Indefinite Pronouns (Netko, Nešto)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'netko' for people and 'nešto' for things when you don't know exactly who or what you are talking about.
- Netko refers to an unknown person: Netko kuca. (Someone is knocking.)
- Nešto refers to an unknown object or concept: Nešto vidim. (I see something.)
- These pronouns do not change for gender or number in their basic form.
Indefinite Pronouns
| Pronoun | Category | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Netko
|
Person
|
Someone
|
Netko dolazi.
|
|
Nešto
|
Thing
|
Something
|
Nešto vidim.
|
Meanings
These pronouns are used to refer to people or objects without specifying their identity.
Unknown Person
Referring to a human whose identity is unknown.
“Netko me zove.”
“Znam netko tko govori hrvatski.”
Unknown Thing
Referring to an object or abstract concept whose identity is unknown.
“Nešto smrdi ovdje.”
“Kupio sam nešto za tebe.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Netko/Nešto + Verb
|
Netko spava.
|
|
Question
|
Je li + Netko/Nešto + Verb
|
Je li nešto palo?
|
|
Negative (Contrast)
|
Nitko/Ništa + Verb
|
Nitko ne spava.
|
Spectre de formalité
Netko je prisutan. (Arrival)
Netko je ovdje. (Arrival)
Netko je tu. (Arrival)
Neki lik je tu. (Arrival)
Indefinite Pronoun Map
People
- Netko Someone
Things
- Nešto Something
Exemples par niveau
Netko kuca.
Someone is knocking.
Imam nešto za tebe.
I have something for you.
Netko pjeva.
Someone is singing.
Trebam nešto.
I need something.
Je li netko vidio moju torbu?
Has someone seen my bag?
Nešto se dogodilo u gradu.
Something happened in the city.
Netko mora pomoći.
Someone must help.
Želim nešto popiti.
I want to drink something.
Netko tko zna hrvatski može nam pomoći.
Someone who knows Croatian can help us.
Nešto mi nije jasno.
Something is not clear to me.
Netko je ostavio prozor otvoren.
Someone left the window open.
Osjećam da nešto nedostaje.
I feel that something is missing.
Netko bi trebao preuzeti odgovornost.
Someone should take responsibility.
Nešto se promijenilo u njegovom ponašanju.
Something has changed in his behavior.
Netko je spomenuo tvoje ime.
Someone mentioned your name.
Nešto me muči cijeli dan.
Something has been bothering me all day.
Netko tko je upućen u problematiku bi se složio.
Someone who is informed about the issue would agree.
Nešto u njegovom glasu odavalo je nervozu.
Something in his voice betrayed nervousness.
Netko je morao znati istinu.
Someone must have known the truth.
Nešto je pošlo po zlu.
Something went wrong.
Netko tko teži izvrsnosti nikada ne prestaje učiti.
Someone who strives for excellence never stops learning.
Nešto u toj tišini bilo je gotovo opipljivo.
Something in that silence was almost tangible.
Netko je napokon progovorio.
Someone finally spoke up.
Nešto se u njemu prelomilo.
Something inside him broke/changed.
Facile à confondre
Learners mix up existence and non-existence.
Similar to above, mixing up objects.
Netko is a pronoun, Neki is an adjective.
Erreurs courantes
Nešto je došao.
Netko je došao.
Netko su došli.
Netko je došao.
Vidim netko.
Vidim nekoga.
Netko je knjiga.
To je knjiga.
Nema netko.
Nema nikoga.
Nešto je u sobi.
Netko je u sobi.
Netko je ukrao nešto.
Netko je ukrao nešto.
Netko tko su došli.
Netko tko je došao.
Nešto što sam vidio su bili ljudi.
Ono što sam vidio su bili ljudi.
Nešto je bilo rečeno od netko.
Netko je nešto rekao.
Netko, tko god da je, je došao.
Tko god da je došao, došao je.
Nešto je bilo učinjeno.
Nešto se učinilo.
Netko je to učinio.
Netko je to napravio.
Structures de phrases
___ je došao.
Želim kupiti ___.
___ tko zna hrvatski je ovdje.
___ što sam čuo me iznenadilo.
Real World Usage
Netko mi je poslao poruku!
Nešto se sprema!
Želim nešto slatko.
Netko tko ima iskustva...
Tražim nešto za jesti.
Netko treba pomoć!
Keep it simple
Person vs. Thing
Use in questions
Be vague
Smart Tips
Use 'netko' to sound natural and vague.
Use 'nešto' to describe any object.
Use 'netko' to be polite.
Combine them for effect.
Prononciation
Netko
Stress on the first syllable.
Nešto
Stress on the first syllable.
Statement
Netko je došao. ↘
Falling intonation for facts.
Question
Je li netko došao? ↗
Rising intonation for questions.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Netko has 'ko' like 'tko' (who). Nešto has 'što' like 'što' (what).
Association visuelle
Imagine a person wearing a mask (Netko) and a mysterious box (Nešto).
Rhyme
Netko for a person, Nešto for a thing, uncertainty is what they bring.
Story
I heard a knock. 'Netko!' I shouted. I opened the door and saw a package. 'Nešto!' I whispered. I was surprised.
Word Web
Défi
Look around your room and name 3 things you don't know the name of using 'Nešto'.
Notes culturelles
Croatians often use these pronouns to be polite or indirect, especially when asking for help.
In coastal dialects, you might hear variations, but 'netko' and 'nešto' remain standard.
Very similar to standard, often used in storytelling.
Derived from Old Slavic roots for 'who' and 'what' combined with existential particles.
Amorces de conversation
Je li netko danas bio u gradu?
Trebam nešto za ručak. Što preporučuješ?
Netko mi je poslao poruku. Što misliš tko?
Nešto me muči u vezi posla. Možeš li me saslušati?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
___ kuca na vrata.
Želim ___ popiti.
Find and fix the mistake:
Nešto je došao.
je / nešto / stol / na
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
___ tko zna hrvatski može pomoći.
___ se dogodilo u gradu.
Find and fix the mistake:
Netkovi ljudi su ovdje.
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercises___ kuca na vrata.
Želim ___ popiti.
Find and fix the mistake:
Nešto je došao.
je / nešto / stol / na
Netko - Nešto
___ tko zna hrvatski može pomoći.
___ se dogodilo u gradu.
Find and fix the mistake:
Netkovi ljudi su ovdje.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
No, 'netko' is strictly singular. Use 'neki ljudi' for a group.
Yes, 'nešto' is perfect for abstract concepts like 'nešto važno' (something important).
That is the accusative case. It changes when it's the direct object.
Yes, they are standard in all registers.
No, they are gender-neutral.
If you are unsure, context usually clarifies it. If it's a mystery, 'nešto' is safer.
Yes, e.g., 'netko poznat' (someone famous).
Extremely common, they are used daily.
Scaffolded Practice
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Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
alguien/algo
Croatian has more complex case declensions.
quelqu'un/quelque chose
French uses multi-word structures.
jemand/etwas
Croatian is more concise.
dareka/nanika
Japanese is agglutinative.
ahad/shay
Arabic uses different roots.
youren/yixie
Chinese lacks case.
