Learn Hardcore Croatian: Razgovaramo o vremenu. - We are talking about the weather.

Because the preposition o (“about”) always takes the locative case. The nominative is vrijeme, but the locative singular is vremenu, so you must say o vremenu.

Why does “vrijeme” change to “vremenu” (where did the -ije- go)?

This noun has a stem change in oblique cases: vrijeme → vremena, vremenu, vremenom. In standard Croatian (ijekavian), the sequence ije can shorten to e in some cases and forms. It’s a regular pattern here, so memorize the set.

Do I need to say the pronoun “mi” for “we”?

No. Croatian is a pro‑drop language. The verb ending -mo in razgovaramo already shows the subject is “we.” You can add Mi razgovaramo o vremenu only for emphasis or contrast.

Does “razgovaramo” mean “we talk” or “we are talking”?

Both. The Croatian present covers English simple and progressive presents. Context decides. If you want to stress “right now,” you can add an adverb like trenutno: Trenutno razgovaramo o vremenu.

How do you conjugate “razgovarati” in the present?

ja razgovaram
ti razgovaraš
on/ona/ono razgovara
mi razgovaramo
vi razgovarate
oni/one/ona razgovaraju

How do I say “with someone” (We are talking with …)?

Use s/sa + instrumental: Razgovaramo s/sa Ivanom. You’ll often see sa before words starting with s-/z- or to make pronunciation smoother; otherwise s is fine.

Can I use “pričati” or “govoriti” instead of “razgovarati”?

razgovarati = to converse (two-way), typical with s/sa + instrumental (with someone) and o + locative (about something).
pričati = to chat/tell; more casual. Pričamo o vremenu sounds very natural.
govoriti = to speak/say; more factual or one-way. Govorimo o vremenu is also correct, slightly more formal/neutral.

How do I ask “What are we talking about?”

O čemu razgovaramo? (Use o + čemu, the locative form of “what.”)

How do I negate it?

Put ne right before the verb: Ne razgovaramo o vremenu.

Do I need an article for “the weather”?

No. Croatian has no articles. O vremenu corresponds to “about (the) weather.” If you need to specify, use a demonstrative: o tom vremenu (“about that weather/time”).

Does “vrijeme” mean weather or time?

Both. In everyday small talk, o vremenu usually means “about the weather.” If you mean clock/schedule time, specify: o vremenu polaska (“about the departure time”) or just say o rasporedu (“about the schedule”).

How do I say this in the past or as a completed chat?

Past (imperfective): Razgovarali smo o vremenu. (We talked/were talking…)
The participle agrees: all-female group → Razgovarale smo.
Completed action (perfective): Porazgovarali smo o vremenu. or Popričali smo o vremenu. (“We had a chat about the weather.”)

Is the word order fixed? Can I put “o vremenu” first?

Word order is flexible. Neutral: Razgovaramo o vremenu. Fronting for emphasis or contrast: O vremenu razgovaramo (…not about something else).