Questions & Answers about On je na poslu.
What case is the word poslu, and why is it used here?
It’s the locative case. With location (no movement), Croatian uses:
- na + locative to mean “at/on”: na poslu = “at work”
- By contrast, na + accusative expresses motion (“to/onto”).
So we use locative poslu because the sentence describes a static location: he is at work.
Why is it na poslu and not u poslu?
- na poslu is the idiomatic way to say “at work” (at one’s workplace).
- u poslu literally means “in work,” and is used to mean “engaged in work/immersed in work,” not location. Example: Zauzet je u poslu = “He is busy with work.”
- If you want “at the office,” use u uredu (“in the office”).
Why does posao change to poslu?
Because of case inflection. The noun posao (job/work) declines. Key singular forms:
- Nominative: posao (subject form)
- Genitive: posla
- Dative/Locative: poslu
- Accusative: posao
- Instrumental: poslom In na poslu, the preposition demands locative, hence poslu.
Can I drop the pronoun on?
Yes. Croatian often omits subject pronouns because the verb form carries person/number. However, you cannot start the sentence with the clitic je. So instead of “Je na poslu” (incorrect), say:
- Na poslu je. (He/She is at work.)
- Or keep the pronoun for clarity: On je na poslu.
Where can I put je in the sentence? Could I say “Je on na poslu?” or “On na poslu je”?
The verb je is a clitic and normally sits in “second position,” after the first stressed word or phrase in the clause.
- Correct: On je na poslu.
- Correct (different emphasis): Na poslu je (on).
- Not allowed: Je on na poslu? (je cannot begin a clause.)
- “On na poslu je” is odd; stick to the standard placements above.
How do I turn it into a yes-no question?
Several options:
- Neutral/standard: Je li on na poslu?
- Colloquial contraction: Je l’ on na poslu?
- Regionally common: Da li je on na poslu?
- Informal speech can also use rising intonation: On je na poslu?
How do I make it negative?
Use nije (ne + je):
- On nije na poslu. (He is not at work.)
- You can also drop the pronoun: Nije na poslu.
Does na poslu mean “he’s working” or “he’s physically at his workplace”?
Primarily, it’s a location: he’s at his workplace. To stress the activity “is working (right now),” you’d typically say:
- On radi. or Trenutno radi. Context decides whether radi means “works (as a habit)” or “is working (now).”
How do I say “He is going to work”?
Use motion with accusative:
- On ide na posao. Compare:
- On je na poslu. (location, locative: at work)
- On ide na posao. (motion, accusative: to work)
How do I say it for “she” or “they”?
- She: Ona je na poslu.
- They (mixed or all-male group): Oni su na poslu.
- They (all-female group): One su na poslu. Note the verb “to be” changes: je (he/she/it), su (they).
Is there any article like “the” in Croatian (“at the work”)?
No articles. Na poslu already covers “at work.” If you need to specify, use a demonstrative:
- na tom poslu = “at that job”
How would I answer “Where is he?” using this phrase?
- Question: Gdje je (on)?
- Short answer: Na poslu. Note the clitic rule in the question: Gdje je on? (not “Gdje on je?”)
How do I say “at the office” instead?
- On je u uredu. = He is in the office. Use u + locative with enclosed spaces like offices, rooms, buildings.
How do you pronounce the words?
Approximate English-friendly guide:
- On = “ohn”
- je = “yeh”
- na = “nah”
- poslu = “POS-loo” (stress typically on the first syllable)
Is there a colloquial form of posao I might hear?
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