Moje kočka je v zahradě.

to be

Breakdown of Moje kočka je v zahradě.

• můj: my
• kočka: the cat
• zahrada: the garden
• v: in

Questions & Answers about Moje kočka je v zahradě.

Why is it moje and not můj?

In Czech, possessive pronouns have different forms depending on the gender and number of the noun they modify. Kočka (cat) is a feminine noun, so the feminine form moje is used rather than the masculine form můj.

Why is the sentence Moje kočka je v zahradě and not Moje kočka jest v zahradě?

Modern Czech typically uses the short copula form je (it is). The older or more archaic form jest is rarely used nowadays except in formal or poetic contexts. In everyday speech, je is correct and standard.

Why do we say v zahradě and not v zahrada?

When indicating a location using the preposition v (in), the noun that follows is usually in the locative case. In locative singular, zahrada (garden) changes to zahradě, with the -ě ending.

How do I know when to use v and when to use na?

Generally, v is used to indicate being inside or within an enclosed space or place (e.g., v domě, v obchodě, v zahradě). Na is often used for surfaces or open areas (e.g., na stole, na ulici, na zahradě can also be heard but implies more “on the garden area”). Actual usage can vary, and you’ll pick it up with practice and exposure to more real-life examples.

Why is kočka before je in the sentence?

In Czech, word order is more flexible than in English. The sentence Moje kočka je v zahradě follows a typical subject-verb-object (SVO) pattern—subject (moje kočka) + verb (je) + prepositional phrase (v zahradě). You could also say V zahradě je moje kočka for emphasis on where your cat is, but the original word order is common and clear.

Is the word moje always necessary in Czech when talking about possessions?

Not always. In context, if it’s obvious you’re talking about your cat, you could simply say Kočka je v zahradě. However, if you want to emphasize the ownership, you can include moje. The choice depends on how clear it is from context whose cat you mean.