Čistimo kuhinju jer je stol prljav.

to be

Breakdown of Čistimo kuhinju jer je stol prljav.

• jer: because
• stol: table
• kuhinja: kitchen

Questions & Answers about Čistimo kuhinju jer je stol prljav.

Why is there no explicit subject like we before Čistimo?

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.