On je zadovoljan.

to be

Breakdown of On je zadovoljan.

• on: he
• zadovoljan: satisfied

Questions & Answers about On je zadovoljan.

What does each word in On je zadovoljan literally mean?

Word‑for‑word:

• On – he
• je – is (3rd person singular of biti – to be)
• zadovoljan – satisfied / pleased / content (masculine singular form of the adjective)

So the literal structure is He is satisfied.

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Do I always need to say on, or can I leave it out?

Croatian usually omits subject pronouns when they are clear from context.

• Full form: On je zadovoljan. – He is satisfied.
• Very natural in context: Zadovoljan je. – (Literally) Satisfied is. → He is satisfied.

Key points:

• You normally do not say je zadovoljan by itself; je is a clitic and cannot stand first in the sentence.
• If it is already clear you are talking about a man, the most natural short version is Zadovoljan je.
• You keep On je zadovoljan. when you:
  • introduce someone for the first time, or
  • want to contrast (On je zadovoljan, ali ona nije. – He is satisfied, but she is not.)

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Why does zadovoljan end in -an? Are there feminine or neuter forms?