Language/Serbian/Grammar/Nouns:-Gender-and-Number

Next Lesson — Cases: Nominative and Accusative ▶️

Serbian Grammar → Introduction to Serbian Grammar → Nouns: Gender and Number

As a Serbian language teacher with over 20 years of experience, I know that learning Serbian grammar can seem daunting at first. However, understanding the basics of gender and number in Serbian nouns is important for developing a solid foundation in the language. In this lesson, I will explain the gender and number system in Serbian nouns.

Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Plurals & Verbs: Present Tense.

Gender in Serbian Nouns

Like many other Slavic languages, Serbian uses a system of grammatical genders for its nouns. Unlike English, where gender is denoted by pronouns only, Serbian nouns are divided into three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. In order to use proper grammar in Serbian, it is essential to know the gender of each noun.

Masculine Nouns

Most masculine nouns in Serbian end in consonants or "o". For instance, "stol" (table) and "muškarac" (man) are two common masculine nouns. There are some exceptions to this, however, so it is important to learn the gender of each noun individually.

Feminine Nouns

Feminine nouns in Serbian usually end in "a" or "ija". Some examples of feminine nouns include "kuća" (house) and "majka" (mother). Like masculine nouns, there are some exceptions to the general rule.

Neuter Nouns

The third gender in Serbian is neuter. Neuter nouns are usually denoted by the ending "-e" or "-o". For instance, "voće" (fruit) and "srce" (heart) are both neuter nouns.

Number in Serbian Nouns

In addition to gender, Serbian nouns also have a number - either singular or plural. This means that each noun can be either one object or more than one object.

Singular Nouns

When talking about one object or person, we use the singular form of a noun. For example, "Knjiga" (book) and "mačka" (cat) are both singular nouns.

Plural Nouns

To indicate more than one object or person, we use the plural form of a noun. In Serbian, most words add the suffix "-ovi" or "-evi" to form the plural, but some have different endings. For example, "knjige" (books) and "mačke" (cats) are both plural nouns.

Exceptions and Special Cases

As with any language, there are exceptions and special cases to the gender and number system in Serbian nouns. Some rules apply only to specific words, while others are particular to certain regions of Serbia.

One exception is that some Serbian nouns have the same form in the singular and the plural. For example, "ovoće" means both "fruit" and "fruits."

Another special case occurs when a letter is omitted in the spelling of a plural noun. For example, "vatra" (fire) becomes "vatre" (fires) in the plural, while "nebo" (sky) becomes "nebesa" (skies).

Conclusion

Understanding the gender and number system in Serbian nouns is essential for mastering the language. By learning the basic rules and paying attention to exceptions and special cases, you will be able to use proper grammar and communicate effectively in Serbian.

Sources:

• <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbian_grammar" title="Serbian grammar">Serbian grammar</a>
• <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serbo-Croatian_noun_types" title="Serbo-Croatian noun types">Serbo-Croatian noun types</a>

Upon wrapping up this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Negation & How to Use Have.

Table of Contents - Serbian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Serbian Grammar

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

  ---

Introduction to Serbian Vocabulary

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

  ---

Introduction to Serbian Culture

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

  ---

Pronouns: Possessive Pronouns

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

  ---

Shopping

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

  ---

Sports and Recreation

• Football in Serbia
• Winter Sports
• Music Festivals

  ---

Adjectives: Declension

• Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective
• Verbs: Reflexive Verbs

  ---

Jobs and Professions

• Places around Town
• Education and Learning

  ---

Literature and Poetry

• Medieval Serbian Literature
• Contemporary Serbian Poetry

  ---

Verbs: Conditional

• Verbs: Participles
• Verbs: Infinitives

  ---

Entertainment and Media

• Movies and Theater
• Music and Performances

  ---

Art and Artists

• Famous Serbian Painters
• Contemporary Serbian Art Scene

Other Lessons

• Verbs: Reflexive Verbs
• How to Use Be
• Be Polite
• Verbs: Future Tense
• Present Tense
• Verbs: Imperative
• Prepositions
• Past Tense
• Pronouns: Personal Pronouns
• Adjectives

Sources

• Serbian/Grammar - Wikibooks, open books for an open world
• Serbian Nouns
• Gender of Serbian Nouns

Next Lesson — Cases: Nominative and Accusative ▶️