Breakdown of Poriče li svjedok iskaz, to je krivokletstvo.
biti
to be (sam, si, je)
to
that
li
question particle
svjedok
witness
Questions & Answers about Poriče li svjedok iskaz, to je krivokletstvo.
Why does this sentence start with Poriče li instead of the usual Ako?
This is a stylistic way to express 'if.' You can create a conditional clause by dropping the word ako, moving the verb to the front, and adding the question particle li. Poriče li... means the exact same thing as Ako poriče... but sounds slightly more formal or legal.
Could I put the subject before the verb in the first clause, like Svjedok poriče li...?
No, when you use the li inversion to mean 'if,' the verb must be the very first word in the clause. The subject svjedok has to come after the verb and the particle li.
Is iskaz in the nominative or accusative case here?
It is in the accusative case because it is the direct object of the verb poriče (denies). It looks identical to the nominative case because iskaz (testimony) is a masculine inanimate noun, which doesn't change its ending in the accusative.
How is the word krivokletstvo (perjury) constructed?
It is a compound word. The first part is krivo (wrong or falsely), and the second part comes from the verb kleti se (to swear). Together, it literally means 'false swearing.'