Detektiv je nazvao operatora.

The detective called the operator.

Breakdown of Detektiv je nazvao operatora.

• biti: to be
• nazvati: to call
• operator: operator
• detektiv: detective

Questions & Answers about Detektiv je nazvao operatora.

Why is there je in the sentence?

Je is the 3rd person singular present form of biti (to be), and it is used as an auxiliary to form the past tense.

So:

• je nazvao = called / has called

In Croatian, the usual past tense is made with:

• the auxiliary biti
• plus a past participle

So Detektiv je nazvao operatora. is a normal past-tense sentence.

Why does the verb appear as nazvao?

Nazvao is the masculine singular past participle form of the verb nazvati (to call).

It agrees with the subject:

• detektiv is masculine singular
• so the participle is nazvao

Compare:

• Detektiv je nazvao... = masculine singular
• Detektivka je nazvala... = feminine singular
• Dijete je nazvalo... = neuter singular
• Detektivi su nazvali... = masculine plural or mixed plural

So the ending -ao here matches a masculine singular subject.

Why is it operatora and not operator?