Gradilište je otvoreno.

The construction site is open.

Breakdown of Gradilište je otvoreno.

• biti: to be
• otvoren: open
• gradilište: a construction site

Questions & Answers about Gradilište je otvoreno.

Why is it otvoreno and not otvoren or otvorena?

Because gradilište is a neuter singular noun in Croatian.

The adjective/predicative form has to agree with the noun:

• otvoren = masculine singular
• otvorena = feminine singular
• otvoreno = neuter singular

So:

• Gradilište je otvoreno. = The construction site is open.

A few comparison examples:

• Trgovina je otvorena. = The shop is open. (trgovina is feminine)
• Ured je otvoren. = The office is open. (ured is masculine)
• Gradilište je otvoreno. = The construction site is open. (gradilište is neuter)

How do I know that gradilište is neuter?

A very common clue is the ending -e or -o in the dictionary form of the noun. Many Croatian neuter nouns end that way.

So gradilište is neuter singular.

Also, the ending -ište often forms neuter nouns, especially for places connected with an action or activity. That is why gradilište behaves as a neuter noun.

What exactly does gradilište mean?