Understanding the Imperative in Bosnian Grammar

The imperative is an essential aspect of Bosnian grammar that allows speakers to give commands or make requests. In this article, we delve deep into the intricacies of forming and using imperatives in Bosnian, along with examples for better understanding.

Formation of the Imperative

To form the imperative in Bosnian, we must first determine the stem of the verb. This is achieved by removing the infinitive suffix -ti from the verb. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

• Infinitive: čitati (to read)
• Stem: čita-

Once the stem is established, specific endings are attached for both singular and plural forms.

Singular Imperatives

For the singular imperative, follow these rules:

1. If the verb stem ends with a consonant, simply add -j: npr. gledaj (look!)
2. If the verb stem ends with a vowel, remove the vowel and add -i: npr. kupi (buy!)

Plural Imperatives

When forming the plural imperative, attach the suffix -te to the verb stem: npr. čitajte (read!).

Irregular Imperatives

As with any language, Bosnian has its share of irregular verbs. Some common examples are:

• biti (to be): singular – budi / plural – budite
• htjeti (to want): singular – hoćeš / plural – hoćete
• imati (to have): singular – imaj / plural – imajte
• uzeti (to take): singular – uzm(i) / plural – uzmite

Negation of Imperatives

To make an imperative negative, use the particle “ne” followed by the verb in the present tense, third-person singular form. For example:

• Ne čitaj! (Don’t read!)
• Ne gledaj! (Don’t look!)

For plural imperatives, utilize the third-person plural form of the present tense, like so:

• Ne čitajte! (Don’t read!)
• Ne gledajte! (Don’t look!)

Expressing Politeness in Imperatives

To convey politeness, switch from using the second person to the third person, combined with the adverb “molim” (please):

• Molim vas, čitajte! (Please read!)
• Molim vas, gledajte! (Please look!)

Examples of Imperatives in Context

Here are a few sentences to illustrate the use of imperatives in real-life situations:

1. Otvori prozor! (Open the window!)
2. Pomozi mi molim te! (Help me, please!)
3. Ne hodaj po travi! (Don’t walk on the grass!)
4. Sjednite, molim vas! (Please sit down!)

Conclusion

Mastering the imperative in Bosnian grammar entails understanding the method of forming singular and plural imperatives, learning irregular verbs, creating negations, and employing polite expressions. With practice and the guidance provided in this article, you will soon possess the skills to use the imperative effectively in Bosnian, enriching your understanding of this beautiful language.