Language/Croatian/Grammar/Present-Tense-of-Regular-Verbs
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will delve into the present tense of regular verbs in Croatian. Understanding how to conjugate verbs in the present tense is crucial for building a strong foundation in the Croatian language. This tense allows us to express actions that are happening right now or actions that are habitual in nature. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently conjugate regular verbs in the present tense and use them in sentences. Let's get started!
Conjugating Regular Verbs in the Present Tense[edit | edit source]
In Croatian, regular verbs are categorized into three groups based on their infinitive endings: -ati verbs, -iti verbs, and -eti verbs. The present tense conjugation of these verbs follows a set pattern, with slight variations depending on the verb group and the ending of the stem. Let's examine each group in detail.
-ati Verbs[edit | edit source]
Verbs that end in -ati belong to the -ati verb group. To conjugate these verbs in the present tense, we remove the -ati ending and replace it with the appropriate verb ending for each person. Here is the conjugation pattern for -ati verbs:
| Person | Verb Ending |
|---|---|
| Ja (I) | -am |
| Ti (You singular) | -aš |
| On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) | -a |
| Mi (We) | -amo |
| Vi (You plural) | -ate |
| Oni/One/Ona (They) | -aju |
Let's see some examples:
- Raditi (to work):
- Ja radim (I work)
- Ti radiš (You work)
- On radi (He works)
- Mi radimo (We work)
- Vi radite (You work)
- Oni rade (They work)
- Plivati (to swim):
- Ja plivam (I swim)
- Ti plivaš (You swim)
- On pliva (He swims)
- Mi plivamo (We swim)
- Vi plivate (You swim)
- Oni plivaju (They swim)
-iti Verbs[edit | edit source]
Verbs that end in -iti belong to the -iti verb group. The conjugation pattern for these verbs is similar to the -ati verb group, with some variations in the verb endings. Here is the conjugation pattern for -iti verbs:
| Person | Verb Ending |
|---|---|
| Ja (I) | -im |
| Ti (You singular) | -iš |
| On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) | -i |
| Mi (We) | -imo |
| Vi (You plural) | -ite |
| Oni/One/Ona (They) | -e |
Let's see some examples:
- Govoriti (to speak):
- Ja govorim (I speak)
- Ti govoriš (You speak)
- On govori (He speaks)
- Mi govorimo (We speak)
- Vi govorite (You speak)
- Oni govore (They speak)
- Pjevati (to sing):
- Ja pjevam (I sing)
- Ti pjevaš (You sing)
- On pjeva (He sings)
- Mi pjevamo (We sing)
- Vi pjevate (You sing)
- Oni pjevaju (They sing)
-eti Verbs[edit | edit source]
Verbs that end in -eti belong to the -eti verb group. The conjugation pattern for these verbs is similar to the -iti verb group, with some variations in the verb endings. Here is the conjugation pattern for -eti verbs:
| Person | Verb Ending |
|---|---|
| Ja (I) | -em |
| Ti (You singular) | -eš |
| On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) | -e |
| Mi (We) | -emo |
| Vi (You plural) | -ete |
| Oni/One/Ona (They) | -u |
Let's see some examples:
- Gledati (to watch):
- Ja gledam (I watch)
- Ti gledaš (You watch)
- On gleda (He watches)
- Mi gledamo (We watch)
- Vi gledate (You watch)
- Oni gledaju (They watch)
- Učiti (to learn):
- Ja učim (I learn)
- Ti učiš (You learn)
- On uči (He learns)
- Mi učimo (We learn)
- Vi učite (You learn)
- Oni uče (They learn)
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
The usage of the present tense in Croatian is quite similar across different regions. However, regional variations may exist in terms of vocabulary choices or accents. For example, in the northern region of Croatia, the word "zdravo" is commonly used as a greeting, while in the south, "bog" or "bok" is more prevalent. These regional differences add richness and diversity to the Croatian language.
It is also interesting to note that the Croatian language has undergone significant historical influences, especially from neighboring countries and empires. Throughout history, Croatia has been influenced by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the Venetian Republic. These influences have left their mark on the Croatian language, including the grammar and vocabulary used today.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Complete the following exercises by conjugating the given verbs in the present tense according to the provided pronouns. Check your answers below.
Exercise 1: Conjugate the verb "pisati" (to write) in the present tense.
- Ja -
- Ti -
- On/Ona/Ono -
- Mi -
- Vi -
- Oni/One/Ona -
Exercise 2: Conjugate the verb "čitati" (to read) in the present tense.
- Ja -
- Ti -
- On/Ona/Ono -
- Mi -
- Vi -
- Oni/One/Ona -
Exercise 3: Conjugate the verb "kuhati" (to cook) in the present tense.
- Ja -
- Ti -
- On/Ona/Ono -
- Mi -
- Vi -
- Oni/One/Ona -
Exercise 4: Conjugate the verb "slušati" (to listen) in the present tense.
- Ja -
- Ti -
- On/Ona/Ono -
- Mi -
- Vi -
- Oni/One/Ona -
Exercise 5: Conjugate the verb "gledati" (to watch) in the present tense.
- Ja -
- Ti -
- On/Ona/Ono -
- Mi -
- Vi -
- Oni/One/Ona -
Exercise 6: Conjugate the verb "raditi" (to work) in the present tense.
- Ja -
- Ti -
- On/Ona/Ono -
- Mi -
- Vi -
- Oni/One/Ona -
Solutions[edit | edit source]
Exercise 1:
- Ja pišem
- Ti pišeš
- On/Ona/Ono piše
- Mi pišemo
- Vi pišete
- Oni/One/Ona pišu
Exercise 2:
- Ja čitam
- Ti čitaš
- On/Ona/Ono čita
- Mi čitamo
- Vi čitate
- Oni/One/Ona čitaju
Exercise 3:
- Ja kuham
- Ti kuhaš
- On/Ona/Ono kuha
- Mi kuhamo
- Vi kuhate
- Oni/One/Ona kuhaju
Exercise 4:
- Ja slušam
- Ti slušaš
- On/Ona/Ono sluša
- Mi slušamo
- Vi slušate
- Oni/One/Ona slušaju
Exercise 5:
- Ja gledam
- Ti gledaš
- On/Ona/Ono gleda
- Mi gledamo
- Vi gledate
- Oni/One/Ona gledaju
Exercise 6:
- Ja radim
- Ti radiš
- On/Ona/Ono radi
- Mi radimo
- Vi radite
- Oni/One/Ona rade
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have successfully learned how to conjugate regular verbs in the present tense in Croatian. This is a significant step towards becoming proficient in the language. Practice using these verb forms in various contexts to reinforce your understanding. In the next lesson, we will explore the present tense of irregular verbs. Keep up the good work!
Videos[edit | edit source]
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Present Tense Singular ...[edit | edit source]
Learn Croatian - Present tense verbs #2 - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Learn Croatian - Present tense verbs #3 - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Present Tense Plural ...[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Serbo-Croatian grammar - Wikipedia
- Croatian Verbs, the Best Detailed Introduction - tenses, aspect, and ...
- The present tense in the Croatian language, affirmative - SpeakCRO ...
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Croatian Language Varieties
- Nouns
- Future Tense
- Gender in Croatian
- Nouns and Cases
- Adjectives: Gender and Number
- Participles and Gerunds
- Croatian Idiomatic Expressions
- Negation
- Word Order and Sentence Structure
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