Can, may and where I come from
is possibility or ability: . can politely request entry; context distinguishes possibility from permission.
explicitly expresses permission: . is not allowed; cannot. plus the infinitive describes a learned skill, as in .
Keep origin and location distinct: , . is where to; where at. Say to follow Miki; the companion phrase takes instrumental.
| Pattern | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| I can come. | ||
| I can come. | ||
| You can come. (polite) | ||
| You can come. (polite) | ||
| I am allowed to enter. | ||
| I am allowed to enter. | ||
| I cannot swim. | ||
| I cannot swim. | ||
Ja mogu doći.I can come.
Vi možete doći.You can come. (polite)
Ja smijem ući.I am allowed to enter.
Ja ne mogu plivati.I cannot swim.
Ja ne smijem ući.I am not allowed to enter.
Iz Njemačke sam.I am from Germany.
Ja sam Nijemac.I am German.
Ja sam Njemica.I am German.
Idemo za Mikijem.We follow Miki.
Practice 1/6 · Finding words
Notice the useful pattern
Tap the form practised in this unit.
.
I can come.
.
You can come. (polite)
.
I am allowed to enter.
.
I cannot swim.
Practice 2/6 · The right form
Choose the form
Use the English meaning and the pattern in this unit.
Ja doći.
I can come.
Vi doći.
You can come. (polite)
Ja ući.
I am allowed to enter.
Ja plivati.
I cannot swim.
Ja ući.
I am not allowed to enter.
Iz sam.
I am from Germany.
Ja sam .
I am German.
Ja sam .
I am German.
Idemo za .
We follow Miki.
Practice 3/6 · Fill the gaps
Complete the messages
Fill the gaps with the words from the box.
Ja ući.
I am allowed to enter.
Ja plivati.
I cannot swim.
Ja ući.
I am not allowed to enter.
Iz sam.
I am from Germany.
Ja sam .
I am German.
Ja sam .
I am German.
Idemo za .
We follow Miki.
Practice 4/6 · Building sentences
Build a sentence
Put the words in order.
I can come.
You can come. (polite)
I am allowed to enter.
I cannot swim.
I am not allowed to enter.
I am from Germany.
Practice 5/6 · In situations
What would you say?
Choose the right words for the situation.
I can come.
You say:
Use the meaning and Croatian pattern explained in this unit.
I can come.
You say:
Use the meaning and Croatian pattern explained in this unit.
You can come. (polite)
You say:
Use the meaning and Croatian pattern explained in this unit.
You can come. (polite)
You say:
Use the meaning and Croatian pattern explained in this unit.
I am allowed to enter.
You say:
Use the meaning and Croatian pattern explained in this unit.
I am allowed to enter.
You say:
Use the meaning and Croatian pattern explained in this unit.
I cannot swim.
You say:
Use the meaning and Croatian pattern explained in this unit.
I cannot swim.
You say:
Use the meaning and Croatian pattern explained in this unit.
Practice 6/6 · Matching
Connect messages and meanings
Match the pairs.
Unit complete
