Learn Hardcore Croatian: Vidimo se točno u osam ispred kina. - See you exactly at eight in front of the cinema.

Vidimo is the 1st person plural present of vidjeti (to see) = “we see.”
se is a reflexive/reciprocal clitic, here meaning “each other.”
Croatian usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending shows the subject, so mi (“we”) isn’t needed.
Idiomatically, Vidimo se means “See you (then),” and the present tense is often used for scheduled near-future plans.

What is the function and placement of se?

se marks a reflexive/reciprocal action: vidjeti se = “to see each other.”
It is a clitic and must sit in the “second position” in the clause.
Correct: Vidimo se točno u osam…; Točno u osam se vidimo…; Ispred kina se vidimo…
Incorrect: Se vidimo… (a clitic can’t start the sentence), or Vidimo u osam se… (wrong placement).

Can I say Vidjet ćemo se instead? Is there a difference?

Yes: Vidjet ćemo se točno u osam ispred kina. That’s the explicit future tense (“We will see each other…”).
Vidimo se is shorter and very common for arrangements; Vidjet ćemo se can sound a bit more formal or emphatic about futurity.
Clitic order: Vidjet ćemo se… (not: ✗Vidjet se ćemo).

Why is it točno and not točan? Where should it go?

točno is an adverb (“exactly, precisely”), which is what you need to modify the time.
točan is an adjective (“exact, accurate”) and wouldn’t fit here.
Most natural: točno u osam. You may also hear u točno osam (sati), but the given order is more idiomatic.

Why u osam and not na osam? Which case is used?

Clock times use u + Accusative to mean “at [time]”: u osam, u pet, u jedanaest.
With numbers like osam (8), the form doesn’t change here, but the construction is still u + Accusative.
Don’t use na for clock time.

Do I need to add the word “hours” (sati)?

No. u osam is enough in everyday speech.
You can add it for clarity or formality: u osam sati or točno u osam sati.

How do I specify 8 a.m. vs 8 p.m.?

Add a time-of-day word:
- u osam ujutro (8 a.m.)
- u osam navečer (8 p.m.)
- Also possible: poslijepodne (afternoon), noću (at night).

Why is it kina and not kino after ispred?

Can I use pred instead of ispred? Are there case differences?

Yes, both are common for location:
- Location: pred kinom (Instrumental) ≈ ispred kina (Genitive).
- Direction/motion (with pred): Dođi pred kino. (Accusative)
With ispred, you always use Genitive (ispred kina) whether you mean location or arriving there; the verb shows motion.
Note: pred can also mean “before” in time: pred Božić (“before Christmas”).

What’s the difference between ispred kina and u kinu?

Can I change the order of the time and place parts?

Yes, word order is flexible. All of these are natural:
- Vidimo se ispred kina točno u osam.
- Vidimo se točno u osam ispred kina.
- Točno u osam se vidimo ispred kina.
Just keep se in second position within its clause.

Can this be used as a casual sign‑off? Any alternatives?

Yes. Vidimo se! is a very common “See you!”
You can add time/place: Vidimo se sutra/uskoro/kasnije, Vidimo se ispred kina.
To propose: Nađimo se točno u osam ispred kina. (“Let’s meet exactly at eight in front of the cinema.”)

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

How do I pronounce č and the sentence overall?

Can I write the time with digits?