Language/Bosnian/Grammar/Basic-Sentence-Structure

Bosnian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Basic Sentence Structure

Welcome to this exciting lesson on Basic Sentence Structure in Bosnian! Understanding how to construct sentences is fundamental for effective communication in any language, and Bosnian is no exception. In this lesson, we will explore the essential components of simple sentences, focusing on the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) word order, which is the backbone of Bosnian grammar. This foundational skill will empower you to express your thoughts and engage in conversations right from the very start of your Bosnian language journey.

Before we dive in, let’s outline what you can expect from this lesson:

• Introduction to Basic Sentence Structure: We’ll discuss why mastering sentence structure is crucial for your language learning progress.

• Components of a Simple Sentence: We’ll break down the elements that make up a sentence.

• Examples: We will look at 20 illustrative examples to see how the SVO structure works in practice.

• Exercises: You will have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned through various exercises, complete with solutions and explanations.

So, are you ready to unlock the secrets of Bosnian sentence structure? Let’s get started!

Introduction to Basic Sentence Structure

In Bosnian, as in many languages, the way we arrange words in a sentence can change its meaning entirely. The Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order is the most common structure used when forming basic sentences. This means that in a typical Bosnian sentence, you will start with the subject (the doer of the action), followed by the verb (the action itself), and finally the object (what is acted upon).

For example, in the sentence "I eat an apple," I is the subject, eat is the verb, and an apple is the object. Understanding this structure will not only help you construct sentences accurately but also enable you to recognize and comprehend sentences in spoken and written Bosnian.

Components of a Simple Sentence

Let’s break down the components of a simple Bosnian sentence:

1. Subject (S): This is usually a noun or pronoun that tells us who or what the sentence is about.

2. Verb (V): This expresses the action or state of being.

3. Object (O): This is usually a noun or pronoun that receives the action of the verb.

To illustrate this further, here’s a simple table showing the components:

Component	Description	Example
Subject !! The doer of the action	"Ja" (I)
Verb !! The action performed	"jedem" (eat)
Object !! The entity that receives the action	"jabuku" (an apple)

Examples of Basic Sentence Structure

Let’s look at some practical examples of sentences following the SVO structure. Here are 20 examples to help you visualize how this works in practice:

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
Ja čitam knjigu.	Ja chee-tam k'nyi-gou.	I read a book.
Ona piše pismo.	Ona pee-she pee-sto.	She writes a letter.
Mi volimo plivati.	Mee vo-lee-mo plee-vati.	We love to swim.
Ti jedeš hljeb.	Tee ye-desh hlyeb.	You eat bread.
On gleda televiziju.	On gled-a te-le-vee-zee-you.	He watches television.
Djeca igraju fudbal.	D'yet-sa ee-gra-yoo food-bal.	The children play football.
Ona pjeva pjesmu.	Ona p'ye-va p'yes-moo.	She sings a song.
Ja kupujem voće.	Ja koo-poo-yem vo-che.	I buy fruit.
Mi pravimo kolače.	Mee pra-vee-mo ko-la-che.	We make cakes.
Ti učiš Bosanski.	Tee oo-cheesh Bo-sans-kee.	You learn Bosnian.
On vozi auto.	On vo-zee ou-toe.	He drives a car.
Ja slušam muziku.	Ja sloo-sham moo-zee-koo.	I listen to music.
Ona čisti stan.	Ona chee-stee stan.	She cleans the apartment.
Djeca crtaju slike.	D'yet-sa tsar-ta-yoo s'lee-ke.	The children draw pictures.
Mi učimo matematiku.	Mee oo-chee-mo ma-te-ma-ti-koo.	We study mathematics.
Ti razgovaraš s prijateljem.	Tee raz-go-var-ash s pree-ya-tel-yem.	You talk to a friend.
On voli čokoladu.	On vo-lee cho-ko-la-doo.	He loves chocolate.
Ja gledam film.	Ja gled-am film.	I watch a film.
Ona jede voće.	Ona ye-de vo-che.	She eats fruit.
Mi idemo na izlet.	Mee ee-de-mo na eez-let.	We go on a trip.
Ti spavaš dugo.	Tee spa-vash doo-go.	You sleep long.

These examples show the straightforward application of the SVO structure in Bosnian. Notice how the subject always comes first, followed by the verb, and finally the object. This consistency is key to mastering sentence formation.

Exercises

Now that you’ve got a good grasp of the basic sentence structure in Bosnian, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice! Here are ten exercises for you.

1. Translate the following sentences into Bosnian using the SVO structure:

• I drink water.

• She reads a newspaper.

• They play chess.

2. Identify the subject, verb, and object in the following sentences:

• Ja volim kafu.

• On pjeva pjesmu.

3. Create your own sentences in Bosnian using the SVO structure:

• Think of three activities you enjoy and write sentences about them.

4. Fill in the blanks with the correct Bosnian words:

• ___ (I) ___ (eat) ___ (apple).

• ___ (We) ___ (watch) ___ (movie).

5. Match the Bosnian sentences with their English translations:

• A) Ti pišeš pismo.

• B) Ona jede kolač.

• C) Mi igramo nogomet.

6. Convert the following sentences to the negative form:

• Ja idem u školu.

• Ona jede meso.

7. Change the subject of the following sentences and rewrite them:

• Djeca trče brzo.

• On vozi bicikl.

8. Form questions based on the sentences below:

• Ja čitam knjigu.

• Ti voliš muziku.

9. Create sentences using the following words:

• (I, listen, music)

• (He, drives, car)

10. Write a short paragraph about your daily routine using the SVO structure in Bosnian.

Solutions and Explanations

1. Translations:

• Ja pijem vodu.

• Ona čita novine.

• Oni igraju šah.

2. Identifying components:

• Ja volim kafu: Subject (Ja), Verb (volim), Object (kafu).

• On pjeva pjesmu: Subject (On), Verb (pjeva), Object (pjesmu).

3. Example sentences:

• Ja volim čitati.

• Ona voli trčati.

• Mi volimo plivati.

4. Fill in the blanks:

• Ja jedem jabuku.

• Mi gledamo film.

5. Matching:

• A) You write a letter.

• B) She eats a cake.

• C) We play football.

6. Negative form:

• Ja ne idem u školu.

• Ona ne jede meso.

7. Changed subjects:

• Odrasli trče brzo.

• Ona vozi bicikl.

8. Forming questions:

• Šta čitaš? (What do you read?)

• Šta voliš? (What do you love?)

9. Example sentences:

• Ja slušam muziku.

• On vozi auto.

10. Example paragraph:

• Svako jutro ja ustajem rano. Ja pijem kafu i jedem doručak. Potom, ja idem u školu. U školi učim i razgovaram sa prijateljima.

And there you have it! You’ve now learned the basics of constructing simple sentences in Bosnian. This foundational skill will serve you well as you continue your journey towards A1 proficiency. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be forming more complex sentences with ease!

Table of Contents - Bosnian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Bosnian Alphabet

• Bosnian Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Special Characters and Sounds

  ---

Basic Bosnian Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Questions and Negations

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Plurals
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Ordering at a Restaurant

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Bosnian Customs and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Hobbies and Leisure Activities

• Common Hobbies
• Sports and Fitness

  ---

Bosnian Literature and Cinema

• Famous Writers and Works
• Bosnian Cinema

Sources

• Bosnian Language - Structure, Writing & Alphabet - MustGo

Other Lessons

• Articles and Nouns
• Plurals
• Personal pronouns
• Adjectives
• How to Use Have
• Gender
• Give your Opinion
• How to Use Be
• Questions