Verbal adjective in Croatian

When to use the verbal adjective in Croatian?

The verbal adjective or glagolski pridjev is a simple verbal form. It can be active or passive. We use it to form verbal tenses, such as: perfect, imperfect, pluperfect. Both types of verbal adjectives have their own endings.

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Active verbal adjective

The active verbal adjective is formed by adding endings -o, -la, -lo (in singular) and -li, -le, -la (in plural) to the verb's base infinitive form. With active verbal adjective are formed perfect, pluperfect, future II., conditional I. and conditional II.

Verbal adjective change it's form in gender and in number (singular and plural).

Conjugation of the active verbal adjective

Auxiliary verb "Biti"

Auxiliary verb "Htjeti"

Passive verbal adjective

The passive verbal adjective is formed by adding endings to the verb's base infinitive form. With passive verbal adjective are formed passive voice and adjectives. 

Example of a adjective form: Donio je mljevene orahe. - He brought minced nouts.

There are four groups of endings in: - n, -en, -jen, -t

Conjugation of the passive verbal adjective

Example of the 1st group

As an example for the group with endings in: -n, -na, -no, -ni, -ne, -na is chosen the verb "donijeti" (to bring)

Example of the 2nd group

As an example for the group with endings in: -en, -ena, -eno, -eni, -ene, -ena is chosen the verb "koristiti" (to use)

Example of the 3rd group

As an example for the group with endings in: -jen, -jena, -jeno, -jeni, -jene, -jena is chosen the verb "piti" (to drink)

Example of the 4th group

As an example fr the group with endings in: -t, -ta, -to, -ti, -te, -ta is chosen the verb "nasuti" (to cover)