Learn Hardcore Croatian: Čistimo kuhinju jer je stol prljav. - We are cleaning the kitchen because the table is dirty.

Croatian is a pro‑drop language: the verb ending shows the subject. Čistimo is 1st person plural (“we clean/are cleaning”). You can add Mi čistimo to emphasize “we,” but it’s not required.

Does Čistimo mean “we clean” or “we are cleaning”?

Both. The Croatian present covers both simple and continuous meanings. Context decides whether it’s a habitual action or happening now.

Why is it kuhinju and not kuhinja?

Kuhinju is the accusative singular of kuhinja (a feminine -a noun). It’s used for the direct object of the verb (“we are cleaning the kitchen”). Pattern: -a nouns typically take -u in the accusative singular (kuhinja → kuhinju).

What does jer do here?

Jer is the conjunction “because” introducing a reason clause. It links the action (cleaning) to its cause (the dirty table).

Do I need a comma before jer?

No comma is used before jer when the reason clause follows the main clause: Čistimo kuhinju jer je stol prljav. If you place the reason first, add a comma after it: Jer je stol prljav, čistimo kuhinju.

What is je?

Je is the 3rd person singular of “to be” (biti). It’s a clitic and normally sits in second position in its clause: jer je stol prljav. You can’t omit it here.

Why is it stol (nominative) and not stola?

In the clause jer je stol prljav, stol is the subject, so it stays in the nominative. Stola is genitive (used after certain prepositions like zbog, or to express possession/quantity).

Why is the adjective prljav and not prljava or prljavo?

Adjectives agree with the noun in gender, number, and case. Stol is masculine singular nominative, so the predicate adjective is also masculine singular nominative: prljav. For a feminine noun you’d say prljava (e.g., kuhinja je prljava); for a neuter noun, prljavo.

Can I start with the reason: Jer je stol prljav, čistimo kuhinju?

Yes. That’s a natural alternative. Just remember the comma after the initial reason clause.

Can I move words around for emphasis, like Kuhinju čistimo jer je stol prljav?

Yes. Croatian allows flexible word order for emphasis or contrast. Kuhinju čistimo highlights “the kitchen” as the thing being cleaned. The neutral, most common order is the original.

Could I say prljav je stol instead of stol je prljav?

Yes, but it emphasizes the adjective prljav (“it’s dirty that the table is”). Note that je must still be in second position in the clause. Avoid je prljav stol, which is odd because je shouldn’t stand first.

Is there any difference between jer and zato što?

Both mean “because” and take a finite clause. Jer is shorter and very common. Zato što can add a touch of emphasis/clarity. Example: Čistimo kuhinju zato što je stol prljav.

How do I express “because of” with a noun instead of a clause?

Use zbog + genitive: Čistimo kuhinju zbog prljavog stola (“because of the dirty table”). Notice the genitive: stol → stola; prljav → prljavog.

What about “so/therefore” instead of “because”?

Use zato (therefore/so) to introduce the result: Stol je prljav, zato čistimo kuhinju. Don’t mix it as zato jer in standard Croatian; prefer jer or zato što.

How would I say it in the future or with a completed action?

For a completed result, use the perfective očistiti: Očistit ćemo kuhinju jer je stol prljav. (We will clean it fully.) Imperfective future (ongoing): Čistit ćemo kuhinju… The clitic ćemo also tends to second position after the first stressed element.

Why are there no articles like “the” in Croatian?

Croatian has no articles. Specificity/definiteness is inferred from context, word order, or by using demonstratives like taj/ta/to (“that”): Čistimo tu kuhinju (“We’re cleaning that kitchen”).

Is stol “table” the same as sto?

In standard Croatian, stol = “table.” Sto usually means “hundred.” In Serbian, sto can mean “table,” which can be confusing for learners.

Any quick pronunciation tips for these words?

Č in Čistimo = “ch” in “chocolate.”
J in je = “y” in “yes.”
NJ in kuhinju sounds like “ny” in “canyon.”
Stress is not marked in spelling; listen to native audio for rhythm.