Hitni broj držimo pri ruci; znamo mjesto razvodne ploče.

In Croatian, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending already shows who is doing the action.

• držimo = we keep / we hold
• znamo = we know

The ending -mo tells you the subject is we, so mi is not necessary.

If you added mi, it would sound more emphatic, like we specifically:

• Mi držimo hitni broj pri ruci.

Držimo is the 1st person plural present tense of držati, which usually means to hold or to keep.

In this sentence, it means something like:

• we keep
• we keep on hand
• we keep nearby

So Hitni broj držimo pri ruci means that the emergency number is kept accessible, not literally that someone is physically holding it all the time.

Pri ruci is a very common expression meaning:

• at hand
• close by
• readily available

Literally, it looks like by the hand, but idiomatically it means something is easy to reach.

Examples:

• Imam dokumente pri ruci. = I have the documents at hand.
• Drži lijekove pri ruci. = Keep the medicine close at hand.

So here:

• Hitni broj držimo pri ruci = We keep the emergency number at hand.

Hitni broj is a shorter, more compact way to say emergency number.

Croatian often uses an adjective + noun structure where English might use a longer phrase:

• hitni broj = emergency number
• literally: urgent/emergency number

A fuller expression like broj za hitne slučajeve is also understandable and natural in some contexts, but hitni broj is concise and works well, especially in practical or instructional language.

Yes, broj is the direct object of držimo, so it is in the accusative case.

However, for many masculine inanimate nouns, the nominative and accusative singular look the same.

So:

• nominative: broj
• accusative: broj

The adjective also stays the same in this case:

• nominative: hitni broj
• accusative: hitni broj

So the case does change grammatically, but you do not see a visible ending change here.

This means the location of the electrical panel.

The structure is:

• mjesto = place / location
• razvodne ploče = of the electrical panel

Here razvodne ploče is in the genitive singular, because it depends on mjesto and means the place/location of something.

So:

• mjesto razvodne ploče = the location of the distribution panel / electrical panel

This kind of noun + genitive structure is very common in Croatian.

Razvodna ploča usually refers to an electrical distribution panel, often what English speakers might call:

• electrical panel
• breaker panel
• fuse box (depending on context)

Word by word:

• razvodna = related to distribution
• ploča = board / panel

So it is the panel where electrical circuits are distributed.

Croatian distinguishes between znati and poznavati / poznati in a way that is a bit different from English to know.

• znati = to know a fact, information, how to do something
• poznavati / poznati = to know a person, place, or thing through familiarity

Here, znamo mjesto razvodne ploče means we know the location of the electrical panel. This is knowledge of information, so znati is the natural choice.

Using poznajemo mjesto would sound odd here.

Compare:

• Znam odgovor. = I know the answer.
• Poznajem Marka. = I know Mark.

The semicolon links two closely related independent statements:

• Hitni broj držimo pri ruci
• znamo mjesto razvodne ploče

It works a bit like saying:

• We keep the emergency number at hand; we know the location of the electrical panel.

The two ideas belong together as part of the same safety message, but each part could stand on its own.

A comma would usually be too weak here, and a full stop would separate them more strongly.

Yes. Croatian word order is fairly flexible, and changing it often changes emphasis rather than basic meaning.

For example, these are possible:

• Hitni broj držimo pri ruci.
• Pri ruci držimo hitni broj.
• Držimo hitni broj pri ruci.

The version in your sentence sounds natural and balanced. It puts Hitni broj first, which helps highlight the important item being discussed.

Similarly:

• Znamo mjesto razvodne ploče. could also be rearranged, but the given order is neutral and clear.

It sounds fairly neutral and a little instructional, like something from a safety checklist, school material, workplace guidance, or household instructions.

It is not especially casual, but it is not overly formal either.

That tone comes from:

• concise phrasing
• omitted pronouns
• practical vocabulary
• the semicolon joining two short safety-related statements

So it reads like a clear, standard Croatian statement of preparedness.