Language/Bosnian/Grammar/Present-Tense
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Introduction[edit | edit source]
Welcome to the lesson on the present tense in Bosnian! In this lesson, we will explore how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense. The present tense is used to describe actions happening in the current moment or general truths. Mastering the present tense is essential for building a strong foundation in Bosnian grammar and communication skills. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently form sentences using different verbs and subjects in the present tense.
Regular Verbs in Present Tense[edit | edit source]
Regular verbs in Bosnian follow a predictable pattern when conjugated in the present tense. To conjugate a regular verb, we remove the infinitive ending and add the appropriate ending based on the subject pronoun. Let's take a look at the conjugation of the verb "govoriti" (to speak) in the present tense:
Bosnian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Govorim | go-vo-rim | I speak |
Govoriš | go-vo-riš | You speak |
Govori | go-vo-ri | He/She/It speaks |
Govorimo | go-vo-ri-mo | We speak |
Govorite | go-vo-ri-te | You (plural) speak |
Govore | go-vo-re | They speak |
As you can see, the endings of the verb "govoriti" change depending on the subject pronoun. This pattern applies to all regular verbs in the present tense. Let's practice conjugating a few more regular verbs together:
- "Raditi" (to work):
Bosnian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Radim | ra-dim | I work |
Radiš | ra-diš | You work |
Radi | ra-di | He/She/It works |
Radimo | ra-di-mo | We work |
Radite | ra-di-te | You (plural) work |
Rade | ra-de | They work |
- "Pisati" (to write):
Bosnian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Pišem | pi-šem | I write |
Pišeš | pi-šeš | You write |
Piše | pi-še | He/She/It writes |
Pišemo | pi-še-mo | We write |
Pišete | pi-še-te | You (plural) write |
Pišu | pi-šu | They write |
By practicing the conjugation of regular verbs in the present tense, you will become more comfortable with the pattern and develop a stronger grasp of the Bosnian language.
Irregular Verbs in Present Tense[edit | edit source]
While regular verbs follow a predictable pattern, irregular verbs have unique conjugations in the present tense. These verbs require memorization and practice. Let's explore a few common irregular verbs in the present tense:
- "Biti" (to be):
Bosnian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Jesam | je-sam | I am |
Jesi | je-si | You are |
Jeste | je-ste | He/She/It is |
Jesmo | je-smo | We are |
Jeste | je-ste | You (plural) are |
Jesu | je-su | They are |
- "Imati" (to have):
Bosnian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Imam | i-mam | I have |
Imaš | i-maš | You have |
Ima | i-ma | He/She/It has |
Imamo | i-ma-mo | We have |
Imate | i-ma-te | You (plural) have |
Imaju | i-ma-ju | They have |
- "Htjeti" (to want):
Bosnian | Pronunciation | English |
---|---|---|
Hoću | ho-ću | I want |
Hoćeš | ho-ćeš | You want |
Hoće | ho-će | He/She/It wants |
Hoćemo | ho-će-mo | We want |
Hoćete | ho-će-te | You (plural) want |
Hoće | ho-će | They want |
Irregular verbs add an extra layer of complexity to the present tense, but with practice and exposure to different verbs, you will become more familiar with their conjugations.
Cultural Insight: Regional Variations[edit | edit source]
The usage and understanding of the present tense may vary slightly across different regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the core conjugation patterns remain the same, certain dialects may have unique verb forms or pronunciations. For example, in the Herzegovina dialect, the verb "govoriti" (to speak) is often pronounced as "govorit" or "govorit će" instead of "govori" for the third person singular. Additionally, some regions may have local words or phrases that are commonly used in the present tense.
It's important to note these regional variations as you engage with native Bosnian speakers and immerse yourself in the language. Embracing the diversity of the language will not only deepen your understanding but also enhance your cultural experience as you explore Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to put your knowledge into practice! Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding of the present tense in Bosnian. Remember to conjugate the verbs based on the subject pronouns provided.
Exercise 1: Conjugate the verb "čitati" (to read) in the present tense:
- Ja (I) - čitam
- Ti (You) - čitaš
- On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - čita
- Mi (We) - čitamo
- Vi (You - plural) - čitate
- Oni/One/Ona (They) - čitaju
Exercise 2: Conjugate the verb "spavati" (to sleep) in the present tense:
- Ja (I) - spavam
- Ti (You) - spavaš
- On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - spava
- Mi (We) - spavamo
- Vi (You - plural) - spavate
- Oni/One/Ona (They) - spavaju
Exercise 3: Conjugate the verb "jesti" (to eat) in the present tense:
- Ja (I) - jedem
- Ti (You) - jedeš
- On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - jede
- Mi (We) - jedemo
- Vi (You - plural) - jedete
- Oni/One/Ona (They) - jedu
Exercise 4: Conjugate the verb "vidjeti" (to see) in the present tense:
- Ja (I) - vidim
- Ti (You) - vidiš
- On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - vidi
- Mi (We) - vidimo
- Vi (You - plural) - vidite
- Oni/One/Ona (They) - vide
Solutions[edit | edit source]
Exercise 1:
- Ja (I) - čitam
- Ti (You) - čitaš
- On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - čita
- Mi (We) - čitamo
- Vi (You - plural) - čitate
- Oni/One/Ona (They) - čitaju
Exercise 2:
- Ja (I) - spavam
- Ti (You) - spavaš
- On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - spava
- Mi (We) - spavamo
- Vi (You - plural) - spavate
- Oni/One/Ona (They) - spavaju
Exercise 3:
- Ja (I) - jedem
- Ti (You) - jedeš
- On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - jede
- Mi (We) - jedemo
- Vi (You - plural) - jedete
- Oni/One/Ona (They) - jedu
Exercise 4:
- Ja (I) - vidim
- Ti (You) - vidiš
- On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - vidi
- Mi (We) - vidimo
- Vi (You - plural) - vidite
- Oni/One/Ona (They) - vide
Great job! You've successfully practiced conjugating verbs in the present tense. Keep practicing to build your confidence and fluency in Bosnian.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we explored the present tense in Bosnian. We learned how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense and practiced forming sentences using different verbs and subjects. Remember to pay attention to regional variations in the usage and pronunciation of the present tense, as this will enrich your understanding of the Bosnian language and culture. Keep practicing and applying what you've learned to further develop your language skills. Congratulations on completing this lesson, and keep up the great work!
Videos[edit | edit source]
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Present Tense Singular ...[edit | edit source]
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Present Tense Plural ...[edit | edit source]
Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Present Tense Negation ...[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Present Tense Singular ...
- Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Present Tense Plural ...
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Articles and Nouns
- How to Use Be
- Bosnian Alphabet and Pronunciation
- Comparatives and Superlatives
- Questions and Negations
- Conditional Mood
- Adjective Agreement
- Give your Opinion
- 0 to A1 Course
◀️ Personal Pronouns — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Past Tense ▶️ |