a. one example is with a transitive/intransitive verb, while the
b. example is with the 'se' verb (see the linked explanation)
affirmative
(I sing every day) > Ja pevam svaki dan
(I comb (myself) ) > Ja se češljam
interrogative
(do you sing every day?) > Da li pevaš svaki dan?
(What do you sing every day?) > Šta pevaš svaki dan?
(Do you comb (myself) ) > Da li se (ja) češljam ?
(Who combs (themselves)? ) > Ko se češlja?
negative
(I don't sing every day) >Ja ne pevam svaki dan OR Ne pevam svaki dan.
(I don't comb (myself)) > Ja se ne češljam. = Ne češljam se.
******** EXERCISE******** mark the sentences as C *correct or I*incorrect :
- Ja se igram.
- Mi pevam.
- Da li se ja umivamo?
- Ne doručkujemo u 8.
- Ti pereš.
- Ja idem u Beograd.
- Zovem Mario.
- Kupam se svaki dan.
- Gde ste se upoznali?
- Imam čas svaki dan.
Begin with the meaning your listener needs. A statement can become a question with da li, while ne placed before the verb creates a clear present-tense negative.
Build the bridge inside present tense in serbian questions and
A statement can become a question with da li, while ne placed before the verb creates a clear present-tense negative. Put the new words into motion. Read the Serbian examples as complete thoughts, not as containers for isolated vocabulary. Notice which word changes the meaning most strongly, and allow the surrounding words to show its grammatical job.
Five vivid lines for present tense in serbian questions and
| Latinica | Ćirilica | English |
|---|---|---|
| Da li Jelena radi subotom? | Да ли Јелена ради суботом? | Does Jelena work on Saturdays? |
| Ne kupujem voće u supermarketu. | Не купујем воће у супермаркету. | I do not buy fruit at the supermarket. |
| Da li se tvoj brat bavi muzikom? | Да ли се твој брат бави музиком? | Is your brother involved in music? |
| Petar ne razume ovo pitanje. | Петар не разуме ово питање. | Petar does not understand this question. |
| Zar danas ne dolazite na probu? | Зар данас не долазите на пробу? | Aren’t you coming to rehearsal today? |
A route from recognition to speech with present tense in serbian questions and
Move from Da li Jelena radi subotom? towards Zar danas ne dolazite na probu?, but stop at the sentence that feels least comfortable. Ask the same idea as a question, and then use that thought as the beginning of a two-line exchange. Tomorrow, return through a different sentence so that the order of the table cannot do the remembering for you.
Five moves before the key disappears from present tense in serbian questions and
- Translate into English: Da li Jelena radi subotom?
- Rebuild in Serbian from memory: “I do not buy fruit at the supermarket.”
- Write the third sentence in Cyrillic without copying it.
- Change one detail in Petar ne razume ovo pitanje. and keep the sentence grammatical.
- Create a new question connected with Zar danas ne dolazite na probu?.
Check the echo you have made through present tense in serbian questions and
- Does Jelena work on Saturdays?
- Ne kupujem voće u supermarketu. / Не купујем воће у супермаркету.
- Да ли се твој брат бави музиком?
- Answers vary; the changed word must still agree with the rest of the sentence.
- Answers vary; keep the question directly connected with the situation.