s / sa + Genitive

Coming Off or from

Level 2

S or sa followed by a genitive expression marks a source corresponding to many na locations. S posla means from work; s otoka means from an island.

How It Works

Compare na poslu with s posla, and na otoku with s otoka. The first phrases give a location; the second identify a source. Posla and otoka are genitive.

Use the expanded sa where the following sounds make it appropriate, such as sa stola. The extra a is a pronunciation-related form of the preposition, not a different case rule.

A companion instead uses instrumental: s prijateljem. A source expression such as s posla does not mean with work. Check the case and the intended relationship together.

Examples (3)

  1. Vraćam se s posla.

    I am coming back from work.

    Posla is genitive of the source.

  2. Dolazimo s otoka.

    We are coming from the island.

    S otoka corresponds to a location na otoku.

  3. Uzimam knjigu sa stola.

    I am taking the book from the table.

    Sa precedes stola; the noun is genitive.

How It Connects

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

s / sa + GenitiveLevel 2Coming Off or from

Learn This First

The governing word selects a genitive noun phrase, so identify the genitive form before expanding this construction.

Words in This Pattern

s