Learn Hardcore Croatian: Restoran je između škole i bolnice. - The restaurant is between the school and the hospital.

Because the preposition između (between) always requires the genitive case. For feminine nouns ending in -a (like škola, bolnica), the genitive singular ends in -e: škola → škole, bolnica → bolnice. Both nouns coordinated by i must be in the same case after između.

Does između take the genitive even if there is movement (e.g., “put it between…”)?

Yes. Između always governs the genitive, regardless of whether you’re talking about location or motion:

Static: Auto je između kuće i garaže.
Motion: Stavi auto između kuće i garaže. In both, kuće and garaže are genitive singular.

Can I use među instead of između?

They’re different:

između = between two (or two specified) things, takes genitive: između škole i bolnice.
među = among, inside a group. With location it takes instrumental: Restoran je među zgradama (instrumental plural). With motion it takes accusative: Ušao je među ljude (accusative plural).
So use između for two specific reference points.

Could it be školom and bolnicom instead?

No. Školom and bolnicom are instrumental forms. Između does not take instrumental; it takes genitive: škole, bolnice.

Do I need the verb je here? Could I say “Restoran između škole i bolnice”?

In a full, neutral sentence you include the copula: Restoran je…
You might drop je only in headlines, notes, or very telegraphic style: Restoran između škole i bolnice. Standard prose prefers je.
You may also see the emphatic/archaic full form jest in special contexts, but everyday speech uses je. (Note: to jest means “that is / i.e.”)

Can I change the word order?

Yes. Common variants:

Restoran je između škole i bolnice. (neutral)
Između škole i bolnice je restoran. (focuses on the location first)
The clitic je tends to appear in “second position” in the clause; with an initial prepositional phrase, it commonly comes after that phrase: Između škole i bolnice je…

How do I turn it into a yes/no question?

Standard: Je li restoran između škole i bolnice?
Colloquial/regionally common: Da li je restoran između škole i bolnice?
Very casual speech can rely on rising intonation: Restoran je između škole i bolnice?

How do I make it negative?

Use nije (ne + je = nije):
Restoran nije između škole i bolnice.

Where are the English articles “the” and “a”? How do I make it clear which restaurant?

Croatian has no articles. Context does the job. To be specific, use demonstratives:

taj restoran (that/the restaurant near you),
ovaj restoran (this/the restaurant near me),
onaj restoran (that one over there).
Example: Taj restoran je između škole i bolnice.

How do I pronounce the tricky letters?

š = “sh” (as in shoe): škola.
đ = a soft “dy/jo” sound, close to the “j” in “jeans” but softer: između.
c = “ts” (as in cats): bolnice.
je is pronounced “ye” (as in “yes”).
Also, spell između with đ, not “izmedju/izmedu” in standard writing.

Why is it i and not a between the two nouns?

With između, you conventionally link the two items with i (“and”): između X i Y.
The conjunction a often contrasts (“and/but”) and isn’t used in this fixed pattern. Te is also not used here.

Is there a more neutral/informational way to say “is located”?

Yes: Restoran se nalazi između škole i bolnice.
This means essentially the same thing but sounds a bit more formal/informational (e.g., in directions or descriptions).

Do gender and noun type matter for these endings?

Yes. Case endings depend on gender and declension type:

Feminine -a nouns: škola → škole, bolnica → bolnice (gen. sg. -e).
Masculine nouns often take gen. sg. -a: muzej → muzeja, park → parka.
Neuter -o/-e: selo → sela, ime → imena (gen. sg.).
After između, pick the correct genitive form for each noun.

What happens if I add adjectives before the nouns?

Adjectives must also be in the genitive to agree:

između stare škole i nove bolnice
između gradske škole i županijske bolnice
Both the adjectives and the nouns take genitive singular feminine endings.

Can the prepositional phrase stand alone as an answer?

Yes, as a short answer to “Where is it?”:

— Gdje je restoran?
— Između škole i bolnice.

How would I say “between you and me” with između?

Use the genitive forms of the pronouns: između mene i tebe (between me and you).
Likewise: između njega i nje (between him and her).