Understanding the Order of Adjectives in Bosnian Grammar

Bosnian grammar, similar to other Slavic languages, is characterized by its intricate structure and precise rules. One of the most important aspects to master in Bosnian language is the correct order of adjectives. In this article, we will delve into the details of the order of adjectives in Bosnian grammar, including general guidelines, the hierarchy of adjectives, and practical examples.

A General Guideline for Ordering Adjectives

The order of adjectives in Bosnian grammar is not random, and there is a general guideline that needs to be followed to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing and communication. The guideline can be summarized as follows:

Quantity or number > Quality or opinion > Size > Age > Shape > Color > Origin > Material > Purpose

By following this guideline, you will be able to create coherent sentences that adhere to the proper order of adjectives in Bosnian grammar. In the following sections, we will discuss each type of adjective in more detail and provide examples for better comprehension.

Hierarchy of Adjectives in Bosnian Grammar: A Closer Look

Let’s take a closer look at each category of adjectives in the hierarchy and learn more about their purpose and correct usage.

1. Quantity or Number

Adjectives used to describe the quantity or number of a noun should be placed directly before the noun. Examples of such adjectives include “dva” (two), “mnogo” (many), and “nekoliko” (several).

Example: “Imam dva auta.” (I have two cars.)

2. Quality or Opinion

These adjectives express the speaker’s opinion about a noun and should come immediately after the quantity or number adjectives. Examples include “lep” (beautiful), “zanimljiv” (interesting), and “dosadan” (boring).

Example: “On je pročitao zanimljiv članak.” (He read an interesting article.)

3. Size

Adjectives describing a noun’s size also follow the previous categories. Some examples are “velik” (big), “mali” (small), and “srednje” (medium).

Example: “Kupio sam velik televizor.” (I bought a big television.)

4. Age

Age-specific adjectives, such as “nov” (new), “star” (old), and “mlad” (young), should be placed after size adjectives.

Example: “Njihov nov stan je prelep.” (Their new apartment is beautiful.)

5. Shape

Shape-related adjectives include “okrugao” (round), “kvadratni” (square), and “izdužen” (elongated). These should be positioned after age-specific adjectives.

Example: “Voli okrugle stolove.” (He likes round tables.)

6. Color

Color adjectives, such as “crven” (red), “plav” (blue), and “žut” (yellow), go right before origin adjectives.

Example: “Kupila mi je plav šal.” (She bought me a blue scarf.)

7. Origin

Origin adjectives describe the origin of a noun and should be placed ahead of material adjectives. Examples include “američki” (American), “italijanski” (Italian), and “bosanski” (Bosnian).

Example: “Kupili su italijanski nameštaj.” (They bought Italian furniture.)

8. Material

Material adjectives, such as “drven” (wooden), “metalni” (metal), and “papirni” (paper), should come before the purpose adjective.

Example: “Kupio sam metalnu olovku.” (I bought a metal pen.)

9. Purpose

Lastly, adjectives describing the purpose or function of a noun, such as “kuhinjski” (kitchen), “sportski” (sports), and “školski” (school), are positioned right before the noun.

Example: “To je sportski automobil.” (That is a sports car.)

Conclusion

The order of adjectives in Bosnian grammar is a crucial aspect of the language that needs to be mastered for effective communication. Remember the general guideline and hierarchy of adjectives to create clear and accurate sentences that adhere to proper syntax and structure. By using this knowledge and putting it into practice, you will be well on your way to mastering Bosnian grammar.