What Are Cardinal Numbers in Serbian?
Cardinal numbers are the basic numbers used for counting. In English, these are words like one, two, three, and so on. In Serbian, cardinal numbers are equally important and are used to express quantity, age, prices, and more. Here’s a list of the most common Serbian cardinal numbers:
- 1 – jedan (један)
- 2 – dva (два)
- 3 – tri (три)
- 4 – četiri (четири)
- 5 – pet (пет)
- 6 – šest (шест)
- 7 – sedam (седам)
- 8 – osam (осам)
- 9 – devet (девет)
- 10 – deset (десет)
Numbers from 11 to 19 are formed by adding “-naest” to the base number (for example, 11 is jedanaest, 12 is dvanaest). Multiples of ten follow a pattern (20 is dvadeset, 30 is trideset, etc.), and larger numbers use combinations (e.g., 21 is dvadeset jedan).
Usage of Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers in Serbian can be used in various contexts:
- Counting objects: Imam tri knjige (I have three books).
- Stating age: Imam dvadeset godina (I am twenty years old).
- Prices: Ovo košta petsto dinara (This costs five hundred dinars).
What Are Ordinal Numbers in Serbian?
Ordinal numbers indicate the order or position of something in a sequence, like first, second, third in English. In Serbian, ordinal numbers are derived from cardinal numbers and have their own forms. Here are the main ordinal numbers in Serbian:
- 1st – prvi (први)
- 2nd – drugi (други)
- 3rd – treći (трећи)
- 4th – četvrti (четврти)
- 5th – peti (пети)
- 6th – šesti (шести)
- 7th – sedmi (седми)
- 8th – osmi (осми)
- 9th – deveti (девети)
- 10th – deseti (десети)
For numbers beyond ten, ordinal numbers are formed by modifying the cardinal number (for example, 11th is jedanaesti, 12th is dvanaesti, and so on).
Usage of Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers are used for:
- Dates: Danas je peti maj (Today is the fifth of May).
- Ranking: On je drugi na listi (He is second on the list).
- Floors in a building: Stan je na trećem spratu (The apartment is on the third floor).
Grammatical Rules for Serbian Numbers
Both cardinal and ordinal numbers in Serbian have specific grammar rules:
- Gender Agreement: Ordinal numbers change form to match the gender of the noun they describe (prvi for masculine, prva for feminine, prvo for neuter).
- Case Usage: Numbers change their endings depending on their grammatical case, especially when used with prepositions or in complex sentences.
- Pluralization: With numbers two, three, and four, the noun that follows is in a special plural form (genitive singular), and for five and above, the noun takes the genitive plural.
Tips for Mastering Serbian Numbers
- Practice numbers daily by counting objects around you.
- Listen to native Serbian speakers and repeat after them for correct pronunciation.
- Use language learning platforms like Talkpal to reinforce your knowledge through interactive exercises and quizzes.
- Write dates, phone numbers, and addresses in Serbian to get used to their structure.
Conclusion
Understanding and using cardinal and ordinal numbers in Serbian is crucial for effective communication, whether you’re traveling, studying, or chatting with friends. By practicing these numbers and following the grammar rules, you’ll quickly become more confident in your Serbian language skills. Don’t forget to leverage resources like Talkpal to make your learning experience engaging and efficient. Happy learning!
