Learn Hardcore Croatian: Ne dolazim u restoran zbog posla. - I am not coming to the restaurant because of work.

Because with u you use the accusative when there is motion toward a place. U restoran (accusative) = to the restaurant. For location (no movement), use the locative: u restoranu = in the restaurant.

Why is it zbog posla and not zbog posao?

Zbog always takes the genitive case. Posao (job/work) in the genitive singular is posla, so zbog posla means because of work.

What does ne dolazim imply about time — now or usually?

The imperfective present ne dolazim can mean either a current plan/decision (I’m not coming) or a habitual fact (I don’t come). Context or time words clarify it. For a single future event, use the future: Neću doći u restoran (zbog posla).

What’s the difference between dolazim and idem here?

Both involve movement, but:

Dolazim = I am coming/arriving (seen from the destination’s point of view).
Idem = I am going (neutral direction). So Ne dolazim u restoran suggests “I’m not coming (to you/there)”, while Ne idem u restoran is the neutral “I’m not going to the restaurant.”

Why u and not na with a restaurant?

Use u with enclosed spaces like buildings: u restoran, u školu. Na is used for surfaces, events, and some institutions: na koncert, na posao, na fakultet. You don’t say na restoran.

Can I say radi posla instead of zbog posla?

Yes. Both zbog and radi take the genitive and can mean due to/because of. Subtly, zbog points to cause (often external), while radi can feel more like for the sake of/for the purpose of. In everyday speech they’re often interchangeable: Ne dolazim u restoran radi/zbog posla.

Could I use jer instead of zbog?

Yes, but the structure changes. Jer introduces a clause with a verb: Ne dolazim u restoran jer moram raditi / jer imam posla. You cannot say jer posao; after jer you need a full clause.

Is the word order fixed? Where else can zbog posla go?

Word order is flexible for emphasis:

Neutral: Ne dolazim u restoran zbog posla.
Emphasizing the reason: Zbog posla ne dolazim u restoran. Avoid splitting it awkwardly (e.g., Ne dolazim zbog posla u restoran) unless context clearly supports it.

Does zbog posla mean “for work (purpose)” or “because of work (cause)”?

By default it means cause: “because of work,” i.e., work prevents or motivates the action. For explicit purpose you can use radi or an adverb: Dolazim u restoran radi posla / Dolazim poslovno. To contrast purpose: Ne dolazim u restoran radi posla, nego privatno.

Do I need to say ja?

No. Croatian usually omits subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the person. Ne dolazim... already means “I’m not coming.” Add ja for emphasis or contrast: Ja ne dolazim... (ali on dolazi).

How would I say this in the past or future?

Past: Nisam došao (m.) / došla (f.) u restoran zbog posla.
Future: Neću doći u restoran zbog posla. For a scheduled near-future plan, present is common too: Ne dolazim sutra.

What are the aspect partners here?

Imperfective dolaziti (present: dolazim) vs. perfective doći (future/one-time completion: doći, 1sg present form dođem is used in subordinate time clauses: Kad dođem, javit ću se.). For a single planned refusal: Neću doći, not Ne dođem.

Is ne written together with the verb?

No. It’s separate: ne dolazim. The main exceptions are with biti and imati in common forms: nisam, nisi, nije; nemam, nemaš, etc.

Why is restoran unchanged in the accusative?

Because it’s an inanimate masculine noun; its accusative singular equals the nominative: restoran. Animate masculine nouns add -a in the accusative (e.g., vidim studenta), but inanimate ones do not.

Can I say zbog rada instead of zbog posla?

Usually no, not for your job. Rad is the abstract concept of work/operation and is used in technical contexts (zbog rada stroja = due to the machine’s operation). For job-related reasons, say zbog posla.