What are the cardinal numbers in Serbian?

What Are Cardinal Numbers?

Cardinal numbers are numbers that denote quantity or “how many” of something there is. In English, these are numbers like one, two, three, and so on. They are different from ordinal numbers, which indicate position or order (first, second, third, etc.). In Serbian, cardinal numbers serve the same function and are essential for everyday communication, such as telling your age, counting objects, or discussing prices.

Serbian Cardinal Numbers: 0 to 10

Let’s start with the most basic Serbian numbers. Here are the cardinal numbers from zero to ten:

• 0 – nula
• 1 – jedan (masculine), jedna (feminine), jedno (neuter)
• 2 – dva (masculine/neuter), dve (feminine)
• 3 – tri
• 4 – četiri
• 5 – pet
• 6 – šest
• 7 – sedam
• 8 – osam
• 9 – devet
• 10 – deset

Gender in Serbian Numbers

One unique aspect of Serbian is that numbers can change form based on gender. For instance, “one” is jedan (masculine), jedna (feminine), and jedno (neuter), while “two” is dva (masculine/neuter) and dve (feminine). This is important to remember, especially when counting objects of different genders. For all numbers above two, the form remains the same regardless of gender.

Serbian Cardinal Numbers: 11 to 20

Once you know the numbers from one to ten, learning the next set becomes much easier. Here are the numbers from eleven to twenty:

• 11 – jedanaest
• 12 – dvanaest
• 13 – trinaest
• 14 – četrnaest
• 15 – petnaest
• 16 – šesnaest
• 17 – sedamnaest
• 18 – osamnaest
• 19 – devetnaest
• 20 – dvadeset

Counting Beyond 20 in Serbian

To form numbers beyond twenty, Serbian uses a pattern similar to English. For example, 21 is “dvadeset jedan”, 22 is “dvadeset dva”, and so on. Here are a few examples:

• 21 – dvadeset jedan
• 25 – dvadeset pet
• 30 – trideset
• 40 – četrdeset
• 50 – pedeset
• 60 – šezdeset
• 70 – sedamdeset
• 80 – osamdeset
• 90 – devedeset
• 100 – sto

For numbers like 101, simply say “sto jedan”, and for 112, say “sto dvanaest”. The same pattern continues for higher numbers.

Using Cardinal Numbers in Everyday Serbian

Here are a few practical examples of how you might use cardinal numbers while learning Serbian:

• Koliko imaš godina? – Imam dvadeset četiri godine. (How old are you? – I am twenty-four years old.)
• Molim vas, dve kafe. (Two coffees, please.)
• Na stolu su tri knjige. (There are three books on the table.)

Practicing these simple examples with a language learning app like Talkpal can help reinforce your understanding and improve your pronunciation.

Tips for Learning Serbian Numbers

• Practice aloud: Saying the numbers helps with memorization and pronunciation.
• Use flashcards: Test yourself regularly using number flashcards.
• Group study: Practice counting objects around you or with friends to reinforce learning.
• Listen and repeat: Use language learning platforms like Talkpal to listen to native speakers and repeat after them.
• Start simple: Begin with numbers 1–10, then move on to higher numbers as you gain confidence.

Conclusion

Mastering cardinal numbers in Serbian is a fundamental step in your language learning journey. With consistent practice, you will find it easier to count, give your age, handle transactions, and much more. Remember, resources like Talkpal are designed to support your progress with interactive and engaging exercises. Embrace the challenge, keep practicing, and soon counting in Serbian will become second nature!