Uvijek mogu računati na vas.

Uvijek means always.

In Uvijek mogu računati na vas, it comes at the beginning for a very natural, neutral word order. Croatian word order is fairly flexible, so you could also hear:

• Mogu uvijek računati na vas.
• Na vas uvijek mogu računati.

These all mean essentially the same thing, but the emphasis changes slightly. Starting with uvijek puts focus on the idea of always.

Mogu is the 1st person singular form of the verb moći, which means can / to be able to.

So:

• ja mogu = I can
• ti možeš = you can
• on/ona može = he/she can
• mi možemo = we can
• vi možete = you can
• oni/one mogu = they can

In this sentence, the subject ja (I) is not stated, because Croatian often leaves subject pronouns out when the verb form already shows who the subject is.

Croatian often drops subject pronouns when they are already clear from the verb ending.

So instead of saying:

• Ja uvijek mogu računati na vas.

it is very common to say simply:

• Uvijek mogu računati na vas.

Both are correct. Adding ja gives extra emphasis, something like I myself can always count on you.

Because mogu is a modal verb, and modal verbs in Croatian are followed by an infinitive.

So the structure is:

• mogu = I can
• računati = to count / to count on

Together:

• mogu računati = I can count / I can count on

This is similar to English can count.

Yes. Računati can literally mean to count or to calculate, but in the expression računati na + someone/something, it means to count on, to rely on, or to depend on.

So:

• računati = count / calculate
• računati na nekoga/nešto = count on someone/something

This is a fixed and very common expression.

Because the verb expression is računati na.

Croatian often uses prepositions differently from English, and they must be learned together with the verb. Here, you do not just learn računati by itself; it is useful to learn:

• računati na nekoga = to count on someone
• računati na nešto = to count on something

So na is required by this expression.

After the preposition na in this expression, Croatian uses the accusative case.

The pronoun vi is the nominative form, used for the subject:

• Vi možete pomoći. = You can help.

But after na, you need the accusative:

• na vas = on you

So:

• vi = subject form
• vas = object form after this preposition

It can mean either:

1. you plural — talking to more than one person
2. you formal singular — talking politely to one person

So Uvijek mogu računati na vas could mean:

• I can always count on you all
• I can always count on you (formal, to one person)

You need context to know which one is meant.

You would usually say:

• Uvijek mogu računati na tebe.

Here:

• tebe = informal singular you in the accusative after na

So the contrast is:

• na tebe = on you (informal singular)
• na vas = on you (formal singular or plural)

Yes. Croatian word order is flexible, and different orders can sound natural depending on emphasis.

Possible versions include:

• Uvijek mogu računati na vas.
• Mogu uvijek računati na vas.
• Na vas uvijek mogu računati.

The first one is a very normal, neutral way to say it.
The third one puts stronger emphasis on na vas — roughly It’s on you that I can always count.

Yes. A common alternative is:

• Uvijek se mogu osloniti na vas.

The verb osloniti se na means to rely on or to lean on someone in a figurative sense.

So:

• računati na vas = count on you
• osloniti se na vas = rely on you

Both are natural, but računati na vas matches the English expression count on you more directly.

A rough pronunciation guide:

• Uvijek ≈ OO-vyek
• mogu ≈ MOH-goo
• računati ≈ RAH-choo-nah-tee
• na vas ≈ nah vahs

A few notes:

• č sounds like ch in church
• j usually sounds like English y
• Croatian spelling is quite phonetic, so words are usually pronounced close to how they are written

It is generally neutral and natural, but it can sound warm and appreciative depending on context.

For example, it could be said:

• sincerely, to thank someone
• reassuringly, in a conversation
• formally, if vas refers to one person politely
• warmly, if vas refers to several people

So the grammar itself is neutral, but the tone depends on who says it and in what situation.