Learn Serbian

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Useful Phrases when Learning Serbian

Marina Serbian language 365 , Serbian phrases

It is a good idea to use at least two Serbian phrases from the very first lesson:

Šta znači? = What does ... mean?
Molim? = Pardon?

Of course, there are other ones which are useful, and you can start using them while learning the language. In this blog post, the idea is for you to practice them with the following Quizlets:

Step by Step Serbian

Marina Free lessons of Serbian , free Serbian lessons

Why Step by Step Serbian?

Having made hundreds of quizzes and exercises in Serbian, I thought of posting them here on this blog on a daily basis, starting from the easiest ones. This will make it easier for you to learn regularly and have some kind of continuity.

All you have to do is to follow:

this blog
my Facebook page
join Quizlet, if you want your result to be recorded, otherwise it is free of charge

I also want to connect each post with the previous lessons covering the same topic, so you can practise using different materials (which are hidden in this ten year old blog). So, let's start!

How Step by Step Serbian?

Let's start with the alphabets used in the Serbian language: Ćirilica and Latinica

First, you can read more about these two alphabets in the previous posts:

Listening and seeing both alphabets, published back in 2008 :)
Super easy guide to Serbian Cyrillic Script, from 2009
Switching from the Latin alphabet to the Cyrillic script and back, dated 2010

Once you are acquainted with the theoretical part, let's play:

Listening Comprehension in Serbian - Numbers

Marina Listening comprehension , listening comprehension skills

Practicing Numbers while Listening

Another exercise where your task is to jot down the numbers you hear while watching this funny add:

Listening Comprehension Numbers - Answer Key

Brojevi koje čujemo (they are written in white, just select them and you'll see the answers)

Vocabulary

Konotacije

držati se dobro (keep oneself fit/taking good care of oneself)
imati oko za nešto (have a keen/sharp eye)
broj 13 donosi nesreću (number 13 is unlucky)

Brojevi kao imenice

Numbers used as grades (at school, college, etc) behaving as nouns

jedan = jedinica
dva =dvojka
tri = trojka
četiri = četvorka
pet = petica
šest = šestica
sedam = sedmica
osam = osmica
devet = devetka
deset = desetka
jedanaest = jedanaestica

Listening and Reading Serbian

Marina intermediate Serbian , Listening comprehension

Unfortunately, there are too few Serbian videos with subtitles in Serbian. Whenever I come across one, I do my best to share it with you. I hope that with BBC in Serbian comeback, there will be more and more videos with subtitles covering interesting topics, like this one about how to live without waste = kako živeti bez otpada:

Serbian Intermediate - Listening Comprehension, King's Chicken

Marina intermediate Serbian , Listening comprehension

Besides a wonderful recipe for King's Chicken, you will hear three stories about the origin of this simple and tasty dish. Let's listen the following video first.

You can listen to the video as many times as you want, try to listen to it a bit slower (change speed to 0.75) and write down at least one short story on our joint Padlet :) Simply click twice on the background and start writing. There is no need for you to write your name! Have fun :)

Prva priča - link
Druga priča - link
Treća priča - link

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I really recommend Marina as an online teacher. She provides comprehensive lessons combining study and fun. You never know what to expect next so you never get bored. She's a professional who knows how to transfer knowledge to others.
Edita, Poland, 2008

She is the best teacher of Serbian as a Foreign Language! She is patient and loves teaching. I recommend Marina as teacher! Ioanna, Greece, 2009

I'm loving this course so far and am enjoying the examples. I like how much you learn in such a short time.
Mandy Southgate, South Africa, 2010

Marina is brilliant. Her classes are filled with a positive feeling atmosphere, which makes me feel comfortable and relaxed. I have thoroughly enjoyed our lessons, and thus have made noticeable and swift inroads with my progress. I look forward to many more lessons in the coming weeks. Vladan, Australia, 2011

The course is great and the teacher as well, the problem is on my side in relation with my availability, but marina has been always nice and professional in meeting my requests. i'd suggest this course to everyone who is interested in learning Serbian. Antonio , Italy, 2011

Marina's lessons are extremely well planned, highly interactive and challenging - I am making great progress with the Serbian lessons.
David, England, 2012

Marina is so flexible and helpful when you want to learn about a specific topic! She customizes the lessons to suit your needs and interests! She always makes me feel as though I am improving and I always feel challenged and excited for her classes - the classes always fly by!
Jayme, USA, 2013

Marina has been a fantastic teacher. She has taken me from knowing absolutely no Serbian and brought me to a level where I am excited to live and thrive in a country where they speak Serbian. I have recommended her and will continue to pass her name along for other students who are interested in learning. I look forward to continuing to keep in touch with her. Katie, USA, 2014

I have been working with Marina twice a week through Udemy since late August and LOVE her and all of her videos and classroom work through Udemy. It is so helpful to be able to log in at any time during the day or night and listen and watch her videos. She breaks each lesson down very well and makes it simple to learn and to interact and practice on my own before our classtime. I will highly recommend Marina to other friends as well as Udemy! Amanda, USA, 2015

Marina is a great teacher. She always supports me in everything I need. All my questions or doubts are immediately responded by her. I recommended this course and Marina!! Mirko Radović, Peru, 2016

I have worked with Marina as a teacher of Serbian for several years and highly recommend her based on her passion for Serbian and for language in general, as well as her total commitment to teaching and to her students. David, UK, 2017

Marina is an incredible teacher of Serbian language; she knows how to motivate a student, she is very resourceful, and uses a great variety of learning approaches. Hours spent with her are never dull. Highly recommended! Jana, Slovenia, 2018

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Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Useful Phrases when Learning Serbian

Monday, September 23, 2019

Step by Step Serbian