C8 M2 L1 Grammar

8 | 2 | Lekcija 1: Moja košarica

| The Genitive case with imati and nemati

In Croatian, the verb imati can have the existential meaning (there is, there are) or the possessive meaning (to have). The same goes for the negative form nemati, the existential meaning (there isn’t, there aren’t) and the possessive meaning (not to have).

Depending on whether the meaning is existential or possessive, the noun that follows it can be in the Accusative case or Genitive case. This is explained in the table below, what is both possible and not possible to say.  

1. Ima kavu.

2. Nema čaja.

3. Imate sok.

4. Nemaš sira.

5. Ima kave.

6. Nemamo jogurta.

7. Ima jagode.

8. Nemam paprika.

Listen to the following sentences and indicate whether they express the existential meaning or possessive meaning.

| Numbers and Gender

In Croatian, only numbers jedan (one) and dva (two) change their gender based on the noun that they precede. The same rule applies to all numbers which end in 1 or 2, such as dvadeset jedan (twenty one), trideset dva (thirty two) and so on.

The numbers jedanaest (eleven) and dvanaest (twelve) are not exceptions. The digits end with 1 and 2 when written down (11, 12), but since the words themselves do NOT end with jedan or dva, these words don't change! All other numbers stay the same, regardless of the gender of the noun.

| Numbers and Case

Numbers one and two change their forms based on the case we need to use. Both numbers use the same ending as adjectives. For now, we are only focusing on numbers one and two when talking about quantity. What case should we use when talking about how much of something we have? Look at the explanations below.

| Accusative Case With Number 1

When talking about quantity (i.e., how much of something we have) and referring to number one, we need to use the Accusative case. Look at the following example.

As you can see, the masculine form does not change its endings because it refers to an inanimate noun. The feminine form changes its endings based on the general rule for feminine nouns in the Accusative case. The neuter gender does not change its form because that is the general rule for neuter nouns in the Accusative case.

| Genitive Case With Numbers

The numbers 2, 3 and 4 require the use of Genitive singular. This rule also includes any words for numbers that end in 2, 3, or 4 – such as 22, 23, 24, 132, 243, 254, etc.

The numbers 5 and onward require the use of genitive plural.

1. Moram kupiti pet…

2. Ti moraš kupiti jednu…

3. Za salatu trebamo tri…

4. Za štrudlu trebamo devet…

5. Svaki dan pijem dvije…

6. Za koktel trebam jednu…

7. Moram kupiti deset…

You will hear a number of sentences giving a certain quantity. Listen to the start of the expression and pick the correct form of the feminine noun that appropriately finishes the sentence.

| Few Exceptions in the Genitive Plural

Some words like cent (cent), mjesec (month) or sat (hour) in Genitive plural end in -i:

* There are other nouns that in Genitive plural end in -i, but you will learn them as you encounter them throughout the semester.

1. Žvakaća guma košta samo 99…

2. Ja sam u Hrvatskoj svako ljeto dva…

3. Obično idem spavati u 11…

4. Novine koštaju 1 dolar i 53…

5. Planiram ići u Hrvatsku na 6…

6. Moram biti na fakultetu u 8…

7. Imam pauzu za ručak samo 1…

8. Jedan euro je 100…

You will hear a number of sentences giving a certain number. Listen to the start of the expression and pick the correct form of cent/mjesec/sat that appropriately finishes the sentence.