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Ovaj problem je velik, ali imamo plan.

Ovaj problem je velik, ali imamo plan.
This problem is big, but we have a plan.

Breakdown of Ovaj problem je velik, ali imamo plan.

biti
to be
imati
to have
ali
but
problem
problem
plan
plan
ovaj
this
velik
big/large
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Questions & Answers about Ovaj problem je velik, ali imamo plan.

Why is it Ovaj problem and not Ovo problem?

Because problem is a masculine noun in Croatian. Demonstratives agree with the noun’s gender, number, and case:

  • masculine: ovaj problem
  • feminine: ova knjiga (book)
  • neuter: ovo pitanje (question)
What case is problem in here?

It’s nominative singular, because it’s the subject of the sentence: Ovaj problem je velik = This problem is big.

Why is the adjective velik and not veliki?

In predicate position (after je = is), Croatian very commonly uses the short (indefinite) adjective form:

  • Problem je velik. (predicative → short form)

The long/definite form (veliki) is more typical before a noun:

  • veliki problem = a/the big problem

(You may still hear Problem je veliki in some contexts/dialects, but Problem je velik is the standard “textbook” choice.)

What is je exactly? Why is it there?

je is the 3rd person singular present form of biti (to be). It links the subject and the adjective:

  • problem je velik = the problem is big

Croatian often omits to be in some present-tense contexts in informal speech, but the standard full form here is je.

Why isn’t there a word for it (like It is big)?

Croatian usually doesn’t use a dummy subject like English it. If the subject is known, you just say:

  • Problem je velik. or with a demonstrative:
  • Ovaj problem je velik.
Why is there a comma before ali?

Because ali (but) connects two independent clauses:

  • Ovaj problem je velik, (clause 1)
  • ali imamo plan. (clause 2)

In standard Croatian, you typically put a comma before ali in this structure.

Can I swap ali with some other word for but?

Yes, common alternatives include:

  • no = but / however (often a bit more “stylistic”)
  • međutim = however (more formal)

Example:

  • Ovaj problem je velik, no imamo plan.
  • Ovaj problem je velik; međutim, imamo plan.
Why is it imamo and not mi imamo?

Because Croatian is a pro-drop language: the verb ending already shows the subject.

  • imamo = we have

You add mi (we) mainly for emphasis/contrast:

  • ... ali mi imamo plan. = ... but we (as opposed to others) have a plan.
What tense and person is imamo?

imamo is present tense, 1st person plural of imati (to have):

  • ja imam (I have)
  • ti imaš (you have)
  • on/ona/ono ima (he/she/it has)
  • mi imamo (we have)
  • vi imate (you plural/formal have)
  • oni/one/ona imaju (they have)
What case is plan in?

It’s the direct object of imamo, so it’s accusative singular.
For plan (a masculine inanimate noun), the accusative is the same as nominative:

  • nominative: plan
  • accusative: plan
Could the word order change?

Yes. Croatian word order is flexible and changes focus/emphasis:

  • Imamo plan, ali ovaj problem je velik. (focus first on having a plan)
  • Ovaj je problem velik, ali imamo plan. (puts emphasis on je / the statement)

The original is a very neutral, natural order.

How do I pronounce ovaj and imamo roughly?

A practical approximation:

  • ovaj ≈ OH-vai (two syllables; the j is like English y)
  • imamo ≈ ee-MAH-moh (stress often falls on the first syllable in careful pronunciation, but stress can vary by region)
Does problem mean the same thing as in English?
Mostly yes: problem is a very common loanword and means problem in the usual sense. It’s masculine: (taj) problem, plural problemi.