When learning a new language, one of the key elements to master is the vocabulary related to numbers and quantities. This is crucial not only for everyday conversations but also for understanding and using the language accurately in various contexts. The Serbian language, like many others, has a rich set of terms and expressions used to convey quantitative information. In this article, we will explore the different aspects of quantitative vocabulary in Serbian, including numbers, fractions, percentages, and other related expressions.
Basic Numbers
The foundation of quantitative vocabulary in any language starts with basic numbers. In Serbian, numbers are relatively straightforward, but there are a few nuances to be aware of. Here are the basic numbers from 0 to 10:
– 0 – nula
– 1 – jedan (masculine), jedna (feminine), jedno (neuter)
– 2 – dva (masculine/neuter), dve (feminine)
– 3 – tri
– 4 – četiri
– 5 – pet
– 6 – šest
– 7 – sedam
– 8 – osam
– 9 – devet
– 10 – deset
One key point to note is that Serbian numbers can change form depending on the gender of the noun they are quantifying. This is especially evident with the numbers one and two. For example, “one book” would be “jedna knjiga” (feminine), while “one apple” would be “jedna jabuka” (feminine).
Numbers 11-19
The numbers from 11 to 19 in Serbian are constructed by combining the basic numbers with the word for ten (deset). Here they are:
– 11 – jedanaest
– 12 – dvanaest
– 13 – trinaest
– 14 – četrnaest
– 15 – petnaest
– 16 – šesnaest
– 17 – sedamnaest
– 18 – osamnaest
– 19 – devetnaest
Tens and Beyond
For numbers 20, 30, 40, and so forth, Serbian uses a straightforward pattern. The word for twenty is “dvadeset,” for thirty is “trideset,” and so on. Here are the multiples of ten:
– 20 – dvadeset
– 30 – trideset
– 40 – četrdeset
– 50 – pedeset
– 60 – šezdeset
– 70 – sedamdeset
– 80 – osamdeset
– 90 – devedeset
– 100 – sto
To form numbers like 21, 32, or 45, you simply combine the tens and the units. For example, 21 is “dvadeset jedan,” 32 is “trideset dva,” and 45 is “četrdeset pet.”
Hundreds, Thousands, and Beyond
When dealing with larger numbers, Serbian continues to follow a logical pattern. Here are some key terms:
– 100 – sto
– 200 – dvesta
– 300 – trista
– 400 – četiristo
– 500 – petsto
– 600 – šeststo
– 700 – sedamsto
– 800 – osamsto
– 900 – devetsto
– 1,000 – hiljada
– 2,000 – dve hiljade
– 10,000 – deset hiljada
– 100,000 – sto hiljada
– 1,000,000 – milion
When combining these with smaller numbers, you simply add the smaller number after the larger one. For instance, 1,234 would be “hiljadu dve stotine trideset četiri.”
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers indicate the position or order of things. In Serbian, ordinal numbers are formed by adding suffixes to the cardinal numbers. Here are the ordinal numbers from 1 to 10:
– 1st – prvi (masculine), prva (feminine), prvo (neuter)
– 2nd – drugi (masculine), druga (feminine), drugo (neuter)
– 3rd – treći (masculine), treća (feminine), treće (neuter)
– 4th – četvrti (masculine), četvrta (feminine), četvrto (neuter)
– 5th – peti (masculine), peta (feminine), peto (neuter)
– 6th – šesti (masculine), šesta (feminine), šesto (neuter)
– 7th – sedmi (masculine), sedma (feminine), sedmo (neuter)
– 8th – osmi (masculine), osma (feminine), osmo (neuter)
– 9th – deveti (masculine), deveta (feminine), deveto (neuter)
– 10th – deseti (masculine), deseta (feminine), deseto (neuter)
Ordinal numbers in Serbian change form based on the gender and number of the noun they are modifying, much like adjectives.
Fractions and Decimals
Fractions and decimals are also an important part of quantitative vocabulary. Here are some basic fractions in Serbian:
– 1/2 – pola
– 1/3 – trećina
– 1/4 – četvrtina
– 1/5 – petina
– 1/6 – šestina
– 1/7 – sedmina
– 1/8 – osmina
– 1/9 – devetina
– 1/10 – desetina
Decimals are formed using a comma instead of a period, which is a common practice in many European countries. For example, 1.5 in Serbian would be written as 1,5 and pronounced “jedan zapeta pet.”
Percentages
Percentages are expressed using the word “procenat” (percent). Here are some examples:
– 10% – deset procenata
– 25% – dvadeset pet procenata
– 50% – pedeset procenata
– 75% – sedamdeset pet procenata
– 100% – sto procenata
When expressing percentages in sentences, you would use the appropriate form of the word “procenat” based on the number. For example, “50% of the students” would be “pedeset procenata učenika.”
Quantitative Expressions
In addition to numbers, fractions, and percentages, there are various expressions used to convey quantities in Serbian. Here are some common ones:
– mnogo – a lot, many
– malo – a little, few
– nekoliko – several
– nekoliko stotina – several hundred
– nekoliko hiljada – several thousand
– mnogo više – much more
– mnogo manje – much less
These expressions can be combined with nouns to give more precise information about quantities. For example, “mnogo ljudi” means “a lot of people,” and “nekoliko knjiga” means “several books.”
Quantitative Adjectives
Serbian also uses quantitative adjectives to describe amounts and quantities. Here are a few common ones:
– veći – bigger, larger
– manji – smaller, lesser
– veći deo – larger part
– manji deo – smaller part
– jedini – only
– dvostruki – double
– trostruki – triple
These adjectives change form based on the gender, number, and case of the nouns they are modifying.
Expressions of Measurement
Measurement is another important aspect of quantitative vocabulary. Here are some common units of measurement in Serbian:
– meter – metar
– kilometer – kilometar
– gram – gram
– kilogram – kilogram
– liter – litar
– milliliter – mililitar
When using these units in sentences, you would use the appropriate form based on the quantity. For example, “one meter” is “jedan metar,” “two kilograms” is “dva kilograma,” and “three liters” is “tri litra.”
Time Expressions
Time expressions are also a crucial part of quantitative vocabulary. Here are some basic terms:
– second – sekunda
– minute – minut
– hour – sat
– day – dan
– week – nedelja
– month – mesec
– year – godina
When talking about specific times, Serbian uses a 24-hour clock. For example, “3:00 PM” is “15:00” and pronounced “petnaest časova.”
Days of the Week and Months
Knowing the days of the week and the months is essential for discussing dates and schedules. Here are the days of the week in Serbian:
– Monday – ponedeljak
– Tuesday – utorak
– Wednesday – sreda
– Thursday – četvrtak
– Friday – petak
– Saturday – subota
– Sunday – nedelja
And here are the months:
– January – januar
– February – februar
– March – mart
– April – april
– May – maj
– June – jun
– July – jul
– August – avgust
– September – septembar
– October – oktobar
– November – novembar
– December – decembar
Practice and Application
To effectively learn and retain quantitative vocabulary in Serbian, practice is essential. Here are some tips for incorporating these terms into your language learning routine:
1. **Flashcards**: Create flashcards with the Serbian numbers, fractions, and percentages on one side and the English equivalent on the other. Regularly review these flashcards to reinforce your memory.
2. **Language Apps**: Use language learning apps that focus on vocabulary building. Many apps offer exercises and quizzes specifically designed to help you master quantitative terms.
3. **Real-Life Practice**: Incorporate quantitative vocabulary into your daily conversations. For example, when shopping, try to use Serbian numbers and measurements to describe quantities.
4. **Listening Practice**: Listen to Serbian radio stations, podcasts, or watch Serbian TV shows and movies. Pay attention to how native speakers use quantitative vocabulary in different contexts.
5. **Writing Exercises**: Write short paragraphs or essays using the quantitative vocabulary you have learned. This will help you practice using these terms in context and improve your overall language skills.
Conclusion
Mastering quantitative vocabulary is a crucial step in becoming proficient in any language, and Serbian is no exception. By understanding and practicing numbers, fractions, percentages, and other related expressions, you will be better equipped to communicate effectively in a variety of situations. Remember that consistent practice and real-life application are key to retaining and using this vocabulary with confidence. Happy learning!
