Learning Serbian at the B1 level is an exciting journey that brings you closer to understanding the rich culture and history of Serbia. At this stage, your vocabulary is expanding, and you’re beginning to feel more comfortable with the language. To help you along this path, we’ve compiled a list of 50 essential words that you need to know. These words will not only enhance your communication skills but also provide a solid foundation for further language development. Let’s dive in!

Basic Verbs

1. **Biti** – To be: One of the most fundamental verbs in any language. Example: Ja sam student. (I am a student.)
2. **Imati** – To have: Another crucial verb. Example: Imam knjigu. (I have a book.)
3. **Raditi** – To work: Often used in everyday conversation. Example: Radim u banci. (I work in a bank.)
4. **Ići** – To go: A common verb you’ll use frequently. Example: Idem u školu. (I am going to school.)
5. **Jesti** – To eat: Essential for talking about food. Example: Jedem jabuku. (I am eating an apple.)
6. **Piti** – To drink: Important for discussing beverages. Example: Pijem vodu. (I am drinking water.)
7. **Videti** – To see: Useful for various situations. Example: Vidim te. (I see you.)
8. **Čuti** – To hear: Another sensory verb. Example: Čujem muziku. (I hear music.)
9. **Govori** – To speak: Crucial for communication. Example: Govorim srpski. (I speak Serbian.)
10. **Znati** – To know: Often used in conversation. Example: Znam odgovor. (I know the answer.)

Common Nouns

11. **Kuća** – House: Refers to a place where people live. Example: Moja kuća je velika. (My house is big.)
12. **Škola** – School: Where education happens. Example: Idem u školu. (I go to school.)
13. **Posao** – Job: Important for discussing work. Example: Imam novi posao. (I have a new job.)
14. **Grad** – City: Refers to a large town. Example: Beograd je veliki grad. (Belgrade is a big city.)
15. **Vreme** – Time/Weather: Context determines its meaning. Example: Koliko je sati? (What time is it?) / Vreme je lepo. (The weather is nice.)
16. **Porodica** – Family: Central to many discussions. Example: Moja porodica je velika. (My family is big.)
17. **Prijatelj** – Friend: Important for social interactions. Example: On je moj prijatelj. (He is my friend.)
18. **Ljubav** – Love: A universal concept. Example: Ljubav je važna. (Love is important.)
19. **Hrana** – Food: Essential for everyday conversations. Example: Volim srpsku hranu. (I love Serbian food.)
20. **Piće** – Drink: Often used in social contexts. Example: Želim piće. (I want a drink.)

Adjectives

21. **Lep** – Beautiful: Used to describe attractiveness. Example: Ona je lepa. (She is beautiful.)
22. **Veliki** – Big: Describes size. Example: Moj stan je veliki. (My apartment is big.)
23. **Mali** – Small: The opposite of big. Example: Pas je mali. (The dog is small.)
24. **Star** – Old: Can refer to age. Example: On je star. (He is old.)
25. **Mlad** – Young: The opposite of old. Example: Ona je mlada. (She is young.)
26. **Dobar** – Good: Used to describe quality. Example: Ovo je dobar film. (This is a good movie.)
27. **Loš** – Bad: The opposite of good. Example: Vreme je loše. (The weather is bad.)
28. **Topao** – Warm: Describes temperature. Example: Danas je topao dan. (Today is a warm day.)
29. **Hladan** – Cold: The opposite of warm. Example: Voda je hladna. (The water is cold.)
30. **Srećan** – Happy: Describes a state of joy. Example: Srećan sam. (I am happy.)

Adverbs

31. **Dobro** – Well: Describes how something is done. Example: Govorim srpski dobro. (I speak Serbian well.)
32. **Loše** – Badly: The opposite of well. Example: On peva loše. (He sings badly.)
33. **Brzo** – Quickly: Describes the speed of an action. Example: Radim brzo. (I work quickly.)
34. **Polako** – Slowly: The opposite of quickly. Example: Govorim polako. (I speak slowly.)
35. **Uvek** – Always: Describes frequency. Example: Uvek dolazim na vreme. (I always arrive on time.)
36. **Nikad** – Never: The opposite of always. Example: Nikad ne kasnim. (I am never late.)
37. **Ponekad** – Sometimes: Describes occasional actions. Example: Ponekad idem u bioskop. (I sometimes go to the cinema.)
38. **Često** – Often: Describes regularity. Example: Često vežbam. (I often exercise.)
39. **Retko** – Rarely: The opposite of often. Example: Retko jedem slatkiše. (I rarely eat sweets.)
40. **Sutra** – Tomorrow: Refers to the next day. Example: Vidimo se sutra. (See you tomorrow.)

Prepositions

41. **U** – In: Used for location. Example: On je u kući. (He is in the house.)
42. **Na** – On: Another preposition for location. Example: Knjiga je na stolu. (The book is on the table.)
43. **Sa** – With: Indicates accompaniment. Example: Idem sa prijateljima. (I am going with friends.)
44. **Bez** – Without: The opposite of with. Example: Kafa bez šećera. (Coffee without sugar.)
45. **Do** – To/Until: Indicates direction or time. Example: Idem do grada. (I am going to the city.) / Radim do pet. (I work until five.)
46. **Od** – From: Indicates origin or starting point. Example: Dolazim od kuće. (I am coming from home.)
47. **Ispod** – Under: Describes location. Example: Pas je ispod stola. (The dog is under the table.)
48. **Iznad** – Above: The opposite of under. Example: Lampa je iznad stola. (The lamp is above the table.)
49. **Pored** – Beside: Describes location next to something. Example: Sedi pored mene. (Sit beside me.)
50. **Ispred** – In front of: Indicates position. Example: Automobil je ispred kuće. (The car is in front of the house.)

Conclusion

By familiarizing yourself with these 50 essential words, you will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Serbian at the B1 level. Each word serves as a building block, helping you to form sentences and express your thoughts more clearly. Remember, language learning is a gradual process, and consistent practice is key. Use these words in your daily conversations, and soon you’ll notice a substantial improvement in your Serbian language skills. Happy learning!