Expressing Result with 'Tako da' (So that)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'tako da' to link an action to its direct result, similar to 'so' or 'so that' in English.
- Place 'tako da' between two clauses to show the second is a result of the first: 'Padala je kiša, tako da smo ostali doma.'
- Always use a comma before 'tako da' when it introduces a result clause.
- Unlike 'da bi' (purpose), 'tako da' describes a fact that actually happened or is happening.
Structure of Result Clauses
| Part | Content | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Main Clause
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The cause or situation
|
Vani je mrak
|
|
Punctuation
|
Mandatory comma
|
,
|
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Conjunction
|
The connector
|
tako da
|
|
Result Clause
|
The consequence
|
ništa ne vidim
|
Variations of 'Tako da'
| Type | Structure | Nuance |
|---|---|---|
|
Standard
|
tako da
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Neutral result
|
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Split (Intensity)
|
tako + [Adj/Adv] + da
|
Emphasizes the degree of cause
|
|
Informal
|
pa
|
Sequential result (so/and then)
|
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Formal
|
stoga / dakle
|
Logical conclusion (therefore)
|
Meanings
A conjunction used to introduce a clause that expresses the consequence or result of the action described in the main clause.
Direct Result
Expressing a logical or physical consequence of a previous state or action.
“Zaboravio sam ključeve, tako da sam morao čekati vani.”
“Naučio je sve, tako da je položio ispit bez problema.”
Manner leading to Result
When 'tako' is separated from 'da', it emphasizes the 'way' something was done to achieve a result.
“Pjevala je tako glasno da su je svi čuli.”
“Trčao je tako brzo da ga nitko nije mogao stići.”
Softened Conclusion
Used at the start of a sentence to wrap up a thought or transition to a conclusion based on previous context.
“Tako da, mislim da bismo trebali krenuti.”
“Tako da je to zapravo cijela priča.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Clause 1, tako da + Clause 2
|
Gladan sam, tako da jedem.
|
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Negative
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Clause 1, tako da + ne + Verb
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Kasno je, tako da neću doći.
|
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Question
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Clause 1, tako da + Question?
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Zatvoreno je, tako da kamo idemo?
|
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Past Tense
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Clause 1 (Past), tako da + Clause 2 (Past)
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Pao je, tako da je plakao.
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Future Tense
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Clause 1, tako da + Clause 2 (Future)
|
Radit ću, tako da ću zaraditi.
|
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Intensity
|
Tako + Adj + da + Clause
|
On je tako visok da udara u vrata.
|
|
Manner
|
Glagol + tako da + Clause
|
Radi tako da svi budu zadovoljni.
|
Spectre de formalité
Iscrpljen sam, stoga odlazim na počinak. (End of the day)
Umoran sam, tako da idem spavati. (End of the day)
Umoran sam, pa idem leći. (End of the day)
Krepan sam, tak' da gibam u krpe. (End of the day)
The Cause-Effect Bridge
Cause
- Kiša pada It's raining
Result
- Mokri smo We are wet
Result vs. Purpose
Choosing the Connector
Is it a real result?
Is it a goal/intention?
Contextual Usage
Travel
- • Gužva je...
- • Vlak kasni...
- • Let je otkazan...
Work
- • Sastanak traje...
- • Šef je tu...
- • Internet ne radi...
Social
- • Umoran sam...
- • Nemam novca...
- • Zauzet sam...
Exemples par niveau
Sunce sija, tako da sam sretan.
The sun is shining, so I am happy.
Hladno je, tako da nosim jaknu.
It is cold, so I am wearing a jacket.
Imam vremena, tako da pijem kavu.
I have time, so I am drinking coffee.
Trgovina radi, tako da kupujem kruh.
The shop is open, so I am buying bread.
Nisam spavao, tako da sam jako umoran.
I didn't sleep, so I am very tired.
Autobus je otišao, tako da moram pješačiti.
The bus left, so I have to walk.
Nema mlijeka, tako da ne mogu napraviti kolač.
There is no milk, so I can't make a cake.
On je bolestan, tako da ne dolazi na posao.
He is sick, so he isn't coming to work.
Izgubio sam mobitel, tako da me nitko ne može nazvati.
I lost my phone, so nobody can call me.
Restoran je bio pun, tako da smo morali naći drugi.
The restaurant was full, so we had to find another one.
Film je bio tako smiješan da smo se stalno smijali.
The movie was so funny that we laughed constantly.
Nije bilo struje, tako da nismo mogli gledati televiziju.
There was no electricity, so we couldn't watch TV.
Cijene su porasle, tako da si mnogi ne mogu priuštiti stan.
Prices have risen, so many cannot afford an apartment.
Projekt je kasnio, tako da smo morali raditi prekovremeno.
The project was late, so we had to work overtime.
On se ponašao tako čudno da su ga svi izbjegavali.
He behaved so strangely that everyone avoided him.
Vlada je promijenila zakon, tako da su porezi sada niži.
The government changed the law, so taxes are now lower.
Analiza je pokazala propuste, tako da je cijeli proces morao biti revidiran.
The analysis showed flaws, so the entire process had to be revised.
Govorio je s takvim autoritetom da mu nitko nije proturječio.
He spoke with such authority that no one contradicted him.
Infrastruktura je zastarjela, tako da su česti kvarovi neizbježni.
The infrastructure is outdated, so frequent breakdowns are inevitable.
Tako da, uzimajući sve u obzir, moramo promijeniti strategiju.
So, taking everything into account, we must change the strategy.
Njegov je opus bio tako opsežan da je nadilazio okvire jednog stoljeća.
His opus was so extensive that it transcended the boundaries of a single century.
Sustav je postavljen tako da automatski korigira svaku devijaciju.
The system is set up so that it automatically corrects every deviation.
Okolnosti su se posložile tako da je pobjeda bila jedini mogući ishod.
Circumstances aligned so that victory was the only possible outcome.
Nije se radilo o pukoj slučajnosti, već o planu, tako da je svaki korak bio proračunat.
It wasn't a matter of mere coincidence, but a plan, so every step was calculated.
Facile à confondre
Learners use 'tako da' for goals/intentions because English 'so that' covers both.
Mixing up cause and result direction.
'Pa' is more about sequence, 'tako da' is about logic.
Erreurs courantes
Ja sam umoran tako da spavam.
Umoran sam, tako da spavam.
Pada kiša tako da ne idem.
Pada kiša, tako da ne idem.
Tako da idem doma.
Idem doma.
On je sretan tako da pjeva.
Sretan je, tako da pjeva.
Nisam imao novac tako da nisam kupio.
Nisam imao novca, tako da nisam ništa kupio.
Vlak je kasnio tako da smo zakasnili.
Vlak je kasnio, tako da smo zakasnili.
On je tako visok da on može dohvatiti.
Tako je visok da može dohvatiti.
Učim hrvatski tako da mogu pričati s bakom.
Učim hrvatski da bih mogao pričati s bakom.
On je radio puno tako da je dobio otkaz.
Radio je puno, ali je ipak dobio otkaz.
Film je bio tako dobar tako da sam ga gledao opet.
Film je bio tako dobar da sam ga gledao opet.
Situacija je bila kritična tako da smo morali reagirati.
Situacija je bila kritična, tako da smo morali reagirati.
Tako da, zaključno, ne slažem se.
Stoga se, zaključno, ne slažem.
Structures de phrases
Bio sam ___, tako da sam ___.
Nisam imao ___, tako da nisam mogao ___.
Film je bio tako ___ da sam ___.
Situacija se promijenila, tako da sada moramo ___.
Real World Usage
Kasnim, tako da kreni bez mene.
Radio sam u turizmu, tako da imam iskustva s ljudima.
Alergičan sam na orahe, tako da molim bez njih.
Let je otkazan, tako da moramo čekati.
Bilo je predobro, tako da evo par slika!
Ceste su zaleđene, tako da se savjetuje oprez.
The Comma Rule
Don't over-use it
The Split Trick
Spoken vs Written
Smart Tips
Use 'pa' for simple sequences and 'tako da' only when the result is surprising or very important.
Replace 'tako da' with 'stoga' or 'shodno tome' for a more professional tone.
Translate it as 'so... that' and focus on the intensity of the adjective.
Always put it. It's never wrong to have it before 'tako da' in a result clause.
Prononciation
Stress on 'tako'
The word 'tako' has a short-falling accent on the first syllable.
Pause at the comma
In natural speech, there is a slight micro-pause before 'tako da' where the comma sits.
Falling-Rising
Pada kiša (falling), tako da... (rising)
Indicates the thought is continuing into the result.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
TAKO DA = 'TAKE THAT' result! (Think of the result hitting you like a consequence).
Association visuelle
Imagine a bridge with 'TAKO DA' written on it. On one side is a dark cloud (cause), and on the other side is a person opening an umbrella (result).
Rhyme
Kad je uzrok tu, 'tako da' je u igru!
Story
Marko forgot his wallet (cause). He stood at the register, 'tako da' he couldn't pay. The cashier looked at him, 'tako da' he felt embarrassed. He went home, 'tako da' he missed dinner.
Word Web
Défi
Write 3 sentences about your day using 'tako da'. One about the weather, one about food, and one about your mood.
Notes culturelles
The comma is strictly required in all formal writing and education.
People often shorten 'tako da' to 'tak da' in fast speech.
Often use 'pa' or 'tako' without 'da' in casual settings.
Derived from the adverb 'tako' (so/in that way) and the conjunction 'da' (that).
Amorces de conversation
Što si radio jučer, tako da si danas umoran?
Vani je jako vruće, tako da što planiraš raditi?
Hrvatski je težak jezik, tako da kako ga učiš?
Internet ne radi, tako da kako ćeš završiti posao?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Učim puno ___ dobijem dobru ocjenu.
Nisam imao ključ, ___ sam morao čekati vani.
Find and fix the mistake:
On je tako pametan tako da sve zna.
Gladan sam jer nisam jeo.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: Zašto ne ideš na zabavu? B: Moram raditi, ___.
A. Kupio sam brašno tako da imam za kruh. B. Kupio sam brašno da bih ispekao kruh.
Ispred 'tako da' uvijek mora ići zarez.
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesUčim puno ___ dobijem dobru ocjenu.
Nisam imao ključ, ___ sam morao čekati vani.
Find and fix the mistake:
On je tako pametan tako da sve zna.
Gladan sam jer nisam jeo.
1. Kasno je... / 2. Pada kiša... / 3. Nemam novca...
A: Zašto ne ideš na zabavu? B: Moram raditi, ___.
A. Kupio sam brašno tako da imam za kruh. B. Kupio sam brašno da bih ispekao kruh.
Ispred 'tako da' uvijek mora ići zarez.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
In formal writing, no. In casual speech, yes, it's often used to continue a thought from a previous sentence.
'Pa' is more informal and often implies a sequence of events ('and then'), while 'tako da' emphasizes the logical result.
Yes, in standard written Croatian, the comma before 'tako da' is mandatory for result clauses.
Generally no. For 'in order to', use 'da bi'. Using 'tako da' for purpose is a common learner mistake.
It's used for emphasis. 'Tako je hladno da se voda zaledila' (It is SO cold THAT the water froze).
It is neutral. It can be used in both casual conversation and formal documents.
Use 'da bi' followed by the conditional verb form (e.g., 'da bih', 'da bi').
Yes. 'Radit ću, tako da ću imati novca.' (I will work, so I will have money.)
Scaffolded Practice
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3
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
so / so that
Croatian distinguishes result (tako da) from purpose (da bi).
so dass / sodass
German word order changes (verb at the end), while Croatian word order remains standard.
así que / de modo que
Spanish uses mood (subjunctive/indicative) to show intent; Croatian uses different conjunctions.
si bien que / de sorte que
French has more specific conjunctions for different types of results (e.g., 'tellement... que').
node / dakara
Japanese is head-final; Croatian is head-initial.
li-dhalika / bi-haythu
Arabic often uses a prefix 'fa-' to show immediate consequence.
suǒyǐ / yǐzhìyú
Chinese often pairs 'suǒyǐ' with 'yīnwèi' (because) in the same sentence.
