Language/Serbian/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-Counting

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SerbianVocabulary0 to A1 Course → Introduction to Serbian Vocabulary → Numbers and Counting

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we will dive into the world of numbers and counting in the Serbian language. Numbers are an essential part of everyday communication, whether it's telling time, counting money, or simply expressing quantities. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid foundation in Serbian numbers and be able to confidently use them in various contexts.

To make the learning process engaging and enjoyable, we will explore interesting cultural facts related to numbers in Serbian-speaking countries. We'll also provide plenty of examples and exercises to reinforce your understanding. So let's get started and discover the beauty of Serbian numbers!

Cardinal Numbers[edit | edit source]

0 to 10[edit | edit source]

Let's begin by learning the numbers from 0 to 10 in Serbian. Take a look at the table below for the Serbian pronunciation and English translation:

Serbian Pronunciation English
нула nula zero
један jedan one
два dva two
три tri three
четири četiri four
пет pet five
шест šest six
седам sedam seven
осам osam eight
девет devet nine
десет deset ten

Take some time to practice saying these numbers out loud. Pay attention to the pronunciation and try to imitate it as closely as possible. Remember, practice makes perfect!

11 to 20[edit | edit source]

Now, let's move on to the numbers from 11 to 20 in Serbian. These numbers have a unique form and are slightly irregular compared to the rest. Here's a table to help you:

Serbian Pronunciation English
једанаест jedanaest eleven
дванаест dvanaest twelve
тринаест trinaest thirteen
четрнаест četrnaest fourteen
петнаест petnaest fifteen
шеснаест šesnaest sixteen
седамнаест sedamnaest seventeen
осамнаест osamnaest eighteen
деветнаест devetnaest nineteen
двадесет dvadeset twenty

Notice that the numbers from 11 to 19 are formed by combining the word for "ten" (десять) with the numbers from 1 to 9. The word for "ten" itself is десять (dvadeset).

21 and Beyond[edit | edit source]

To express numbers beyond 20, you simply combine the word for "twenty" (двадесет) with the numbers from 1 to 9. Here are some examples:

Serbian Pronunciation English
двадесет један dvadeset jedan twenty-one
двадесет два dvadeset dva twenty-two
двадесет три dvadeset tri twenty-three
двадесет четири dvadeset četiri twenty-four
двадесет пет dvadeset pet twenty-five
тридесет trideset thirty
тридесет један trideset jedan thirty-one
четрдесет četrdeset forty
педесет pedeset fifty
шездесет šezdeset sixty
седамдесет sedamdeset seventy
осамдесет osamdeset eighty
деведесет devedeset ninety
сто sto one hundred
сто пет sto pet one hundred five
двеста dvesta two hundred
триста trista three hundred
четриста četrista four hundred
петсто petsto five hundred
хиљаду hiljadu one thousand
две хиљаде dve hiljade two thousand

As you can see, the pattern for numbers beyond 20 is straightforward. Just combine the word for "twenty" or the words for "hundred" and "thousand" with the respective numbers. Remember to pay attention to the pronunciation and practice saying these numbers out loud.

Ordinal Numbers[edit | edit source]

In addition to cardinal numbers, Serbian also has ordinal numbers, which are used to indicate the order or rank of something. Here are some examples of ordinal numbers in Serbian:

  • први (prvi) - first
  • други (drugi) - second
  • трећи (treći) - third
  • четврти (četvrti) - fourth
  • пети (peti) - fifth
  • шести (šesti) - sixth
  • седми (sedmi) - seventh
  • осми (osmi) - eighth
  • девети (deveti) - ninth
  • десети (deseti) - tenth

To form ordinal numbers in Serbian, simply add the suffix -и to the cardinal number. For example, "first" is први (prvi), and "second" is други (drugi).

Counting Objects and People[edit | edit source]

When counting objects or people in Serbian, you need to use different forms of numbers depending on the gender and case of the noun. Let's take a look at some examples:

Counting Objects[edit | edit source]

When counting masculine nouns, use the following forms:

  • один (odin) - one (nominative)
  • један (jedan) - one (accusative)

For feminine nouns, use these forms:

  • одна (odna) - one (nominative)
  • једну (jednu) - one (accusative)

And for neuter nouns, use these forms:

  • једно (jedno) - one (nominative)
  • једно (jedno) - one (accusative)

Here's a table to help you understand the different forms:

Serbian Pronunciation English
один стол odin stol one table (masculine)
један стол jedan stol one table (masculine)
одна столица odna stolica one chair (feminine)
једну столицу jednu stolicu one chair (feminine)
једно огледало jedno ogledalo one mirror (neuter)
једно огледало jedno ogledalo one mirror (neuter)

In Serbian, the noun following the number will change its form depending on the number itself. For example, "one table" is один стол (odin stol) in the nominative case, but један стол (jedan stol) in the accusative case.

Counting People[edit | edit source]

When counting people, the forms of numbers change slightly. Here are the forms you need to use:

  • један (jedan) - one (nominative masculine)
  • једнога (jednoga) - one (accusative masculine)
  • једна (jedna) - one (nominative feminine)
  • једну (jednu) - one (accusative feminine)
  • једно (jedno) - one (nominative neuter)
  • једно (jedno) - one (accusative neuter)

Let's see some examples:

Serbian Pronunciation English
један мушкарац jedan muškarac one man
једнога мушкараца jednoga muškaraca one man (accusative)
једна жена jedna žena one woman
једну жену jednu ženu one woman (accusative)
једно дете jedno dete one child
једно дете jedno dete one child (accusative)

Again, pay attention to the changes in the form of the noun depending on the number and case.

Cultural Insight[edit | edit source]

Numbers hold cultural significance in Serbian-speaking countries. In Serbia, for example, the number three is considered lucky and is often associated with good fortune. This belief is rooted in ancient Slavic folklore, where the number three was believed to symbolize harmony and balance. As a result, you may notice the number three being used in various aspects of Serbian culture, such as folk tales, traditional dances, and even architecture.

Additionally, the number seven is often regarded as a mystical number in Serbian culture. It is believed to have special powers and is associated with spirituality and the supernatural. Many traditional Serbian rituals and customs are performed in sets of seven, further emphasizing the significance of this number.

Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Try these exercises to practice counting and using numbers in Serbian:

1. Write the numbers from 1 to 10 in Serbian. 2. Say the following numbers out loud in Serbian: 17, 25, 39, 46, 58. 3. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the number in Serbian:

  - Имају две __________ (књига).
  - Купили смо пет __________ (џемпера).
  - Ја имам једно __________ (маче).

4. Translate the following sentences into Serbian:

  - I have three brothers.
  - She bought ten apples.
  - We saw two horses.

Solutions[edit | edit source]

Here are the solutions to the exercises:

1. один, један, два, три, четири, пет, шест, седам, осам, девет, десет 2. седамнаест, двадесет пет, тридесет девет, четрдесет шест, педесет осам 3. - Имају две књиге.

  - Купили смо пет џемпера.
  - Ја имам једно маче.

4. - Имам три брата.

  - Она је купила десет јабука.
  - Видели смо два конја.

Congratulations on completing the exercises! You're well on your way to mastering numbers and counting in Serbian.

Videos[edit | edit source]

Numbers on Serbian - YouTube[edit | edit source]

Learn basic Serbian: Numbers - YouTube[edit | edit source]

LEARNING SERBIAN NUMBERS 0-10 | PART 1 - YouTube[edit | edit source]


Sources[edit | edit source]



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