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Questions & Answers about Trebam kartu.
Why does the word for ticket end in -u (kartu) instead of -a?
Karta is a feminine noun. In this sentence, it is the direct object—the thing being needed. Because of this, it goes into the accusative case. For feminine nouns ending in -a, the accusative ending changes to -u, which makes it kartu.
Where is the word for "I" in this sentence?
In Croatian, subject pronouns like ja (I) are usually dropped. The verb ending -m in trebam already shows that the subject is "I". You only need to say ja trebam if you want to strongly emphasize that you need it, as opposed to someone else.
There is no word for "a" here. How do I say "I need the ticket"?
You would say exactly the same thing: Trebam kartu. Croatian doesn't use articles (words like "a", "an", or "the"). Whether the sentence means "a ticket" or "the ticket" is simply understood from the context of your conversation.
I learned that karta means "map". Why does it translate to "ticket" here?
The word karta has a few very common meanings: a ticket (for a bus, train, or concert), a map, or a playing card. You can tell which one it means based on the situation you are in.