The Trickiest Croatian Preposition

1. Introduction to the Croatian Preposition "Po"

The Croatian preposition "po" is a versatile and frequently used word that can be a bit challenging for learners to master due to its multiple meanings and varied applications. At its core, "po" generally conveys the idea of distribution, movement along or through something, or how an action is performed. Depending on the context, it can translate to English as "around," "on," "by," "according to," "per," or "through," among others.

Understanding how to use "po" correctly is essential for expressing a wide range of ideas, from giving instructions and describing locations to discussing prices and quantities. In this section, we’ll explore the fundamental uses of "po" and provide clear examples to help you grasp its nuances and start using it confidently in everyday Croatian communication.

2. Basic meanings and functions of "Po"

The Croatian preposition "po" is incredibly versatile and carries several basic meanings and functions that are essential to grasp for mastering the language. Fundamentally, "po" often conveys the idea of distribution, movement along a surface, or doing something according to a certain rule or pattern.

One of the primary uses of "po" is to express movement or action occurring "around," "along," "across," or "through" a space.

For example, when you say "Hodam po parku" (I am walking around/through the park), "po" indicates movement within the area of the park.

Similarly, "Hodam po ulici" means "I am walking along the street," highlighting movement across a defined path. Another key function of "po" is to denote distribution or division.

For instance, "Podijelio je kolače djeci, svakome po jedan" translates to "He distributed the cakes to the children, one cake to each," where "po" signifies that the cakes were given individually to each child. This usage often refers to dividing something evenly or distributing it over multiple recipients or locations.

Additionally, "po" can indicate doing something according to a certain rule, principle, or custom. For example, "Radim po pravilima" means "I work according to the rules," showing adherence to guidelines. It can also express the manner or way in which an action is performed.

3. Using "Po" to indicate movement or direction

The Croatian preposition "po" is often used to express movement or direction, making it a versatile tool in everyday conversation. When you want to describe traveling over or through a space, "po" helps convey the idea of moving along, across, or throughout an area.

For example, you might say, "Hodam po parku," which translates to "I am walking around/through the park." Here, "po" emphasizes the action of moving within the boundaries of the park rather than simply being inside it.

Additionally, "po" can indicate the direction in which something is distributed or spread. For instance, "Razbacao je igračke po sobi" means "He scattered the toys around the room," showing how "po" highlights the dispersion of objects across a space.

In another common usage, "po" can refer to movement through towns, streets, or regions. For example, "Putovao je po Hrvatskoj" means "He traveled around Croatia," implying movement throughout various parts of the country.

4. Expressing distribution and frequency with "Po"

One of the key uses of the Croatian preposition "po" is to express distribution and frequency. When you want to indicate that something is distributed among several people, places, or things, or to specify how often an action occurs, "po" is the go-to preposition (see the example above).

Similarly, "po" is used to indicate frequency or rates:- Trčim po tri kilometra svaki dan.*(I run three kilometers every day.)*- Plaćaju mi po satu.*(They pay me by the hour.)*In these cases, "po" helps convey how often or at what rate something happens. This function of "po" is especially useful when discussing schedules, pricing, or quantities assigned per unit.

5. "Po" in temporal contexts: Time-related uses

The Croatian preposition "po" plays a versatile role when it comes to expressing time-related concepts. In temporal contexts, "po" is often used to indicate the distribution or repetition of actions over time, as well as approximate timings.

One common use of "po" in temporal expressions is to denote frequency or intervals. For example, "Po satu" means "per hour," emphasizing how often something occurs.

Similarly, "Po dva puta dnevno" translates to "twice a day," specifying the number of occurrences within a time frame.

"Po" can also express the idea of "at different times" or "throughout" a certain period. For instance, "Po danu radim, a po noći učim" means "I work during the day and study at night," highlighting actions happening at different times of the day.

6. Indicating manner and method using "Po"

One of the versatile uses of the Croatian preposition "po" is to indicate the manner or method by which an action is performed. When used in this way, "po" helps specify how something is done, often translating to English as "by," "according to," or "through." This usage is particularly common when describing methods of communication, modes of transportation, ways of distributing something, or criteria for acting.

For example, consider the sentence:**"Poslao sam pismo po Ani."**This translates to "I sent the letter through Ana,"

Additionally, "po" can express doing something according to certain rules or instructions:**"Radimo po pravilima."** — "We work according to the rules."

7. Common phrases and idiomatic expressions with "Po"

Here are some popular expressions featuring "po" along with their meanings and usage:

1. Po glavi – Literally “per head,” this phrase is used similarly to the English “per person.”*Example:* Ulaznica košta sto eura po glavi. (The ticket costs one hundred euros per person.)

2. Po običaju – Meaning “as usual” or “according to custom.”*Example:* Po običaju, sastanak počinje u devet sati. (As usual, the meeting starts at nine o’clock.)

3. Po svaku cijenu – Means “at all costs” or “no matter what.”*Example:* Moramo završiti projekt po svaku cijenu. (We must finish the project at all costs.)

4. Po prvi put – Used to say “for the first time.”*Example:* Po prvi put sam posjetio Zagreb prošle godine. (I visited Zagreb for the first time last year.)

5. Po svemu sudeći – Means “by all accounts” or “apparently.”*Example:* Po svemu sudeći, bit će dobra zabava. (By all accounts, it will be a good party.)

6. Ulaze jedan po jedan. - They come in one at a time.

7. Po mom mišljenju, sve ide po planu. - In my opinion, everything is going according to plan.

   
   

8. Case requirements after "Po"

"Po" is typically followed by the locative case, though in some contexts it can also govern the accusative case (less common, mostly when "po" indicates distribution - Kupio je po majicu svima. He bought a t-shirt for everyone).

9. Practical examples and sentence breakdowns

Understanding the Croatian preposition "po" can be much easier when you see it used in context. Below are several practical examples, along with detailed sentence breakdowns, to help you grasp its diverse uses.

1. Hodam po parku.*Translation:* I am walking around/through the park. Here, "po" indicates movement within or across a location. It conveys the idea of wandering or moving around the park rather than simply being inside it.

2. Dao je svakome po jednu jabuku.*Translation:* He gave them one apple apiece. In this sentence, "po" expresses distribution or allocation, showing how something is spread across a group.

3. Cijena je po kilogramu.*Translation:* The price is per kilogram."Po" here denotes a rate or measure, similar to the English "per," indicating the price applies to each kilogram.

4. Zove me po nekoliko puta dnevno.*Translation:* He/she calls me several times a day. In this case, "po" relates to frequency or repetition within a certain time frame.

By examining these examples, you can see that "po" is a versatile preposition used to describe movement, distribution, rates, and frequency, among other meanings.