Language/Serbian/Grammar/Verbs:-Imperative

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Serbian Grammar → Pronouns: Possessive Pronouns → Verbs: Imperative

The imperative mood is used in Serbian when giving commands or expressing requests. It is used to convey urgency and is typically shorter and more direct than sentences using other moods. In this lesson, we will learn how to use the imperative mood in Serbian verbs.

Once you've mastered this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Indefinite Articles in Serbian & Give your Opinion.

Formation of the Imperative

The imperative in Serbian is formed by using the base form of the verb with the appropriate ending for the subject. In the present tense, the endings for the imperative mood are:

• -aj for the singular masculine form
• -i for the singular feminine form
• -imo for the plural form

Examples:

Serbian	Pronunciation	English
Sedi!	'sɛdi	Sit! (singular masculine)
Radi!	'radi	Work! (singular feminine)
Reci!	'rɛtsi	Say! (plural)

Note that if the verb stem ends in -i or -e, then the -aj or -i ending is dropped.

Examples:

• Lezi! (singular masculine)
• Pevaj! (singular feminine)
• Zovite! (plural)

Irregular Verbs

Some verbs have irregular imperative forms in Serbian. Here are some common examples:

Serbian	Pronunciation	English
Hajde!	'hajdɛ	Let's go!
Budi!	'budi	Be!
Idi!	'idi	Go!
Reci!	'rɛtsi	Say!

Negative Imperative

To form the negative imperative in Serbian, simply add the word ne (meaning "not") before the verb.

Examples:

• Ne radi! (Don't work!)
• Ne idi! (Don't go!)

Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to the formation of the imperative mood in Serbian. The verb "biti" (to be) has irregular imperative forms:

• Budi (singular masculine)
• Budi(t)e (plural)
• Budi (singular feminine)

Another exception is the verb "hteti" (to want). The imperative forms are:

• Hoću (singular masculine)
• Hoć(e)mo (plural)
• Hoću (singular feminine)

Conclusion

In this lesson, we learned about the imperative mood in Serbian verbs. We saw how to form the imperative in the present tense, how to use it with irregular verbs, and how to create negative imperatives. By mastering the imperative mood, you'll be able to confidently give commands and requests in everyday situations.

Sources

• Word order in Serbian imperative sentences
• Serbian imperative mood - Fast Language Mastery

Finished this lesson? Check out these related lessons: Negation & Be Polite.

Table of Contents - Serbian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Serbian Grammar

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

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Introduction to Serbian Vocabulary

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

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Introduction to Serbian Culture

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

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Pronouns: Possessive Pronouns

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

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Shopping

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

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Sports and Recreation

• Football in Serbia
• Winter Sports
• Music Festivals

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Adjectives: Declension

• Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective
• Verbs: Reflexive Verbs

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Jobs and Professions

• Places around Town
• Education and Learning

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Literature and Poetry

• Medieval Serbian Literature
• Contemporary Serbian Poetry

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Verbs: Conditional

• Verbs: Participles
• Verbs: Infinitives

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Entertainment and Media

• Movies and Theater
• Music and Performances

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Art and Artists

• Famous Serbian Painters
• Contemporary Serbian Art Scene

Other Lessons

• Imperative Tense
• Definite Articles in Serbian
• Give your Opinion
• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Verbs: Infinitives
• Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective
• Future Tense
• How to Use Be
• Plural

◀️ Adjectives: Comparative and Superlative — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Clothes and Accessories ▶️