How to Use the Accusative Case for Direct Objects in Croatian

What is the Accusative Case in Croatian?

In Croatian, the accusative case is primarily used to indicate the direct object of a sentence - the person or thing that is directly affected by the action of the verb. Understanding how to use the accusative case is essential for forming correct sentences in Croatian.

When to Use the Accusative Case for Direct Objects

The accusative case is used when the direct object is a person, animal, or thing that receives the action of the verb. For example, in the sentence "I see the dog," "the dog" is the direct object and would be in the accusative case in Croatian.

Examples of Accusative Case Usage

Here are some examples of sentences with direct objects in the accusative case:

• Vidim psa. (I see the dog.)
• Kupujem knjigu. (I am buying a book.)
• Volim te. (I love you.)

How to Form the Accusative Case for Different Nouns

The endings of nouns change in the accusative case depending on their gender and whether they are animate or inanimate. Here is a brief overview:

• Masculine animate nouns usually take the ending of the genitive case in accusative.
• Masculine inanimate nouns have the same form in nominative and accusative.
• Feminine nouns often add an -u ending in accusative.
• Neuter nouns usually remain the same in nominative and accusative.

Examples by Gender and Animacy

• Masculine animate: Vidim muškarca. (I see the man.)
• Masculine inanimate: Vidim stol. (I see the table.)
• Feminine: Kupujem knjigu. (I am buying a book.)
• Neuter: Vidim dječje igralište. (I see the children's playground.)

Common Prepositions That Require the Accusative Case

Certain prepositions in Croatian always require the accusative case. These include:

• kroz (through)
• na (onto, to)
• za (for)
• o (about)
• u (into)
• po (according to)

For example: "Idem u školu." (I am going to school.) - "školu" is in the accusative case.

Tips for Learning the Accusative Case

• Practice identifying direct objects in sentences.
• Memorize common accusative endings for different genders and animacy.
• Use flashcards with nouns in nominative and accusative forms.
• Practice with sentences using prepositions that require the accusative case.