Standard Format for Writing Dates in Bosnian
The Order of Elements
In Bosnian, the most common way to write the date follows the day-month-year order. This format is used in both formal and informal writing:
- DD.MM.YYYY. (for example, 21.06.2024.)
- 21. juni 2024. (day, month written out, year with a period)
Notice the use of periods after the day, month (if written in numbers), and year. This is a distinctive feature of date writing in Bosnian and should not be omitted.
Numerical Dates
The most typical way to write dates numerically is:
- 21.06.2024.
This format is widely used in forms, official documents, and everyday writing. Leading zeros are optional for days and months, but they are common in formal contexts.
Writing Out the Month
When the month is written out as a word, it is not capitalized unless it starts a sentence. The format becomes:
- 21. juni 2024.
- 5. mart 1990.
Remember to always put a period after the day and the year.
How to Say Dates in Bosnian
In spoken Bosnian, dates are usually read as “the [ordinal number] of [month] [year].” For example:
- 21.06.2024. is read as “dvadeset prvi juni dvije hiljade dvadeset četvrte (godine)”
- 5.3.1990. is read as “peti mart hiljadu devetsto devedesete (godine)”
The word “godine” (year) is often implied and can be omitted in casual speech.
Months and Days in Bosnian
Months
- januar
- februar
- mart
- april
- maj
- juni
- juli
- august
- septembar
- oktobar
- novembar
- decembar
Note: Months are written in lowercase unless at the beginning of a sentence.
Days of the Week
- ponedjeljak (Monday)
- utorak (Tuesday)
- srijeda (Wednesday)
- četvrtak (Thursday)
- petak (Friday)
- subota (Saturday)
- nedjelja (Sunday)
Using Prepositions with Dates
When referring to dates in sentences, the preposition “u” (on/in) is used with the locative case:
- Rođen/a sam 5. marta 1990. (I was born on March 5, 1990.)
- Vidimo se 21. juna. (See you on June 21.)
Notice the month changes to the locative case (e.g., “marta” instead of “mart”).
Dates in Official Documents and Communication
In formal documents, such as contracts, certificates, and letters, the full date is often written both numerically and with the month spelled out:
- U Sarajevu, 21. juna 2024.
Formality and precision are important in these contexts, so avoid abbreviations or omitting periods.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting periods after numbers (e.g., writing 21.06.2024 instead of 21.06.2024.)
- Capitalizing months and days unnecessarily
- Using the wrong order (e.g., month-day-year)
- Using slashes (/) instead of periods (21/06/2024 is incorrect in Bosnian)
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to get comfortable with writing dates in Bosnian is through regular practice. Try writing your own dates, filling out forms, and reading Bosnian-language newspapers or websites. You can also use language learning platforms like Talkpal to reinforce your skills and get feedback from native speakers.
Conclusion
Mastering the correct way to write and say dates in Bosnian is a key step in your language learning journey. By following the conventions outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to communicate accurately and confidently in both formal and informal situations. For more tips and resources on learning Bosnian, be sure to explore other articles on the Talkpal – AI language learning blog and make use of interactive tools to practice your new skills.
