Language/Serbian/Grammar/Verbs:-Present-Tense

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Serbian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Verbs: Present Tense

Welcome to the lesson on Present Tense Verbs in Serbian! Understanding how verbs function in the present tense is crucial for beginners, as it forms the foundation for constructing sentences and expressing thoughts in everyday conversations. In this lesson, we will explore the structure of present tense verbs, learn how to conjugate them, and practice using them in various contexts.

Outline of the Lesson:

• Importance of the present tense in communication.

• Overview of verb conjugation in Serbian.

• Different verb endings and their significance.

• Practical examples to illustrate usage.

• Exercises to reinforce learning.

Importance of the Present Tense

The present tense is used to describe actions that are currently happening or habitual actions. For instance, when you say, "I eat breakfast," you are expressing an action that is either happening right now or occurs regularly. Mastering the present tense allows you to engage in simple conversations, express your daily routines, and describe ongoing activities.

Overview of Verb Conjugation in Serbian

In Serbian, verbs are conjugated based on the subject pronoun and the verb's infinitive form. The primary infinitive endings in Serbian are -ati, -eti, and -iti. Each of these endings corresponds to a group of verbs that share similar conjugation patterns.

Types of Verbs

1. First Conjugation (-ati): Most common type.

2. Second Conjugation (-eti): Includes some irregular verbs.

3. Third Conjugation (-iti): Usually encompasses verbs with specific patterns.

Conjugation Patterns

Here is how conjugation works for each group:

First Conjugation (-ati)

Let’s look at the verb "raditi" (to work):

Serbian	Pronunciation	English
ja radim	ja ˈradim	I work
ti radiš	ti ˈradiʃ	you work (singular)
on/ona/ono radi	on/ona/ono ˈradi	he/she/it works
mi radimo	mi ˈradimo	we work
vi radite	vi ˈradite	you work (plural/formal)
oni/one/ona rade	oni/one/ona ˈrade	they work

Second Conjugation (-eti)

Now, let’s examine the verb "videti" (to see):

Serbian	Pronunciation	English
ja vidim	ja ˈvidim	I see
ti vidiš	ti ˈvidiʃ	you see (singular)
on/ona/ono vidi	on/ona/ono ˈvidi	he/she/it sees
mi vidimo	mi ˈvidimo	we see
vi vidite	vi ˈvidite	you see (plural/formal)
oni/one/ona vide	oni/one/ona ˈvide	they see

Third Conjugation (-iti)

Finally, for the verb "čitati" (to read):

Serbian	Pronunciation	English
ja čitam	ja ˈt͡ʃitam	I read
ti čitaš	ti ˈt͡ʃitaʃ	you read (singular)
on/ona/ono čita	on/ona/ono ˈt͡ʃita	he/she/it reads
mi čitamo	mi ˈt͡ʃitamo	we read
vi čitate	vi ˈt͡ʃitate	you read (plural/formal)
oni/one/ona čitaju	oni/one/ona ˈt͡ʃitaju	they read

Practical Examples

Let’s put our learning into context with some practical examples!

• I eat bread.

• Serbian: Ja jedem hleb.

• You (singular) drink water.

• Serbian: Ti piješ vodu.

• He plays football.

• Serbian: On igra fudbal.

• We sing songs.

• Serbian: Mi pevačemo pesme.

• They dance at the party.

• Serbian: Oni plešu na žurci.

• She studies Serbian.

• Serbian: Ona uči srpski.

• You (plural/formal) work in the office.

• Serbian: Vi radite u kancelariji.

• I travel to Belgrade.

• Serbian: Ja putujem u Beograd.

• We watch movies.

• Serbian: Mi gledamo filmove.

• They eat lunch together.

• Serbian: Oni jedu ručak zajedno.

• You (singular) listen to music.

• Serbian: Ti slušaš muziku.

• He runs every morning.

• Serbian: On trči svako jutro.

• She writes a letter.

• Serbian: Ona piše pismo.

• I clean the house.

• Serbian: Ja čistim kuću.

• You (plural) want coffee.

• Serbian: Vi želite kafu.

• They play games.

• Serbian: Oni igraju igrice.

• We talk about life.

• Serbian: Mi pričamo o životu.

• You (singular) cook dinner.

• Serbian: Ti kuvaš večeru.

• She teaches English.

• Serbian: Ona predaje engleski.

• I find my keys.

• Serbian: Ja nalazim ključeve.

• He helps his friend.

• Serbian: On pomaže svom prijatelju.

Exercises

Now, let's put your knowledge to the test with some exercises!

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb "raditi" (to work).

1. Ja ______ u školi. (I work)

2. Ti ______ kod kuće. (You work - singular)

3. Oni ______ na projektu. (They work)

Solutions:

1. radim

2. radiš

3. rade

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Serbian.

1. We eat pizza.

2. She reads a book.

3. You (plural) watch TV.

Solutions:

1. Mi jedemo picu.

2. Ona čita knjigu.

3. Vi gledate televiziju.

Exercise 3: Conjugate the verb "videti" (to see) for all pronouns.

Solutions:

• ja vidim

• ti vidiš

• on/ona/ono vidi

• mi vidimo

• vi vidite

• oni/one/ona vide

Exercise 4: Choose the correct form of the verb "čitati" (to read) based on the subject.

1. ______ knjigu. (I read)

2. ______ novine. (You read - singular)

3. ______ časopis. (They read)

Solutions:

1. Ja čitam

2. Ti čitaš

3. Oni čitaju

Exercise 5: Create sentences using the following verbs in the present tense: "putovati" (to travel), "slušati" (to listen), "igrati" (to play).

Solutions (examples):

1. Ja putujem u Novi Sad. (I travel to Novi Sad.)

2. Ti slušaš muziku. (You listen to music.)

3. Mi igramo fudbal. (We play football.)

Exercise 6: Match the Serbian verbs with their English translations.

| Serbian Verb | English Translation |

|--------------|---------------------|

| raditi | to work |

| videti | to see |

| čitati | to read |

| igrati | to play |

| slušati | to listen |

Solution:

• raditi - to work

• videti - to see

• čitati - to read

• igrati - to play

• slušati - to listen

Exercise 7: Write down the conjugation of "trčati" (to run) for all pronouns.

Solutions:

• ja trčim

• ti trčiš

• on/ona/ono trči

• mi trčimo

• vi trčite

• oni/one/ona trče

Exercise 8: Convert the following sentences into the present tense.

1. I am eating breakfast.

2. They are playing chess.

3. She is drinking tea.

Solutions:

1. Ja jedem doručak.

2. Oni igraju šah.

3. Ona pije čaj.

Exercise 9: Identify and correct the mistakes in the following sentences.

1. Ja vidim ti. (I see you.)

2. On radiš mnogo. (He works a lot.)

3. Mi čitam knjige. (We read books.)

Solutions:

1. Ja vidim te. (I see you.)

2. On radi mnogo. (He works a lot.)

3. Mi čitamo knjige. (We read books.)

Exercise 10: Create your own sentences using the verbs "učiti" (to learn), "putovati" (to travel), and "gledati" (to watch).

Solutions (examples):

1. Ja učim srpski. (I learn Serbian.)

2. Ti putuješ u Beograd. (You travel to Belgrade.)

3. Oni gledaju film. (They watch a movie.)

By the end of this lesson, you should feel more confident in your ability to use present tense verbs in Serbian. Remember, practice makes perfect! Keep using these structures in your conversations, and soon enough, they will feel instinctive.

Table of Contents - Serbian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Serbian Grammar

• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Cases: Nominative and Accusative
• Pronouns: Personal Pronouns
• Verbs: Present Tense
• Verbs: Past Tense

  ---

Introduction to Serbian Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Counting
• Food and Drink
• Family and Relationships
• Transportation and Directions

  ---

Introduction to Serbian Culture

• Traditional Serbian Music
• Religious Festivals
• Folk Dances
• Serbian Films
• Cuisine

  ---

Pronouns: Possessive Pronouns

• Verbs: Future Tense
• Adjectives: Comparative and Superlative
• Verbs: Imperative

  ---

Shopping

• Clothes and Accessories
• At the Market
• Banking and Money

  ---

Sports and Recreation

• Football in Serbia
• Winter Sports
• Music Festivals

  ---

Adjectives: Declension

• Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective
• Verbs: Reflexive Verbs

  ---

Jobs and Professions

• Places around Town
• Education and Learning

  ---

Literature and Poetry

• Medieval Serbian Literature
• Contemporary Serbian Poetry

  ---

Verbs: Conditional

• Verbs: Participles
• Verbs: Infinitives

  ---

Entertainment and Media

• Movies and Theater
• Music and Performances

  ---

Art and Artists

• Famous Serbian Painters
• Contemporary Serbian Art Scene

Sources

• 3 Groups of Serbian Verbs: the Present Tense - Serbonika
• Learn Serbian Present Tense: A Complete Guide | Belgrade ...
• 86 Top Serbian Verbs: Present & Past Tense Chart

Other Lessons

• Verbs: Future Tense
• How to Use Have
• Adjectives: Comparative and Superlative
• Plural
• Verbs: Participles
• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Future Tense
• Be Polite
• Negation
• Adjectives

◀️ Pronouns: Personal Pronouns — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Verbs: Past Tense ▶️