What Makes a Compound Sentence in Bosnian

A compound sentence in Bosnian consists of two or more simple sentences, or rečenice, joined by coordinating conjunctions. These conjunctions, known as veznici, include i (and), ili (or), nego (but), and pa (so). When combined, these simple sentences create a logically connected and coherent compound sentence with unique meaning.

Forming Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions

To create a compound sentence in Bosnian, one must first identify the coordinating conjunctions that suit the intended meaning of the sentence. Listed below are the four main coordinating conjunctions, along with examples that demonstrate their use in connecting simple sentences.

1. I (and)

The conjunction i connects two sentences with similar or complementary meanings. For example:

• Milica čita knjigu. (Milica is reading a book.)
• Petar gleda televiziju. (Peter is watching television.)
• Compound Sentence: Milica čita knjigu i Petar gleda televiziju. (Milica is reading a book and Peter is watching television.)

2. Ili (or)

The conjunction ili introduces an alternative or choice between the connected sentences. For example:

• Volimo da igramo košarku. (We like to play basketball.)
• Volimo da igramo fudbal. (We like to play soccer.)
• Compound Sentence: Volimo da igramo košarku ili fudbal. (We like to play basketball or soccer.)

3. Nego (but)

The conjunction nego is used to contrast sentences with opposing meanings. For example:

• Želim da idem na more. (I want to go to the seaside.)
• Nemam dovoljno novca. (I don’t have enough money.)
• Compound Sentence: Želim da idem na more, nego nemam dovoljno novca. (I want to go to the seaside, but I don’t have enough money.)

4. Pa (so)

The conjunction pa implies a relationship of cause and effect between the sentences. For example:

• Zaboravila sam kišobran. (I forgot my umbrella.)
• Pokisla sam. (I got wet.)
• Compound Sentence: Zaboravila sam kišobran, pa pokisla sam. (I forgot my umbrella, so I got wet.)

Compound Sentences and Bosnian Punctuation

When writing compound sentences in Bosnian, proper punctuation is crucial. Coordinating conjunctions should be preceded by a comma, as they separate the connected sentences. However, when the conjunction i is used in a series, only the final instance requires a comma. For example:

Ponedjeljak, utorak, srijeda, i četvrtak. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.)

With this comprehensive guide to compound sentences in Bosnian grammar, you’ll be well-equipped to create rich, meaningful, and intricate expressions in this beautiful language. Remember that practice is key, and with time, you will become an expert at navigating Bosnian’s compound sentence structures.