Basic Accusative and Locative (Singular Only)
Let's start with a simplified look at two more cases in the singular. The Accusative case often marks the direct object (who or what receives the action). The Locative case (also called Prepositional) is used for location after prepositions like na (on) or u (in). For now, let's just see how simple singular nouns change (adjectives also change, but we'll keep it very basic here).
Accusative (Singular):
- Masculine Inanimate & Neuter: Look like the Nominative. (e.g., Vidim stol - I see a table, Vidim selo - I see a village)
- Masculine Animate: Look like the Genitive (-a). (e.g., Vidim oca - I see a father)
- Feminine: End in -u. (e.g., Vidim ženu - I see a woman, Vidim knjigu - I see a book)
Locative (Prepositional) with 'na/u' (Singular):
- Masculine/Neuter: Ends in -u. (e.g., na stolu - on a table, u gradu - in a city, na polju - in a field)
- Feminine: Ends in -i. (e.g., na reci - on a river, u zemlji - in the earth, u školi - in a school)
Examples: Čitam knjigu (I am reading a book). Sjedimo na stolu (We are sitting on a table).