Questions & Answers about Otok je na desnima.
What case is desnima, and why is it used here?
Desnima is in the locative plural.
In this sentence, na means location, so Serbian uses the locative:
- na desnima = on the gums
A useful detail: the form desnima is the same in the dative, locative, and instrumental plural, but here it is clearly locative because it comes after na with a location meaning.
Why is the preposition na used here instead of u?
Serbian normally says na desnima for something located on the gums or affecting the gum surface/area.
So:
- na = on / on the area of
- u would usually suggest in / inside, which is not the normal choice here
For this kind of symptom, na desnima is the natural expression.
Is desni singular or plural? Do Serbs usually talk about gums in the plural?
Yes. Desni is normally used as a plural noun meaning gums.
So the basic form is:
- desni = gums
- desnima = on the gums / in the gums depending context and preposition
This is similar to English, where gums is also usually plural.
What role does play in the sentence?