Learn Hardcore Croatian: Autobus ide brzo u grad danas. - The bus is going quickly to the city today.

In Croatian, you normally use the verb ići (inflected as ide) to say that something “goes” or “is en route,” even when that “something” is a vehicle. Voziti literally means “to drive” or “to transport (someone/something)” and often implies a driver’s action. So native speakers say Autobus ide… (“the bus goes”) rather than Autobus vozi… when speaking about its route.

What case is grad in after u, and why isn’t it gradu?

When u indicates direction (“to the city”), it takes the accusative case. Here, grad is masculine inanimate, so its accusative form is identical to the nominative: grad. If you wanted to say “in the city” (location), you would use the locative: u gradu.

Why is brzo placed after ide, and can I move it elsewhere?

Brzo is an adverb modifying ide, and the most neutral word order is Autobus ide brzo… However, Croatian word order is flexible for emphasis. You could also say: • Autobus brzo ide u grad danas (emphasizes how fast it goes)
• Brzo autobus ide u grad danas (uncommon—sounds poetic)
Shifting brzo changes the focus but doesn’t break grammar.

Can I move danas to the beginning of the sentence?

Yes. Time adverbs like danas can appear almost anywhere:
• Danas autobus ide brzo u grad. (emphasizes “today”)
• Autobus danas ide brzo u grad. (neutral)
• Autobus ide brzo u grad danas. (ends with time)
All are correct; you just adjust the emphasis.

Would Autobus ide u grad danas brzo work?

Grammatically it’s possible, but unusual. Placing brzo at the very end makes it sound awkward, as if you suddenly remembered “oh, and fast,” rather than smoothly describing the action. The standard positions for brzo are right after the verb or before it if you want extra emphasis.

What does this sentence emphasize—speed or schedule?

It emphasizes speed (the fact that the bus is going quickly). If you wanted to talk about its schedule instead, you’d mention a time:
• Autobus ide u grad u 10 sati danas. (“The bus goes to the city at 10 o’clock today.”)

Can I omit brzo and still be correct?

Absolutely. Without brzo, the sentence simply states that the bus goes to the city today, without commenting on how fast:
• Autobus ide u grad danas.