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Nemoj toliko žuriti; vlak dolazi točno u šest.

Nemoj toliko žuriti; vlak dolazi točno u šest.
Don’t hurry so much; the train arrives exactly at six.

Breakdown of Nemoj toliko žuriti; vlak dolazi točno u šest.

ne
not
u
at
šest
six
dolaziti
to come
vlak
train
točno
exactly
žuriti
to hurry
toliko
so many
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Questions & Answers about Nemoj toliko žuriti; vlak dolazi točno u šest.

Why does nemoj mean don’t, and what is its grammar?

Nemoj is the negative imperative form of the verb moći (can / to be able), used in Croatian to form negative commands:

  • Nemoj + infinitive = Don’t + verb
    So Nemoj žuriti literally works like Don’t (go) hurry → Don’t hurry.
    For other persons you get: Nemojte (you plural/formal), Nemojmo (let’s not).
Why is žuriti in the infinitive, not some other form?

After nemoj / nemojte / nemojmo, Croatian normally uses the infinitive:

  • Nemoj toliko žuriti. = Don’t hurry so much.
    You’ll also hear an alternative structure in some speech: Nemoj da žuriš, but Nemoj + infinitive is the standard, neutral choice.
How do I pronounce Nemoj toliko žuriti (especially ž)?

Key points:

  • ž is like the s in English measure / vision (voiced “zh” sound). So žuriti starts with that sound: zhur-.
  • Stress is typically on the first syllable: NE-moj, TO-li-ko, ZHU-ri-ti (approximate).
  • r is a tapped/trilled r, not the English r.
What does toliko contribute here, and can it move around?

Toliko means so much / that much and intensifies the verb: don’t hurry that much.
Word order is flexible, but the most natural is what you see:

  • Nemoj toliko žuriti.
    Other options like Nemoj žuriti toliko are possible and still mean the same, with slightly different emphasis.
Why is there a semicolon (;) instead of a comma?

The semicolon separates two closely related independent clauses:

  • Nemoj toliko žuriti (command)
  • vlak dolazi točno u šest (reason/explanation)
    A comma is also common in everyday writing: Nemoj toliko žuriti, vlak dolazi…. The semicolon just makes the separation a bit clearer and “more written.”
Why is vlak in that form—does it need an article like the train?
Croatian has no articles (no a/the). Vlak simply means train, and context covers whether it’s the train or a train. Here, it’s clearly the (scheduled) train.
Why does dolazi use the present tense if the train is arriving in the future?

Croatian often uses the present tense for scheduled future events, just like English can:

  • Vlak dolazi u šest. = The train arrives at six.
    It’s especially normal with timetables, plans, and routines.
What verb is dolazi, and what does its aspect imply?

Dolazi is 3rd person singular present of dolaziti (to come / to arrive, imperfective).
Using the imperfective fits a scheduled/repeated idea (timetable arrivals).
The perfective partner is doći (often for a single completed arrival), e.g. Vlak će doći u šest (The train will come at six).

Why is it točno u šest—what case is šest in, and why u?

Time expressions for “at (a specific clock time)” often use u + accusative:

  • u šest = at six
    Here šest is a numeral form used with u in this time expression (functionally “accusative time”).
    You can also say u 6 or u 6 sati (at 6 o’clock).
Can I drop točno, and what does it change?

Yes:

  • Vlak dolazi u šest. = The train arrives at six.
    Adding točno means exactly / precisely, emphasizing punctuality:
  • Vlak dolazi točno u šest. = The train arrives exactly at six.
Is žuriti the same as požuriti?

Not exactly.

  • žuriti = to be in a hurry / to hurry (imperfective, ongoing)
  • požuriti = to hurry up (a bit), to speed up (usually perfective, focusing on getting moving/accelerating)
    In a negative command, Nemoj žuriti is the natural “don’t be in such a hurry.”
How would this change for formal you or you all?

Use nemojte:

  • Nemojte toliko žuriti; vlak dolazi točno u šest.
    Same meaning, but addressed to a group or used politely/formally to one person.
Could I also say U šest earlier in the sentence, and is that natural?

Yes, Croatian allows flexible word order for emphasis:

  • Neutral: Vlak dolazi točno u šest.
  • Emphasis on time: Vlak dolazi u šest, točno. or U šest vlak dolazi.
    The original version is the most straightforward and common in everyday speech.