Learn Hardcore Croatian: Moja prijateljica pita za mjesto u kinu.

Because the friend is female. The noun prijateljica means a female friend, so the possessive must agree in gender: moja (feminine singular). For a male friend you’d say moj prijatelj. Examples:

Moja prijateljica (my female friend)
Moj prijatelj (my male friend)
Moje dijete (my child; neuter)

What exactly does pita mean here? Is it present simple or continuous?

Pita is 3rd person singular present of pitati (to ask). Croatian present can cover both English present simple and present continuous, so it can mean either asks or is asking, depending on context. Present conjugation: pitam, pitaš, pita, pitamo, pitate, pitaju.

Why use za with pitati? What does pita za mean?

With people or availability/topics, pitati za + accusative means “to ask about” or “to inquire after,” often effectively “ask for” in the sense of checking availability. Contrast:

pitati za mjesto = ask about a/any seat (is there one?)
tražiti mjesto = look for/search for a seat
moliti (za) mjesto = politely request a seat

Which case is mjesto after za, and why doesn’t it change form?

Za takes the accusative. Neuter nouns in the singular have the same form in nominative and accusative, so mjesto looks unchanged. If you specify one seat, you can say za jedno mjesto (accusative).

Why is it u kinu and not u kino?

Because of the difference between location vs. motion:

u + locative answers “where?” (location): u kinu = in the cinema
u + accusative answers “where to?” (motion into): u kino = to the cinema Examples:
Sjedimo u kinu. (We are sitting in the cinema.)
Idemo u kino. (We’re going to the cinema.)

What case is kinu, and how does kino decline?

Kinu is locative singular of kino. Key singular forms:

Nominative/Accusative: kino
Genitive: kina
Dative/Locative: kinu
Instrumental: kinom

Does mjesto mean a literal seat, or just space?

Both, depending on context. Mjesto can mean place/spot/seat. If you want to be more precise about a physical seat, use sjedalo.

slobodno mjesto = free seat/spot
slobodno sjedalo = free (physical) seat
radno mjesto = job position

Is pita za mjesto u kinu idiomatic? How would a native typically say this?

It’s fine and understandable. To be a bit clearer, natives often add “available/free”:

Moja prijateljica pita za slobodno mjesto u kinu. Very common is a clause:
Moja prijateljica pita ima li mjesta u kinu. (…asks whether there are seats.) At a counter you’d hear:
Imate li slobodno mjesto?
Ima li slobodnih mjesta?

Can I say pita o mjestu instead of pita za mjesto?

Generally no. Pitati o is not idiomatic. Use pitati za + accusative or a clause:

pitati za mjesto
pitati ima li mjesta

Can the word order change?

Yes, Croatian allows flexible word order for emphasis. Examples:

Za mjesto u kinu pita moja prijateljica. (fronts the topic)
Moja prijateljica u kinu pita za mjesto. (emphasizes the location) The original order is the most neutral.

How do I say it for multiple friends or multiple seats?

Feminine plural: Moje prijateljice pitaju za mjesta u kinu.
Mixed/masculine plural: Moji prijatelji pitaju za mjesta u kinu. With numbers:
pita za jedno mjesto (one seat)
pita za dva mjesta (two seats; neuter noun → dva, not dvije)

How do I say in this/that cinema?

u ovom kinu = in this cinema
u tom kinu = in that cinema
u onom kinu = in that cinema over there/previously mentioned

Are there regional differences I should know?

Yes. In Serbian you’ll often hear bioskop for cinema and sedište for seat:

u bioskopu, slobodno sedište In Croatian it’s kino, sjedalo/mjesto.

Any quick pronunciation tips for tricky parts?

j = English y in “yes” (e.g., moja, mjesto).
lj is a single sound (palatal l), similar to the “lli” in “million” said quickly (prijateljica).
mj is like “my” as one cluster at the start of mjesto.
Vowels are pure and always pronounced.