Everyday Verbs

The most important verbs: to be, to want, can, to have, to go

Biti — to be

The verb 'to be' is used much more often in Serbian than in Russian or English. It has short and full forms.

Ja sam student

I am a student

Literal: I am student

Note: 'Sam' — short form of 1st person singular (I am)

Ona je lekar

She is a doctor

Literal: She is doctor

Note: 'Je' — 3rd person (she/he/it is). Cannot be omitted!

Mi smo ovde

We are here

Literal: We are here

Note: 'Smo' — 1st person plural (we are)

Da li si spreman?

Are you ready?

Literal: Yes whether (you) are ready?

Note: 'Si' — 2nd person singular (you are)

Hteti — to want

'To want' — one of the most common verbs. Short forms: hoću, hoćeš, hoće. Negation: neću, nećeš, neće.

Hoću kafu

I want coffee

Literal: (I) want coffee (accusative)

Note: 'Hoću' — I want. 'Kafa' → 'kafu' in accusative

Hoćeš da ideš?

Do you want to go?

Literal: (You) want that (you) go?

Note: 'Da + verb' replaces the infinitive in conversation

Neću

I don't want to

Literal: Not-want

Note: 'Neću' — merged negative form (I don't want)

Hoćemo da naručimo

We want to order

Literal: (We) want that (we) order

Note: 'Hoćemo' — 1st person plural (we want)

Moći — can / to be able

'Can / to be able' — used for ability and requests. Forms: mogu, možeš, može, možemo, možete, mogu.

Možete li mi pomoći?

Can you help me?

Literal: Can (you) to-me help?

Note: Polite request — use 'možete li' (can you...?)

Mogu da govorim srpski

I can speak Serbian

Literal: (I) can that (I) speak Serbian

Note: 'Mogu da' + verb — standard construction for ability

Ovde se ne može parkirati

Parking is not allowed here

Literal: Here itself not can park

Note: 'Ne može se' — impersonal form for prohibitions (it's not allowed)

Mogu li dobiti vodu?

May I have water?

Literal: Can (I) get water?

Note: 'Mogu li dobiti' — polite way to ask for something (may I get...)

Imati — to have

'To have' — a straightforward verb unlike Russian's 'at me there is'. Forms: imam, imaš, ima, imamo, imate, imaju.

Imam pitanje

I have a question

Literal: (I) have question

Note: 'Imam' — I have (simple and direct, like English)

Imate li slobodan sto?

Do you have a free table?

Literal: Have (you) free table?

Note: 'Imate li' — polite question form (do you have...?)

Nemam vremena

I don't have time

Literal: Not-have of-time (genitive)

Note: 'Nemam' + genitive — negative of 'have' (I don't have)

Ima li Wi-Fi?

Is there Wi-Fi?

Literal: Has (it) Wi-Fi?

Note: 'Ima li' — impersonal 'is there...?' (very common question)

Ići — to go

'To go' — one verb covers both walking and driving. Forms: idem, ideš, ide, idemo, idete, idu.

Idem na posao

I'm going to work

Literal: (I) go to work

Note: 'Posao' — work/job (masculine noun)

Idemo u Novi Sad

We're going to Novi Sad

Literal: (We) go to Novi Sad

Note: 'Idemo' — works for both walking and traveling by vehicle

Gde ideš?

Where are you going?

Literal: Where (you) go?

Note: Serbian 'gde' = both 'where' and 'where to' (no distinction)

Hajde da idemo!

Let's go!

Literal: Come-on that (we) go!

Note: 'Hajde da' — let's + action (very common informal expression)