The Origins Of The Serbian Language

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Bilingual Post: English – Serbian

1. The Origins Of The Serbian Language

Serbian language is the official language used in Serbia, and it belongs to the South Slavic group of languages. South Slavic group is a part of larger of Slavic branch languages, and this is again a part of the Indo-European language family. This language was used in the former republic of Yugoslavia, and since then it has developed in few directions so today we have Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian languages.

Poreklo srpskog jezika

Srpski jezik je zvanični jezik u upotrebi u Srbiji i pripada Južno Slovenskoj grupi jezika. Južno Slovenska grupa je deo veće Slovenske grane jezika, a ona je pak deo Indo-Evropska porodica jezika. Ovaj jezik se koristio u bivšoj republici Jugoslaviji, i od tada se razvio u više pravaca pa danas imamo Srpski, Hrvatski, Bosanski jezik.

The origins of the Serbian language goes all the way to 1300 BC when it was used mostly for church and religious needs. Monks Cyril and Methodius worked on this language in the 9th century and made it more approachable for everyday use and people. They are still mentioned and honored today, as one of the most important people who made the Serbian language survive. They created an alphabet known as Glagolitic, and it was later changed to Cyrillic in the 12th century.

Poreklo srpskog jezika seže sve do 1300. godine pre nove ere kada je korišćen uglavnom za crkvene i verske potrebe. Monasi Ćirilo i Metodije su radili na ovom jeziku u devetom veku i prilagodili ga svakodnevnim potrebama ljudi. Ovi monasi se i danas pominju i poštuju kao jedni od najvažnijih ljudi koji su omogućili opstanak Srpskog jezika. Oni su napravili alfabet po imenu Glagoljica, koja je kasnije promenjena u Ćirilicu u dvanaestom veku.

2. Vuk Karadžić and the Serbian language reform

In the 19th century Serbian language underwent a significant transformation. Vuk Karadžić, one of the most famous linguists in Serbian history, modernized the Serbian language and brought it closer to common folk speech. Karadžić’s language reform also created the modern Serbian alphabet we use today, known as Azbuka.

Vuk Karadžić i reforma srpskog jezika

Srpski jezik je u 19. veku doživeo značajnu transformaciju. Vuk Karadžić, jedan od najpoznatijih lingvista u srpskoj istoriji, modernizovao je srpski jezik i približio ga običnom narodnom govoru. Karadžićeva jezička reforma stvorila je i savremeno srpsko pismo koje danas koristimo, poznato kao azbuka.

Vuk introduced the single letters lj, nj, đ, ć and replaced the old diagrams [lь], [nь], [dь], [tь] making the new Azbuka easier to write.

Vuk je uveo pojedinačna slova lj, nj, đ, ć i zamenio stare dijagrame [lь], [nь], [dь], [tь] čime je nova Azbuka postala lakša za pisanje.

3. The use of Cyrillic and Latin alphabet today

Serbian Language has two alphabets, and both, Cyrillic and Latin alphabet, are officially used in Serbia today. Serbian people read and write in both alphabets simultaneously because they are both mandatory parts of education. However, in everyday lives, Serbian people tend to use the Latin alphabet more because of its practicality and convenience.

Upotreba ćirilice i latinice danas

Srpski jezik ima dva pisma i danas se u Srbiji zvanično koriste i oba, ćirilica i latinica. Srpski narod čita i piše istovremeno oba pisma jer su obavezan deo obrazovanja. Međutim, u svakodnevnom životu srpski narod više koristi latinicu zbog njene praktičnosti i pogodnosti.

Cyrillic alphabet is usually the first thing a foreign person would notice in Serbia, and while it can be confusing at first it is quite easy and logical to learn. This is also one of the similarities with Russian languages because they tend to use this kind of alphabet too.

Ćirilično pismo je obično prva stvar koju stranci primate u Srbiji, i dok možda izgleda neobično zapravo je laka i logična za učenje. Ovo je takođe jedna od sličnosti sa Ruskim jezikom, zato što oni koriste slično pismo.

4. Influence from other languages

The Serbian language has “borrowed” words from many other languages (loanwords). Here are a few:

Uticaj drugih jezika

Srpski jezik je pozajmio mnogo reči iz drugih jezika (pozajmljenice). Evo su neke:

1. roba/роба (things, goods, merchandise) – from Italian “roba”
2. klavir/клавир (piano) – from French “clavier”
3. kreda/креда (chalk) – from Latin “creta”
4. šećer/шећер (sugar) – from Turkish “Şeker”
5. špijun/шпијун (spy) – from Italian “spione”
6. kifla/кифла (breakfast crescent, kipferl) – from German “kipferl”
7. džip/џип (SUV vehicle, Jeep) – from english “Jeep”
8. fenjer/фењер (lantern) – from Turkish “fenar”
9. fioka/фиока (drawer) – from Hungarian “fiok”
10. čorba/чорба (soup, broth, stew) – from Turkish “çorba”
11. lektira/лектира (reading, a list of books to read) from French “lectures”
12. pošta/пошта (Post Office) – from Italian “posta”

5. Where is the Serbian language used today?

The Serbian language is spoken by over 9 million people around the world. It’s primarily used in Serbia and surrounding countries like Bosnia and Montenegro. But it is also recognized as a minority language in Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia, Macedonia, and others. It’s used in Germany, Switzerland and other countries where Serbian people live and work.

Gde se danas koristi srpski jezik?

Srpski jezik govori preko 9 miliona ljudi u svetu. Pre svega se koristi u Srbiji i okolnim zemljama kao što su Bosna i Crna Gora. Ali je takođe priznat kao jezik nacionalnih manjina u Hrvatskoj, Mađarskoj, Sloveniji, Makedoniji i drugim zemljama. Koristi se i u Nemačkoj, Švajcarskoj i drugim zemljama gde Srbi žive i rade.

This unique language with its rich history and heritage is a great opportunity to learn something new. Unusual letters, talented writers, and amazing literature can be just around the corner waiting for you.

Kao što vidite, ovaj jedinstven jezik sa svojom bogatom istorijom i nasleđem je odlična prilika da naučite nešto novo. Neobična slova, talentovani pisci i neverovatna literature mogu biti iza prvog ugla.

Do people in Serbia speak English?

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Bilingual Post: English – Serbian

1. Do people in Serbia speak English?

People in Serbia speak English, but it’s important to mention that English is well spoken in larger Serbian cities (i.e. Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš), and perhaps not so well in rural parts of Serbia. However, you shouldn’t have any problems communicating in English with Millennials and Generation Z (people under 40) no matter where you are traveling in Serbia.

It’s good to know that Serbia is among the top 20 best non-native English speaking countries (See the list – CEO World Magazine) and it ranks #17 after Croatia, Hungary and Romania. According to the EF EPI (EF English Proficiency Index), the world’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills, Serbia is ranked #14 with HIGH proficiency in English. Countries that come after Serbia on the list are Philippines (#18), Switzerland (#25) and Czech Republic (#27). (See the full list ).

Da li ljudi u Srbiji govore engleski?

Ljudi u Srbiji govore engleski, ali je važno spomenuti da se engleski dobro govori u većim gradovima Srbije (npr. Beograd, Novi Sad, Niš), a da se se slabije govori u ruralnim delovima Srbije. Međutim, ne bi trebalo da imate problema da pričate na engleskom sa milenijalcima i generacijom Z (ljudima ispod 40 godina) bez obzira gde putujete u Srbiji.

Dobro je znati da je Srbija među 20 najboljih zemalja u kojima engleski nije maternji jezik (pogledajte listu – CEO World Magazine) i rangirana je na 17. mestu posle Hrvatske, Mađarske i Rumunije. Prema EF EPI (EF English Proficiency Index), najvećoj svetskoj rang listi zemalja i regiona po znanju engleskog jezika, Srbija je rangirana na 14. mestu sa VISOKIM poznavanjem engleskog jezika. Zemlje na listi koje su posle Srbije su Filipini (#18), Švajcarska (#25) i Češka (#27). (Pogledajte kompletnu listu).

2. Can you travel to Serbia without speaking Serbian language?

Yes, you can definitely travel to Serbia without speaking Serbian. The English language will be enough for you to get around the larger cities in Serbia. If you are going to visit smaller Serbian towns and villages where people do not speak English, you will need to speak Serbian or bring a Serbian friend with you.

If you are planning on going to the smaller Serbian towns and villages, you will need to speak Serbian or go with a Serbian friend.

Možete li putovati u Srbiju bez znanja srpskog jezika?

Da, definitivno možete putovati u Srbiju i bez znanja srpskog. Engleski jezik će vam biti dovoljan za kretanje po većim gradovima Srbije. Ako idete u posetu manjim srpskim gradovima i selima u kojima ljudi ne govore engleski, treba da govorite srpski ili da sa sobom povedete srpskog prijatelja.

3. What languages do people speak in Serbia?

In Serbia people speak Serbian as their native language. Foreign languages are a big part of the Serbian public education and all students in school learn one or two foreign languages. English is the most common foreign language for Serbian students to learn in preschool and elementary school. Other languages that are taught in schools in Serbia are Russian, German, French, etc.

Furthermore, Serbians also speak the languages of neighboring countries like Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia. Serbians who live in the border region with Bulgaria, Macedonia and Montenegro, colloquially use these languages in their daily lives to communicate with their non-Serbian neighbors.

Koje jezike ljudi govore u Srbiji?

U Srbiji ljudi govore srpski kao maternji jezik. Strani jezici su veliki deo srpskog javnog obrazovanja i svi učenici u školi uče jedan ili dva strana jezika. Engleski je najčešći strani jezik koje srpski učenici uče u obdaništu i osnovnoj školi. Drugi jezici koji se uče u školama su ruski, nemački, francuski itd.

Osim toga, Srbi govore jezike susednih zemalja kao što su Hrvatska, Crna Gora i Bosna. Srbi koji žive u graničnim regionima se Bugarskom, Makedonijom i Crnom Gorom, kolokvijalno koriste ove jezike u svom svakodnevnom životu da komuniciraju sa svojim ne-srpskim susedima.

4. How do people in Serbia communicate and interact with other people?

People in Serbia are kind and friendly. They like to interact and socialize with people from other countries. Serbians communicate in a direct way and they often use hand gestures to convey additional information. Sometimes they can be loud and intense in conversation (aka. “in your face”) especially if they feel very strongly about something. Serbians believe “passion” is part of their “Balkan temperament and soul” and this is clearly visible in their communication style.

Serbians express their friendly intentions towards other people in various ways and “intensity and their animated nature” is just a part of their charm.
Serbians are quite curious about foreigners and they like to learn about other countries and different lifestyles. In a conversation, Serbs like to make comments and freely express their opinion. It’s common for them to share their thoughts too generously and to interrupt the speaker while he/she is speaking. These are a few things to be aware of when talking with Serbians.

One of my favorite words in Serbian is “druženje”. “Druženje” is a Serbian word that means “socializing, spending time, and having fun” in English. Serbians are very social and they like making new friends and I would use the word “druženje” to describe them.

Kako ljudi u Srbiji komuniciraju sa drugim ljudima?

Ljudi u Srbiji su ljubazni i društveni. Oni vole da komuniciraju i da se druže sa ljudima iz drugih zemalja. Srbi komuniciraju na direktan način i često rukama gestikuliraju dodatne informacije. U razgovoru umeju da budu neki put glasni ili “vatreni”, pogotovo ako im je do nečega jako stalo. Srbi smatraju da je „strast“ deo njihovog „balkanskog temperamenta i duše“ i to se jasno vidi u njihovom stilu komunikacije.

Srbi iskazuju prijateljske namere prema drugim ljudima na razne načine i „vatrenost i živahnost” su deo njihovog šarma.
Srbi su prilično radoznali kad su u pitanju stranci i znatiželjni o drugim zemljama i različitim načinima života. U razgovoru Srbi vole da komentarišu i da slobodno ispoljavaju svoje mišljenje. Sasvim je uobičajeno za Srbe da otvoreno kažu šta im je na umu i da prekinu govornika u razgovoru. Ovo je samo neke stvari kojih treba da budete svesni kada razgovarate sa Srbima.

Jedna od mojih omiljenih reči na srpskom jeziku je „druženje“. „Druženje” je srpska reč koja na engleskom znači „družiti se, provoditi vreme i zabavljati se”. Srbi su veoma društveni i vole da sklapaju nova prijateljstva i ja bih upotrebila reč „druženje” da ih opišem.

5. These are some common Serbian phrases:

(Informal)
Hello – Zdravo
How are you? – Kako si?
What is your name? – Kako se zoveš?
My name is… – Moje ime je…
Good day – Dobar dan
Good night – Laku noć
Excuse me – Izvini
Do you have…? – Da li imaš…?
Where can I find…? – Gde mogu naći…?

friend – drug, prijatelj
socializing – druženje
Serbian language – srpski jezik
I don’t speak Serbian well – Ja ne govorim srpski dobro

(Formal)
A greeting of respect – Poštovanje!
How are you? – Kako ste?
What is your name? – Kako se zovete?
It’s nice to meet you – Drago mi je što smo se upoznali
Excuse me – Izvinite
Do you have…? – Da li imate…?

25 Serbian Travel Phrases You Should Know

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Here are some useful Serbian travel phrases and expressions to help you get around Serbia.

Note: Serbian language has 2 alphabets – Cyrillic and Latin Alphabet. They are both used in everyday Serbian and they each have a total of 30 letters. The pronunciation is the same for both alphabets. You can see the examples of the Serbian Cyrillic Alphabet in the images of this post. And the examples of the Serbian Latin Alphabet are used in the text of this post. To learn how to read Serian Alphabet and how to and pronounce all the sounds correctly, we recommend checking out this course for learning Serbian. This is great for absolute beginners who wish to learn Serbian and for advanced learners who wish to improve their Serbian pronunciation with the Phonetics and Accent Video Series. You will learn everything you need to start speaking Serbian with fluency and style! Take advantage of the 7 DAY FREE TRIAL and sign up today to learn how to read and write Serbian Alphabet and how to improve your pronunciation in Serbian. Now, here are the most useful 25 Serbian travel phrases and expressions:

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I Getting Around

“Excuse me, do you know where is…?” in Serbian

“Excuse me” in Serbian is Izvinite. “Do you know where is…?” in Serbian is Da li znate gde je…? So the full expression “Excuse me, do you know where is…?” in Serbian is Izvinite, da li znate gde je…? Examples:

• Izvnite, da li znate gde je autobuska stanica? – Excuse me, do you know where is the bus station?
• Izvnite, da li znate gde je XYZ hotel? – Excuse me, do you know where is the XYZ hotel?

“How do I get to the…?” in Serbian

“How do I get to the…?” in Serbian is Kako da dođem do…?  Examples:

• Kako da dođem do pošte? – How do I get to the Post Office?
• Kako da dođem do prodavnice?– How do I get to the store?

“Please take me to the…”  in Serbian

If you are in a taxi in Serbia and you wish to say “Please take me to the…” you would say it in Serbian Molim Vas, odvezite me do… Examples:

• Molim Vas, odvezite me do centra grada– Please take me downtown
• Molim Vas, odvezite me do bolnice – Please take me to the hospital

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II Staying At A Hotel

“What time is…?” in Serbian

There are two ways you can ask “What time is…?” in Serbian. The first way is U koje vreme je…? And the second way is U koliko sati je…? (which literally means “at how many hours”). Examples:

• U koje vreme je doručak?  or U koliko sati je doručak? –  What time is breakfast?
• U koje vreme je prijava? or U koliko sati je prijava?– What time is check-in?
• U koje vreme je odjava? or U koliko sati je odjava?– What time is check out?

“I want to order room service” in Serbian

“I want to order” in Serbian is Hoću da naručim. You can say “room service” in Serbian rum servis or sobna usluga. The full expression “I want to order room service” in Serbian is Hoću da naručim rum servis or Hoću da naručim sobnu uslugu.

“Is there…?” in Serbian

“Is there…?” in Serbian is Da li ima…? This is a useful phrase if you are checking into a hotel and you want to ask: Examples:

• Da li ima bazen? – Is there a pool?
• Da li ima klima uređaj?– Is there an airconditioner?
• Da li ima besplatan bežični internet? – Is there free Wifi?

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III Eating At A Restaurant

“I have a reservation” in Serbian

“I have a reservation” in Serbian is Ja imam rezervaciju

“A table for 2, please” in Serbian

“A table for two, please” in Serbian is Sto za dve osobe, molim Vas (meaning “a table for two persons”) Example:

•  Sto za jednu osobu, molim Vas – A table for 1, please

“Could I see the menu, please?” in Serbian

“Could I see…?” in Serbian is Mogu li da vidim…? “Menu” in Serbian is meni or jelovnik. The full expression “Could I see the menu, please?” in Serbian is Mogu li da vidim meni, molilm Vas? or Mogu li da vidim jelovnik, molilm Vas?

“What do you recommend?” in Serbian

“What do you recommend?” in Serbian is Šta preporučujete?

“I have an allergy to…” in Serbian

“I have an allergy to…” in Serbian is Imam alergiju na… Examples:

• Imam alergiju na kikiriki– I have an allergy to peanuts
• Imam alergiju na školjke– I have an allergy to shellfish
• Imam alergiju na mlečne proizvode– I have an allergy to dairy 

“Where is the restroom/toilet, please?” in Serbian

“Where is the restroom/toilet, please?” in Serbian is Gde je toalet, molim Vas? 

“Check/bill, please?” in Serbian

“Check/bill, please?” in Serbian is Račun, molim Vas? 

“Thank you” in Serbian

“Thank you” in Serbian is Hvala

“Yes” in Serbian

“Yes” in Serbian is Da

“No” in Serbian

“No” in Serbian is Ne

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IV Shopping In Serbian

“How much does this cost?” in Serbian

“How much does this cost?” in Serbian is Koliko ovo košta?

“How much is this?” in Serbian

“How much is this?” in Serbian is Koliko je ovo?

“Do you have…?” in Serbian

“Do you have…?” in Serbian is Da li imate…?  Examples:

• Da li imate razglednice?– Do you have postcards?
• Da li imate automat za kartice?– Do you have an ATM machine?

“Can I pay with…”  in Serbian

“Can I pay with…” in Serbian is Da li mogu da platim…?  Examples:

• Da li mogu da platim kešom?– Can I pay in cash?
• Da li mogu da platim kreditnom karticom?– Can I pay with a credit card?

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V Asking For Help In Serbian

“Could you help me please?” in Serbian

“Could you help me please? in Serbian is Možete li da mi pomognete, molim Vas?

“Could you please repeat that?” in Serbian

“Could you please repeat that?” in Serbian is Možete li da ponovite to, molim Vas?

“Could you please speak slowly? in Serbian

“Could you please speak slowly? in Serbian is Možete li da govorite polako, molim Vas?

“I don’t understand” in Serbian

“I don’t understand” in Serbian is Ne razumem.

“I do not speak Serban well” in Serbian

“I do not speak Serban well” in Serbian is Ja ne govorim srpski dobro.  

These 25 Serbian travel phrases and expressions will help you get around in Serbian especially when interacting with locals. Make sure you practice the Serbian phrases and expressions. And take your time learning the vocabulary too.

People in Serbia are very friendly and they love it when foreigners speak to them in Serbian. If you have friends who would like to learn Serbian, please share this post with them and the course for learning Serbian – The Ultimate Serbian Online Course. I hope this helps you out next time you visit Serbia. Cheers!

35 Useful Serbian Phrases To Get You Started Speaking Serbian Today

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I want to share with you 35 useful Serbian phrases to help you get started speaking Serbian today.

My name is Cam and I started learning Serbian a few years ago. In the beginning, I didn’t speak much Serbian, but over the years I became proficient in the system of the language which then helped me with my fluency.  Today, I speak Serbian with my friends and family on a daily basis and I continue to learn. It’s a wonderful feeling being able to express yourself in a new language and connecting with people and cultures you love. If you are thinking about learning Serbian, I encourage you to do it. Achieving proficiency in any language requires learning, commitment, and lots of practice but it can be done! If you are a beginner learner or someone who is thinking about learning Serbian, phrases and expressions are a good place to start. Let’s begin!

Formal & Informal Speech in Serbian

It’s important to know that the Serbian language has two forms of speech: Formal and Informal. Formal Speech is used when talking to people older than you or with people you don’t know. People in Serbia use Formal Speech to show respect to elders, and in some instances to keep a working relationship “professional”. Informal Speech is used for casual conversations with people you know or with people who are younger than you.

I talk about this more in these two videos – Serbian Formal & Informal Speech Part 1  and Serbian Formal & Informal Speech Part 2

Now that we have covered these important points, let us jump into the useful Serbian phrases.

“Hello” in Serbian

“Hello” in Serbian is Zdravo. This informal greeting is related to the world “zdravlje” which means “health”. So when you are saying zdravo in Serbian to someone, you are literally wishing them good health. A more formal greeting would be dobar dan which means “good day” or “good afternoon”.

“How are you?” in Serbian

“How are you?” in informal Serbian is Kako si? and in formal Serbian is Kako ste?

“I’m Good” / “I’m Not Good” in Serbian

To reply to Kako si? or Kako ste? you can say either Dobro sam for “I’m good” or Nisam dobro for “I’m not good”.

“Please” in Serbian

Molim is “please” in Serbian. If you want to be more polite and formal you can say Molim Vas.

“Thank You” in Serbian

In Serbian, “thank you” is Hvala. And again, if you want to be more polite and formal you can say Hvala Vam.

“You’re Welcome” in Serbian

Nema na čemu is “You’re welcome”. The context behind this phrase in Serbian is “There is nothing for you to thank me for”.

“Good Morning” in Serbian

“Good morning” in Serbian is Dobro jutro. You will often hear the abbreviated version of this greeting in Serbia as ‘bro jutro! where “do” (from “dobro”) is left out.

“Good Night” in Serbian

“Good night” in Serbian is Laku noć. This literally means “Have a light night”.

“Goodbye” in Serbian

There are two ways to say “Goodbye” in Serbian. First is zbogom which is similar to “farewell” in English, and it’s used when you are saying goodbye to a person you’re not going to see for a very long time.

The second way to say “goodbye” in Serbian is doviđenja. This is a formal phrase and it’s used in everyday situations for example when you leave a store or any public place.

“What is your name?” in Serbian

If you’ve introduced yourself and want to ask what the other person’s name is, you can use this formal phrase Kako se zovete? or  to say this informally to a person younger than you, you could say Kako se zoveš? To answer this question you can simply say Zovem se… and say your name. For example: Zovem se Marko.

Some other useful Serbian phrases for eating out:

“I’d like to see the menu, please” – Želeo bih da vidim meni, molim Vas if you are a man, and Želela bih da vidim meni, molim Vas if you are a woman

“I’ll take this” – Uzeću ovo

“Give me that (one), please” – Dajte mi to, molim Vas

“How much is it?” – Koliko košta?

“The bill/check, please” – Račun, molim Vas

“Could you help me?” – Možete li da mi pomognete? (formal) and Možeš li da mi pomogneš? (informal)

You may also like this video – My Favorite 5 Words In Serbian

Now you’ve learned how to introduce yourself and some of the most common Serbian phrases and expressions! I hope these 35 useful Serbian phrases help you with your Serbian. Share this post with a friend who would like to learn Serbian, and give yourself the gift of learning more. If you are thinking about learning Serbian, one of the best ways is to learn with language podcasts – short audio & video lessons for fast learning with ease. These podcasts explain to you the system of the language so you can start making sentences of your own, as well as provide you with more useful phrases you can start using right away.

I highly recommend you check out Serbian Language Podcast.  They have a Serbian Online Course and it will take you from absolute beginner to advanced. Click here to learn more about it. Cheers to your language learning journey!

Learning Serbian: Are You Working on Your Areas of Growth?

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Are you learning Serbian? If so, then this article is for you.

We all know what it is like to be confronted with a challenge that requires more energy to solve or learn than we desire to give. Far too often we retreat from such circumstances under the false belief that all departures from challenge (which can produce stress) are a good thing. What we should keep in mind is the fact that growth comes from tension. That’s right, there is no growth without tension and the same is true for learning Serbian.

Growth opportunities

This means we must change our perspective and reaction to tension, challenge, and stress. Every time we avoid these elements we are avoiding growth opportunities. That doesn’t mean we should seek out activities or opportunities that might do us harm, but it does mean we should be careful what we label as stressful. Take learning Serbian for example. Do you view learning Serbian as being stressful? If you do you will be less inclined to study it because you have labeled it as something negative. The key is to understand that you are involved in a process that exists across a spectrum of an unknown amount of time. Furthermore, the process requires the acquisition of new knowledge and learning and this means you have to work on your areas of growth in order to progress.

You May Like This: “Learning Serbian Is Not As Difficult As You May Think” – WATCH A VIDEO

How to improve your Serbian language learning skills?

So what exactly do I mean? Well, let’s say for example that you have a solid understanding of how to identify and categorize nouns and adjectives across the 3 Serbian genders (i.e. masculine, feminine, neuter). It would be easy to just continue to reinforce what you already know and do study exercises related to the 3 Serbian genders. But the question is, would that move your Serbian language skills forward? Not really. Reviewing acquired knowledge certainly has its place, but it can’t replace the importance of moving on to new content. This is what I mean when I ask “Are you working on your areas of growth?”.

Explore your comfort zone

Exploring language is all about exploring your own comfort (or discomfort) with uncertainty. If you can cause yourself to view uncertainty and your “not knowing something” as a positive force, then there is nothing you can’t do. But getting to that level of awareness and fluidity of practice requires practice. This means that the best thing you can do today is something you don’t know.

Serbian Lesson Videos

Hop on the Lesson Videos on Serbian Language Podcast.com and explore some new content. As you explore, let your learning linger. Stay there a while. Complete the practice exercises, rewatch the videos, and indulge yourself in a genuine learning experience free of worry or fear. Once you get addicted to this mindset the acquisition of your language skills will get addicted to you…and you will grow beyond your wildest dreams.

Learn Serbian Cyrillic Alphabet

Challenge yourself and learn Serbian Cyrillic Alphabet. Wouldn’t it be nice to finally know how to write Serbian Cursive Cyrillic? This great Serbian Alphabet Video Series can teach you everything you need to know about Serbian Cursive and Latin Alphabet. Sign up today and get started, make the best of the 7 Day Free Trial.

Beginner Dialogues

If you already know Serbian Alphabet and you are looking to learn how to speak in Serbian, I recommend starting with these Serbian Beginner Dialogues. It’s a great way to challenge yourself, practice speaking Serbian, and learn how to navigate between Formal and Informal Serbian Speech. With a Monthly Subscription, you’ll get access to the entire Premium Content for learning Serbian on SerbianLanguagePodcast.com. Click here to check out all the wonderful things they have to offer.

Is Learning Serbian Hard?

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Learning a language can be difficult. What about the Serbian language?

I can’t tell you how many times people ask me “Is learning Serbian hard?” The answer is actually more complicated than the question itself since the answer to the question actually questions the premise of the question. Whew! I know that was a mouthful. See, here’s the thing: we need to define hard. What is hard? What is it about learning Serbian that truly makes it hard?

Is Serbian hard?

What I think you will find is that as you unpack the question a simple truth is revealed: very few things in life are truly hard. But almost everything requires learning. And some things that require learning may come quicker or more fluid than others, but learning was still required. It’s almost as if anything that doesn’t just fall in our laps we categorize as being hard. But is this the best way to look at it? I would argue that it isn’t, and this brings us back to the question “Is learning Serbian hard?”

The short answer

The short answer is “No, it’s not”. Remember, few things are truly hard. Most things just require learning. So it is with Serbian. Stop telling yourself it’s hard. Tell yourself that learning is required. And you CAN learn if your reasons for learning are strong and you have positive self-talk. So many people psych themselves out of striving for their dreams by using language that is not reflective or representative of the whole story.

Taking small steps

Learning Serbian is about taking small steps that are connected to other small steps, the culmination of which leads to a collective whole that is liquid. This is good news because it means every small step you take is connecting you to the other small steps and, inevitably, the collective whole that makes up the language system. And that’s what you are learning: a system.

Take your goal seriously

Be brave and bold as you take steps towards the achievement of your goals. Take your goal of learning Serbian seriously, and don’t talk yourself out of what your heart got you into. You CAN do this, and if you can…perhaps you should. So the next time someone asks you “Is learning Serbian hard?” tell them what I told you: “No, but learning is required.”

You may find this video useful, made by my fellow Serbian Blog Contributor – Cam The Broadcaster

“Learning Serbian Is Not As Difficult As You May Think” – WATCH A VIDEO

Learn Serbian with our Animated Series “Cam Speaks Serbian”

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Have you ever wanted to learn practical Serbian that you can use every day?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a conversation in Serbian? Have you ever imagined yourself going on a fun-filled journey to Serbia (and beyond) speaking in Serbian? Have you ever wanted to learn practical Serbian phrases that you can use every day? Well now you can with the Animated Series “Cam Speaks Serbian” by Serbian Language Podcast.

1. What is “Cam Speaks Serbian”?

“Cam Speaks Serbian” is an Animated Series for learning Serbian created by Serbian Language Podcast. It’s a delightful journey with Cam The Broadcaster as he, accompanied by native Serbian speakers, goes on a journey to Serbia…and beyond. This Animated Series is designed to help get you motivated to learn the Serbian language and show you that proficiency is possible even if you are not a native Serbian speaker.

2. What is “Cam Speaks Serbian” about?

The “Cam Speaks Serbian” Animated Series is the story of Cam, a Serbian language learner, and his journey to meet with friends in Serbia. He has to navigate through Serbia speaking in Serbian with his dear friends. The episodes are action-packed, fun-filled, and most importantly, are practical and useful.

3. Where can I watch “Cam Speaks Serbian”?

You can watch the Animated Series “Cam Speaks Serbian” on our YouTube Channel. Here is the full playlist of all the “Cam Speaks Serbian” Episodes. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel, give us a like, and leave us a comment.

4. How will “Cam Speaks Serbian” help me learn Serbian?

One of the best features of the series is that it contains translations in both Serbian and English. As you watch the series notice the thought bubbles that appear when a speaker is talking. These thought bubbles have the written Serbian of what is being spoken (in the Serbian Latin alphabet), enabling you to practice your listening and reading skills at the same time. If you get a little lost or want some help knowing what is being said, then read the English subtitles at the bottom of the screen. “Cam Speaks Serbian” will help you with conversational Serbian regardless of your level.

The second thing is that every episode is designed to give you a chance to practice your Serbian. In the second part of every episode,  the English subtitles disappear and you can listen and read along (via the character thought bubbles) to the same dialogue/experience the second time only in Serbian. Now you can see what you were able to retain from your first hearing of the dialogue. This is a GREAT way to practice building your fluency and comfort with Serbian!

5. How long are the “Cam Speaks Serbian” episodes?

Each episode is roughly 2-3 minutes long making it the perfect place to start your Serbian language learning journey. It’s low stakes, incredibly fun, humorous, and filled with vocabulary and situational dialogues you can start using today.

6. What is the difference between watching “Cam Speaks Serbian” on YoutTube and on SerbianLanguagePodcast.com?

For the Members of our website (SerbianLanguagePodcast.com) we have the Downloadable Transcripts available for every episode of “Cam Speaks Serbian”. The Transcript contains a Line-by-Line Dialogue in Serbian and English, Vocabulary Sheet, and the Episode Q&A (Questions and Answers) in Serbian and English.

As an added bonus, Premium Members of the Serbian Language Podcast website can access the plethora of other resources we offer, such as Lesson Videos, Grammar Tools, Video Podcasts, Serbian Vlogs, etc).

Watch Episode 01 “Cam Speaks Serbian”

Watch the episodes and learn Serbian with our Animated Series “Cam Speaks Serbian”. We hope you like it and we look forward to having you accompany us on the journey of a lifetime…in Serbian!

7 Serbian Learning Tips from Cam “The Broadcaster”

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Thinking about learning Serbian?

Here are my 7 Serbian learning tips that can help you if you are learning the Serbian language.

If you have ever embarked on a foreign language learning journey, or are getting started for the first time, then I am certain you will agree that language learning is a massive undertaking. Notice my choice of words here. I didn’t say it was hard. I didn’t say it was easy. I didn’t say it was impossible. I said it was massive.

So what exactly do I mean by that? After all, we use the word massive to describe so many things (often with a negative connotation). Seldom is it a word we use to describe language learning. But all things considered, I do think the word “massive” most aptly describes the journey you are on as a language learner. AND, this is a positive thing that you should be proud of. Allow me to explain:

Learning a language requires, among other attributes and aspects, 7 key components:

1. Curiosity about something brand new

When you learn a language you have to exit your own sense of understanding about the world around you and the symbols (through language) you are accustomed to interpreting it through. This deep sense of curiosity instills compassion and a spirit of inquiry that can fuel motivation, connection, and the attainment of your goals.

2. Introspection (progress monitoring and being honest with yourself)

Your Serbian language learning journey will necessitate that you become very honest with yourself. But be careful to make sure that you are continuing to have positive self-talk. Do not be critical of yourself. Additionally, introspection and the ability to look deep within yourself will foster the habit of progress monitoring. How amazing it is when you can track your progress and watch yourself grow in new ways! Your mind is constantly at work, even when you sleep, and language learning will accompany you (even in your dreams)

****Watch the Broadcast “Dreaming in Serbian” to learn more. Before long, the Serbian language will become a part of you. This means you will have more to share, more to give, and more to aspire to.

3. Willingness to experience temporary defeat while learning Serbian

Learning Serbian is not about perfection. It is, however, about the constant pursuit of improvement. You will encounter and experience temporary defeats. For example, you may struggle to pronounce certain words or understand certain grammatical concepts. This is not a failure. Failure is when you refuse to try. Failure is when you give up. Failure is when you tell yourself you can’t do something.

With this in mind, redefine for yourself what it means to fail. Note the difference between failure and temporary defeat. Temporary defeat is when you encounter adversity. And as the adage goes, “Adversity introduces you to yourself”. Assume a growth mindset, reminding yourself that your abilities today are not reflective of your abilities tomorrow.

4. Patience, in tandem with perseverance

As you delve deeper into your language studies you will need to remain patient. Remember, you are learning new ways of expressing symbols and meanings. Wow! Be patient and remember that this is a journey more akin to a marathon than a sprint. And what a noble and powerful journey to be on. Arm yourself with perseverance and resilience. Your temporary defeats and hardships will mold you into a better person IF you use them as fuel for growth rather than reasons to disengage. Be resilient. Be proud of yourself. You CAN do this.

5. Planning

There is no arrival of a final destination without a plan for how you are going to get there. Don’t spin about aimlessly. Make a plan for how you are going to learn Serbian. Need help? Watch “The Broadcast” by Serbian Language Podcast where I explain the study and planning tips and tricks that will propel you towards greater comfort and fluency in Serbian.

6. The establishment of a goal (rooted in the “why”)

Know your “why”. Why do you want to learn Serbian? Make a list of reasons. When you find yourself encountering moments of difficulty review your list. Write your goal down on a piece of paper and look at it from time to time. Your goal is your North Star. Don’t lose sight of it. And stay encouraged. Each step you take is taking you closer to it even when it doesn’t feel like it. Trust and KNOW that it is.

7. A language that has the sound of history

Practice your skills. Get on the Serbian Language Podcast website and develop your skills. Do the practice questions at the end of the Lesson Videos. Pause the videos during the “Audio Podcasts” when you want to internalize what you are learning. Above all, assume a disciplined stance as a learner. After all, that’s what you are, a learner. Be a disciplined learner and take your goal seriously. If you do this, you will be rewarded with progress and achievement.

I call these 7 components the Powerful 7 because if you work in harmony with these they will power you towards the achievement of your goals. And here is a big secret: all that you apply to language learning you can apply to live. This is why I often tell people that language learning makes you a better person, a global citizen, and a better thinker.

With all of this in mind, ask yourself what is holding you back and then look at the Powerful 7 to see if there is a key component you want to grow in. I think you will find that as you approach learning Serbian from the prism of self-improvement and an opportunity for growth, you will renew your motivation for starting or carrying on in your language learning journey. What’s more, you are not alone. Join us and learn with us as we bring the Serbian language live to the world. You won’t regret it!

One of the local customs that I find most appealing and insightful is the custom of taking a small gift whenever you are invited into someone’s home. It can be a package of coffee, a snack, or even a thank you card. But Serbs don’t like to visit you empty-handed. Isn’t that amazing? And now that you know this, make sure you reciprocate and take a small gift if you are invited to someone’s home. No pressure, but it’s a nice gesture and a way to show that you know something about the culture.

Learn Serbian Formal and Informal Speech

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Learn Serbian using Formal and Informal Speech

Learn Serbian Formal and Informal Speech. Unlike English, Serbian language has two forms of speaking Informal and Formal. In the English language, we use words like “Sir” or “Ma’am” to indicate reverence, respect, and formality. Serbian is different, there is a little more to it. But don’t worry, you can learn it. It just requires changing your mindset.

Politeness is built into the grammatical structure of the Serbian language. Politeness in English is conveyed through the addition of words (i.e. “Sir”). While this may seem like a quantum leap, it’s actually logical and systematic. Come to think of it, Serbian is a very logical and systematic language.

Don’t believe what the naysayers tell you about how hard it is. They just don’t know the system. You need to know the system, and trust me…you can learn it.

When to use formal speech

You will use formal speech in Serbian to speak to elders, professionals (i.e. teachers, doctors, lawyers etc.), and strangers or people you don’t know that well. You wouldn’t need to use formal speech to speak to a twelve-year old. 

I made this video – Speaking in Serbian – Formal and Informal Speech (Part 1)

Informal Speech in Serbian

Informal Serbian uses the “Ti” form, which you learned in the pronouns listed above. It’s a familiar form. You can use it when speaking with someone you know, or with someone who has asked you to speak in “ti”. Serbs will do this. Many times I have spoken with someone in “Vi” (Polite form) and they have asked me to speak to them in “Ti” and that’s a way of closing the relational distance and establishing that “we’re cool” and can speak informally.

However, even if you have met an elder many times it is ALWAYS polite to use the “Vi” form. Using the “Vi” form shows that you, as a person, have 3 things:

1. Class
2. Respect
3. Cultural Awareness

I would never speak with my father-in-law in “Ti” form (which is the familiar form). Though we are very familiar, I speak to him in “Vi” form because I want him to know how much I respect him. After all, he raised my wife. Speaking to him in “Ti” form would be the equivalent of me saying to him, “What’s up homie?”, which is wildly inappropriate. So in short, just know that the “Ti” form is familiar in Serbian and the “Vi” form is polite.

Watch this Video – Speaking in Serbian – Formal and Informal Speech (Part 2)

So what is Formal Speech in Serbian?

Formal speech means using a form known as the “Vi” form. This form is the same form that is used when speaking to more than one person (i.e. 2nd person plural) but it does not carry the same meaning. When you use the “Vi” form to speak to an individual it simply carries the meaning of respect, not the meaning of speaking to that person as if they were more than one person.

To help you, let’s have a look at personal pronouns:

• Ja – means “I” or “me”
• Ti – means “you” (informal…we will get to this later)
• On – means “he”
• Ona – means “she”
• Ono – means “it” (i.e. Serbian has 3 genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter)
• Mi – means “we” or “us”
• Vi – means “you” (polite) or “you” plural (i.e. when speaking to more than one person
• Oni – means “they” (masculine)
• One – means “they” (feminine)
• Ona – means “they” (neuter). I know you are probably thinking “this is the same as ‘she’ “. It’s not, and context within a sentence will save you.

In short about “Ti & Vi” form

Now that we have seen all of the pronouns for Serbian we can better understand where the “Vi” form comes from. But that’s not all. The “Vi” form is also a means by which you conjugate verbs. For example, if I wanted to say “Excuse me Sir”, I would say “Izvinite gospodine” or I can just say “Izvinite“. This same sentence in informal Serbian would be “Izvini”. Notice how the “Vi” form carries a “te” ending, as in “izvinite” and the informal expression does not. This is a clue that the “Vi” form is being used. When you start hearing “te” at the end of verbs, (i.e. “jedite”, which is the formal way to say “eat”) you know right away that someone is speaking to you in a more polite and formal way.

Learning Serbian is one of the joys of my life. It’s such a fascinating language. It has the sound of history. In Serbian language you will hear influences from many regional languages, and the colloquial expressions speak to the beauty of Serbian culture.

Do you want to learn more about how all of this works in spoken Serbian?

Do you want to learn how to conjugate verbs across the tenses and in accordance with formal vs informal? If so, then I encourage you to visit Serbian Language Podcast and check out The Ultimate Serbian Online Course with the Premium Content for learning Serbian grammar – Formal & Informal Speech in Serbian.  All you need to go from beginner to advanced has been assembled for you.

If you finished reading this blog then pat yourself on the back. You have taken an important step in acting on your interest in learning the Serbian language. Get plugged in, study Serbian, and enjoy the journey. Ćao!