Understanding “Par”
Par is a noun in Serbian that translates to “pair” in English. It is generally used to refer to two items that are matched together or are seen as a unit. This could be anything from a pair of shoes to a pair of friends. The word par is used when talking about two items that belong together or are seen as a set.
Kupio sam novi par cipela.
I bought a new pair of shoes.
Par can also be used in a more abstract sense, such as a pair of ideas or a pair of actions that are linked together.
On ima par dobrih ideja.
He has a pair of good ideas.
Common Uses of “Par”
It’s important to note that par is used for things that inherently come in twos or are naturally paired. Here are some common examples:
Par čarapa – A pair of socks
Našao sam par čarapa ispod kreveta.
I found a pair of socks under the bed.
Par rukavica – A pair of gloves
Trebam novi par rukavica za zimu.
I need a new pair of gloves for winter.
Par naočara – A pair of glasses
Kupio je novi par naočara.
He bought a new pair of glasses.
Understanding “Dvojica”
Dvojica is a numeral in Serbian, specifically a form of the number two when referring to two male individuals or a mixed-gender group. It is used when you want to emphasize that you are talking about two people. Unlike par, which is more about things, dvojica is exclusively about people.
Dvojica su došla na vreme.
The two (men) arrived on time.
Dvojica is part of a set of special forms for counting people in Serbian. These forms include jedan (one), dvojica (two), trojica (three), and so on. The form changes depending on the gender and the number of people.
Common Uses of “Dvojica”
Dvojica prijatelja – Two friends (male or mixed)
Dvojica prijatelja su otišla u bioskop.
Two friends went to the cinema.
Dvojica kolega – Two colleagues (male or mixed)
Dvojica kolega rade zajedno na projektu.
Two colleagues are working together on the project.
Dvojica braće – Two brothers
Dvojica braće su otišla na odmor.
Two brothers went on vacation.
Comparing “Par” and “Dvojica”
Now that we’ve defined both terms, let’s compare them directly to understand their differences better.
Usage Context
Par is used for inanimate objects or abstract concepts that come in pairs, while dvojica is used exclusively for counting two people, typically males or mixed groups.
Example:
– Imam novi par rukavica. (I have a new pair of gloves.)
– Dvojica su došla na sastanak. (The two (men) came to the meeting.)
Grammatical Category
Par is a noun, whereas dvojica is a numeral. This distinction is important because it affects how the words fit into sentences grammatically.
Example:
– Kupio sam par čarapa. (I bought a pair of socks.)
– Dvojica prijatelja su došla. (Two friends came.)
Gender and Number
Par does not change form based on gender; it is used universally for any items that come in pairs. On the other hand, dvojica is specifically used for male or mixed-gender groups. For female groups, the word dve is used.
Example:
– Imam par knjiga za tebe. (I have a pair of books for you.)
– Dvojica studenata su položili ispit. (Two students (male or mixed) passed the exam.)
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between par and dvojica is crucial for anyone learning Serbian. While both words can be translated to “pair” or “two” in English, their uses are quite different and context-dependent. Par is used for items that naturally come in pairs or are paired together, while dvojica is specifically used for counting two male individuals or mixed-gender groups.
By grasping these distinctions, you’ll not only improve your Serbian vocabulary but also gain a deeper understanding of how to express quantities and relationships accurately in the language. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll find these differences becoming second nature!
Happy learning!
