Breakdown of Vodi računa o svom zdravlju.
svoj
one's own
zdravlje
health (n)
o
about / on (dependent on)
voditi računa
to bear in mind, to look after (o + locative)
Questions & Answers about Vodi računa o svom zdravlju.
Why is the word računa used here when it normally means a bill or receipt?
The phrase voditi računa o is a fixed idiom meaning to take care of or to pay attention to. While račun does mean a bill or account, the literal translation of this phrase is to lead account about. You will hear this constantly in Croatian for looking after something or someone.
Why is računa in the genitive case rather than the accusative, since it is the object of vodi?
This idiom requires the genitive case. It uses a partitive genitive, historically implying you are keeping some amount of account or some care. You simply need to memorize the chunk as voditi računa.
Why does the sentence use svom instead of tvojem to mean your?
Since this is a command directed at you, the implied subject of the sentence is you. Whenever the subject owns the object being talked about, Croatian requires the reflexive possessive pronoun svoj. Here, it is in the locative case as svom.
What case is svom zdravlju, and why?
It is in the locative case. The idiom voditi računa o uses the preposition o (about), which triggers the locative case to indicate the target or topic of your care.
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