Learn Croatian: Jeste li Vi učitelj?

The question structure relies on the long form of the verb to be plus the question word li. For he, she, or it, the verb is je, so the question is Je li. But here, the subject is Vi (you). The matching long form of the verb for Vi is jeste, so the question becomes Jeste li.

Why is the word Vi capitalized in this sentence?

In Croatian, Vi is capitalized when you are speaking formally and politely to a single person, such as a teacher, a stranger, or someone older than you. If it were written with a lowercase letter as vi, it would mean you are talking to a group of people (the plural you).

Can I leave out the word Vi and just ask Jeste li učitelj?

Yes, you can! Croatian often drops pronouns like Vi because the verb jeste already makes it perfectly clear who you are talking to. Keeping Vi in the sentence just adds a little extra polite emphasis.

How would this sentence change if I were asking a woman if she is a teacher?