"Na jaře pracujeme na zahradě."

Translation: In the spring, we work in the garden.

[yewtwteiyty]

Why isn't it "In spring, we work in a garden"? I don't see anything indicating "the".

[tatka_]

I have the same question. Why cannot be "in spring we work in a garden" with article "a"?

[sir_dejf]

"In a garden" should be right, I suppose...

[BoneheadBass]

"In THE garden" sounds more natural to my (US English) ear, but there's nothing grammatically incorrect about "in A garden." Try reporting it, if you get this one again. DL may decide it's an acceptable translation.

[DpAiHk]

What kind of case of spring in this sentence? And can someone explain why does we use that case?

[BoneheadBass]

"Jaře" is the locative singluar form of "jaro." As I am learning too, I can't tell you exactly WHY the locative case is required, other than to suggest that "na" (in) hints at location -- we are saying "IN the spring."

Two of the seasons use "na" for "in" (spring and fall) and the other two (summer and winter) use "v" instead.

na jaře -- v létě -- na podzim -- v zimě

[DpAiHk]

Thanks

[Victor189828]

why is this translation wrong: in the spring we are working in the garden

[BoneheadBass]

Essentially, the present continuous ("I am working") indicates an action that is happening now. The simple present ("I work"') describes an action that occurs often, regularly, or as a rountine. In this sentence, we are speaking about our regular practice of working in the garden during spring, so the simple present is used.