Language/Serbian/Grammar/Verbs:-Perfective-and-Imperfective

Serbian Grammar → Adjectives: Declension → Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective

As a Serbian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I know that understanding the concepts of perfective and imperfective verbs is essential for learning Serbian. In this lesson, I will explain what these verbs are, how they differ, and how to use them properly.

What are Perfective and Imperfective Verbs?

Serbian verbs can be divided into two main categories: perfective and imperfective. These categories are defined by the way the verb describes the action it refers to.

Perfective verbs describe completed or finished actions. These verbs indicate that an action has been done or completed, and there is no ongoing relevance to that action. For example, "pročitao sam" ("I have read it") is a perfective verb because it implies that reading is complete and there is no reason to continue.

Imperfective verbs, on the other hand, describe ongoing, habitual or repeated actions. These verbs refer to actions that have not been completed or finished. For example, "čitam" ("I am reading") is an imperfective verb because it implies that the act of reading is ongoing and will continue.

The difference between the two categories is important because they affect the way that Serbian verbs are conjugated or declined.

How to distinguish Perfective and Imperfective Verbs

One difficulty for learners is distinguishing between perfective and imperfective verbs. There is no simple rule for this; it is a matter of learning the verbs together with their common prefixes or suffixes.

As a rule of thumb, perfective verbs are created by adding a prefix to an imperfective verb. Often, the prefix alters the meaning of the verb. In contrast, imperfective verbs do not have a prefix or their prefix does not add any meaning to the verb.

For example, "čitati" (to read) is a basic imperfective verb. By adding the prefix "pre-", it becomes "precičati" meaning to "glance or skim through a text". This creates a perfective verb.

On the other hand, "raditi" (to work) is an imperfective verb while "uraditi" (to finish, complete a task or job) is the corresponding perfective verb. The prefix "u-" does not alter the meaning of the verb but changes its structure to indicate that the action is complete.

Examples of Perfective and Imperfective Verbs

Here are some examples of perfective and imperfective verbs:

Perfective Verbs

Serbian	Pronunciation	English
uraditi	/uraːdit̪i/	to finish, complete a task or job
ispitati	/ispitati/	to examine, test
napisati	/napisati/	to write

Imperfective Verbs

Serbian	Pronunciation	English
čitati	/tʃitati/	to read
raditi	/raditi/	to work
stajati	/stajati/	to stand

How to use Perfective and Imperfective Verbs

In Serbian, perfective and imperfective verbs are used in specific ways in different tenses or contexts. For example, the perfective verb "uraditi" would be used when describing something that has been completed in the past, while the imperfective verb "raditi" would be used when describing something that is currently happening or a planned action in the future.

Knowing which verb to use in which context takes time and practice. As you learn more Serbian, you will get a better feeling for when to use perfective and when to use imperfective verbs.

Tips for Learning Perfective and Imperfective Verbs

Here are some tips that will help you to learn perfective and imperfective verbs in Serbian:

• Try to learn each verb together with its common prefixes and suffixes.
• Pay attention to the context in which the verbs are used.
• Use Serbian language resources such as online dictionaries, apps, podcasts and native speakers.

Sources

• Serbian Verbal Aspect, an Essential Guide for Beginners: 2 ...
• Russian (And Serbian) Grammar - Language Forum @ LingQ

Table of Contents - Serbian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Serbian Grammar

• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Cases: Nominative and Accusative
• Pronouns: Personal Pronouns
• Verbs: Present Tense
• Verbs: Past Tense

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Introduction to Serbian Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Counting
• Food and Drink
• Family and Relationships
• Transportation and Directions

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Introduction to Serbian Culture

• Traditional Serbian Music
• Religious Festivals
• Folk Dances
• Serbian Films
• Cuisine

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Pronouns: Possessive Pronouns

• Verbs: Future Tense
• Adjectives: Comparative and Superlative
• Verbs: Imperative

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Shopping

• Clothes and Accessories
• At the Market
• Banking and Money

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Sports and Recreation

• Football in Serbia
• Winter Sports
• Music Festivals

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Adjectives: Declension

• Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective
• Verbs: Reflexive Verbs

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Jobs and Professions

• Places around Town
• Education and Learning

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Literature and Poetry

• Medieval Serbian Literature
• Contemporary Serbian Poetry

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Verbs: Conditional

• Verbs: Participles
• Verbs: Infinitives

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Entertainment and Media

• Movies and Theater
• Music and Performances

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Art and Artists

• Famous Serbian Painters
• Contemporary Serbian Art Scene

Related Lessons

• Verbs: Present Tense
• How to Use Be
• Comaratives and Superlatives
• Verbs: Infinitives
• Be Polite
• Past Participle in Serbian
• Plural
• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Definite Articles in Serbian
• Conditional Tense