Learning a new language can be a fascinating and rewarding journey, and mastering the vocabulary is a crucial part of this process. When it comes to the Bosnian language, one area that often poses a challenge for learners is quantitative vocabulary. Quantitative vocabulary encompasses numbers, measurements, and expressions of quantity, all of which are essential for everyday communication. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to understanding and using quantitative vocabulary in Bosnian, ensuring that learners can navigate this aspect of the language with confidence.
Numbers in Bosnian
Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers are the basic building blocks for expressing quantities. In Bosnian, the cardinal numbers from 0 to 10 are as follows:
– 0: nula
– 1: jedan (masculine), jedna (feminine), jedno (neuter)
– 2: dva (masculine and neuter), dvije (feminine)
– 3: tri
– 4: četiri
– 5: pet
– 6: šest
– 7: sedam
– 8: osam
– 9: devet
– 10: deset
Note that the number one has different forms depending on the gender of the noun it modifies. This gender agreement is a feature you’ll encounter frequently in Bosnian.
For numbers 11 to 19, Bosnian forms these by combining the units with the word “naest”:
– 11: jedanaest
– 12: dvanaest
– 13: trinaest
– 14: četrnaest
– 15: petnaest
– 16: šesnaest
– 17: sedamnaest
– 18: osamnaest
– 19: devetnaest
From 20 onwards, the numbers are formed by combining tens and units, connected by the conjunction “i” (and):
– 20: dvadeset
– 21: dvadeset i jedan
– 22: dvadeset i dva
– 30: trideset
– 40: četrdeset
– 50: pedeset
– 60: šezdeset
– 70: sedamdeset
– 80: osamdeset
– 90: devedeset
For hundreds, thousands, and millions, the structure is as follows:
– 100: sto
– 200: dvjesto
– 300: tristo
– 1,000: hiljada (or tisuća)
– 1,000,000: milion
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers denote position or order, such as “first,” “second,” and “third.” In Bosnian, these numbers change according to the gender and case of the noun they modify. Here are the basic forms:
– 1st: prvi (masculine), prva (feminine), prvo (neuter)
– 2nd: drugi, druga, drugo
– 3rd: treći, treća, treće
– 4th: četvrti, četvrta, četvrto
– 5th: peti, peta, peto
And so on. Notice the endings change based on the noun’s gender, which is a common grammatical feature in Bosnian.
Fractions and Decimals
Fractions and decimals are used to express parts of a whole and are essential in daily life, especially in contexts involving money, measurements, and time.
Fractions
Fractions in Bosnian are typically formed using ordinal numbers. For example:
– 1/2: jedna polovina
– 1/3: jedna trećina
– 1/4: jedna četvrtina
– 2/3: dvije trećine
– 3/4: tri četvrtine
Note that the noun “polovina” is often shortened to “pola,” especially in colloquial speech. For instance, “half an hour” can be expressed as “pola sata.”
Decimals
Decimals are expressed using a comma instead of a period, which is different from the English convention. For instance:
– 0.5: nula cijela pet (0,5)
– 1.75: jedna cijela sedamdeset pet (1,75)
In everyday speech, people might just say “jedan tačka sedam pet” for simplicity, using “tačka” (point) instead of “cijela” (whole).
Measurements
Understanding measurements is crucial for various aspects of daily life, including cooking, shopping, and traveling. Here’s a look at some common units of measurement in Bosnian.
Length and Distance
– millimeter: milimetar
– centimeter: centimetar
– meter: metar
– kilometer: kilometar
In colloquial speech, you might often hear abbreviations like “mm” for milimetar, “cm” for centimetar, “m” for metar, and “km” for kilometar, just as in English.
Weight
– gram: gram
– kilogram: kilogram
– ton: tona
Again, abbreviations such as “g” for gram and “kg” for kilogram are commonly used.
Volume
– milliliter: mililitar
– liter: litar
Abbreviations like “ml” for mililitar and “l” for litar are frequently used in everyday speech.
Time
– second: sekunda
– minute: minuta
– hour: sat
– day: dan
– week: sedmica or tjedan
– month: mjesec
– year: godina
When telling time, Bosnians use a 24-hour clock, especially in formal contexts. For example, 3:00 PM would be “petnaest sati” (fifteen hours).
Expressions of Quantity
In addition to numbers and measurements, Bosnian uses a variety of words and phrases to express quantity. These expressions can be quite different from their English counterparts, so it’s essential to become familiar with them.
Basic Quantifiers
– few: nekoliko
– many: mnogo
– some: neki
– all: svi (masculine), sve (feminine and neuter)
These quantifiers often need to agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify.
Specific Quantifiers
– a little: malo
– a lot: puno
– enough: dovoljno
– too much: previše
– more: više
– less: manje
For example, “a little water” would be “malo vode,” and “too much work” would be “previše posla.”
Partitive Expressions
Partitive expressions indicate a part of a whole and are often used with uncountable nouns. In Bosnian, the genitive case is used for this purpose. For example:
– some water: malo vode
– a piece of cake: komad kolača
– a glass of milk: čaša mlijeka
Practical Applications
To become proficient in using quantitative vocabulary, it’s essential to practice in real-life contexts. Here are some practical applications to help reinforce your learning.
Shopping
When shopping, you’ll frequently encounter numbers and measurements. Here are some useful phrases:
– How much does this cost?: Koliko ovo košta?
– I need half a kilogram of apples.: Trebam pola kilograma jabuka.
– Give me a liter of milk, please.: Dajte mi litru mlijeka, molim.
Cooking
Cooking involves a lot of measurements. Here are some common phrases:
– Add two cups of flour.: Dodajte dvije šolje brašna.
– Cook for fifteen minutes.: Kuhajte petnaest minuta.
– Use a teaspoon of salt.: Koristite kašičicu soli.
Traveling
Traveling often requires understanding distances and times. Here are some phrases to help:
– How far is it to the city center?: Koliko je daleko do centra grada?
– The train leaves at 14:30.: Voz polazi u četrnaest i trideset.
– We will arrive in two hours.: Stižemo za dva sata.
Common Mistakes and Tips
Learning quantitative vocabulary in Bosnian can be challenging, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls and tips to avoid them.
Gender Agreement
One of the most common mistakes is not matching the gender of the number with the noun it modifies. Always ensure that numbers like “jedan” (one) and “dva” (two) agree in gender with the noun.
Case Usage
In Bosnian, the case system can significantly affect how numbers and quantities are expressed. Pay attention to the case required by the context, especially for partitive expressions.
Practice Regularly
The best way to master quantitative vocabulary is through regular practice. Engage in activities that require you to use numbers and measurements, such as shopping, cooking, or planning trips.
Conclusion
Mastering quantitative vocabulary in Bosnian is essential for effective communication in a variety of contexts. From understanding numbers and measurements to using expressions of quantity, this comprehensive guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to navigate this aspect of the Bosnian language. Remember to pay attention to gender agreement and case usage, and practice regularly to reinforce your learning. With dedication and practice, you’ll find yourself becoming more proficient and comfortable with Bosnian quantitative vocabulary.
