Learn Hardcore Croatian: Umoran sam poslije posla. - I am tired after work. male speaker

The preposition poslije requires the genitive case, so posao (nominative) changes to posla (genitive). Croatian has no articles, so there’s no “the” here.

Why is sam in the middle? Can it go elsewhere?

Sam is a clitic (an unstressed short word) and normally wants to be in “second position” in the clause, after the first stressed element. That’s why you get:

Umoran sam poslije posla.
Ja sam umoran poslije posla.
Poslije posla sam umoran. All are correct. What you cannot do is start the sentence with the clitic: ✗ Sam umoran… (unless sam means “alone,” which is different).

Can I say Ja sam umoran poslije posla? Do I need ja?

Yes, it’s correct. Croatian usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject. Umoran sam poslije posla is the most natural everyday version. Use Ja sam… to add emphasis or contrast (e.g., “I am tired (but someone else isn’t)”).

How does the sentence change if the speaker is female?

Change the adjective to feminine:

Male speaker: Umoran sam poslije posla.
Female speaker: Umorna sam poslije posla.

How do I say it for other persons or plural?

You (sg., to a male): Umoran si poslije posla. / (to a female): Umorna si…
He: On je umoran poslije posla.
She: Ona je umorna poslije posla.
We (mixed/men): Umorni smo poslije posla.
We (all women): Umorne smo poslije posla.
You (pl., mixed/men): Umorni ste… / (all women): Umorne ste…
They (mixed/men): Oni su umorni… / (all women): One su umorne…

Can I put the time phrase at the beginning or end? Does word order change meaning?

You can move it for emphasis, not meaning:

Neutral: Umoran sam poslije posla.
Emphasizing the time: Poslije posla sam umoran.
It can also go at the end: Umoran sam poslije posla. (already at the end here) The clitic sam still goes in second position relative to the first stressed chunk.

What’s the difference between poslije posla and od posla?

poslije posla = after work (time reference)
od posla = from work/because of work (cause) Examples:
Umoran sam poslije posla. = I’m tired after work (that’s when I’m tired).
Umoran sam od posla. = I’m tired from work (work makes me tired).

Is poslije the only option? What about nakon or posle?

poslije posla and nakon posla are both standard in Croatian.
posle posla is common in Serbian; in Croatia it’s regional/colloquial and not the preferred standard. So for Croatian, prefer poslije or nakon.

How do I say “I’m not tired after work”?

Male: Nisam umoran poslije posla.
Female: Nisam umorna poslije posla. Note the negated form nisam (not + am) can start the sentence.

How do I intensify it (e.g., “very tired,” “really tired”)?

Common adverbs and intensifiers:

jako (very): Jako sam umoran/umorna poslije posla.
stvarno (really): Stvarno sam umoran/umorna poslije posla.
Colloquial strong: mrtav umoran (dead tired, masc.) / mrtva umorna (fem.)

What’s the pronunciation of poslije and umoran?

poslije: pronounced roughly “POS-lye.” The lj is a palatal sound like the “lli” in Italian “famiglia.”
umoran: “OO-moh-ran.” The stress is typically on the first syllable.

Is sam ever a separate word meaning “alone”? Could that cause confusion?

Yes, sam can be an adjective meaning “alone” (masc.). Context and position distinguish it:

Sam sam. could mean “I am alone.” (with the clitic + adjective)
Sentence-initial Sam is read as “alone,” not the clitic “am.” That’s another reason the clitic sam doesn’t start sentences.

Can I say just Ja umoran like in casual English “Me, tired”?

No. Croatian needs the verb biti (“to be”) in such sentences. Use Ja sam umoran/umorna. In very casual speech you might hear fragments, but the correct form includes sam.

How would I say it in the past: “I was tired after work”?

Male: Bio sam umoran poslije posla.
Female: Bila sam umorna poslije posla.

Is posao the normal word for “work,” and how does it decline?

Yes, posao is the everyday word for “job/work.” Key forms:

Nominative: posao (work/job)
Genitive: posla (of work) → after poslije/nakon/od
Dative/Locative: poslu (to/at work)
Accusative: posao
Instrumental: poslom (with/by work) Examples: s posla (from work), na poslu (at work). The more formal rad means “work” in an abstract/technical sense, less used in this everyday sentence.