Common Verbs
Verbs are the backbone of any sentence. At the B1 level, you should be familiar with a variety of verbs that will help you express actions, states, and occurrences more precisely.
1. Raditi (to work) – Understanding this verb is essential for discussing your job or daily activities.
2. Živeti (to live) – Useful for talking about where you live and describing your living conditions.
3. Putovati (to travel) – Crucial for discussing travel plans, past trips, and future aspirations.
4. Kupovati (to buy) – Helps in everyday shopping scenarios.
5. Učiti (to study/learn) – Essential for discussing your learning process and education.
6. Razumeti (to understand) – Important for confirming comprehension in conversations.
7. Pisati (to write) – Useful for both formal and informal writing situations.
8. Čitati (to read) – Helps in discussing books, articles, and other reading materials.
9. Gledati (to watch) – Useful for talking about TV shows, movies, and other visual media.
10. Slušati (to listen) – Important for discussing music, podcasts, and conversations.
Example Sentences
– Ja radim u kancelariji. (I work in an office.)
– Gde živiš? (Where do you live?)
– Volim da putujem. (I love to travel.)
– Moram da kupim hleb. (I need to buy bread.)
– Učim srpski jezik. (I am learning Serbian.)
– Da li razumeš? (Do you understand?)
– Volim da pišem pisma. (I like to write letters.)
– Čitam knjigu. (I am reading a book.)
– Volim da gledam filmove. (I like to watch movies.)
– Slušam muziku. (I am listening to music.)
Nouns
Nouns are equally important as they represent people, places, things, and ideas. Here are some nouns that you should be familiar with at the B1 level.
1. Grad (city) – Useful for discussing where you live or places you have visited.
2. Posao (job) – Crucial for discussing employment and work-related topics.
3. Škola (school) – Important for discussing education.
4. Kuća (house) – Useful for talking about your home and living conditions.
5. Porodica (family) – Essential for talking about your family members.
6. Prijatelj (friend) – Important for social interactions.
7. Hrana (food) – Useful for discussing meals and culinary preferences.
8. Vreme (time/weather) – Crucial for making plans and small talk.
9. Zdravlje (health) – Important for discussing well-being and medical issues.
10. Novac (money) – Essential for talking about financial matters.
Example Sentences
– Beograd je veliki grad. (Belgrade is a big city.)
– Imam novi posao. (I have a new job.)
– Moja škola je blizu. (My school is nearby.)
– Živim u velikoj kući. (I live in a big house.)
– Moja porodica je veoma važna za mene. (My family is very important to me.)
– On je moj najbolji prijatelj. (He is my best friend.)
– Volim italijansku hranu. (I love Italian food.)
– Kakvo je vreme danas? (What is the weather like today?)
– Važno je brinuti o svom zdravlju. (It’s important to take care of your health.)
– Trebam više novca. (I need more money.)
Adjectives
Adjectives help you describe nouns more vividly. Here are some adjectives that are useful for B1 level learners.
1. Lep (beautiful) – Useful for describing people, places, and things.
2. Velik (big) – Important for describing size.
3. Mali (small) – Useful for describing something that is not large.
4. Star (old) – Crucial for describing age.
5. Nov (new) – Useful for describing something that is recently acquired or made.
6. Dobar (good) – Essential for giving positive feedback.
7. Loš (bad) – Important for giving negative feedback.
8. Brz (fast) – Useful for describing speed.
9. Spor (slow) – Important for describing something that is not fast.
10. Topao (warm) – Useful for describing temperature.
Example Sentences
– Ovo je lepa slika. (This is a beautiful picture.)
– On ima veliku kuću. (He has a big house.)
– Imam mali automobil. (I have a small car.)
– Moj deda je star čovek. (My grandfather is an old man.)
– Kupio sam novu knjigu. (I bought a new book.)
– Ovaj film je dobar. (This movie is good.)
– Danas je loš dan. (Today is a bad day.)
– On je brz trkač. (He is a fast runner.)
– Ovaj puž je spor. (This snail is slow.)
– Voda je topla. (The water is warm.)
Adverbs
Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. They are essential for adding detail to your sentences.
1. Brzo (quickly) – Useful for describing the speed of an action.
2. Polako (slowly) – Important for describing something done at a slow pace.
3. Uvek (always) – Essential for describing frequency.
4. Nikad (never) – Useful for describing the absence of an action.
5. Ponekad (sometimes) – Crucial for describing occasional actions.
6. Često (often) – Important for describing frequent actions.
7. Retko (rarely) – Useful for describing infrequent actions.
8. Danas (today) – Essential for discussing current events.
9. Juče (yesterday) – Useful for discussing past events.
10. Sutra (tomorrow) – Crucial for making future plans.
Example Sentences
– On trči brzo. (He runs quickly.)
– Molim te, pričaj polako. (Please, speak slowly.)
– Ja uvek idem u teretanu. (I always go to the gym.)
– Ona nikad ne kasni. (She is never late.)
– Ponekad idem u bioskop. (I sometimes go to the cinema.)
– On često putuje. (He often travels.)
– Retko jedem slatkiše. (I rarely eat sweets.)
– Danas je sunčano. (Today is sunny.)
– Juče je bilo kišovito. (Yesterday was rainy.)
– Videćemo se sutra. (We will see each other tomorrow.)
Prepositions
Prepositions are small but mighty words that help you indicate location, time, and direction.
1. Na (on) – Useful for indicating position.
2. U (in) – Crucial for indicating location.
3. Pored (beside) – Important for indicating proximity.
4. Ispod (under) – Useful for indicating something beneath another.
5. Iznad (above) – Essential for indicating something over another.
6. Pre (before) – Crucial for indicating time.
7. Posle (after) – Useful for indicating sequence.
8. Kroz (through) – Important for indicating movement.
9. Sa (with) – Essential for indicating accompaniment.
10. Bez (without) – Useful for indicating absence.
Example Sentences
– Knjiga je na stolu. (The book is on the table.)
– On je u kući. (He is in the house.)
– Pas je pored mene. (The dog is beside me.)
– Mačka je ispod kreveta. (The cat is under the bed.)
– Lampa je iznad stola. (The lamp is above the table.)
– Došao sam pre tebe. (I arrived before you.)
– Otići ćemo posle doručka. (We will leave after breakfast.)
– Prošao sam kroz park. (I walked through the park.)
– Idem sa prijateljem. (I am going with a friend.)
– Ne mogu bez tebe. (I cannot be without you.)
Conjunctions
Conjunctions link clauses and sentences, helping you create more complex and nuanced statements.
1. I (and) – Useful for adding information.
2. Ali (but) – Crucial for showing contrast.
3. Ili (or) – Important for offering choices.
4. Zato što (because) – Useful for giving reasons.
5. Ako (if) – Essential for conditional sentences.
6. Dakle (therefore) – Important for drawing conclusions.
7. Međutim (however) – Useful for showing contrast.
8. Iako (although) – Crucial for showing exceptions.
9. Kada (when) – Essential for discussing time.
10. Dok (while) – Useful for indicating simultaneous actions.
Example Sentences
– Volim kafu i čaj. (I like coffee and tea.)
– Želim da idem, ali nemam vremena. (I want to go, but I don’t have time.)
– Možeš uzeti jabuku ili bananu. (You can take an apple or a banana.)
– Kasnim zato što je bio saobraćaj. (I am late because there was traffic.)
– Doći ću ako budem mogao. (I will come if I can.)
– Umoran sam, dakle idem da spavam. (I am tired, therefore I am going to sleep.)
– Volim sladoled; međutim, izbegavam šećer. (I love ice cream; however, I avoid sugar.)
– Došao sam, iako nisam pozvan. (I came, although I was not invited.)
– Zvaću te kada stignem. (I will call you when I arrive.)
– Radim dok slušam muziku. (I work while listening to music.)
Interjections
Interjections are words or phrases that express strong emotion or sudden bursts of feeling.
1. Da (yes) – Useful for affirming.
2. Ne (no) – Crucial for negating.
3. Hvala (thank you) – Important for expressing gratitude.
4. Izvini (sorry) – Useful for apologizing.
5. Molim (please) – Essential for polite requests.
6. Bravo (bravo) – Important for praising.
7. Hej (hey) – Useful for getting attention.
8. Uf (phew) – Expresses relief.
9. Ah (ah) – Shows realization.
10. Oh (oh) – Indicates surprise.
Example Sentences
– Da, želim kafu. (Yes, I want coffee.)
– Ne, hvala. (No, thank you.)
– Hvala na pomoći. (Thank you for your help.)
– Izvini, nisam video poruku. (Sorry, I didn’t see the message.)
– Molim, možeš li mi pomoći? (Please, can you help me?)
– Bravo, dobro urađeno! (Bravo, well done!)
– Hej, kako si? (Hey, how are you?)
– Uf, napokon smo stigli. (Phew, we finally arrived.)
– Ah, sada razumem. (Ah, now I understand.)
– Oh, nisam to znao. (Oh, I didn’t know that.)
Expressions and Idioms
Expressions and idioms add color to your language and help you sound more like a native speaker.
1. Nema problema (No problem) – Useful for reassuring someone.
2. U redu (Alright) – Crucial for agreeing.
3. Šta ima? (What’s up?) – Important for informal greetings.
4. Kako si? (How are you?) – Essential for checking on someone.
5. Vidimo se (See you) – Useful for saying goodbye.
6. Nemam pojma (I have no idea) – Important for expressing uncertainty.
7. Laku noć (Good night) – Essential for night-time farewells.
8. Srećno (Good luck) – Useful for wishing well.
9. Gde si bio? (Where have you been?) – Important for catching up.
10. Ko zna? (Who knows?) – Expresses uncertainty.
Example Sentences
– Nema problema, mogu ti pomoći. (No problem, I can help you.)
– U redu, slažem se. (Alright, I agree.)
– Šta ima?, kako ide? (What’s up? How’s it going?)
– Kako si? (How are you?)
– Vidimo se sutra. (See you tomorrow.)
– Nemam pojma gde je. (I have no idea where it is.)
– Laku noć, lepo spavaj. (Good night, sleep well.)
– Srećno na ispitu! (Good luck on the exam!)
– Gde si bio sve ovo vreme? (Where have you been all this time?)
– Ko zna šta će se desiti? (Who knows what will happen?)
Conclusion
Mastering these Serbian words and phrases at the B1 level will significantly improve your ability to communicate in a variety of situations. By integrating these verbs, nouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, interjections, expressions, and idioms into your vocabulary, you will be well-equipped to navigate everyday conversations, comprehend more complex texts, and express your thoughts more clearly. Remember, practice is key to language learning. Use these words in your daily interactions, and you will soon find yourself speaking Serbian with greater confidence and ease. Srećno! (Good luck!)
