Log inSign up

Zbog oluje moramo otkazati izlet na jezero.

Zbog oluje moramo otkazati izlet na jezero.
Because of the storm we have to cancel the trip to the lake.

Breakdown of Zbog oluje moramo otkazati izlet na jezero.

mi
we
morati
to have to
na
to
zbog
because of
izlet
trip
jezero
lake
oluja
storm
otkazati
to cancel
Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Croatian grammar and vocabulary.

Start learning Croatian now

Questions & Answers about Zbog oluje moramo otkazati izlet na jezero.

Why does zbog take oluje and not oluja?

Zbog (because of / due to) requires the genitive case.
So oluja (nominative singular) changes to oluje (genitive singular): zbog oluje = because of the storm.

How do I know that oluje here is genitive singular, not plural?

In isolation, oluje could be genitive singular (of a storm) or nominative/accusative/vocative plural (storms), but the preposition zbog forces genitive, so it must be genitive singular (or genitive plural if the form matched—here it doesn’t).
Genitive plural of oluja is typically oluja (often written the same as nominative singular), not oluje.

Is zbog the only way to say because of in Croatian?

No. Common alternatives include:

  • zbog + GEN (most neutral/common): zbog oluje
  • radi + GEN (often more “for the sake of / on account of,” can sound more formal): radi oluje
    In everyday “because of” situations, zbog is usually the default choice.
Why is moramo used, and what exactly does it mean?

Moramo is 1st person plural present of morati = to have to / must.
It expresses necessity/obligation: we have to cancel.

Do I need to include mi (we) in this sentence?

Usually no. Croatian normally drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows the person/number:

  • moramo = we have to
    You’d add mi only for emphasis or contrast (e.g., Mi moramo, a oni ne moraju. = We have to, but they don’t.).
What’s the difference between moramo otkazati and moramo otkazivati?

It’s mostly aspect:

  • otkazati = perfective → cancel (once, as a completed action)
  • otkazivati = imperfective → cancel (repeatedly / in general / process)
    Here you’re canceling one specific trip, so otkazati is the natural choice.
What case is izlet in, and why?

Izlet is in the accusative because it’s the direct object of the verb otkazati (to cancel what?):

  • otkazati izlet = cancel the trip
Why do we say na jezero and not u jezero?

For destinations like lake/sea/mountain, Croatian commonly uses:

  • na + ACC for going to that place: na jezero (to the lake)
    U jezero would literally suggest into the lake (into the water), which is usually not what you mean.
Why is it na jezero (accusative) and not na jezeru (locative)?

With na, the case depends on meaning:

  • na + ACC = motion toward a destination (to/onto): na jezero
  • na + LOC = location (at/on): na jezeru
    So:
  • izlet na jezero = a trip to the lake
  • izlet na jezeru = a trip at the lake (focus on being there)
Why does jezero not change form in na jezero?

Because jezero is a neuter noun, and many neuter nouns have identical nominative and accusative singular forms.
So jezero = nominative singular and accusative singular.

Is the word order fixed? Could I say Moramo otkazati izlet na jezero zbog oluje?

Yes, that’s also correct. Croatian word order is relatively flexible.
Placing zbog oluje first emphasizes the reason; placing it later can sound more neutral/informational. Both are natural:

  • Zbog oluje moramo… (reason-first emphasis)
  • Moramo… zbog oluje. (statement-first, reason added)
Could I use trebamo instead of moramo?

Sometimes, but it changes the strength:

  • moramo = we must / we have to (strong necessity)
  • trebamo = we should / we need to (often softer; can be advice or necessity depending on context)
    With a storm forcing cancellation, moramo fits well.
How would I negate this sentence?

Negate moramo by adding ne:

  • Zbog oluje ne moramo otkazati izlet na jezero. = Because of the storm, we don’t have to cancel…
    If you want we are not canceling, you’d negate the other verb:
  • Zbog oluje nećemo otkazati izlet na jezero. = Because of the storm, we won’t cancel… (future/decision)
How do I pronounce the tricky parts, especially zbog and otkazati?

A practical approximation:

  • zbog ≈ zbog (final g is pronounced; the o is like in lot for many speakers)
  • oluje ≈ oh-LOO-yeh (the j is like English y)
  • otkazati ≈ ot-kah-ZAH-tee
    Croatian spelling is very consistent: each letter has a fairly stable sound, and j is always like y in yes.