Perfect tense in Croatian

When to use the perfect tense in Croatian?

The perfect tense or in Croatian perfekt is a grammatical tense that we use to talk about:

1. An action performed in a specific time in the past

Jučer sam išla u shopping. - Yesterday I went to the shopping.

Maloprije sam skuhala večeru. - Recently I prepared the dinner.

2. An action that lasted in the past

Radila sam za tu agenciju pet godina. - I worked for that agency for five years.

3. Future perfect (an action in the past expressing future)

Ako ne odgovoriš, stradao si. - If you don't respond, you are guilty.

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Signal words

Usually it's very easy to understand when and how to use the perfect tense. Here are some time markers that will help you to use it properly.

Verb conjugation

The perfect tense is formed by: atonic form of the auxiliary verb "biti"  + endings of the verbal adjective (endings in the singular: -o, -la,  -lo and for the plural -li, -le, -la)

The auxiliary verb changes its ending in gender.

Conjugation of the auxiliary verb "Biti"

Conjugation of the auxiliary verb "Htjeti"

Example of a regular verb conjugation

As an example for the perfect tense conjugation is chosen the verb "raditi" (to work).

Remember the formation of the perfect tense, and pay attention to the gender!