Language/Serbian/Grammar/Conditional-Tense

Conditional Tense in Serbian

In the Serbian language, the conditional tense is used to describe what someone would or wouldn't do under certain circumstances that have not happened yet or are unlikely to happen at all. It can also express polite requests and offers.

Let's take a closer look at the conditional tense in Serbian:

Forming the Conditional Tense

The conditional tense in Serbian is formed by using the auxiliary verb "bih" (would) in combination with the past participle of the main verb. The auxiliary verb "bih" agrees with the subject in person and number.

For example:

• Ja bih uradio/uradila (I would do)
• Ti bi bio/bila (You would be)
• On bi bio (He would be)
• Ona bi bila (She would be)
• Mi bismo bili (We would be)
• Vi biste bili (You all would be)
• Oni/One bi bili/bile (They would be)

Examples

Here's an example sentence in the conditional tense:

• Ukoliko bih bila na tvom mestu, uradila/uradio bih to. (Translation: If I were in your place, I would do it.)

Here are some alternative sentences in different contexts and tones:

1. Da si ti ja, uradio/la bih isto. (Translation: If you were me, you would do the same.) (casual tone)
2. Kada budem u prilici da uradim to za tebe, obavestiću te. (Translation: When I have the opportunity to do that for you, I will let you know.) (polite tone)
3. Kada mi se vratiš iz Amerike, otići ćemo zajedno na more. (Translation: When you return from America, we will go to the seaside together.) (future conditional tense used with future action)

Example Conversation

Here's an example conversation that uses the conditional tense:

Context: Two friends discussing weekend plans.

Maja: Da li si razmišljala šta ćeš raditi ovog vikenda? (Translation: Have you thought about what you're going to do this weekend?) Ana: Nisam baš sigurna... (Translation: Not really sure...) Maja: Ukoliko počne da pada kiša sutra možemo pogledati filmove kod mene kući? Šta misliš? (Translation: If it starts raining tomorrow we could watch movies at my place? What do you think?) Ana: To zvuči super! Hvala! (Translation: That sounds great! Thank you!)

I hope this lesson helps you understand the conditional tense in Serbian. If you have any further questions or need clarification, feel free to ask.

Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Comaratives and Superlatives, Serbian language has 3 genders, Verbs: Reflexive Verbs & Verbs: Participles.

More Examples

English	If I could I would love
Serbian	Ако я могао, я волео бих
English transliteration	ah koh yah moh gah oh, yah voh leh oh beeH
English	if I could I would speak
Serbian	Ако я могао, я говорио бих
English transliteration	ah koh yah moh gah oh, yah goh voh ryoh beeH
English	if I could I would sleep
Serbian	Ако я могао, я спавао бих
English transliteration	ah koh yah moh gah oh, yah spah vah oh beeH
English	if I could I would eat
Serbian	Ако я могао, я јео бих
English transliteration	ah koh yah moh gah oh, yah yeh oh beeH

Other Lessons

• Definite Articles in Serbian
• Prepositions
• How to Use Have
• Possessive Case in Serbian
• Questions
• Past Participle in Serbian
• Plurals
• Negation
• Nouns
• Past Tense