Learn Hardcore Croatian: Taj restoran je zatvoren danas.

Most everyday-neutral: Taj restoran je danas zatvoren.
Focus on “today”: Danas je taj restoran zatvoren.
Mild afterthought or extra emphasis on “today”: Taj restoran je zatvoren danas.

Keep the clitic je in the “second position” of the clause (see next Q&A).

What exactly is je here?

Je is the 3rd-person singular present of biti (to be) and it’s a clitic, which means it likes to stand in the second position of a clause:

Taj restoran je danas zatvoren.
Danas je taj restoran zatvoren.
You can’t start a sentence with je, and it won’t carry stress.

Is zatvoren an adjective or a verb form?

It’s the past passive participle of zatvoriti (to close), used adjectivally to mean “closed.” It agrees with the subject:

Masculine singular: zatvoren (restoran)
Feminine singular: zatvorena (trgovina)
Neuter singular: zatvoreno (kino)
Plural masculine: zatvoreni (restorani), plural feminine: zatvorene

Why isn’t it zatvoreno here?

Because restoran is masculine singular, so the predicate adjective must also be masculine singular: zatvoren.
Use neuter zatvoreno if you’re speaking impersonally without naming the place:

Danas je zatvoreno. = “It’s closed today.” (general statement or sign)

Do I need the word taj? What changes if I drop it?

You can drop it. Restoran je danas zatvoren. is perfectly fine when context already identifies which restaurant you mean.
Using taj specifically points to “that” restaurant (e.g., one we’ve been talking about or one near you).

What’s the difference between ovaj, taj, and onaj?

They’re all “this/that,” but with distance nuance:

ovaj = this (near the speaker)
taj = that (near the listener or already known in context)
onaj = that (far from both, or more remote in context) Examples: Ovaj restoran… / Taj restoran… / Onaj restoran…

Can I say it without je, like Taj restoran zatvoren danas?

In a full, standard sentence you need je. Without it, it sounds like a note on a door (elliptical style), which is fine for signs but not for normal speech/writing. Prefer Taj restoran je danas zatvoren.

How do I make a yes–no question like “Is that restaurant closed today?”

Use Je li… at the start:

Je li taj restoran danas zatvoren?
You’ll also hear colloquial Da li… in many regions: Da li je taj restoran danas zatvoren? Standard Croatian prefers Je li.

How do I say it in the plural or with other genders?

Plural (masc.): Ti restorani su danas zatvoreni.
Feminine noun: Ta trgovina je danas zatvorena.
Neuter noun: To kino je danas zatvoreno.

Why do I sometimes see Taj je restoran danas zatvoren with je splitting the phrase?

Because clitics like je go to second position, even if that means slipping between a determiner and its noun. Taj je restoran danas zatvoren is correct and common, though many speakers also prefer the unsplit Taj restoran je…

How do I negate it? What about saying “not open” or “doesn’t operate”?

Direct negation of “to be”: Taj restoran danas nije otvoren. (“is not open today”)
Idiomatic “not operating/open for business”: Taj restoran danas ne radi.
“Not closed” would be nije zatvoren, which is the opposite meaning.

What’s the opposite of zatvoren?

Otvoren (open).

Restoran je danas otvoren.
On signs you’ll see neuter forms: Zatvoreno / Otvoreno.

How do I talk about past or future: “was closed yesterday,” “will be closed tomorrow”?

Past: Taj restoran je bio zatvoren jučer.
Future: Taj restoran će biti (bit će) zatvoren sutra.
Both će biti and the fused bit će are used.

Does zatvoren ever mean something else?

Yes. With people it can mean “closed/off (introverted)” or “imprisoned,” depending on context. With places/businesses, it simply means “closed (not open for business).”

How do I say “That restaurant closes today (it’s shutting down today),” not just “is closed today”?

Use the verb for the ongoing action/change:

Taj se restoran danas zatvara. (is closing today)
For permanent closure, you can add: … i bit će trajno zatvoren or … zatvara se zauvijek.