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Questions & Answers about Večeras večeramo u restoranu.
What does each word correspond to in English and grammar?
- Večeras = tonight (an adverb of time)
- večeramo = we have dinner / we are dining (1st person plural present of the verb večerati = to have dinner)
- u = in/at (preposition)
- restoranu = restaurant in the locative singular (from nominative restoran)
So the structure is: Time adverb + verb + prepositional phrase (location).
Why is it restoranu and not restoran?
Because the preposition u uses:
- the locative case to express location: u restoranu = in/at the restaurant
- the accusative case to express movement into: u restoran = into the restaurant
In this sentence you’re talking about where dinner happens (location), so it’s locative: restoranu.
Do I need to say the pronoun mi (we)?
No. Croatian is a pro‑drop language; the verb ending already shows the subject. Večeramo clearly means we are having dinner. You can add Mi večeramo… for emphasis or clarity, but it’s not required.
Why is the present tense used for a plan tonight? Is there a future form?
Croatian often uses the present for near‑future plans, especially when they are scheduled or decided. It’s natural, like English saying We’re having dinner tonight.
You can also use the future:
- Večeras ćemo večerati u restoranu. = We will have dinner at the restaurant tonight.
The meaning is the same; the present feels a bit more immediate/colloquial.
Could I say jedemo večeru or imamo večeru instead of večeramo?
- večeramo is the most idiomatic way to say we’re having dinner.
- jedemo večeru literally we’re eating dinner is correct but less common in this context; you’d use it if you want to stress the act of eating.
- imamo večeru we have a dinner works when referring to an occasion/arrangement (e.g., a formal dinner).
- Don’t say večeramo večeru; večerati already implies dinner.
- Another natural option for plans is Idemo na večeru we’re going for dinner.
Can I move večeras to another position?
Yes. Common options:
- Večeras večeramo u restoranu. (neutral; time first)
- Večeramo večeras u restoranu. (slight emphasis on the verb)
- Večeramo u restoranu večeras. (emphasis on the place) All are grammatical; word order shifts what you emphasize.
Does u restoranu mean in the restaurant or at the restaurant?
Literally it’s in the restaurant, but English often says at the restaurant for venues. Depending on context, you can translate it as either. Croatian doesn’t force that distinction; u restoranu covers both.
How do I say at a restaurant vs at the restaurant when Croatian has no articles?
Croatian has no articles, so u restoranu can be either. If you need to specify:
- u jednom restoranu = at a restaurant (unspecified, one of them)
- u tom restoranu = at that restaurant (specific)
- u našem/ovom onom restoranu = in our/this/that restaurant
How do I ask a yes/no question with this sentence?
- By intonation alone: Večeras večeramo u restoranu?
- With a question particle (common and clear): Da li večeras večeramo u restoranu?
- More formal/inverted future: Hoćemo li večeras večerati u restoranu?
How do I make it negative?
Put ne in front of the verb:
- Večeras ne večeramo u restoranu. = We’re not having dinner at the restaurant tonight. You can add a contrast: … nego kod kuće. … but at home.
What’s the present‑tense conjugation of večerati?
- ja večeram = I have dinner
- ti večeraš = you (sg.) have dinner
- on/ona/ono večera = he/she/it has dinner
- mi večeramo = we have dinner
- vi večerate = you (pl./formal) have dinner
- oni/one/ona večeraju = they have dinner
Pronunciation tips for the sentence?
- č is like English ch in chocolate.
- Vowels are pure: e as in bet, a as in father, u as in boot.
- r is tapped/trilled.
- Rough guide: Večeras = veh-CHER-ahs; večeramo = veh-CHER-ah-mo; u restoranu = oo re-sto-RAH-noo.
Is there a difference between večeras and noćas?
Yes:
- večeras = this evening/tonight (evening hours)
- noćas = tonight (during the night, after late evening) For dinner plans, večeras is the natural choice.
Should it ever be na restoranu?
No. For being in/at a restaurant, use u restoranu. The preposition na is used with some venues and events (e.g., na poslu at work, na koncertu at a concert) or for surfaces, but not for being in a restaurant.