Questions & Answers about Dnes mám dobrou zprávu.
Why is it dobrou zprávu and not dobrá zpráva?
Because in this sentence dobrou zprávu is a direct object, so it must be in the accusative case.
- The basic dictionary form is dobrá zpráva (good news / a good piece of news) – this is nominative feminine singular.
- In Dnes mám dobrou zprávu, the verb mám (I have) takes a direct object:
- Co mám? (What do I have?) → dobrou zprávu
- Direct objects go into the accusative:
- feminine -a nouns: zpráva → zprávu
- matching adjective: dobrá → dobrou
So:
- Nominative (dictionary form): dobrá zpráva – a good piece of news (as the subject)
- Accusative (object): dobrou zprávu – a good piece of news (as something you have, get, hear, etc.)
Why is it zprávu and not zpráva? What does the -u ending mean?
Zpráva is a regular feminine noun ending in -a, and in the accusative singular this -a changes to -u:
- Nominative (subject): zpráva
- Ta zpráva je dobrá. – The news is good.
- Accusative (direct object): zprávu