the noun, like in the phrase taj dobri kvasac (that good yeast).

Question 2

Could I use jako instead of vrlo here?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. Both mean "very" and are grammatically correct. In spoken, everyday Croatian, you will actually hear jako dobar much more often, whereas vrlo dobar sounds a tiny bit more formal or standard. As a fun fact, vrlo dobar is also the official name for a school grade of 4 (equivalent to a B).

Question 3

What happens to the noun kvasac in the plural?

Accepted Answer

It becomes kvasci. This is a classic example of the "fleeting a". The a in the final syllable of the nominative singular drops out when you add endings for other cases or the plural, which is very common for masculine nouns ending in -ac.

Question 4

Why use the demonstrative taj here instead of onaj?

Accepted Answer

Taj (that) indicates that the yeast is either physically near the listener, or it is a specific yeast you both just mentioned in the conversation. If it were physically far away from both of you, you would use onaj instead.

Taj kvasac je vrlo dobar.

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