Kuda idemo do kina?

Kuda asks about the route or path: which way, by what route, through where.

So in Kuda idemo do kina?, the speaker is not asking where are we going? but rather which way are we going to get there?

This is different from:

• Gdje? = where? for location
• Kamo? = where to? for destination
• Kuda? = which way / by what route?

So kuda is the best choice when the destination is already known and you want to ask about the way there.

Idemo is the 1st person plural present tense of ići = to go.

So:

• idem = I go / I’m going
• ideš = you go
• ide = he/she/it goes
• idemo = we go / we’re going
• idete = you (plural/formal) go
• idu = they go

In this sentence, idemo means we are going or we go, depending on context.

Because Croatian often leaves out subject pronouns when they are already clear from the verb form.

Since idemo already means we go / we’re going, the pronoun mi = we is usually unnecessary.

So:

• Kuda idemo do kina? = perfectly normal
• Kuda mi idemo do kina? = possible, but usually adds emphasis, contrast, or special focus

This is very common in Croatian.

Because the preposition do requires the genitive case.

The noun is:

• kino = cinema

Its genitive singular form is:

• kina

So:

• do kina = to the cinema / up to the cinema

This is a standard case change after do.

Do kina literally means up to the cinema or to the cinema in the sense of reaching that place.

The preposition do often means:

• to
• up to
• as far as

In route questions like this, do kina focuses on the destination as a place you are trying to reach.

That is a very useful question, because u kino and do kina are similar but not identical.

• ići u kino usually means to go to the cinema in the sense of going to watch a film
• ići do kina means to go to the cinema building / up to the cinema

So:

• Idemo u kino večeras. = We’re going to the cinema tonight.
• Kako da dođemo do kina? = How do we get to the cinema?

In Kuda idemo do kina?, do kina fits well because the sentence is about the route to the place.

It is asking about the route.

The destination is already given by do kina = to the cinema.

The unknown part is kuda = which way.

So the overall idea is:

• Which way are we going to the cinema?

If you wanted to ask only about the destination, you would use something like Kamo idemo? = Where are we going?

In Croatian, question words usually come near the beginning of the sentence.

So it is natural to say:

• Kuda idemo do kina?

This is similar to English putting which way or where early in the question.

Other word orders may be possible in special contexts, but this one is the normal and neutral order.

Yes, it is understandable and natural if you want to ask which route you are taking to the cinema.

Still, depending on what exactly you mean, Croatian speakers might also say:

• Kako ćemo do kina? = How are we getting to the cinema?
• Kuda ćemo do kina? = Which way will we go to the cinema?
• Kamo idemo? = Where are we going?

So Kuda idemo do kina? works well when the focus is clearly on the way there.

They focus on different things.

• Kuda idemo do kina? = Which way are we going to the cinema?
  Focus: the route

• Kamo idemo u kino? is not the most natural combination
  because kamo asks where to, while u kino already gives the destination very directly

More natural alternatives would be:

• Kamo idemo? = Where are we going?
• Idemo u kino? = Are we going to the cinema?
• Kuda idemo do kina? = Which way are we going to the cinema?

So the choice depends on whether you want to ask about the destination or the path.