Prepositions Always Governing Locative (o, po, pri, u, na)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'u', 'na', 'o', 'po', and 'pri' with the Locative case to describe static locations or topics.
- Use 'u' for enclosed spaces: 'u školi' (in school).
- Use 'na' for surfaces or public institutions: 'na stolu' (on the table).
- Use 'o' for topics: 'o filmu' (about the movie).
Locative Case Endings
| Gender | Nominative | Locative Ending | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Masculine
|
Grad
|
-u
|
U gradu
|
|
Neuter
|
Selo
|
-u
|
U selu
|
|
Feminine
|
Kuća
|
-i
|
U kući
|
|
Masculine
|
Stol
|
-u
|
Na stolu
|
|
Feminine
|
Škola
|
-i
|
U školi
|
|
Neuter
|
More
|
-u
|
Na moru
|
Meanings
These prepositions indicate a static location or the subject matter of a conversation, always requiring the Locative case.
Enclosed space
Being inside something.
“U kući je.”
“U torbi su ključevi.”
Surface/Public space
Being on a surface or at a public venue.
“Na stolu je knjiga.”
“Na pošti je gužva.”
Topic
Talking about something.
“Pričamo o poslu.”
“Razmišljam o tebi.”
Proximity
Being near someone or something.
“Pri ruci je.”
“Pri kraju smo.”
Reference Table
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Preposition + Noun(Locative)
|
U gradu sam.
|
|
Negative
|
Nisam + Preposition + Noun(Locative)
|
Nisam u gradu.
|
|
Question
|
Gdje + Verb + Preposition + Noun(Locative)?
|
Gdje si u gradu?
|
|
Topic
|
O + Noun(Locative)
|
O filmu.
|
|
Proximity
|
Pri + Noun(Locative)
|
Pri ruci.
|
|
Distribution
|
Po + Noun(Locative)
|
Po gradu.
|
Espectro de formalidad
Nalazim se u uredu. (Work)
U uredu sam. (Work)
U uredu sam. (Work)
Na poslu sam. (Work)
Locative Preposition Map
Enclosed
- u in
Surface
- na on
Topic
- o about
Ejemplos por nivel
Ja sam u školi.
I am at school.
Knjiga je na stolu.
The book is on the table.
On je u Zagrebu.
He is in Zagreb.
Ovo je o meni.
This is about me.
Gdje si? U kafiću sam.
Where are you? I'm at the cafe.
Pričamo o poslu.
We are talking about work.
Na pošti je gužva.
It's crowded at the post office.
Šetamo po gradu.
We are walking around the city.
Pri ruci mi je.
It's at hand (near me).
Sve je na svom mjestu.
Everything is in its place.
Razmišljam o putovanju.
I am thinking about the trip.
U autu je toplo.
It's warm in the car.
Na koncertu je bilo sjajno.
It was great at the concert.
O tome smo već razgovarali.
We already talked about that.
Po cijelom svijetu ima ljudi.
There are people all over the world.
Pri kraju smo projekta.
We are at the end of the project.
Odluka o promjeni je donesena.
The decision about the change was made.
Na snazi je novi zakon.
A new law is in effect.
U biti, to nije važno.
In essence, that is not important.
Po mom mišljenju, to je krivo.
In my opinion, that is wrong.
Pri zdravoj pameti, to ne bi učinio.
In his right mind, he wouldn't do that.
Na vidiku je promjena.
A change is on the horizon.
O ukusima se ne raspravlja.
There is no accounting for taste.
U svakom slučaju, dolazim.
In any case, I am coming.
Fácil de confundir
Learners mix up 'u' + Locative (static) and 'u' + Accusative (motion).
Learners use 'u' for everything.
Some think 'o' needs a double preposition.
Errores comunes
U stolu
Na stolu
U pošta
Na pošti
Na kući
U kući
O posao
O poslu
U Zagreba
U Zagrebu
Na školi
U školi
O film
O filmu
Po gradu sam
U gradu sam
Pri stolu
Za stolom
U koncertu
Na koncertu
O tome razmišljam
O tome razmišljam
Na biti
U biti
Po mom
Po mom mišljenju
Pri kraju
Pri kraju
Patrones de oraciones
Ja sam u ___.
Knjiga je na ___.
Pričamo o ___.
Na ___ je gužva.
Real World Usage
Gdje si? U gradu.
Razgovaramo o poslu.
Na aerodromu sam.
Na adresi sam.
U Zagrebu je lijepo.
Ovo je o hrani.
Check the ending
Don't mix cases
Memorize pairs
Public places
Smart Tips
Ask yourself: Is it a container or a surface?
Always use 'o'.
Use 'na'.
Always use 'u'.
Pronunciación
Locative endings
The '-u' and '-i' endings are always pronounced clearly.
Statement
U gradu sam. ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
U is for Under/Inside, Na is for Near/On top.
Asociación visual
Imagine a cat inside a box (u) and a bird on a table (na).
Rhyme
U for inside, Na for the top, O for the topic, don't ever stop!
Story
I am in the house (u kući). I put my book on the table (na stolu). We talk about the book (o knjizi).
Word Web
Desafío
Write 5 sentences about where you are right now using 'u' or 'na'.
Notas culturales
Croatians are very specific about 'u' vs 'na'. Using 'u' for a public event sounds very strange.
In some dialects, the Locative case is used even more frequently.
Standard Croatian is used, but 'pri' is very common in rural areas.
The Locative case comes from Proto-Slavic.
Inicios de conversación
Gdje si sada?
O čemu razmišljaš?
Gdje se nalaziš?
Što misliš o novom filmu?
Temas para diario
Errores comunes
Test Yourself
Ja sam ___ gradu.
Knjiga je na ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
On je u stolu.
Grad -> U ___
Locative is for movement.
A: Gdje si? B: ___.
o / pričamo / filmu
U or Na?
Score: /8
Ejercicios de practica
8 exercisesJa sam ___ gradu.
Knjiga je na ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
On je u stolu.
Grad -> U ___
Locative is for movement.
A: Gdje si? B: ___.
o / pričamo / filmu
U or Na?
Score: /8
Preguntas frecuentes (8)
Cities are containers, while post offices are public institutions.
No, you will sound unnatural.
You will be understood, but it will sound like a beginner.
Yes, it is strictly for topics.
Locative is for 'where', Accusative is for 'where to'.
Yes, some nouns have irregular endings.
It is common in specific phrases.
Describe your surroundings daily.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Dative case
Croatian has specific Locative endings.
Prepositions
Croatian changes the noun ending.
Prepositions
Croatian distinguishes 'u' and 'na'.
ni particle
Croatian uses different prepositions for different location types.
fi
Croatian uses 'na' for surfaces.
zai
Croatian uses case endings.
