Serbian, a South Slavic language, is the official language of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and also used in Montenegro. Learning Serbian can be a rewarding experience, especially for those who are interested in the diverse cultures of the Balkan region. One of the most fundamental aspects of learning any language is understanding and using verbs effectively. In Serbian, verbs are conjugated to reflect differences in aspect, tense, mood, and the person and number of the subject. In this article, we will explore some of the most common Serbian verbs, their conjugations, and their usage in everyday conversation.

1. Biti (To Be)

Biti is one of the most essential verbs in Serbian. It is an irregular verb and serves as an auxiliary verb in many tenses.

Ja sam srećan. (I am happy)
Ti si ovde. (You are here)
Ona je lepa. (She is beautiful)

2. Imati (To Have)

Another fundamental verb is imati, which means “to have.” This verb is used to express possession, characteristics, or attributes.

Ja imam psa. (I have a dog)
Mi imamo veliku kuću. (We have a big house)
Oni imaju dvoje dece. (They have two children)

3. Raditi (To Work)

Raditi is a regular verb used to describe an occupation or an action.

Ja radim svaki dan. (I work every day)
Ona radi kao učiteljica. (She works as a teacher)
Oni rade zajedno. (They work together)

4. Ići (To Go)

Ići is an important verb for describing movement or travel to a place.

Ja idem u školu. (I go to school)
On ide kući. (He goes home)
Mi idemo u bioskop. (We are going to the cinema)

5. Videti (To See)

Videti is used to describe the act of seeing or perceiving something visually.

Ja vidim pticu. (I see a bird)
Ti vidiš moj auto. (You see my car)
Oni vide film. (They see a movie)

6. Jesti (To Eat)

Jesti is a regular verb that describes consuming food.

Ja jedem jabuku. (I am eating an apple)
Ona jede sendvič. (She is eating a sandwich)
Mi jedemo zajedno. (We eat together)

7. Piti (To Drink)

Piti is used to express the action of drinking.

Ja pijem vodu. (I am drinking water)
On pije kafu. (He drinks coffee)
Oni piju sok. (They are drinking juice)

8. Moći (Can, To Be Able To)

Moći is a modal verb used to express ability or permission.

Ja mogu da čitam. (I can read)
Ti možeš da dođeš. (You can come)
Oni mogu da igraju. (They can play)

9. Željeti (To Want)

Željeti expresses desire or want.

Ja želim sladoled. (I want ice cream)
Ona želi da putuje. (She wants to travel)
Oni žele da uče. (They want to learn)

10. Voljeti (To Love)

Voljeti is an important verb used to express a deep affection or preference.

Ja volim moju porodicu. (I love my family)
Ti voliš muziku. (You love music)
Oni vole sport. (They love sports)

Understanding these common Serbian verbs and their usage will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Serbian. Practice using these verbs in different sentences to gain confidence in your speaking and writing skills. As you continue to learn, you’ll discover the rich nuances of Serbian verbs and their conjugations, which will further enrich your understanding of this fascinating language.