u, na + Accusative

Into and Onto

Level 2

Idem u grad and Idem na posao: both answer the question kamo (where to).

How It Works

After a verb of movement, u and na take the accusative: Idem u školu, Idem na pijacu. Feminine nouns change -a to -u. Masculine things and neuter nouns look like the nominative.

Use uUse na
u grad, u Mostarna posao
u školu, u kućuna pijacu
u Bosnuna more, na Trebević

There is no neat rule that covers everything. U often means inside, and na often means a surface, an open place or an event (na kafu, na rođendan). Some phrases simply have to be learned, so notice them as you read.

Examples (5)

  1. Idem u grad.

    I am going to town.

    U with a masculine thing.

  2. Selma ide na posao.

    Selma is going to work.

    Na posao is a fixed phrase.

  3. Putujemo u Mostar.

    We are travelling to Mostar.

    U with a city.

  4. Ideš li u školu?

    Are you going to school?

    Feminine škola becomes školu.

  5. Idemo na kafu.

    We are going for coffee.

    Na with an activity.

Common Mistakes

  • Using u for going to work

    Idem u posao.
    Idem na posao.

    The usual phrase for work is na posao, so learn it whole.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

u, na + AccusativeLevel 2Into and Onto

Learn This First

U and na take the accusative for direction.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

unaakuzativ