Questions & Answers about Kockica je pored žetona.
What does kockica mean, and how is it different from kocka?
Kockica is a diminutive form of kocka.
- kocka = a cube, block, die
- kockica = a little cube, small block, little die
In many contexts, Serbian uses diminutives very naturally, not only to mean small, but sometimes also to sound more familiar or natural. In this sentence, kockica most likely means a small cube/block.
Why is there je in the sentence?
Je is the 3rd person singular present form of biti (to be).
So:
- kockica = the cube
- je = is
- pored žetona = beside the token
Unlike in Russian, for example, Serbian normally does use the verb to be in present-tense sentences like this.
What case is kockica in?
Kockica is in the nominative case because it is the subject of the sentence.
You can think of it as the thing being described:
- Kockica = the cube
- je pored žetona = is beside the token
So the basic structure is:
- subject