Learn Hardcore Croatian: Trgovina je otvorena rano, a restoran je otvoren kasnije. - The store is open early, and the restaurant is open later.

trgovina is feminine singular → otvorena
restoran is masculine singular → otvoren Neuter singular would be otvoreno; plurals would be otvoreni/otvorene/otvorena depending on gender.

Can I say Trgovina je otvoreno rano?

No. otvoreno is neuter and doesn’t agree with the feminine noun trgovina. Use Trgovina je otvorena rano. You use neuter otvoreno only with a neuter subject or in impersonal signs like Otvoreno je (“Open”).

Is je otvoren/otvorena a passive, like “is opened,” or does it mean “is open”?

It’s usually a stative meaning “is open” (a state). However, with certain adverbs (like kasnije “later”), je otvoren can also be read as an event passive “was opened.” That’s why the second clause can sound ambiguous out of context.

What’s the most natural way to talk about business hours here?

Use the middle/reflexive present or the verb “to operate/work”:

Trgovina se otvara rano, a restoran se otvara kasnije.
Trgovina radi rano/od rano(ga jutra), a restoran radi kasnije. These avoid the “was opened” ambiguity.

Does a mean “and” or “but/whereas”? Could I use i instead?

a is a coordinating conjunction that often implies a mild contrast or “whereas/while.” i is a neutral “and.” Both are possible:

… rano, a restoran … kasnije = “… early, whereas the restaurant … later.”
… rano, i restoran … kasnije = “… early, and the restaurant … later” (less contrastive). For a stronger “but,” use ali.

Why is it rano in the first clause but kasnije (comparative) in the second? Should it be symmetrical?

It can be; Croatian allows both patterns. rano is an absolute “early,” while kasnije means “later (than something).” Here, “later” is understood relative to the store. Symmetrical options:

Comparative vs. comparative: Trgovina se otvara ranije, a restoran kasnije.
Absolute vs. absolute: Trgovina je otvorena rano, a restoran je otvoren kasno (“late” in an absolute sense).

Does kasnije need a reference point?

Yes, kasnije is comparative and implies “later than X.” In this sentence, X is the store’s opening time. You can make it explicit: Restoran se otvara kasnije nego trgovina.

How do I say “opens later” vs. “is open until late”?

“Opens later” (time it begins): Restoran se otvara kasnije.
“Is open until late” (closing time): Restoran je otvoren do kasno or more idiomatically Restoran radi do kasno.

Can I move rano earlier: Trgovina je rano otvorena?

Yes. Trgovina je otvorena rano and Trgovina je rano otvorena are both fine. Croatian word order is flexible; moving the adverb can slightly tweak emphasis (on “early” vs. on the state “open”), but both are natural.

Can I omit the second je?

Yes: Trgovina je otvorena rano, a restoran otvoren kasnije. Croatian often ellipses repeated verbs in coordinated clauses. Keeping je is a bit clearer and more neutral in tone.

Why is there a comma before a?

Because a introduces a new independent clause. In standard writing, you place a comma before a, ali, nego, etc.

Do I need a word for “the” or “a” (articles) in Croatian?

No. Croatian has no articles. Trgovina can mean “the store” or “a store” depending on context.

Why not restorana? What case is used with je?

After the copula je (“is”), the subject and the predicative adjective are in the nominative: Restoran je otvoren. restorana is not nominative; it’s the genitive singular (among other uses).

Where does the clitic je go? Why is it after the first word?

Clitics like je tend to occupy the “second position” in a clause—typically after the first stressed word or phrase: Trgovina je…; a restoran je…. You don’t put je first: not ✗Je trgovina… in statements.

How would this look in the plural?

Stative pattern (same structure): Trgovine su otvorene rano, a restorani su otvoreni kasnije. (can sound ambiguous)
Schedule-focused (clearer): Trgovine se otvaraju rano, a restorani se otvaraju kasnije.

Any quick pronunciation tips for these words?

trgovina: g is always hard (as in “go”); r is tapped/trilled; stress typically on go-VEE-na (regional variation exists).
restoran: re-sto-RAN; clear vowels.
rano: RA-no; trill/tap the r.
kasnije: KAS-nye-eh; nj = the “ny” in “canyon”; j = English “y.”
a (conjunction) is a short “a” like “father.”

What’s the difference between rano and rani?

rano is an adverb (“early”): Otvara se rano. rani is an adjective (“early” describing a noun): rani doručak (“an early breakfast”).

Is kasnije the same as poslije?

They overlap but aren’t identical. kasnije = “later (than sometime/thing),” often comparative. poslije = “after(wards)” and usually needs an explicit reference or is used as a preposition: poslije ručka (“after lunch”).

Can I use dućan instead of trgovina?

Yes. dućan is very common in everyday speech (more colloquial/regional), while trgovina is fully standard and neutral. Both mean “shop/store.”