Serbian grammar - Exercises for beginners, part 2

Try to solve these exercises from Serbian grammar. When you finish, write to Serbian teacher online to check your answers.  

1. Make 'da li questions' by translating following sentences:

Are you well?

Is she pretty?

Am I your brother?

Are we going?

Are you professors?

Is he a good man?

Is she your child?

Are they here?

Am I from Venezuela?

Is it cold?

2. Write down regular verbs in present tense like in example:

SPAVATI – JA SPAVAM, TI SPAVAŠ, ON SPAVA, MI SPAVAMO, VI SPAVATE, ONI SPAVAJU

PLIVATI (TO SWIM) –

PEVATI (TO SING) –

STUDIRATI (TO STUDY)  –

PRAVITI (TO MAKE) –

VEČERATI (TO HAVE A DINNER)–

ČUVATI (TO KEEP) –

3. Fill in the blanks by correct possessive pronouns (several possibilities are correct): 

______ grad je Amsterdam.

______ država je SAD.

Da li je _____ ime Jelena?

Kako je ______ ime, gospodine?

Da li je _____ brat Marko?

Da li si ti _______ prijatelj?

4. Fill in the blanks with nouns in locative:  

1.     Živim u _________ (Beograd).

2.     Ona studira u _________ (Sarajevo).

3.     Ana na _________ (fakultet) predaje francuski jezik.

4.     Marko uživa u ________ (tenis), a Sanja u _________ (plivanje).

5.     Videćemo se sutra u _________ (Pariz).

6.     Đaci uče u _______ (škola).

7.     Aleksandar je vrlo uspešan u ______ (sport).

8.     Glumica učestvuje u _________ (predstava).

9.      U ______ (kuća) se nalaze Anina deca, ona sede na ________ (krevet).

If you want to get more exercises from Serbian grammar, or you are curious how to learn Serbian online with a help of Serbian teacher, send me an email to kratkeprice@gmail.com .

Ako želite da unapredite svoje znanje srpskog jezika, ili znate nekoga ko želi da počne da uči "od nule" naš lepi jezik, pišite mi na navedenu adresu.

Lidija Novaković Lagrini

Test Your Level of Serbian Language

Find out if you are a beginner, intermediate or an advanced learner of Serbian language. Test your knowledge. 

This test contains questions from Serbian grammar, vocabulary and comprehension. 

Take a deep breath, concentrate, and start with answering the first one of the 40 questions. 

After finishing the test, read the solutions, and find out what is your level of Serbian language. 

1. The color of lemon is:

a) ljubičasta
b) roze
c) žuta
d) crvena

2. Which one from these numbers is number 702 ?   

a) sedamdeset dva    

b) sedam dva   

c) sedamdesetsto dva     

d) sedamsto dva 

3. What is on the picture:

a) pljeskavica     

b) lice    
c) voz    
d) radio

4. How we say "Good morning" in Serbian: 

a) Dobar dan   

b) Dobro jutro   

c) Dobro veče      

d) Dobra noć

5. Family members are:

a) sin, broj, stolica   

b) otac, kupatilo, majka    

c) otac, majka, sin    

d) sunce, sin, mesec

6. What may we say when we are leaving the room (informal): 

a) Ćao!  

b) Dobro jutro. 

c) Gladan sam.  

d) Pijem vino.

7. How may you introduce yourself: 

a) Ja se zovem Ana.   

b) Ti se zoveš Sanja.   

c) Oni se prezivaju Marković.   

d) On je Marko.

8. What are parts of the face: 

a) oči, ruke, noge     

b) oči, obraz, noge    

c) oči, usta, nos    

d) oči, telefon, sunce

9. What is the Serbian expression for "Have a good trip!":

    

a) Dobar dan!   

b) Laku noć!   

c) Dobro jutro!    

d) Srećan put!

10. Which sentence is correct: 

a) Nesam znao da li ona zna.  

b) Nisam znao dali ona zna.  

c) Nisam znao da li ona zna.   

d) Ni sam znao da li ona zna.

11.  Read the sentence and answer the question about it: 

Sutra uveče, posle fudbalske utakmice, moja sestra Ana, moj drug Marko i ja idemo kod njegovog brata Petra i nosimo mu poklon - malog psa Žuću. 

What are Marko and Petar to each other ?

12.  Which conjugation of verb "govoriti" is correct:  

a) govorem, govoreš, govore, govoremo, govorete, govorete    

b) govorem, govoreš, govore, govoremo, govorete, govore    

c) govorum, govoro, govoro, govoren, govoreni, govor   

d) govorim, govoriš, govori, govorimo, govorite, govore

13. What is Serbian word for verb 'to think': 

a) bežati  

b) pričati   

c) misliti    

d) učiti

14. Choose the correct translation of sentence 'I learn Serbian and I have lots of Serbian friends' : 

a) Ja učiš srpski i nemam puno srpskih prijatelja.   

b) Ti učiš srpski i imaš malo srpskih prijatelja.   

c) Oni ne uče srpski, ali imaju srpske prijatelje.     

d) Ja učim srpski i imam puno srpskih prijatelja.

15. What do you see on the picture: 

a) banane, kivi, grožđe   

b) gibanica, burek, grožđe     

c) pljeskavica, sarma, grožđe    

d) luk, paprika, grožđe

16. Correct the mistakes in a sentence (two correct answers are possible) :  

Ja živimo u Novi Sad, a moja roditelji živeju u Rim. 

17. Fill in the blanks with correct forms of possessive pronouns: 

Ova knjiga je ______ (ja). 

________ (mi) prijatelji dolaze na ručak. 

18. Fill in the blanks with correct forms of adjective 'dobar' :    

______ dete, _______  devojčica, _______ čovek. 

19. Put the following sentence into negative form: 

Ja volim Anu, ona je dobra devojka. 

20. Which conjugation of verb "želeti" is correct: 

a) želem, želeš, žele, želemo, želete, žele    

b) želim, želiš, želi, želimo, želite, želeju     

c)  želem, želeš, žele, želemo, želete, želeju     

d) želim, želiš, želi, želimo, želite, žele

21. Which sentence about this picture is true:

a) Jabuka je zelena. 

b) Dve knjige su otvorene. 

c) U čaši je vino.    

d) Na stolu je vaza sa cvećem. 

22. Read the dialog and answer the question about it: 

- Konobar, želela bih da naručim. - Dobar dan, izvolite, šta biste želeli? - Donesite mi bečku šniclu sa pomfritom i čašu belog vina. - Odmah.  

       

Where may you hear this dialog?   

a) u pekari     

b) u učionici     

c) u noćnom klubu     

d) u restoranu 

23. Which plural of word 'grad' is correct:   

 

a) građi    

b) gradi     

c) gradovi     

d) građovi 

24. What time is it:

a) pet do dva  

b) dva i pet   

c) dva i deset 

d) petnaest do dva

25. Write the following sentence in future tense (two correct solutions are possible): 

Otac čita novine.

26. Which translation of the sentence 'Are you well?' is correct:  

a) Da li si dobro?    

b) Da li su oni u školi?    

c) Da li su oni dobro?    

d) Da li je on lud?

27. Which from these words we may use when we talk about weather: 

a) kiša, narod, brat    

b) sunce, kiša, mesec      

c) sunce, kiša, oluja    

d) poplava, kiša, mesec 

28. Which tense is used in sentence 'U parku sam srela druga iz detinjstva.'  

a) past tense   

b) present tense   

c) infinitive    

d) future tense 

29. Which question word should be at the beginning of the following sentence: 

______  kilograma sira želite? 

a) gde   

b) koliko  

c) ko   

d) kada

30. Write down words for at least 7 objects from the picture.

31. Write down two synonyms  for verb 'govoriti'. 

32. Which from these verbs are modal verbs: imati, hodati, moći, spavati, morati, pevati, hteti. 

33. Conjugate verb 'putovati'.

34. Which objects may be in a classroom:    

a) tabla, kompjuter, klupa    

b) krevet, tabla, frižider    

c) šporet, kompjuter, kada     

d) auto, tabla, klupa 

35. Finish the sentence with a correct case of noun 'majka' : 

Idem u šetnju sa ________ .               

36. Translate the idiom 'In the middle of nowhere' : 

a) Ko drugome jamu kopa, sam u nju upada.   

b) Minut je do dvanaest.    

c) Bogu iza leđa.     

d) Ko se poslednji smeje, najslađe se smeje. 

37. Write the following sentence in past tense in masculine gender (there are several possibilities of correct answers): 

Sedim na klupi i posmatram prolaznike. 

38. In which sentence is the word "otac" used in a correct case:  

a) Kupujem oca knjigu.  

b) Kupujem ocu knjigu. 

c) Kupujem otcu knjigu.   

g) Kupujem oču knjigu. 

39. Which sentence is correct: 

a) Ja ću živeti u Beogradu.   

b) Jaću živeti u Beograda.    

c) Ja ću živeti u Beograda.    

d) Ja ću živeti u Beograd.

40. Read the text and answer the question about it:   

Kada je bila na prvoj godini fakulteta, Marija još uvek nije imala dečka. Prvo se zaljubila u Gorana, ali on nije osećao isto, tako da među njima ničeg nije bilo. Marija se veoma dopala Marku, drugu iz razreda, ali bila je ravnodušna. Posle toga upoznala je Ivana i započeli su vezu. To je bilo zanimljivo, ali trajalo je samo nekoliko meseci. Dugu vezu imala je tek nekoliko godina kasnije, sa Bojanom, kolegom sa fakulteta. 

Who is Marija's first boyfriend?

INTERPRETATION OF THE TEST: Every correct answer brings you 1 point. (There is no option of getting 0,5 points for partially solved questions. Only full answers counts.) 

LEVELS: 

BEGINNER 1-10 correct answers 

INTERMEDIATE 11-30 correct answers 

ADVANCED 31-40 correct answers

CORRECT ANSWERS:

1) c)

2) d)

3) b)

4) b)

5) c) 

6) a)

7) a)

8) c)

9) d)

10) c)

11) brothers

12) d)

13) c)

14) d)

15) a)

16) Ja živim u Novom Sadu, a moji roditelji žive u Rimu. / Mi živimo u Novom Sadu, a moji roditelji žive u Rimu.

17) moja,  naši

18)  dobro dete,  dobra devojčica, dobar čovek. 

19) Ja ne volim Anu, ona nije dobra devojka. 

20) d)

21) b)

22) d)

23) c)

24) a)

25) Otac će čitati novine. / Čitaće otac novine.

26) a)

27) c)

28) a)

29) b)

30) kada, wc šolja (toalet šolja), prozor, stolica, veš mašina, radni sto, ormar (orman), lampa, frižider, tepih, šporet, sudopera, kauč (sofa), stolica, vrata

31) pričati, razgovarati, izgovarati, reći, kazati (there are also correct further synonyms such as šaputati, brbljati, etc.) 

32) moći, morati, hteti

33) putujem, putuješ, putuje, putujemo, putujete, putuju

34) a)

35) majkom

36) c)

37) Sedeo sam na klupi i posmatrao sam prolaznike. / Sedeo sam na klupi i posmatrao prolaznike. / Ja sam sedeo na klupi i posmatrao sam prolaznike. / Ja sam sedeo na klupi i posmatrao prolaznike.

38) b)

39) a)

40) Ivan

Be free to comment the test results, your opinion is important. 

If you want to find out more about learning Serbian online , or about any other Serbian language issue, you may write me here .

Serbian teacher online,

Lidija Novaković Lagrini

Swearing in Serbian Language – Psovke u srpskom jeziku

In this post I will translate and explain few Serbian common swearwords.

If you think that this is a trivial topic, I will remind you of a great reformer of Serbian language in 19^th century, Vuk Stefanović Karadžić. He was also very much interested in swearwords, and gave to this topic lot of attention in his first Serbian dictionary from 1818^th. He also collected and published erotic-porn oral folk poetry in a book ‘Crven ban’ (‘Red Duke’).

Swearwords throw interesting light on a language and they often carry metaphorical potential. I hope you will agree with me after reading this post. I am looking forward to hear your comments.  

But please, if you find swearwords and writing about them offensive or inappropriate, stop reading this text. Switch to some text about Stanoraya and Farm, or about terrorism, thank you.

’Marš u pičku materinu!’

This one is in use when you are really angry at somebody and you are right (at least you are strongly convinced that you are right).

Word ‘marš’ means – ‘go away!’ but said in a very harsh tone of voice.

The whole expression means – ‘Go back into your mother’s cunt!’ Metaphorically speaking – it would be better that you have never been born.

This curse might be sometimes used in a totally opposite way, as a joke, with meaning – ‘C’mon, you don’t say!’

‘Jebem ti krvavo sunce!’

This one is my favorite because I never understood who would say something like that about the Sun.

It literally means – ‘I fuck your bloody Sun.’

Can you imagine the scene? A guy is putting his phallus into the shiny star covered with blood. Pretty impressive, right?

‘Jebaću ti brata/sestru/oca/majku!’

‘I will fuck your brother/sister/father/mother!’

By these swearwords somebody is expressing intention to break the ancient taboo – taboo of incest. Verb ‘jebati’ (‘to fuck’) is often used in swearwords with violent connotation. It sounds more as a treat than as an act of giving and receiving pleasure.

Future tense is used, so, this swearword sounds like a promise. Very offensive one. 

‘Jebem ti i seme i pleme’

‘I fuck your seed and your tribe.’

These swearwords are taking us to the ancient time of tribes. We may interpret them as – I am so angry at you that I want to fuck (read ‘hurt’) your beginning (your seed) and your ancestors (your tribe), so, I want to go into the time before you were born and to… We can only imagine what would have happened further. Inventor of this curse went far away; his idea belongs to the science fiction. 

‘Bog te jebo!’

‘May God fuck you!’

(There is also an opposite version to this one – Jebem ti Boga – I fuck your God.) This expression is not an insult; it is used to express our astonishment by something.

‘To je pičkin dim.’

This expression means – ‘That is an easy accomplishment’ or literally ‘That is a cunt’s smoke’. Why is cunt’s smoke easy and irrelevant, or is it relevant, what does it symbolize - we may only guess. According to the funny web dictionary ‘Vukajlija’ – pičkin dim does not actually exist in a real life (even if some people have been searching for it). The expression is compound word, made from ‘pička’ and ‘dim’ (first word has two meanings - 'weak man'/'cunt', and smoke); both words symbolize something weak and easy to go through, without obstacles.

We mentioned collection of erotic-porn poetry, published by Vuk Stefanović Karadžić two centuries ago, the book ‘Crven ban’ (‘Red Duke’). The title is a metaphor for sexual organ, as you might assume. Some of the poems, full of swearwords, you may hear here. It's an interesting poetry, I hope you will enjoy it. 

Read more about Serbian swearwords in texts Fuck this article and Serbian Swearing .

And let’s finish this post with an old joke:

- Do you know where is the border between Serbia and Montenegro?

- It is where you stop fucking mothers and start fucking fathers!

Swearwords are vivid part of the Serbian language, they are in common use and they are changing, just like the language.

Lidija Novaković Lagrini

For everything else you want to know about this topic, or how to learn Serbian online with a help of a Serbian teacher, send me an email to kratkeprice@gmail.com.

Ako želite da unapredite svoje znanje srpskog jezika, ili znate nekoga ko želi da počne da uči "od nule" naš lepi jezik, pišite mi na navedenu adresu.

Make an online appointment

Useful Phrases in Serbian language

Here are some useful phrases which you may use in everyday life.  

Dobar dan. 

Kako ste? 

Nije loše. 

Hvala, dobro sam. 

Izvinite gospodine, gde je ulica Majke Jevrosime? 

Izvinite, koliko je sati? 

Dajte mi dve karte do Novog Sada. 

Doviđenja. 

Konobar, želela bih da naručim. 

Ko je ona lepa devojka? 

Hvala puno. 

Vozite me na adresu Majke Jevrosime 32. 

Izvinite, gde je železnička stanica? 

Izvini devojko, gde je stanica autobusa broj 16? 

Da. 

Ne. 

Ja nisam odavde. 

Ja sam student. 

Moja adresa je Majke Jevrosime 32. 

Ja sam Ana. Imam 36 godina. 

Prijatno! 

Kako se ti zoveš? 

Zovem se Marko. 

Drago mi je. 

Srećan rođendan! 

Srećan put! 

Živeli! 

Dobro došli! 

Ja učim srpski jezik.  

For everything else you want to know about this topic, or how to learn Serbian online with a help of a Serbian teacher, send me an email to kratkeprice@gmail.com.

Ako želite da unapredite svoje znanje srpskog jezika, ili znate nekoga ko želi da počne da uči "od nule" naš lepi jezik, pišite mi na navedenu adresu.

Make an online appointment

Learn Serbian online with
Lidija Novakovic Lagrini

Top Ten Reasons to Learn Serbian

Top 10 razloga za učenje srpskog jezika

My job is to teach Serbian as a foreign language and very often I hear the question: 'Sorry, but why would someone learn Serbian?' Hmm... Ok, you asked for this post.

1) To be able to understand Balkan sense of humor 

People on the Balkans make jokes about everything and everyone. Nobody is so fast to invent a joke and to react in a new situation with humor as Serbians and Bosnians. These jokes are sharp, witty and hilarious, and trust me, you would be rolling on the floor laughing. 

2) Balkan people will appreciate your effort 

Doesn't matter if you are only a beginner and if your pronunciation is far from good - Balkan people will appreciate the fact that you are putting an effort to learn their language. 

Nobody will switch to English while you are trying to speak Serbian, nobody will laugh at you. You will get lots of support, help and smiles.

3) To be able to order delicious Balkan food

If you want to eat in a restaurant and you are able to order by yourself: pljeskavica sa kajmakom, burek, sarma, jagnjeći kotleti, ćevapčići, teleći škembići, čvarci, musaka sa mlevenim mesom, proja, sarmice od zelja, punjene paprike, svadbarski kupus sa dimljenim mesom, pileći paprikaš, pihtije, ajvar, pasulj sa kobasicama, jagnjetina pod sačem ... mmmm... your pleasure will be doubled.

4) To learn easier other Slavic languages

If you already know Serbian, it will be much easier for you to learn some other Slavic language: Belorussian, Russian, Ukrainian, Czech, Slovakian, Polish, Bulgarian, Macedonian, Slovenian, etc. 

There are many similarities in vocabulary. Also, these languages have cases as in Serbian. 

5) To open a startup company on the Balkans

Yes, it's true what people say - paperwork is too complicated and some things (Pay Pall for instance) are not working the way you are used to. But it doesn't mean that startup company on the Balkans is not a good idea.

Some business areas are not developed enough (for example: consultant services, internet banking, ecological tourism... - you do the research, I am a Serbian teacher, not an economist) and that might be a great business opportunity. Discover what is missing and start your own company.

Of course, knowledge of Serbian language would be a great advantage.

6) To read Serbian writers in original

Maybe we don't have a good marketing for our culture, but we have some of the best writers in a world. You might say that I am subjective about it, but I am firmly standing behind my opinion. 

Primarily I am talking about the writers between two world wars (in the age of vanguard) and about some contemporary writers.

Miloš Crnjanski, Borisav Pekić, Isidora Sekulić, Rastko Petrović, Momčilo Nastasijević, Rade Drainac, Ivo Andrić, Milorad Pavić, Danilo Kiš, Vasko Popa, Miodrag Bulatović, Vladimir Pištalo, Jelena Lengold, Branko Miljković, Petar Petrović Njegoš... And then some!

7) To understand languages of other Balkan nations

If you speak and understand Serbian, you will be able to understand perfectly someone from Bosnia, Croatia, Monte Negro, and pretty much someone from Macedonia. Another four countries, ain't it enough ?

I won't go now into polemic if Serbian and Croatian are one the same language or two separate languages (I will just whisper into your ear - it is one language). The differences among them are probably not bigger than differences between British and American English. 

Understanding is important. So, if you want more understanding on the Balkans, learn Serbian. 

As an old Serbian proverb says: Speak Serbian if you want to be understood by the whole world. (?!) 

8) To talk with Serbian farmers

If you, by any chance, find yourself in some distant Serbian village, local people will be very excited to talk with you, because they don't have an opportunity to talk with foreigners very often. Of course, they probably don't speak any other language but Serbian. So, if you don't speak Serbian, with all help of arms and legs, you won't be able to communicate much. 

If you speak even a little bit of Serbian, you will be surprised how witty and wisdom words you may hear from these people. 
About corn field, about nature, about life. 

9) Number of Serbian language speakers is higher than 12 million people 

Not an negligible number, isn't it? According to estimation of respectful linguist Ranko Bugarski.   

10) Find your own personal reason

a) To experience Serbian clubbing (Though, for this activity language is not really necessary. You also may just have a drink or two and move your hips in a rhythm. But it's nicer if you are able to communicate with all these great young people.)
b) To touch Slavic soul - soul of a nation is in its language...
c) To finally understand what is Goran Bregovic singing about (which is not easy even when you are a native speaker).
d) To brag in front of your friends that you know how to read the exotic alphabet - Cyrillic.
e) To know how to swear in Serbian - everybody loves to hear and to repeat these.
f) To be able to say to your love: Ti si moja duša i srce!
g) You tell me.


Lidija Novakovic Lagrini






For everything else you want to know about this topic, or how to learn Serbian online with a help of a Serbian teacher, send me an email to kratkeprice@gmail.com.

Ako želite da unapredite svoje znanje srpskog jezika, ili znate nekoga ko želi da počne da uči "od nule" naš lepi jezik, pišite mi na navedenu adresu.




Make an online appointment

Fruits in Serbian language

Learn Serbian by watching short videos made by Serbian teacher online. The theme of this video are names for the fruits. They are written in Cyrillic and Serbian Latin. 

Let me know if you liked this video clip and what theme would you like to see in next one. 

For everything else you want to know about this topic, or how to learn Serbian online with a help of a Serbian teacher, send me an email to kratkeprice@gmail.com.

Ako želite da unapredite svoje znanje srpskog jezika, ili znate nekoga ko želi da počne da uči "od nule" naš lepi jezik, pišite mi na navedenu adresu.

your Serbian teacher online,

Lidija Novaković Lagrini

Make an online appointment

How to Introduce Yourself in Serbian Language - Video

INTRODUCTIONS AND GREETINGS IN SERBIAN LANGUAGE - VIDEO

When you start to learn Serbian, the first step is to learn how you may introduce yourself to somebody, in the family, at the party, or in some official occasion. With a help of Serbian teacher, this should be a piece of cake for you. 

First, take a look at the video:

In Serbian, you may introduce yourself in a several ways:

1)    Ja se zovem Ana. / Zovem se Ana. (I am called Ana.)
2)    Ja sam Ana. (I am Ana.)
3)    Moje ime je Ana.  / Ime mi je Ana. (My name is Ana.)

You may ask someone to introduce himself:

1)    Kako se ti zoveš? (How are you called?)
2)    Kako je tvoje ime? (What is your name?)
3)    Kako se Vi zovete?
4)    Kako je Vaše ime? (The last two have the same meaning as 1 and 2, but it's better to use 3 and 4 as the expressions of respect; In grammar this is called T-V distinction)

After introduction you might say:

1)    Drago mi je. (Nice to meet you. / I am glad.)

Greetings when you are entering the room:

1)    Zdravo. (Hi.)
2)    Ćao. (Ciao.)
3)    Dobar dan. / Dobro jutro. / Dobro veče. (Good afternoon. / Good morning. / Good evening. – more formal expressions than 1) and 2) )  

Greetings when you are leaving the room:

1)    Zdravo. (Bye.)
2)    Ćao. (Ciao.)
3)    Doviđenja. (Goodbye.)
4)    Vidimo se. (See you.) 

Good luck!

For everything else you want to know about this topic, or how to learn Serbian online with a help of a Serbian teacher, send me an email to kratkeprice@gmail.com.

Ako želite da unapredite svoje znanje srpskog jezika, ili znate nekoga ko želi da počne da uči "od nule" naš lepi jezik, pišite mi na navedenu adresu.


Lidija Novaković Lagrini,

Make an online appointment

Basic Serbian for Adults - 5 Free Lessons

'Basic Serbian for Adults' is a material for beginners who want to learn Serbian language. It's meant to be used with a help of Serbian teacher, but some of the exercises are also suitable for individual learning. 

When you want to learn Serbian language, internet doesn't offer you so many options, even if we have many excellent teachers in our country. Quality material for learning Serbian is not so easily accessible online. 

You may visit website with the good grammar explanations here or colorful blog Slovce here with different contents. 

Besides that, I sincerely don't have other good options to recommend. If you know some other good websites for learning Serbian, feel free to post links in comments bellow. 

I am a Serbian teacher for many years in schools and online. To spread our beautiful language around the world is my personal and national interest. 

The material which you may find in this post contains pictures, exercises and grammar rules, and it's meant to be used with a help of Serbian teacher.

In first five lessons we are learning about:

1) Pronunciation of Serbian letters 

2) Family members

3) Introductions and greetings in Serbian language 

4) Personal pronouns in Serbian

5) Verb 'zvati se'

6) Auxiliary verb 'jesam'

7) Body parts

8) How to say time in Serbian

9) Colors

10) Present tense of regular verbs 

11) Verb 'nisam'

12) Numbers, days, months in Serbian language

Basic Serbian for Adults-lessons 1-5

Ako ste početnik u učenju srpskog jezika, nema puno kvalitetnog materijala za učenje dostupnog onlajn. Ima nekoliko kvalitetnih blogova i sajtova, i to je sve.
Materijal koji možete preuzeti na ovoj strani predviđen je da se koristi uz pomoć nastavnika. Neka od vežbanja su takođe pogodna za samostalno učenje.

Enjoy in learning Serbian!

Lidija Novaković Lagrini

Make an online appointment

How to Learn Serbian Cyrillic

You have learned Serbian language for quite a while and you are an advanced learner. You have a Serbian teacher, or you are searching for one. If you already know how to speak and write Serbian Latin, now is the right time for Cyrillic! ЋИРИЛИЦА is not very difficult, you will see.

Take a look at these letters, aren't they adorable?



Some of them are rounded (О, С, Ф, З), some are partially rounded (Б, В, Ђ, Љ, Њ, Р, Ћ, Ч and most of the small letters) and some look like the laid matches (Г, К, М, Н, П, Т, Х, Ц, Џ, Ш).

In my long experience as a Serbian teacher, I used to see the letters as pictures.


When you find yourself on the streets of Serbia, if you don't know Cyrillic, you might have a problem to read the street's name. Even if you do learn Serbian. That is not the strict rule, some streets have also boards with names in Latin alphabet. But don't be surprised if you have just bought a map with street names in Latin letters, and the signs and boards around you are mostly in Cyrillic. Welcome to СРБИЈА :)

If you don't want to get lost...

That is definitely not the main reason to start to learn Serbian Cyrillic.

There are numerous reasons to learn this beautiful alphabet, with or without help of Serbian teacher. We'll go back to that little bit later. Let's first take a look at...

Some facts about the Cyrillic

1) Besides word 'ćirilica' we also use the term 'azbuka'. Those two words are synonyms.

Serbian teacher in primary school more often uses term 'azbuka'.

2) Cyrillic is an official alphabet in schools and other institutions in Serbia.

3) Cyrillic has 30 letters.

4) Cyrillic was created most likely at the end of the 9th and at the beginning of the 10th century.

5) It's named by Cyril, Christian missionary from Thessaloniki.

6) Cyril and Methodius are famous brothers who were on the mission to spread Christianity among the Slavic tribes. Both of them had an impact to the emergence of Cyrillic, the same as their students and followers - Clement and Naum.


So much about history. Let's see now what are the main...

Reasons for learning Cyrillic

- Well, we have already drawn your attention to the graphic beauty of this alphabet. For me, as a Serbian teacher, it always had its uniqueness.

- Very important reason for learning Cyrillic is that it is not only used in Serbia, but also in many other countries. Let's just mention some of them: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Monte Negro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Bulgaria, and also in many countries of non Slavic nations, in Asia. It's not absolutely the same version of Cyrillic in use in all of these countries, but similarities are huge.


So, if you learn Serbian Cyrillic, it will be much easier for you to learn one of these languages, or at least to understand street signs in many countries.

- Cyrillic (or Azbuka) is a perfect alphabet. Now you must be wondering - why?

Because there is always a match between one letter and one sound. On example, the letter Ж will always be the graphic sign for one specific sound, in any word, without exception. The same goes for all the other letters of Cyrillic.

And now the most important:

How to learn Serbian Cyrillic

I have already presumed that you know Serbian Latin alphabet from before.

That is the right way to learn Serbian - to start from what is already familiar. First you learn to communicate, then to write Latin Serbian letters. And then is the perfect moment for - ЋИРИЛИЦА.

By the way, synonym for version of Latin alphabet which we use on Balkans is 'Abeceda.'

Let's now look at the letters of Abeceda:



You are already noticing some similarities among these alphabets? Take a better look:



Pictures are taken from the blogs Slovce and Au sto je skola zgodna, with permission of authors, and you might fine some other useful materials there.

What is absolutely the same between Cyrillic and Latin alphabet?

1) They both have 30 letters.

2) The letters: A, E, J, K, M, O, T. (There are some minor differences in small letters, but capitals are absolutely the same.)

You see, even if you don't learn Serbian at all, you already know 25% of the Cyrillic.

What is similar?

This might be a little bit confusing, but also might be helping:

- letter B in Cyrillic is the letter for the same sound as V in Latin; (examples ВИНО - VINO)

- letter C in Cyrillic is the letter for he same sound as S in Latin; (examples СУНЦЕ - SUNCE)

- letter H in Cyrillic is the letter for he same sound as N in Latin; (examples НОГА - NOGA)

- letter P in Cyrillic is the letter for he same sound as R in Latin; (examples РУКА - RUKA)

- letter X in Cyrillic is the letter for he same sound as H in Latin; (examples ХВАЛА - HVALA)

There is a big resemblance between some of Cyrillic letters and some objects beginning with that letter.

Pay attention to the letter Ж. It looks exactly as ЖАБА (a frog).

And У looks very much alike УДИЦА (a hook).

Visualization always helps, so, try to memorize the rest of the letters by connecting them with the suitable objects. For finding good objects for learning, use a help of Serbian teacher.

Serbian teacher online

When you start your search for learning materials and for the suitable Serbian teacher, you will notice that the offer is a little bit limited, unfortunately. Not so many good websites or teachers are offered. At least, looking from the Google's eye.

I can speak for mmyself that I am a Serbian teacher with wide experience. For more than 14 years I have worked with different generations who have learned Serbian online or in schools. I had a chance to help many students to learn Serbian, in Serbian schools and in schools abroad. To be online Serbian teacher is a unique experience.

When somebody sees the Cyrillic for the first time, to him it might look exotic and difficult. But actually it's not. Because it's based on similar graphic solutions as Latin alphabet.

How can Serbian teacher help you in learning Cyrillic?

Learning new alphabet is similar to learning new painting technique. We start from the beginning - by drawing lines and patterns. By time, with a Serbian teacher's assistance, student feels more confident and liberates his hand.

At the end, these are some famous quotations by poets and novelists who wrote in Cyrillic alphabet. And it's up to you to learn ЋИРИЛИЦА so you might be able to fully understand these words of wisdom :)

СТРАХ ЖИВОТУ КАЉА ОБРАЗ ЧЕСТО.
НАЈЛЕПШЕ ЧУДО СВЕТА, СКУПИ СЕ УЗ МЕНЕ И ЋУТИ.
ЧУДНО ЈЕ КАКО ЈЕ МАЛО ПОТРЕБНО ДА БУДЕМО СРЕЋНИ, И ЈОШ ЧУДНИЈЕ КАКО НАМ ЧЕСТО БАШ ТО МАЛО НЕДОСТАЈЕ.

Good luck!

For everything else you want to know about this topic, or how to learn Serbian online with a help of a Serbian teacher, send me an email to kratkeprice@gmail.com .
Make an online appointment

Ako želite da unapredite svoje znanje srpskog jezika, ili znate nekoga ko želi da počne da uči "od nule" naš lepi jezik, pišite mi na navedenu adresu.

Lidija Novaković Lagrini

Body parts - Delovi tela

Learn Serbian words for the body parts with a help of Serbian teacher. 

Научите српске називе за делове тела уз помоћ онлајн наставника.

When we compare Slavic and Germanic languages, we may notice a big difference between words for body parts in these two groups of languages.

Serbian language compared to English is not an exception. But if you are determinate to learn Serbian with a help of Serbian teacher, we may together find some solutions for easier memorizing. 

Take a look at the picture of the boy. The only similar words are NOS - NOSE, all the other words sound differently. Some of them have not very easy pronunciation for the beginners in Serbian, because of the "difficult letters" , - ŠAKA, KOŽA, ČLANAK, NOŽNI PRST. Most of these words sound sharp and melodious - LAKAT, BRADA, VRAT, PETA, OKO.

Visualization is always helpful for memorizing. So, I hope that this young boy with a ball will be your helper in learning Serbian, before he jumps into the swimming pool.

For everything else you want to know about this topic, or how to learn Serbian online with a help of a Serbian teacher, send me an email to kratkeprice@gmail.com . 

Kada uporedimo slovenske i germanske jezike, primetićemo velike razlike u nazivima za delove tela u ove dve jezičke grupe. 

Srpski i engleski jezik nisu izuzetak od ovog generalnog zapažanja. 

Pogledajte sliku dečaka. Jedine slične reči su NOS - NOSE, sve ostale reči zvuče potpuno drugačije. Neke od njih nisu lake za izgovor početnicima u srpskom jeziku uglavnom zbog takozvanih "teških slova". Ali većina ovih reči koje koristimo za delove tela zvučne su i pamtljive. 

Vizuelizacija je uvek velika pomoć u pamćenju novih reči i uopšte u učenju stranog jezika. Tako da se nadam da će ovaj dečak sa loptom biti Vaš pomagač u učenju srpskog jezika, pre nego što skoči u bazen. 

Ako želite da unapredite svoje znanje srpskog jezika, ili znate nekoga ko želi da počne da uči "od nule" naš lepi jezik, pišite mi na navedenu imejl adresu.


Lidija Novaković Lagrini

Make an online appointment

LEARN SERBIAN ONLINE - TEACHING METHOD AND LEARNING MATERIAL

Do you already have experience with online learning? It's getting more and more popular for many reasons. If you want to learn Serbian online, you will get plenty of FREE material and you will have lots of help by Serbian teacher online. 

Teaching method

Before every lesson your Serbian teacher, and that would be me, sends the learning material to your email.

When the lesson starts, we work on the material together, via Skype. You also get homework every time.

We read, discuss grammar, you are doing written and oral exercises, we practice pronunciation, expand vocabulary, etc.

It's very similar to alive lesson. Maybe it's even more direct and more efficient to learn Serbian this way, because we are active the whole time, without distractions. 

In lessons I use Serbian and English language (and a little bit of Dutch if it's needed). 

Learning material

The only thing you need is - Skype, which I believe that you already have.

The rest is provided by me and it's FREE.

Material for every lesson consists of 10-15 documents: word documents, pictures, links, videos, etc. 

It's age-appropriate and adjusted to your level. 

You will get: grammar lessons; writing, listening, reading and speaking exercises; stories and poems; interesting links; images for description; topics for conversation, etc.

If you are a child, I will send you more entertaining contents - cartoons, pictures, videos, and we will learn Serbian in funny and easy way.


Good luck in learning Serbian with help of Serbian teacher online!

Nastavni metod i materijal:

Pre svake lekcije, dobijate na svoju imejl adresu materijal za učenje.

Tokom lekcije, zajedno sa onlajn nastavnikom, koristite nastavni materijal i radite razne vrste vežbanja (čitanje, pisanje, slušanje, izgovor), razgovarate o raznim temama, opisujete slike, radite gramatičke lekcije, itd. Uvek dobijete i domaći zadatak. Materijal je prilagođen Vašem uzrastu i nivou znanja.

Sav nastavni materijal je BESPLATAN. 

Lidija Novaković Lagrini

Make an online appointment