Understanding “Par”
Par is a noun in Serbian that translates to “pair” in English. It is generally used to refer to two items that are matched together or are seen as a unit. This could be anything from a pair of shoes to a pair of friends. The word **par** is used when talking about two items that belong together or are seen as a set.
Kupio sam novi **par** cipela.
I bought a new pair of shoes.
Par can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as a pair of ideas or a pair of actions that are linked together.
On ima **par** dobrih ideja.
He has a pair of good ideas.
Common Uses of “Par”
It’s important to note that **par** is used for things that inherently come in twos or are naturally paired. Here are some common examples:
Par čarapa – A pair of socks
Našao sam **par čarapa** ispod kreveta.
I found a pair of socks under the bed.
Par rukavica – A pair of gloves
Trebam novi **par rukavica** za zimu.
I need a new pair of gloves for winter.
Par naočara – A pair of glasses
Kupio je novi **par naočara**.
He bought a new pair of glasses.
Understanding “Dvojica”
Dvojica is a numeral in Serbian, specifically a form of the number two when referring to two male individuals or a mixed-gender group. It is used when you want to emphasize that you are talking about two people. Unlike **par**, which is more about things, **dvojica** is exclusively about people.
**Dvojica** su došla na vreme.
The two (men) arrived on time.
Dvojica is part of a set of special forms for counting people in Serbian. These forms include **jedan** (one), **dvojica** (two), **trojica** (three), and so on. The form changes depending on the gender and the number of people.
Common Uses of “Dvojica”
Dvojica prijatelja – Two friends (male or mixed)
**Dvojica prijatelja** su otišla u bioskop.
Two friends went to the cinema.
Dvojica kolega – Two colleagues (male or mixed)
**Dvojica kolega** rade zajedno na projektu.
Two colleagues are working together on the project.
Dvojica braće – Two brothers
**Dvojica braće** su otišla na odmor.
Two brothers went on vacation.
Comparing “Par” and “Dvojica”
Now that we’ve defined both terms, let’s compare them directly to understand their differences better.
Usage Context
**Par** is used for inanimate objects or abstract concepts that come in pairs, while **dvojica** is used exclusively for counting two people, typically males or mixed groups.
Example:
– Imam novi **par rukavica**. (I have a new pair of gloves.)
– **Dvojica** su došla na sastanak. (The two (men) came to the meeting.)
Grammatical Category
**Par** is a noun, whereas **dvojica** is a numeral. This distinction is important because it affects how the words fit into sentences grammatically.
Example:
– Kupio sam **par čarapa**. (I bought a pair of socks.)
– **Dvojica prijatelja** su došla. (Two friends came.)
Gender and Number
**Par** does not change form based on gender; it is used universally for any items that come in pairs. On the other hand, **dvojica** is specifically used for male or mixed-gender groups. For female groups, the word **dve** is used.
Example:
– Imam **par** knjiga za tebe. (I have a pair of books for you.)
– **Dvojica** studenata su položili ispit. (Two students (male or mixed) passed the exam.)
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between **par** and **dvojica** is crucial for anyone learning Serbian. While both words can be translated to “pair” or “two” in English, their uses are quite different and context-dependent. **Par** is used for items that naturally come in pairs or are paired together, while **dvojica** is specifically used for counting two male individuals or mixed-gender groups.
By grasping these distinctions, you’ll not only improve your Serbian vocabulary but also gain a deeper understanding of how to express quantities and relationships accurately in the language. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find these differences becoming second nature!
Happy learning!