Understanding the Hrvatski Instrumental Case
In the Croatian language, words can change their endings depending on how they are used in a sentence. This is called a 'case'. The instrumental case is one of these cases, and it helps us talk about using things, being with people, and more.
Important Points
- Used to express 'with' or 'by means of'
- Used to show companionship or association
- Used to indicate the method or instrument by which something is done
- Used after certain prepositions like 's' (with) and 'među' (among)
When you want to say you are doing something with someone or something, you use the instrumental case. For example, if you are drawing with a pencil or walking with a friend, you use this case.
Examples
- Pišem olovkom.
- Idem u školu s prijateljem.
- Putujem vlakom.
To form the instrumental case, you usually add or change the ending of the word. For masculine and neuter nouns, you often add '-om' or '-em'. For feminine nouns, you usually add '-om' or '-om'.
Examples
- Jabuka postaje jabukom.
- Dječak postaje dječakom.
- Knjiga postaje knjigom.
Let's practice! Try to think of things you do every day and how you might say them using the instrumental case. Like eating with a spoon or playing with a toy.
Examples
- Jedem juhu žlicom.
- Igram se igračkom.