Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Croatian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Znam gdje je stanica.
Why isn’t there a comma before gdje?
Because this is an object subordinate clause introduced by an interrogative word. In Croatian, when the main clause comes first, you normally don’t put a comma: Znam gdje je stanica. If you front the subordinate clause, you do use a comma: Gdje je stanica, znam. (That order is more emphatic/stylistic.)
Why is je right after gdje?
Je is an unstressed clitic and Croatian places clitics in second position within their clause. The clause starts with gdje, so the clitic immediately follows: gdje je stanica. Putting it later (e.g., gdje stanica je) is unidiomatic.
Can I say Znam gdje stanica je?
No. Keep the clitic je in second position: Znam gdje je stanica.
How would I ask the direct question?
Use: Gdje je stanica? The embedded statement is Znam gdje je stanica. Note that the word order inside the gdje-clause stays the same, but only the direct question takes a question mark.
Can I use je li here?
Not inside the gdje-clause. Je li / li forms yes–no questions. Use it with the main verb if you’re asking: Znaš li gdje je stanica? Don’t say: ❌ Znam gdje je li stanica.
Do I need to say Ja znam?
No. Croatian usually drops subject pronouns. Znam already means “I know.” Use Ja znam only for emphasis (as in “I, not someone else, know”).
What’s the difference between gdje, kamo, and kuda?
- gdje = where (location, static)
- kamo = to where (destination)
- kuda = which way/along which route (path) Example: Gdje je stanica? Kamo ide ovaj autobus? Kuda ćemo ići?
Is stanica the right word for “station/stop”?
It depends:
- City bus/tram/metro stop: stanica or more precisely stajalište.
- Main bus station (terminal): autobusni kolodvor.
- Railway station: željeznički kolodvor (Croatian norm; Serbian uses železnička stanica).
- Police/weather station: Croatian often prefers postaja (e.g., policijska postaja). So Znam gdje je stanica most naturally means “I know where the (bus/tram) stop is.” For a big bus or train station, use kolodvor.
What gender and case is stanica here?
Feminine, nominative singular. After the copula (je), the subject stays in nominative: gdje je stanica. Other key forms: genitive stanice, dative/locative stanici, accusative stanicu, instrumental stanicom.
How do I specify “bus stop” or “train station”?
- Bus stop: autobusna stanica or more precisely autobusno stajalište.
- Main bus station: autobusni kolodvor.
- Train station: željeznički kolodvor. Examples: Znam gdje je autobusno stajalište. / Znam gdje je željeznički kolodvor.
Is there a version with “be located”?
Yes: Znam gdje se nalazi stanica. Meaning is the same. Note the clitic se is also in second position: gdje se nalazi.
How do I pronounce gdje?
Like “g-dyeh.” The d + j coalesce, so it can sound close to Croatian đe. In fast speech some reduce it, but standard keeps the initial g audible.
Can I drop je and say Znam gdje stanica?
No. You need the copula in such sentences. Keep je: Znam gdje je stanica.
Are there regional differences?
Yes:
- Spelling: Croatian uses gdje; Serbian uses gde. So Serbian would be Znam gde je stanica.
- Vocabulary: Croatian prefers kolodvor for train/bus stations; Serbian uses stanica in compounds (železnička stanica, autobuska stanica).
Can I front the subordinate clause?
You can, for emphasis: Gdje je stanica, znam. Neutral speech prefers Znam gdje je stanica.
How do I make “Do you know where the stop is?” politely?
Use li with the main verb and the formal second person: Znate li gdje je stanica? (Informal: Znaš li gdje je stanica?)