Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Croatian grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Mobitel je moj.
What does the word je do here, and why is it in the middle?
je is the 3rd person singular present of biti (“to be”) = “is.” In Croatian it’s a clitic, which normally sits in second position in the clause. After the first stressed word (Mobitel), the clitic je comes, then the rest: Mobitel je moj.
Why is there no word for “the” or “a”?
Croatian has no articles. Specificity comes from context or demonstratives: ovaj mobitel (this phone), taj mobitel (that phone), onaj mobitel (that phone over there).
What is moj exactly, and why that form?
moj is a possessive adjective/pronoun meaning “my/mine.” It agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. mobitel is masculine singular nominative, so you use masculine singular moj (feminine: moja, neuter: moje).
Can I say Mobitel je moje?
Not with mobitel, because it’s masculine. moje is neuter. Examples:
- Masculine: Auto je moj.
- Feminine: Torba je moja.
- Neuter: Pivo je moje.
Can I change the word order to Moj je mobitel?
Yes. Moj je mobitel is also correct. It puts contrastive emphasis on “my” (as in “It’s MY phone”). The clitic je still stays in second position.
How would I say “This phone is mine”?
Ovaj mobitel je moj. You can also say Ovaj je mobitel moj (same meaning; slightly different emphasis).
How do I ask “Is the phone mine?” in Croatian?
Use the question particle je li (or colloquial je l’): Je li mobitel moj? If you mean a specific one: Je li ovaj mobitel moj?
Can I drop je and just say Mobitel moj?
Not in standard sentences. The present of biti is normally required. Dropping it occurs in headlines/notes or very informal/poetic use (e.g., exclamatory Mobitel moj!), but that’s not the neutral way to say it.
What’s the difference between je and jest?
jest is the full, stressed form of “is.” It’s used for emphasis or when a stressed form is needed at the start: Mobitel jest moj. In everyday speech, je is far more common.
What case is used here?
Nominative on both sides of biti in equational sentences: Mobitel (NOM) je moj (NOM). With other meanings, the case changes, e.g., genitive for absence: Nema mojeg (moga) mobitela.
How do I pronounce it?
Roughly: “MO-bi-tel yeh moy.” Each vowel is clear; j sounds like English y in “yes.” IPA: /mobitel je moj/.
Is mobitel the usual word everywhere?
In Croatia, mobitel is the common word for a mobile phone. In Serbia you’ll hear mobilni (telefon) or simply telefon; in Bosnia and Herzegovina both mobitel and telefon are used.
How can I say “It’s mine” without repeating the noun?
- If the noun is understood and masculine: Moj je.
- With the neutral pointer to (“that/it”), agree with it: To je moje.
- For a specific masculine one: Taj je moj. (feminine: Ta je moja; neuter: To je moje)
Could I express ownership with od + genitive, like Mobitel je od mene?
That means “the phone is from me” (source/origin), not simple possession. For belonging, use Mobitel je moj or the verb pripadati + dative: Mobitel pripada meni.
How do I put it in the past or future?
- Past: Mobitel je bio moj. (“The phone was mine.”)
- Future: Mobitel će biti moj. (“The phone will be mine.”)
Is moj used both before and after the noun?
Yes. Attributive: moj mobitel = “my phone.” Predicative: Mobitel je moj = “The phone is mine.”