Latin Alphabet used in Serbian

Besides the Serbian Cyrillic script, you'll see that the Latin Alphabet has been equally used, although the Cyrillic script has become the official language of Serbia.

In the very beginning, it's easier for you to start learning the language following the Latin script, while in the following courses you can slowly acquire the Serbian Script which is not difficult at all, once you are familiar with the language. 

I tend to use the same texts, done in the first lessons, to introduce you to the Cyrillic, so you both feel familiar with the text and you can easily pick it up.

That's why we'll start this course using the Latin Alphabet. You can watch the video exercise below, as well as the attached file!  If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the discussion section on the right.

Serbian Vowels

Although there are only five + one vowels in Serbian: A, E, I, O & U + R, one must take into account that there is also a distinction between long and short vowels. This difference is not seen in orthography, but the stressed ones are more often the longer ones. 

Today I simply want to introduce you to the simplicity of the pronunciation of the basic five vowels, and then in the following videos we'll work on the pronunciation of the "sixth vowel" in Serbian, the syllable forming R, as well as the long and short vowel pronunciation and stress within a word. 

The aim of this game is to recognize a letter in Cyrillic script flying across the screen, and eliminating it by typing its Latin script counterpart. You can pronounce the letter as it is moving together with me. Once you understand how to do this, please join my Serbian Activator to get a direct link to the game!

Serbian Cyrillic Script

Serbian (Serbian Cyrillic: српски, Latin: srpski, pronounced [sr̩̂pskiː]) is a standardized register of the Serbo-Croatian language used by Serbs, mainly in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (mostly Republika Srpska), Montenegro, Croatia, and Macedonia.It is official in Serbia and one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and is the principal language of the Serbs.

Let's Practise!

Ja sam Marina = I am Marina

Watch the video and afterwards try to imitate me by doing the same tasks in the following video exercises.

In this first lesson you will learn how the verb TO BE (biti) works in Serbian. The basic short form is as follows:

• Ja sam
• Ti si / Vi ste
• On je
• Ona je
• Ono je
• Mi smo
• Vi ste
• Oni su
• One su
• Ona su

How to do the Classroom Practice ?

Watch the video and afterwards try to imitate me by doing the same tasks in the classroom* or during our online lesson.
*If you take 1:1 lessons with me, you can access your own virtual classroom 24/7, with all these Serbian teaching materials.

How do I use To Be ?

In Serbian the verb BITI (to be) is used similarly to the English language:
* to say who we are ( with a NOUN)
" Ja sam Marina. Ja sam profesor."
* to say how we feel (with an ADJECTIVE)
" Tom je gladan. Ana nije gladna."
* to say where we are (with a PREPOSITION + place)
" Jovana je u pošti."

What is this lecture about?

Simply watch the video and try to figure out which form to use, before you hear me. If it is too difficult, listen to me first, and then turn off the sound and try to be faster than me :)

Best of luck! = Srećno!

p.s. How well did you do Exercise 1?

You can do this speaking classroom practice in a variety of ways:

1. You can simply make sentences "She is young" = Ona je mlada.

2. You can ask questions and give short answers "Is she young ? " "No, she isn't" = Da li je mlada ? Nije.

3. You can make negative sentences "She isn't young" = Ona nije mlada

• Da li si ti srećna ? Possible answers: Da, jesam / Ne, nisam.
• Jesi li srećna ? The possible answers are the same as above.

• DOBRO JUTRO

To greet people more formally, in the morning, until 9 or 10 o’clock, you can say “Good morning” = DOBRO JUTRO.

The common response to DOBRO JUTRO is DOBRO JUTRO, also.

• WHY DOBRO?

Most students ask me why “dobar dan” and then “dobrO jutro”?

The reason for the change is that “dobar” is an adjective which agrees with the noun it describes. In Serbian, most times it rhymes with the noun. With words in Neuter Sg., such as JUTRO or VEČE, the adjectives will end either in O or E.

• DOBAR DAN

Use DOBAR DAN to greet people formally during the day, from nine in the morning until six or seven in the afternoon, when we switch to “good evening” (dobro veče).

This greeting is formal, and that is why it is often followed by “Kako STE?”, meaning “How are You?”.

The appropriate response to DOBAR DAN is DOBAR DAN.

When you meet someone you can greet them formally or informally:

• Informal greetings are:

  1. Ćao! = Hi!
  2. Zdravo! = Hello! 

  The follow-up phrase is usually "How are you". In Serbian, it has a different form, depending whether it is formal or informal:

  1. Kako si (ti)? How are you? 
  1. The possible responses are:
  1. Dobro, hvala / Hvala, dobro = Fine, thanks.
  2. Nije loše = Not bad
  3. Super = Super
  4. Odlično = Great
  5. Ne pitaj! = Don't ask (me) (meaning something bad has happened)

• DOVIĐENJA

When you ask this question "koliko košta vino?" it means "How much does the wine cost". Pay attention just to use the singular and give the answer accordingly: "Vino košta sto dinara". 

koštati = to cost

to košta 100 dinara = it costs 100 dinars

but for plural, you'd use it "koštaju"

Plural: Hamburgers cost 100 dinars = HamburgerI koštaJU 100 dinara

10 - deset 

20 -dvadeset

30 - trideset

40 - četrdeset 

50 - pedeset

60 - šezdeset

70 - sedamdeset

80 - osamdeset 

90 - devedeset

100 - sto

22 - dvadeset dva (the two numbers are separated, but when the numbers are written on the cheque or for the purpose of accounting, they are written together)

UPOZNAVANJE:

Koje je tvoje ...

... ime                  = first name

... prezime          = surname

... bračno stanje = marital status

Koja je tvoja ...

... adresa            =  address

... mejl adresa   = e-mail address

... nacionalnost = nationality

Koji je tvoj ...

... broj telefona   = telephone number
... broj mobilnog = mobile telephone number

... broj fiksnog     =  landline telephone number

​------------------------ Singular

Moj        = my

Tvoj       = your

Njegov  = his, its

Njen      = her

------------------------- Formal:

Naš        = our

Vaš         = your

Njihov   = their

MOJA MAMA - MY MOTHER

MOJ TATA - MY FATHER

MOJA SESTRA - MY SISTER

MOJ BRAT - MY BROTHER

MOJ SIN - MY SON

MOJA ĆERKA - MY DAUGHTER

MOJ PRIJATELJ - MY FRIEND masc.

MOJA PRIJATELJICA - MY FRIEND fem.

MOJ KOLEGA - MY COLLEAGUE masc.

MOJA KOLEGINICA - MY COLLEAGUE fem.

MOJA DRUGARICA - MY CLOSE FRIEND fem.

MOJ DRUG - MY CLOSE FRIEND masc.

MOJ MUŽ - MY HUSBAND

MOJA ŽENA - MY WIFE

MOJ PARTNER - MY PARTNER

Let's practise this dialogue with some useful phrases:

1. Izvoli = here you are (informal)
2. Izvolite = here You are  (formal)
3. Hvala = thank you
4. Molim = not at all (other ways of saying this are: NEMA NA ČEMU, U REDU JE (it's ok), I DRUGI PUT )
5. Upaljač = lighter
6. Cigarete = cigarettes

VERBS connected with FOOD

JESTI = to eat​

PITI   = to drink​

DORUČKOVATI = to have breakfast​

RUČATI = to have lunch/dinner​

VEČERATI  = to have dinner/supper​​

VOLETI = to like​​

---------------------------------- Masculine

Hleb     = bread

Džem   = jam

Med     = honey

Maslac = butter

Margarin = margarine

Pirinač  = rice

Jogurt   = yoghurt

Sok        = juice

------------------------------------ Feminine

Viršla   = vienner sausage

Kobasica = sausage

Riba     = fish

Šunka  = ham

Supa    = soup

Voda    = water

Kafa     = coffee

--------------------------------------- Neuter

Jaje       = egg

Mleko  = milk

Meso   = meat

Question Words: ŠTA = what

Šta jedeš za doručak ? - Obično jedem hleb i maslac.​

Šta doručkuješ ? - Često doručkujem šunku i sir.​

Šta ručaš ? - Uvek ručam ribu i supu.​

Šta jedeš za ručak ? - Uvek jedem meso i salatu.​

Šta večeraš ? - Nikad ne večeram​

Šta jedeš za večeru ? - Nikada ne jedem jaje, džem i hleb za večeru. Samo popijem jogurt.​

Let's learn the most common phrases when

------------------- asking questions:

• Koliko je sati ?
• Koliko ima sati ?
• U koliko sati ručaš ?

---------------------- giving answers:

• Pet! Tačno pet ! Pet je sati.
• Još nema pet !
• Obično ručam u/oko pet.

--------------telling the precise time :

• 5.25 = pet i dvadeset pet posle podne
• 5.30 = pola šest
• 5.45 = petnaest do šest pre podne
• 5.45 = pet i četrdeset pet

Speaking Drill

• Watch the video and try to recall what the time is.
• Make more complicated sentences by telling what you usually do at the time shown on each clock:

For example: 1.12 = Jedan i dvanaest. Obično ručam u jedan i dvanaest posle podne.*

*POSLE PODNE = p.m. is written as one word when used as a noun, but as two words when written after the exact time.

Verb Conjugations:

---------------- Verbs which end in -AM:

• RUČATI - to have lunch/dinner
  
• VEČERATI - to have dinner/supper
  
• GLEDATI - to watch
  

--------------- Verbs which end in -JEM:

• USTAJATI - to get/stand up
  
• PITI - to drink
  
• DORUČKOVATI - to have breakfast

----------------- Verbs which end in -​EM:

• PISATI - to write
  
• JESTI - to eat
  
• ZVATI se - to be called

----------------- Verbs which end in -IM: 

• ŽELETI - to wish/ want
  
• ZATVORITI - to close
  
• VOLETI - to love / like
  
• UČITI - to learn
  
• TRAŽITI - to search / look for
  
• RADITI - to work
  
• PRAVITI -  to make
  
• OBLAČITI (se) - to dress
  
• NOSITI - to wear
  
• DOLAZITI - to come
  
• BUDITI (se) - to wake
  

​

Introduction to the Present Simple (Sadašnje vreme) in Serbian and its conjugations. All the verbs in this group end in -ati, and I chose the ones which denote daily routines, so you can combine them with adverbs of frequency in the follow-up activities and video lessons:

Word Order :

+ Ja ustajem u 6. (Emphasizes that it's "me" who's getting up, not somebody else)

+ Ustajem u 6. (Sounds more natural)

- Ja ne ustajem u 7.

- Ne ustajem u 7.

Da li (ti) ustaješ u 8 ? (Formal)

Ustaješ li (ti) u 8 ? (Colloquial)

Je l' ustaješ (ti) u 8 ? (Colloquial)

Let's practise the verb conjugation of "gledati" (to watch)

This is a short intro to what we'll be learning in the following Module:

• Revising and extending the list of verbs which require the Accusative case. In this section we will be practising the verb to go to =IĆI U + Akuzativ (Only with the singular form of the nouns: there is only one change with the Feminine.Sg. nouns, which drop the final -a and add -u instead: PRODAVNICA: Idem u prodavnicU)
• Intro to the Instrumental case (Module 6) which is necessary after the BY preposition: Idem na posao autobusOM (by bus)

VERBS of MOVEMENT which take the Accusative case:

IĆI u = to go to

DOLAZITI/DOĆI u = to come to

POSEĆIVATI/POSETITI = to visit

List of nouns that can follow the verbs mentioned above:

----------------------------------Singular Masculine

MUZEJ = museum

GRAD = city

HOTEL = hotel

INTERNET KAFE = internet cafe

AERODROM = airport

------------------------------------Singular Feminine

CRKVA = church

GALERIJA = gallery

SKUPŠTINA = assembly

PRODAVNICA = shop

BANKA = bank

PIJACA = market

ULICA = street

ZGRADA = building

POŠTA = post office

STANICA =station

ŽELEZNIČKA STANICA = railway s.

AUTOBUSKA STANICA = bus s.

---------------------------------------Singular Neuter

MESTO = place

SELO = village

Now, it's turn for you to practice :)

You can speak in pairs or on your own, asking the following qestions:

• KADA ... = when ...
• GDE ... = where...

For example:

• Kada ideš u restoran ? (When are you going to the restaurant?)
• Gde ideš ? (Where are you going to ?)

And giving answers:

• Idem u restoran uveče. (I am going to the restaurant in the evening.)
• Idem u prodavnicu. (I am going to the shop.)

Let me write the Present Simple Tense conjugations of the verbs to go to, to come to and to visit

IĆI : to go ( Ja) idem... ( Ti) ideš... ( Vi) idete... ( On ) ide... ( Ona) ide... ( Ono) ide... ( Mi) idemo... ( Vi ) idete... ( Oni) idu... ( One) idu... ( Ona) idu...

DOLAZITI : to come ( Ja) dolazim... ( Ti) dolaziš... ( Vi) dolazite... ( On ) dolazi... ( Ona) dolazi... ( Ono) dolazi... ( Mi) dolazimo... ( Vi ) dolazite... ( Oni) dolaze... ( One) dolaze... ( Ona) dolaze...

STIZATI : to arrive ( Ja) stižem... ( Ti) stižeš... ( Vi) stižete... ( On ) stiže... ( Ona) stiže... ( Ono) stiže... ( Mi) stižemo... ( Vi ) stižete... ( Oni) stižu... ( One) stižu... ( Ona) stižu...

Negation of the verb to go to in Serbian

To negate the verbs in Serbian, simply add NE in front of the verb:

• Idem - ne idem

• Ideš - ne ideš

• Ide - on ne ide

• Idemo - ne idemo

• Idete - ne idete

• Idu - ne idu

With this video you can check how well you cope with:

• Conjugations of the verbs: to go to, to come to, to arrive, to visit, to see, to like / love
• Use of the accusative form of the nouns in Singular after the previously mentioned verbs

You can work with this video in several different ways by:

• Asking and answering questions as you watch the video
• Recording your voice as you do it via Audioboo and posting the links in the forum on the right hand side.
• Writing short questions / sentences in the forum on the right.

If you want to ask for directions, the best phrases to use are:

• Izvinite (formal) or izvini (informal) = Excuse me...

---> Gde se nalazi ... ? = Where is a ... ?

---> Gde je ... ? = Where is a ... ?

---> Ne znam gde se nalazim. = I don't know where I am.

---> Možete li mi pomoći ? = Can you help me ?

Directions = uputstva

Informal vs. Formal

• IĆI - TO GO : IDI = (you ) go / IDITE = (You) go
• STATI - TO STOP : STANI / STANITE = stop
• PREĆI - TO GO OVER / CROSS: PREĐI / PREĐITE = cross
• UĆI - TO GO INTO: UĐI / UĐITE = come in
• SKRENUTI - TO TURN : SKRENI / SKRENITE = turn
• LEVO = left DESNO = right

Examples

Idite pravo

Skrenite levo

Skrenite desno

Pređite ulicu

Banka je sa desne strane

Molim te = Please (inf.)

Molim Vas = Please (form.)

Make sure you watch this Classroom Exercise with explanations, before you do the following mini dialogues !

Let's practice :

• ovde = here
• tamo = there

Excuse me =

izvinite (formal)

izvini (informal)

The aim of this lesson:

Cilj ove lekcije je :

2. EXCUSE ME

= Izvinite

Izvinite, gde je pošta ?

Idite pravo,

... je sa leve / desne strane

As you can see in the video lecture, the simple question "What is your name" which literal translation is "Koje je tvoje ime", can be asked as:

• Kako se zoveš ? = What are you called ?

This more common usage of "Kako se zoveš? - Zovem se..." instead of "Koje je tvoje ime" made me create this video in order for you to see what happens with the word order. I know that "se" makes things complicated:

• Zovem se...
• Ja se zovem ...

but try simply to learn this question as a phrase and don't think much about grammar and word order for now !

Conjugations of the verb : IMATI = to have

Having Meals - Conjugations

Practising conjugations of :

• užinati (to have a snack )
• ručati* (to have lunch / tea/ dinner, depending on time)
• večerati (to have dinner / supper)

In Serbia people usually have "ručak", as the main meal of the day from 1pm to 5 pm, depending on many factors.

Children in Serbia go to school in shifts, so before they leave for school or when they come back home they have it at around 13.30. In some families, "ručak" is eaten when the parents are back from work, after 4pm.

Ručak almost always consists of at least three courses: soup, main course and dessert.

So as you can see, although it's eaten at "lunch" time, it's actually "dinner", so the translation may depend on the context.

"Večera" in Serbia is the meal which people usually have after 6pm and it's very similar to breakfast, so the accurate translation of this word would be "supper", but regarding the time, the word "dinner" can fit as well. So, again, the translation will depend on the context.

Primer:

Moja porodica obično ruča oko 1 ili 2 posle podne. Uveče obično večeramo oko 8 - 9 sati. Kada vi ručate?

Text 1 - Cyrillic Version

Ово је мој брат, Бранко. Он је млад и има двадесет пет година. Његова жена је млада и лепа. Она се зове Биљана и има двадесет три године. Ово су њихова деца, Маја и Игор. Они су близанци и још су мали. Њихово куче се зове Џеки. На овој слици су испред своје куће. Они су срећна породица.

After watching the video, turn the volume down and try to read the text on your own.

This time different verb forms are missing - try to remember them as you watch the video.