Question 1

Why does the word for kitchen end in "-i" (kuhinji) instead of "-a" (kuhinja)?

Accepted Answer

This is the locative case, which is used after prepositions like u (in) to show a location. For feminine nouns that normally end in -a (like kuhinja), you drop the -a and add -i to make this locative form.

Question 2

Why is nemamo written as one single word?

Accepted Answer

Normally, the negative word ne is written separately from the verb (like ne radimo for "we don't work"). However, the verb imati (to have) is a special exception. When you negate it, the ne merges with the verb, turning into nemamo.

Question 3

Why is it čistu vodu instead of čista voda?

Accepted Answer

Because "clean water" is the direct object of the sentence—it's the thing being had (or not had). Direct objects take the accusative case. For feminine nouns and their matching adjectives, the dictionary -a ending changes to -u, so čista voda becomes čistu vodu.

Question 4

Where is the word for "we" in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

In Croatian, you usually don't need to use subject pronouns like mi (we) because the verb ending already tells you exactly who is doing the action. The -mo ending on nemamo specifically means "we do not have".

Nemamo čistu vodu u kuhinji.

Breakdown of Nemamo čistu vodu u kuhinji.

Questions & Answers about Nemamo čistu vodu u kuhinji.

Learn Nemamo čistu vodu u kuhinji and more in Croatian