Questions & Answers about Što je uzrok požara?
Why do we use što instead of koji here, since uzrok is a masculine noun?
While you could ask koji je uzrok (which is the cause), using što (what) is very common when asking for the general identity or nature of something. You aren't selecting from a specific list of options, but rather asking 'what thing' caused it.
What is the difference between uzrok and razlog?
Both translate to cause or reason, but uzrok refers to a direct, often physical cause of an event (like a fire, illness, or accident). Razlog refers to a logical reason, motive, or justification for an action (like the reason you were late or why you are learning Croatian).
Why is the word for fire, požara, in the genitive case here?
It translates to 'of the fire.' When one noun modifies another to show a relationship like possession or origin (the cause OF the fire), the second noun takes the genitive case. The dictionary form (nominative) is požar.
Could I use vatra instead of požar for the word 'fire'?
Generally no, because they have distinct meanings. Vatra refers to the element of fire itself, or a controlled fire like a campfire or a flame on a gas stove. Požar specifically means a destructive, uncontrolled fire, such as a house fire or a forest fire.