Questions & Answers about Toalet je lijevo, u kutu.
What does the word "je" do here? Can I leave it out?
"Je" is the 3rd‑person singular of the verb "biti" (to be), so it means "is." In normal sentences you do not drop it: Toalet je lijevo, u kutu. Omitting "je" is mostly limited to headlines or very telegraphic styles. Also, "je" is a clitic and prefers the second position in the clause (e.g., Toalet je lijevo., Lijevo je toalet.).
Can I change the word order?
Yes. Croatian word order is flexible, and the clitic "je" stays in second position:
- Toalet je lijevo, u kutu. (neutral)
- Lijevo je toalet, u kutu. (focus on the location)
- U kutu je toalet, lijevo. (focus on “in the corner”) All are correct; the choice affects emphasis.
Is the comma after "lijevo" necessary?
No. Both are fine:
- Toalet je lijevo u kutu. (most common)
- Toalet je lijevo, u kutu. (the comma can suggest a slight afterthought: “It’s on the left, in the corner.”)
Why "lijevo" and not "na lijevo"?
Use bare "lijevo" to say “on/to the left.” "Na lijevo" is not idiomatic. If you want “on the left-hand side,” say:
- na lijevoj strani or s lijeve strane (both mean “on the left side”)