Kad nekoga zoveš, koristiš vokativ: "Luka, dođi ovamo!"

When you call someone, you use the vocative: “Luka, come here!”

Breakdown of Kad nekoga zoveš, koristiš vokativ: "Luka, dođi ovamo!"

• Luka: Luka
• kad: when
• doći: to come
• zvati: to call

Questions & Answers about Kad nekoga zoveš, koristiš vokativ: "Luka, dođi ovamo!"

What does kad mean here? Is it different from kada?

Kad means when. In this sentence, it has a general meaning: whenever / when you call someone.

Kad and kada mean the same thing. The difference is mostly style:

• kad = very common in everyday speech
• kada = a bit fuller or more formal

So Kad nekoga zoveš... and Kada nekoga zoveš... both work.

Why is it nekoga? What case is that?

Nekoga is the accusative form of netko, meaning someone.

The verb zvati takes a direct object, so:

• zoveš nekoga = you call someone

In casual speech, you may also hear nekog, but nekoga is the full standard form.

Does zoveš mean calling someone by name, or calling them on the phone?