Learning a new language can be an exciting yet challenging journey. Bosnian, a South Slavic language spoken primarily in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is no exception. If you’re an English speaker aiming to learn Bosnian in 30 days, this comprehensive plan will guide you through the process. By following this structured approach, you can build a solid foundation in the language and gain basic conversational skills.
Week 1: Building the Basics
During the first week, focus on familiarizing yourself with the Bosnian alphabet, essential vocabulary, and basic grammar rules. This foundation will be crucial for your progress in the upcoming weeks.
Day 1: The Bosnian Alphabet
The Bosnian language uses the Latin alphabet, similar to English but with a few additional characters. Spend the first day learning the Bosnian alphabet, paying attention to pronunciation. Here are the additional letters to note: Č, Ć, Đ, Š, Ž.
Practice by writing each letter and saying it out loud. You can use online resources like YouTube or language learning apps to hear native pronunciation.
Day 2: Basic Greetings and Introductions
Learn common greetings and phrases for introducing yourself:
– Hello: Zdravo / Ćao
– Good morning: Dobro jutro
– Good evening: Dobro veče
– Goodbye: Doviđenja
– My name is…: Zovem se…
– Nice to meet you: Drago mi je
Practice these phrases by writing them down and repeating them until you feel comfortable.
Day 3: Numbers and Days of the Week
Numbers and days of the week are fundamental for daily conversations:
– One: Jedan
– Two: Dva
– Three: Tri
– Four: Četiri
– Five: Pet
– Monday: Ponedjeljak
– Tuesday: Utorak
– Wednesday: Srijeda
Practice counting from 1 to 10 and reciting the days of the week.
Day 4: Basic Grammar – Nouns and Pronouns
Understand the concept of gender in Bosnian nouns and familiarize yourself with pronouns:
– I: Ja
– You: Ti
– He/She: On/Ona
– We: Mi
– They: Oni
Note that Bosnian nouns have genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter). For example, “boy” (dječak) is masculine, “girl” (djevojka) is feminine, and “child” (dijete) is neuter.
Day 5: Basic Grammar – Verb Conjugation
Learn the present tense conjugation for the verb “to be” (biti):
– I am: Ja sam
– You are: Ti si
– He/She is: On/Ona je
– We are: Mi smo
– They are: Oni su
Practice conjugating other common verbs like “to have” (imati) and “to go” (ići).
Day 6: Simple Sentences
Start forming simple sentences using the vocabulary and grammar rules you’ve learned. For example:
– I am a student: Ja sam student.
– She is happy: Ona je sretna.
– We have a book: Mi imamo knjigu.
Write down and practice creating your own sentences.
Day 7: Review and Practice
Review everything you’ve learned during the week. Use flashcards, language apps, or practice with a language partner. This day is crucial for reinforcing your knowledge and identifying any areas that need improvement.
Week 2: Expanding Vocabulary and Practice
With the basics in place, focus on expanding your vocabulary and practicing what you’ve learned through various exercises and conversations.
Day 8: Family and Friends Vocabulary
Learn words related to family and friends:
– Mother: Majka
– Father: Otac
– Brother: Brat
– Sister: Sestra
– Friend: Prijatelj
Use these words to create sentences about your family and friends.
Day 9: Food and Drink Vocabulary
Learn common food and drink vocabulary:
– Bread: Hljeb
– Water: Voda
– Coffee: Kafa
– Meat: Meso
– Fruit: Voće
Practice ordering food and drinks in Bosnian, either by writing dialogues or practicing with a partner.
Day 10: Describing People and Objects
Learn adjectives to describe people and objects:
– Tall: Visok
– Short: Nizak
– Big: Velik
– Small: Mali
– Beautiful: Lijep
Create sentences to describe people you know or objects around you.
Day 11: Basic Grammar – Plural Forms
Learn how to form plurals in Bosnian. Generally, adding -i or -e to the end of the noun will make it plural:
– Boy: Dječak → Boys: Dječaci
– Girl: Djevojka → Girls: Djevojke
Practice by converting singular nouns to their plural forms.
Day 12: Common Phrases and Questions
Learn useful everyday phrases and questions:
– How are you?: Kako si?
– Where is…?: Gdje je…?
– What time is it?: Koliko je sati?
– I don’t understand: Ne razumijem
Practice using these phrases in context.
Day 13: Listening Practice
Improve your listening skills by watching Bosnian videos, listening to Bosnian songs, or using language learning apps with listening exercises. Pay attention to pronunciation and try to understand the context.
Day 14: Review and Practice
Review the vocabulary and grammar rules you’ve learned this week. Engage in conversations with a language partner or practice speaking out loud. Use flashcards or language apps to reinforce your knowledge.
Week 3: Intermediate Grammar and Conversation
This week, focus on intermediate grammar topics and engaging in more complex conversations.
Day 15: Past Tense
Learn how to form the past tense of verbs. For example, the verb “to be” (biti):
– I was: Ja sam bio/bila (depending on gender)
– You were: Ti si bio/bila
– He/She was: On/Ona je bio/bila
Practice conjugating other common verbs in the past tense.
Day 16: Future Tense
Learn how to form the future tense. For example, the verb “to go” (ići):
– I will go: Ja ću ići
– You will go: Ti ćeš ići
– He/She will go: On/Ona će ići
Practice creating sentences using the future tense.
Day 17: Prepositions
Learn common prepositions and how to use them in sentences:
– In: U
– On: Na
– Under: Ispod
– With: Sa
– Without: Bez
Practice using these prepositions in context.
Day 18: Modal Verbs
Learn how to use modal verbs like “can” (moći) and “must” (morati):
– I can: Ja mogu
– You can: Ti možeš
– I must: Ja moram
– You must: Ti moraš
Create sentences using modal verbs to express ability or necessity.
Day 19: Describing Daily Routines
Practice describing your daily routines in Bosnian. Use verbs and vocabulary you have learned:
– I wake up: Ja se budim
– I eat breakfast: Ja doručkujem
– I go to work: Ja idem na posao
Write down and practice describing a typical day.
Day 20: Role-Playing Conversations
Engage in role-playing exercises to practice real-life conversations. For example, practice ordering food at a restaurant, asking for directions, or making small talk with a friend.
Day 21: Review and Practice
Review the intermediate grammar topics and vocabulary you’ve learned this week. Practice speaking, listening, and writing exercises to reinforce your knowledge. Engage in conversations with a language partner or tutor.
Week 4: Advanced Topics and Immersion
In the final week, focus on advanced grammar topics, immersive experiences, and preparing for real-life conversations.
Day 22: Conditional Sentences
Learn how to form conditional sentences. For example:
– If I were rich, I would travel: Da sam bogat, putovao bih
Practice creating conditional sentences using different scenarios.
Day 23: Relative Clauses
Learn how to use relative clauses to provide more information about a noun:
– The book that I read: Knjiga koju sam pročitao
Practice creating sentences using relative clauses.
Day 24: Idiomatic Expressions
Learn common idiomatic expressions used in Bosnian:
– To beat around the bush: Obilaziti kao mačka oko vruće kaše
– To be in a hurry: Biti u žurbi
Practice using these expressions in conversations.
Day 25: Watching Movies and TV Shows
Immerse yourself in the language by watching Bosnian movies or TV shows. Pay attention to the dialogue and try to follow along with subtitles if needed. This will help you understand the natural flow of the language.
Day 26: Reading Practice
Read articles, short stories, or news in Bosnian. Focus on understanding the context and looking up any unfamiliar words. Reading will improve your vocabulary and comprehension skills.
Day 27: Writing Practice
Practice writing short essays or diary entries in Bosnian. Choose topics like your hobbies, recent experiences, or future plans. Writing will help reinforce your grammar and vocabulary.
Day 28: Speaking Practice
Engage in conversations with native speakers or language partners. Practice speaking about various topics and asking questions. Focus on pronunciation and fluency.
Day 29: Cultural Immersion
Learn about Bosnian culture, traditions, and customs. Understanding the cultural context will enhance your language learning experience. You can watch documentaries, read about Bosnian history, or even try Bosnian cuisine.
Day 30: Review and Final Assessment
Review everything you’ve learned over the past 30 days. Take a self-assessment to evaluate your progress. Identify areas that need improvement and set goals for further learning.
Congratulations on completing the 30-day Bosnian learning plan! Remember, language learning is an ongoing process, and consistent practice is key to becoming fluent. Keep practicing, engaging with native speakers, and immersing yourself in the language to continue your journey towards proficiency. Sretno! (Good luck!)
