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Questions & Answers about Broj je isti kao na vratima.
What does each word form here, grammatically?
- broj – noun, masculine nominative singular (number)
- je – clitic form of the verb biti (to be), 3rd person singular present
- isti – adjective, masculine nominative singular (same), agreeing with broj
- kao – conjunction meaning as/like
- na – preposition on/at; with location it takes the locative case
- vratima – locative plural of vrata (door, plural-only)
Why is it vratima and not something like vrata or vratu?
Because vrata (door) is plural-only in Croatian (pluralia tantum). Its locative plural is vratima. The preposition na with a location requires the locative, hence na vratima.
Why is vrata plural-only?
In Croatian, the word for door is inherently plural: vrata. You can say jedna vrata (one door), dvoja vrata (double doors), etc., but the noun itself stays plural. The singular form vrat exists, but it means neck, not door.
When does na use the locative vs. the accusative?
- na + locative = position/state (where?): na vratima (at/on the door)
- na + accusative = direction/motion (onto/into what?): na vrata (onto the door), e.g., Stavljam znak na vrata (I’m putting a sign on the door)
Why is it isti and not isto?
- isti is an adjective that agrees with a noun (here, masculine singular broj).
- isto is neuter singular or, very often, an adverb meaning the same/in the same way.
Compare: Broj je isti (The number is the same) vs. To je isto (That is the same).
Can I add i after kao (isti kao i …)?
Yes: isti kao i na vratima is common and natural. The i adds a light emphasis (the same as also on the door) and is very frequent in comparisons.
What about kao što? When would I use that?
Use kao što to introduce a full clause:
- Broj je isti kao što piše na vratima (…as it is written on the door).
If you’re just comparing to a noun phrase, isti kao na vratima (or …kao onaj na vratima) is simpler.
Can I drop je?
Not in normal sentences. Je (is) is required in standard Croatian. You might see it omitted in headlines or telegraphic style, but in regular speech/writing keep it: Broj je isti…
Where does je go? Can I move it?
Je is a clitic and wants second position in the clause. Alternatives that respect this:
- Broj je isti kao na vratima.
- Isti je broj kao na vratima.
Avoid: Broj isti je… (ungrammatical in standard Croatian).
Do I need a comma before kao here?
No. In comparisons with kao, there’s no comma: …isti kao na vratima. You’d use commas only if the kao phrase is clearly parenthetical, which it isn’t here.
How do I make the negative or ask a yes/no question?
- Negative: Broj nije isti kao na vratima.
- Question: Je li broj isti kao na vratima?
(Colloquial Da li is common in speech, but standard Croatian prefers Je li.)
What case does kao require?
Kao is a conjunction, not a preposition, so it doesn’t assign a case. The form after kao depends on what follows. With pronouns, standard Croatian uses the nominative (kao ja, not kao mene). In this sentence, the case is set by na → na vratima (locative).
Could I say isti kao onaj na vratima to be more explicit?
Yes. Onaj (that one) makes the comparison explicit:
- Broj je isti kao onaj na vratima.
You can also say: Broj je isti kao što piše na vratima if you mean the written number.
Does na vratima mean on the surface of the door or at the doorway?
Both are possible, depending on context:
- On the surface: Naljepnica je na vratima (The sticker is on the door).
- At the doorway: Netko je na vratima (Someone is at the door).
Your sentence will be read according to the situation.
What’s the difference between isti and jednak?
- isti = identical, the very same item/value.
- jednak = equal/equivalent in value, not necessarily the same item.
Here isti is natural; jednak is fine in more formal or mathematical contexts (e.g., Rezultati su jednaki).
How does isti agree with different subjects?
- Masculine singular: Broj je isti.
- Feminine singular: Adresa je ista.
- Neuter singular: Ime je isto.
- Plural (masc. animate): Učenici su isti.
- Plural (fem.): Ocjene su iste.
- Plural (neuter, e.g., vrata): Vrata su ista.
Is k’o/ko acceptable instead of kao?
In Croatian, standard writing uses kao. The shortened k’o/ko is colloquial/regional; avoid it in formal contexts.
Could I accidentally change the meaning by leaving out kao?
Yes. Broj je isti na vratima means the number is the same on the door (describing where it is the same), not comparing it to the one on the door. For a comparison, keep kao: …isti kao na vratima.