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Vidimo se točno u osam ispred kina.

Vidimo se točno u osam ispred kina.
See you exactly at eight in front of the cinema.
FromLesson 9inHardcore Croatian
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Questions & Answers about Vidimo se točno u osam ispred kina.

What does Vidimo se actually mean, and why is “we” missing?
  • 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?
  • ispred (“in front of”) governs the Genitive case.
  • kino (Nom. sg.) → kina (Gen. sg.): hence ispred kina.
  • Singular forms for reference: N kino, G kina, D kinu, A kino, L kinu, I kinom.
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?
  • ispred kina = “in front of the cinema.”
  • u kinu (Locative) = “in the cinema/inside.”
  • For motion into the cinema, use u kino (Accusative): Idem u kino.
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?
  • Just use rising intonation: Vidimo se točno u osam ispred kina?
  • Inversion with li: Vidimo li se točno u osam ispred kina?
  • Future option: Hoćemo li se vidjeti točno u osam ispred kina?
  • Remember: not Se vidimo…?; clitics can’t start a sentence.
How do I pronounce č and the sentence overall?
  • č sounds like “ch” in “church.”
  • Rough guide: VEE-dee-mo seh TOHCH-no oo OH-sahm EES-prehd KEE-nah.
Can I write the time with digits?
  • Yes: Vidimo se točno u 8 ispred kina. or …u 8:00…
  • Keep a space after u: u 8, not u8.

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