Meaning and Usage of "KOD"

"KOD" is a versatile preposition that primarily expresses the idea of:

Location (at someone's place, near someone's place, in someone's possession)

Association (in a context related to someone, by someone)

When to Use "KOD"

1. At Someone's Place/Home: This is the most common usage. It indicates that something or someone is located at a person's home or dwelling. Think of it as "at [person]'s place."

Example:

Ja sam kod Ivana. (I am at Ivan's place.)

Auto je kod mehaničara. (The car is at the mechanic's place / with the mechanic.)

2. In Someone's Possession/With Someone: This meaning is closely related to the first. It indicates that someone has something.

Example:

Knjiga je kod mene. (I have a book with me.)

Novac je kod mene. (I have money on me/ with me.)

Lijekovi su kod liječnika. (The medicines are with the doctor.)

3. At a Professional's Office/Practice: Similar to "at someone's place," but referring to a professional's working place.

Example:

Imam termin kod zubara. (I have an appointment at the dentist's.)

Bili smo kod odvjetnika. (We were at the lawyer's.)

4. Figurative/Abstract "Nearness" or Association: This can be a bit trickier, but it indicates something is related to or connected with someone or something.

Example:

To je problem kod mladih ljudi. (That is a problem among young people / with young people.) It means the problem is frequently seen within that group.

Nema greške kod njega. (There's no fault with him / He's without fault.)

Zakonodavstvo kod nas regulira to pitanje. (The legislation in our country regulates that issue.)

The key grammatical rule is that "KOD" always requires the Genitive case (Genitiv) for the person or thing following it.

Singular Examples:

KOD Ivana (Ivan - Genitive: Ivana)

KOD bake (baka - Genitive: bake)

KOD liječnika (liječnik - Genitive: liječnika)

Plural Examples:

KOD mojih roditelja (moji roditelji - Genitive: mojih roditelja)

KOD prijatelja (prijatelji - Genitive: prijatelja)

Important Considerations:

Distinction from "SA/S" + Instrumental: Don't confuse "KOD" with "SA/S" + Instrumental. "SA/S" indicates companionship or an instrument/tool.

"KOD" always implies location or possession.

Ja sam s Ivanom. (I am with Ivan.) - Companionship; I am together with him.

Ja sam kod Ivana. (I am at Ivan's.) - Location; I am at his place.