Understanding the Infinitive in Bosnian Grammar

The infinitive is an essential aspect of Bosnian grammar, representing the base form of a verb. With its roots in the Slavic language family, Bosnian offers unique linguistic features that distinguish it from other languages. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the formation and usage of the infinitive in Bosnian, providing insights into verb conjugation, negation, and common expressions that rely on this grammatical form.

Formation of the Infinitive in Bosnian

When forming the infinitive in Bosnian, it is crucial to understand the division of verbs into three groups based on their endings: -iti, -či, and -ći. Typically, these endings are added to a verb’s root to create the infinitive form:

• -iti: raditi (to work), učiti (to learn)
• -či: peći (to bake), jesti (to eat)
• -ći: govoriti (to speak), spavati (to sleep)

Once the infinitive is established, Bosnian verbs can be further conjugated according to tense, mood, and aspect, adapting to various contexts within a sentence.

Usage of the Infinitive in Bosnian

The infinitive form serves numerous functions in Bosnian grammar, including:

Expressing Intention and Purpose

Infinitives convey intentions, desires, or objectives by following verbs such as “željeti” (to want), “morati” (must), “htjeti” (to need), and “planirati” (to plan). For example:

• Želim učiti bosanski. (I want to learn Bosnian.)
• Moram raditi na projektu. (I must work on the project.)

Forming Verb Tenses

The infinitive contributes to the formation of specific verb tenses, such as the future tense and perfect forms. When combined with auxiliary verbs (such as “ću,” used for the future tense) or aspect prefixes (e.g., “pro” for the perfective aspect), the Bosnian infinitive evolves to fit various temporal contexts:

• Ja bih željela posjetiti Bosnu. (I would like to visit Bosnia.)
• Naš tim će osvojiti prvo mjesto. (Our team will win first place.)

Negating Verbs

Infinitives are also employed in negation. The prefix “ne” is attached before the infinitive, expressing the opposite meaning:

• Ja neću jesti. (I will not eat.)
• Nismo mogli doći. (We could not come.)

Common Bosnian Expressions with Infinitives

Beyond their primary functions, infinitives play a significant role in many conventional Bosnian expressions:

• Bolje ikad nego nikad. (Better ever than never.)
• Pored zdravog mozga razmisliti. (To think with a healthy mind.)
• Čistog obraza boračiti se. (To fight with a clear conscience.)

By mastering the intricacies of infinitive formation and usage in Bosnian, students can significantly enhance their fluency and understanding of the language’s nuances.