Learn Hardcore Croatian: Čija je ova stolica u učionici? - Whose chair is this in the classroom?

It agrees with the possessed noun, not the owner. Because stolica is feminine singular, the question word is čija (fem. sg. nominative). Other nominative forms are: čiji (masc. sg.), čije (neut. sg.).

Why is je placed right after Čija instead of after stolica?

Je is a clitic (the unstressed form of biti = to be) and Croatian puts clitics in the second position of the clause. The first word here is Čija, so the clitic follows it: Čija je ova stolica…. Patterns like Čija ova stolica je… sound wrong.

Why ova and not ovaj or ovo?

Demonstratives agree with the noun’s gender and number:

ovaj (masc.), ova (fem.), ovo (neut.). Since stolica is feminine, you use ova: ova stolica.

Can I also say Čija je ovo stolica? Is there any difference?

Yes, that’s very common and fully correct.

Čija je ova stolica? points directly to the specific chair (the demonstrative matches the noun).
Čija je ovo stolica? uses ovo as a stand‑alone pronoun meaning “this (thing)”, with stolica as the predicate noun. Both mean essentially the same in everyday speech.

Why is it u učionici and not u učionicu?

Croatian uses:

u + locative for location (where?): u učionici = in the classroom.
u + accusative for motion (into where?): u učionicu = into the classroom.

What case is učionici, and how was it formed?

It’s locative singular of učionica (a regular feminine -a noun). For most such nouns, the locative singular ends in -i: učionica → u učionici. Compare: škola → u školi, soba → u sobi.

Can I drop ova and just say Čija je stolica u učionici?

Grammatically yes, but it sounds less specific (there are many chairs in a classroom). If you mean a particular one, use a demonstrative: ova (this), ta (that), ona (that over there).

Can the phrase u učionici go elsewhere in the sentence?

Yes. Croatian word order is flexible. You can say Čija je ova stolica u učionici? or Čija je u učionici ova stolica? The meaning is the same; moving u učionici can add emphasis or match the flow of discourse.

Is stolica always “chair”? What about stolac?

Stolica commonly means “chair” across the region. In Croatian, stolac is also a standard word for “chair” and may be preferred regionally.
Note: stolica can also mean “stool/defecation” in medical contexts, but in everyday contexts like this it means “chair”.

How would I ask the same thing about multiple chairs?

Use feminine plural agreement:

Čije su ove stolice u učionici? (Whose are these chairs in the classroom?) Here: čije (fem. pl.), su (3rd pl.), ove stolice (fem. pl.).

How do I give a short answer like “It’s mine/his/hers”?

Match the gender and number of stolica (feminine singular):

Moja (je). = It’s mine.
Tvoja (je). = It’s yours (sg. informal).
Njegova (je). = It’s his.
Njezina (je). = It’s hers. You can include or omit je in such short answers.

What are the pronunciation tips for Čija je ova stolica u učionici?

Č is like English “ch” in “chocolate.”
J is like English “y” in “yes.”
C (without a mark) is “ts.”
So roughly: CHEE-ya yeh OH-vah STOH-lee-tsah oo oo-CHEE-oh-nee-tsee. Diacritics matter: č and c are different sounds.

Why is čija in the nominative here? Would it ever change case?

In this sentence, čija is a predicate word agreeing with the subject ova stolica, so it’s nominative feminine singular. It does change with different structures:

Accusative: Čiju stolicu si kupio? (Which/whose chair did you buy?)
Locative: Na čijoj stolici sjediš? (On whose chair are you sitting?)

Is je optional here?

No. The copula je is required: Čija je ova stolica… Without je, the sentence is ungrammatical. You can, however, use an echo-style statement as a question (Ova stolica je čija?) to express surprise, but that’s a different effect.

What does učionica mean compared to razred?

Učionica = classroom (the room).
Razred = a class/grade or a group of students (not the physical room).
So u učionici means “in the classroom (room).”