Understanding the Role of Relative Pronouns

Relative pronouns create a link between two clauses, allowing the reader to identify a relationship between nouns or pronouns. In Croatian, these pronouns function as adjectives, describing the noun to create a more comprehensive understanding of the subject. Consequently, mastering relative pronouns will significantly improve your Croatian language skills.

The Different Types of Croatian Relative Pronouns

There are three primary relative pronouns in Croatian grammar:

1. Koji – This versatile pronoun is equivalent to the English “who,” “which,” or “that,” and is used with both people and objects. Its declension corresponds to the noun it is describing and follows the noun’s gender, case, and number.
2. Čiji – This pronoun translates to “whose” in English and indicates possession. Like “koji,” it also agrees with the noun it modifies in gender, case, and number.
3. Što – While less common than “koji” and “čiji,” “što” is used in situations that require a non-specific relative pronoun. It can be seen as an equivalent to the English “what” or “that which.” Unlike the other two pronouns, “što” does not change for gender, case, or number.

Using Croatian Relative Pronouns in Sentences

To better understand the application of these relative pronouns, consider the following examples:

• Knjiga koju čitam je zanimljiva. – The book that I’m reading is interesting.
• Čovjek kojeg poznajem živi tu. – The man whom I know lives here.
• Mjesto što vidimo je prelijepo. – The place that we see is beautiful.
• Djevojka čija torba je crna ide u kino. – The girl whose bag is black is going to the cinema.

Declension of Croatian Relative Pronouns

As previously mentioned, “koji” and “čiji” must agree with the noun they describe in gender, case, and number. Here is an overview of the declension patterns for these pronouns:

Conclusion

Understanding the use of relative pronouns in Croatian grammar is essential for creating complex, meaningful sentences. By familiarizing yourself with “koji,” “čiji,” and “što”, and mastering their declension and application, you’ll elevate your proficiency in Croatian and enrich your linguistic expression.