Ovaj problem je velik, ali imamo plan.

to be

Breakdown of Ovaj problem je velik, ali imamo plan.

• imati: to have
• ali: but
• problem: problem

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)

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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.

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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.)

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What is je exactly? Why is it there?