Questions & Answers about Koupil jsem nám jablko.
Why is the verb split into koupil and jsem instead of a single word?
Why do we say koupil jsem and not jsem koupil?
The neutral word order in affirmative sentences is participle + auxiliary. You can swap them for emphasis, but koupil jsem is the most natural.
Why is it nám and not nás?
Nám is the dative form “to/for us,” used for indirect objects. Nás is the accusative form “us” as a direct object, which wouldn’t fit here because you didn’t buy “us,” you bought something for us.
Why isn’t there a preposition like pro in front of nám?
In Czech you normally mark the indirect object with the dative case alone, without a preposition. Saying koupil jsem pro nás jablko is grammatically correct but less idiomatic.
Why is jablko unchanged in this sentence?