Nasuprot prozoru stoji niski stolić, a pokraj njega plavi ormarić.

Opposite the window stands a low small table, and next to it a blue cabinet.

Breakdown of Nasuprot prozoru stoji niski stolić, a pokraj njega plavi ormarić.

• a: and
• prozor: window
• plav: blue
• pokraj: next to

Questions & Answers about Nasuprot prozoru stoji niski stolić, a pokraj njega plavi ormarić.

Why is it nasuprot prozoru and not nasuprot prozor?

Because nasuprot normally takes the dative case in Croatian.

• prozor = window
• prozoru = to / opposite the window in the dative singular

So:

• nasuprot prozoru = opposite the window

This is one of those prepositions/adverbs you just have to learn together with its case pattern.

Why is the word order Nasuprot prozoru stoji niski stolić instead of starting with the table?

Croatian word order is much more flexible than English word order. Here, the sentence begins with the location:

• Nasuprot prozoru = opposite the window

That sets the scene first, and then tells you what is there:

• stoji niski stolić = a low little table stands / there is a low little table

This is very natural in descriptions of rooms or pictures. A more neutral alternative would be:

• Niski stolić stoji nasuprot prozoru.

That is also correct, but it puts the table first rather than the location.

Why does Croatian use stoji for furniture? A table does not literally stand in English.