How to Use Passive Voice in Croatian for English Speakers

Understanding Passive Voice in Croatian

The passive voice in Croatian is used to emphasize the action or the recipient of the action rather than the doer. It is less commonly used than in English but is important for formal and written Croatian.

How is Passive Voice Formed in Croatian?

Croatian forms the passive voice mainly in two ways: using the verb biti (to be) with the past participle, and using the reflexive particle se. Each has different uses and nuances.

Passive with <em>biti</em> + Past Participle

This form is similar to the English passive and is used to describe completed actions. The past participle agrees in gender and number with the subject.

For example:
Kniga je napisana. – The book is written.
Kuće su sagrađene. – The houses are built.

Passive with Reflexive Particle <em>se</em>

The se construction is very common in Croatian and can express passive meaning, especially in spoken language. It is often used when the agent is unknown or unimportant.

For example:
Prodaju se karte. – Tickets are sold.
Popravlja se cesta. – The road is being repaired.

Differences Between English and Croatian Passive Voice

Unlike English, Croatian often prefers active voice or the se passive instead of the biti + past participle passive. Also, Croatian passive forms must agree in gender and number, which is not the case in English.

Examples of Passive Voice in Croatian

Here are some examples to illustrate passive voice usage:

• Pismo je napisano od strane Marka. – The letter was written by Marko.
• Vrata su zatvorena. – The door is closed.
• Prodaje se stan. – The apartment is for sale.
• Odluke se donose brzo. – Decisions are made quickly.

Tips for English Speakers Learning Croatian Passive Voice

Because Croatian passive voice can be tricky, keep these tips in mind:

• Focus on learning the past participle forms and their gender/number agreement.
• Practice using the se passive as it is very common in everyday Croatian.
• Remember that sometimes active voice is preferred in Croatian where English uses passive.
• Listen to native speakers and read Croatian texts to see passive voice in context.