Ivan je u gradu.

to be

Breakdown of Ivan je u gradu.

• Ivan: Ivan
• grad: city
• u: in

Questions & Answers about Ivan je u gradu.

What is je and what is its function in the sentence?

Je is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb biti (to be). It functions as the copula “is,” linking the subject Ivan with the location expressed by u gradu.

Why is grad written as gradu here instead of grad?

The preposition u (“in”) requires the noun that follows it to be in the locative case when describing a static location. The locative singular of grad (“city”) is gradu, so u gradu literally means “in the city.”

How do I know when to use the locative case or another case after the preposition u?

In Croatian, u can govern either the locative or the accusative case:

• Use the locative to indicate a static location (answering “Where?”): je u gradu (“is in the city”).
• Use the accusative to indicate motion toward a place (answering “Where to?”): e.g. ide u grad (“is going to the city”).

Why are there no articles like “the” or “a” before gradu?

Croatian does not have definite or indefinite articles. Nouns stand alone without “the” or “a,” and meaning is conveyed through context and case endings.