Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
When you say something does not exist using 'nema', the object must be in the Genitive case.
- Use 'nema' for 'there is no' or 'I don't have'.
- The noun following 'nema' must change to the Genitive case.
- Most masculine nouns add an '-a' at the end.
Genitive Case Endings after Nema
| Gender | Nominative | Genitive | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Masculine
|
kruh
|
kruha
|
Nema kruha
|
|
Feminine
|
kava
|
kave
|
Nema kave
|
|
Neuter
|
mjesto
|
mjesta
|
Nema mjesta
|
|
Plural
|
ljudi
|
ljudi
|
Nema ljudi
|
Meanings
The Genitive of Negation is used to express the non-existence of an object or the lack of possession.
Non-existence
Stating that something is not present.
“Nema mlijeka.”
“Nema ljudi.”
Lack of possession
Stating that someone does not have something.
“Nema novca.”
“Nema vremena.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Ima + Accusative
|
Ima kruh.
|
|
Negative
|
Nema + Genitive
|
Nema kruha.
|
|
Question
|
Ima li + Accusative?
|
Ima li kruha?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Nema.
|
Nema.
|
|
Possession
|
Nema + Genitive
|
Nema novca.
|
|
Existence
|
Nema + Genitive
|
Nema ljudi.
|
正式程度
Nema kruha. (General)
Nema kruha. (General)
Nema kruha. (General)
Nema kruha. (General)
The Nema Universe
Food
- kruha bread
- kave coffee
Abstract
- vremena time
- problema problem
按水平分级的例句
Nema kruha.
There is no bread.
Nema kave.
There is no coffee.
Nema problema.
No problem.
Nema mlijeka.
There is no milk.
Nema novca u novčaniku.
There is no money in the wallet.
Nema vremena za film.
There is no time for a movie.
Nema mjesta u autu.
There is no room in the car.
Nema ljudi na ulici.
There are no people on the street.
Nema nikakvog razloga za brigu.
There is no reason to worry.
Nema sumnje da je to istina.
There is no doubt that it is true.
Nema kraja ovoj priči.
There is no end to this story.
Nema više nade za nas.
There is no more hope for us.
Nema nikoga tko bi to znao.
There is no one who would know that.
Nema potrebe za takvim ponašanjem.
There is no need for such behavior.
Nema dokaza za tu tvrdnju.
There is no evidence for that claim.
Nema izbora osim odlaska.
There is no choice but to leave.
Nema traga njegovom postojanju.
There is no trace of his existence.
Nema smisla raspravljati o tome.
There is no point in discussing that.
Nema naznaka poboljšanja situacije.
There are no signs of improvement.
Nema govora o odustajanju.
There is no talk of giving up.
Nema ni trunke sumnje u njegovu iskrenost.
There is not a shred of doubt in his sincerity.
Nema prepreke koju ne bismo mogli savladati.
There is no obstacle we could not overcome.
Nema alternative ovoj politici.
There is no alternative to this policy.
Nema mjere kojom bi se to opisalo.
There is no measure to describe that.
容易混淆
Learners use 'nije' for existence.
Learners forget the case change.
Learners conjugate 'nema'.
常见错误
Nema kruh
Nema kruha
Ne imam kruh
Nema kruha
Nema kava
Nema kave
Nije kruha
Nema kruha
Nema ljudi
Nema ljudi
Nema novac
Nema novca
Nema vremena
Nema vremena
Nema nikakav razlog
Nema nikakvog razloga
Nema kraja
Nema kraja
Nema sumnja
Nema sumnje
Nema traga postojanje
Nema traga postojanja
Nema dokaz
Nema dokaza
Nema izbora osim odlazak
Nema izbora osim odlaska
句型
Nema ___.
U gradu nema ___.
Nema ___ za brigu.
Nema ___ osim ___.
Real World Usage
Nema kave.
Nema problema!
Nema kruha.
Nema vremena.
Nema mjesta.
Nema predaje!
The 'a' Trick
Don't Conjugate
Listen for the 'a'
Nema problema
Smart Tips
Always reach for 'nema' first.
Add an 'a' to the end.
Change the 'a' to 'e'.
Use 'Nemam' for 'I don't have'.
发音
Nema
Pronounced NEH-mah. Stress is on the first syllable.
Falling
Nema kruha ↘
Statement of fact.
记住它
记忆技巧
Nema needs a Genitive friend to end the trend.
视觉联想
Imagine a giant 'Nema' vacuum cleaner sucking the 'a' or 'e' onto the end of every word it touches.
Rhyme
When you say Nema, don't be a drama, just add an 'a' or 'e' to the grammar.
Story
Ivan walks into a bakery. He asks for bread. The baker says 'Nema kruha'. Ivan asks for coffee. The baker says 'Nema kave'. Ivan sighs, 'Nema problema', and leaves.
Word Web
挑战
Look around your room and list 5 things that are NOT there using 'Nema [item]'.
文化笔记
In Dalmatia, they might use 'nema' even more frequently, often dropping the final vowel in rapid speech.
Standard usage, very common in daily life.
Similar to standard, often used in hospitality.
Derived from the Proto-Slavic 'ne' (not) and 'imati' (to have).
对话开场白
Ima li kave?
Imaš li vremena?
Ima li problema?
Ima li nade?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
Nema ___ (kruh).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Nema novac.
Nema / vremena / danas.
Nemaš problema?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Ima kave.
Nema takes the Accusative case.
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesNema ___ (kruh).
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Nema novac.
Nema / vremena / danas.
Nemaš problema?
Kruh -> ?
Ima kave.
Nema takes the Accusative case.
Score: /8
常见问题 (8)
Yes, for existence. Use 'nije' for identity.
It is a grammatical requirement of the Genitive case.
It is neutral and used in all registers.
The Genitive plural often ends in -a or -i.
No, that is incorrect. Use 'nemam'.
Yes, it is the exact equivalent.
Yes, they must also be in the Genitive.
Use 'Nemam' + Genitive.
Scaffolded Practice
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2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Es gibt kein...
Croatian requires a case change, German uses a negative article.
Il n'y a pas de...
French uses a prepositional phrase, Croatian uses a case ending.
No hay...
Spanish does not change the noun case.
...ga nai
Japanese marks the subject, Croatian marks the object.
la yūjad...
Arabic is verb-based, Croatian is particle-based.
méiyǒu...
Chinese has no case system.
