Learn Hardcore Croatian: Ako skreneš desno, vidjet ćeš ljekarnu. - If you turn right, you will see the pharmacy.

In Croatian, verbs in an if-clause with ako are normally in the present tense, even for future time. The future goes in the main clause: Ako skreneš desno, vidjet ćeš... Using Ako ćeš skrenuti sounds unnatural in neutral instructions. You’d only use ako ćeš + infinitive to stress intention or willingness (If you’re going to/if you intend to turn right...).

Can I use kad instead of ako? What’s the nuance?

Ako = if (a condition; it may or may not happen).
Kad = when (a time reference; the speaker treats it as expected or certain). So Kad skreneš desno, vidjet ćeš ljekarnu is When you turn right..., while Ako skreneš... is If you turn right...

Why is it vidjet ćeš and not vidjeti ćeš? How do I form the future?

Croatian Future I = auxiliary ću/ćeš/će/ćemo/ćete/će + main verb.

If the auxiliary comes before the verb: keep the -i of the infinitive: ćeš vidjeti.
If the auxiliary comes after the verb: drop the final -i: vidjet ćeš. Spelling like vidjeti ćeš is incorrect in standard Croatian.

Can I say ćeš vidjeti instead? Where does ćeš go?

ću/ćeš/… are clitics and prefer the second position in their clause. After the comma, the main clause starts, so you need a host before ćeš:

Vidjet ćeš ljekarnu. (verb hosts ćeš)
Ti ćeš vidjeti ljekarnu. (subject hosts ćeš) Starting a clause with plain ćeš vidjeti... is avoided; place something before it.

What form is ljekarnu? Why not ljekarna?

Ljekarnu is the accusative singular of the feminine noun ljekarna (pharmacy). It’s the direct object of vidjeti/vidjet, which takes the accusative. Dictionary form: ljekarna; object form: ljekarnu.

Is ljekarna the only word for “pharmacy”?

In Croatian usage, ljekarna is standard. In Serbia and much of Bosnia, apoteka (accusative apoteku) is common. Both mean pharmacy; use the one that matches the variety you’re learning.

What exactly does desno mean? Can I say udesno or na desno?

Desno is an adverb meaning to the right. With skrenuti you can say:

skrenuti desno (very common)
skrenuti udesno/ulijevo (also standard) Avoid na desno for turning; use na desnoj strani for on the right side.

Why skreneš and not skrećeš? What’s the difference between skrenuti and skretati?

Skrenuti is perfective (a single, complete turn). Skretati is imperfective (ongoing/habitual turning). For a one-time action in an if-clause, use perfective present: Ako skreneš... You’d say Ako skrećeš... only for something ongoing/habitual, which doesn’t fit giving directions.

Could I express this as a command?

Yes. Use the imperative: Skreni desno pa ćeš vidjeti ljekarnu. This is very natural for giving directions. Pa links the actions (and then).

Why is there a comma after the ako-clause?

When a subordinate clause comes first, Croatian normally uses a comma: Ako skreneš desno, ... If you reverse the order, the comma is typically omitted: Vidjet ćeš ljekarnu ako skreneš desno.

Where is the subject pronoun “you”? Do I need to say ti?

It’s implied by the verb endings (-eš). You can add ti for emphasis or to host clitics: Ti ćeš vidjeti ljekarnu, but it’s not required.

How do I pronounce ljekarnu and vidjet ćeš?

lj is a single sound [ʎ], like the ll in “million.”
In vidjet, dj before e is pronounced like đ [dʑ], so it sounds like viđet.
ć in ćeš is a soft ch [tɕ]; š is sh [ʃ].
The final t in vidjet is pronounced.

Can I change the word order in the main clause?

Yes, for emphasis:

Neutral: Vidjet ćeš ljekarnu.
Emphasizing the object: Ljekarnu ćeš vidjeti. Clitics (like ćeš) keep their required position.

How do I negate this sentence?

Negate the verbs:

Ako ne skreneš desno, nećeš vidjeti ljekarnu. Notes: ne
- present in the if-clause; in the future, ne + ću/ćeš/… forms the fused negatives neću, nećeš, neće..., followed by vidjeti/vidjet.

Is vidjeti imperfective or perfective? Why use the future with it?

Vidjeti is effectively biaspectual in Croatian: it behaves imperfectively in the present (Vidim te = I see you), while habitual can also be viđati. For a simple future result, vidjet ćeš is perfectly natural. If you want to stress a single act of “catching sight,” you can use a clearly perfective synonym like ugledat ćeš or opazit ćeš.