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Dobro je da imamo rezervni ključ u torbi.

Dobro je da imamo rezervni ključ u torbi.
It is good that we have a spare key in the bag.

Breakdown of Dobro je da imamo rezervni ključ u torbi.

biti
to be
dobar
good
imati
to have
u
in
ključ
key
torba
bag
rezervni
spare
da
so that/to
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Questions & Answers about Dobro je da imamo rezervni ključ u torbi.

Why does the sentence start with Dobro je? What kind of structure is that?

Dobro je literally means It is good. Croatian often uses this impersonal pattern [adjective/adverb] + je to comment on a situation:

  • Dobro je da... = It’s good that...
  • Važno je da... = It’s important that...
  • Šteta je da... = It’s a pity that...

Here, dobro functions like “good” in “It’s good…”, and je is the present tense of biti (to be).

What does da imamo mean grammatically? Is this like an English “subjunctive”?

Croatian uses da + present tense very often to introduce a clause that functions like “that…” in English:

  • Dobro je da imamo... = It’s good that we have...

It can sometimes overlap with English “subjunctive” ideas, but here it’s simply a normal da-clause with present tense.

Why is imamo used without a subject pronoun? Where is “we”?

The “we” is built into the verb ending. Imamo means we have:

  • imam = I have
  • imaš = you have
  • ima = he/she/it has
  • imamo = we have

You can add mi (we) for emphasis/contrast, but it’s usually omitted:

  • Dobro je da (mi) imamo... (emphatic “we”)
Is rezervni ključ in the accusative case? It looks like the nominative.

Yes, it’s the direct object of imamo, so it is accusative. It looks identical because ključ is masculine inanimate singular, and in that category the nominative = accusative form is the same:

  • ključ (NOM) = a key
  • ključ (ACC) = (to have) a key

So the case is accusative by function, even though the form doesn’t change.

How do I know rezervni matches ključ correctly?

Adjectives agree with the noun in gender, number, and case.
ključ is masculine singular, and as the object it’s accusative, so the adjective appears as:

  • rezervni ključ (masc. sg. ACC = same shape as NOM here)

If it were a feminine noun, you’d see a clearer accusative change, e.g.:

  • rezervna torba (NOM) → rezervnu torbu (ACC)
Why is it u torbi and not u torbu?

Because u changes meaning depending on case:

  • u + locative = location (in / inside) → u torbi = in the bag
  • u + accusative = movement into (into) → u torbu = into the bag

This sentence describes where the key is (or should be kept), not motion.

What case is torbi and why does torba change to torbi?

Torbi is locative singular of torba (“bag”), required after u when expressing location:

  • torba (NOM) = bag
  • u torbi (LOC) = in the bag

This is a common locative ending for many feminine nouns: -a → -i.

Could this sentence also be said as Dobro je imati rezervni ključ u torbi?

Yes, and it’s very natural. There are two common options: 1) Dobro je da imamo... = It’s good that we have... (a bit more specific: “we” as a group)
2) Dobro je imati... = It’s good to have... (more general advice)

Both are correct; the choice depends on whether you want “general statement” (imati) or “statement about us” (da imamo).

Is the word order flexible? Could I move u torbi?

Word order is fairly flexible, but it affects emphasis:

  • Neutral: Dobro je da imamo rezervni ključ u torbi.
  • Emphasis on location: Dobro je da u torbi imamo rezervni ključ.
  • Emphasis on the key: Dobro je da imamo u torbi rezervni ključ. (possible, but less neutral)

Croatian often moves phrases to highlight what’s important in context.

Why is there no word for “a/the” (articles) before rezervni ključ or torbi?

Croatian has no articles like English a/the. Whether it means “a spare key” or “the spare key” is usually understood from context. If you need to specify, Croatian uses other tools (demonstratives, possessives, context):

  • taj rezervni ključ = that spare key
  • naš rezervni ključ = our spare key