Questions & Answers about Na stolu su jaja i povrće za večeru.
Why is it na stolu and not na sto?
Because na can take different cases depending on meaning.
- na + locative = location, meaning on or at
- na + accusative = movement onto something
Here, the eggs and vegetables are already on the table, so Serbian uses the locative:
- sto = table
- stolu = on the table / at the table (locative singular)
Compare:
- Knjiga je na stolu. = The book is on the table.
- Stavljam knjigu na sto. = I am putting the book onto the table.
So na stolu is correct because this sentence describes a position, not motion.
Why is su placed before jaja i povrće?
Because su is a short form of the verb biti (to be) and it behaves like a clitic in Serbian. Clitics usually appear in the second position of the sentence or clause.
So in:
Na stolu su jaja i povrće za večeru.
the first unit is Na stolu, and then the clitic su comes right after it.
This word order is very natural in Serbian. You can also say:
Jaja i povrće su na stolu.
That is also correct, but it puts the focus a little differently. The original sentence starts with the location: On the table...