Language/Bosnian/Grammar/Prepositions-and-Cases

Bosnian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Prepositions and Cases

Welcome to this exciting lesson on Bosnian grammar, where we will dive into the fascinating world of prepositions and cases! Understanding these concepts is essential for forming coherent sentences and expressing yourself clearly in Bosnian. Prepositions help us understand the relationships between different parts of speech, while cases indicate the role of nouns and pronouns in a sentence. By mastering both, you'll be on your way to creating complex and meaningful sentences.

In this lesson, we will cover the following topics:

• What are prepositions and why are they important?

• Overview of the cases in Bosnian

• How prepositions interact with different cases

• Examples of prepositions used in sentences

• Exercises to practice what you've learned

Let’s embark on this linguistic journey together!

What are Prepositions?

Prepositions are words that link nouns, pronouns, or phrases to other words in a sentence. They help establish relationships in terms of location, time, direction, and more. In Bosnian, prepositions are crucial for providing context to your sentences.

Common Prepositions in Bosnian:

• u (in)

• na (on)

• iz (from)

• do (to)

• s (with)

• bez (without)

• o (about)

Overview of Cases in Bosnian

Bosnian, like many Slavic languages, has a rich system of grammatical cases. Each case serves a specific purpose and is used to show the function of nouns and pronouns in a sentence. Here are the six cases you will encounter:

1. Nominative - Subject of the sentence

2. Genitive - Indicates possession or absence

3. Dative - Shows the indirect object of a verb

4. Accusative - Direct object of a verb

5. Vocative - Used for addressing someone directly

6. Locative - Indicates location or time

To better understand how these cases work with prepositions, let’s explore some examples.

Prepositions and Their Cases

Prepositions in Bosnian often dictate which case to use. Here’s a breakdown of some common prepositions and the cases they require:

Preposition	Required Case	Example Sentence
u	Locative	"U kući sam." (I am in the house.)
na	Locative	"Na stolu je knjiga." (There is a book on the table.)
iz	Genitive	"Iz Bosne dolazim." (I come from Bosnia.)
do	Accusative	"Idem do škole." (I am going to the school.)
s	Instrumental	"Idem s prijateljem." (I am going with a friend.)
bez	Genitive	"Bez tebe ne mogu." (I cannot do without you.)
o	Locative	"O knjizi pričam." (I am talking about the book.)

As you can see from the table above, each preposition is paired with a specific case and is illustrated with an example sentence. This will help you understand how to use prepositions and cases in context.

Creating Complex Sentences

Now that we've covered the basics of prepositions and cases, let’s take it a step further and look at how to create complex sentences using these elements. Complex sentences often combine multiple ideas and require a good grasp of grammar.

Example Structure:

• Main Clause + Preposition Phrase

• "Ja idem u školu sa prijateljima." (I am going to school with friends.)

Here, "idem" (I am going) is the main verb, "u školu" (to school) is the prepositional phrase indicating direction, and "sa prijateljima" (with friends) adds additional context.

Let’s practice creating some complex sentences with the prepositions and cases we've learned.

Practice Exercises

Now it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises designed to help you practice using prepositions and cases.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences by choosing the correct preposition and case.

1. Ja idem ___ (to) kuća.

2. On je ___ (in) trg.

3. Idem ___ (with) prijatelj.

4. Knjiga je ___ (on) stol.

Answers:

1. do (kuću - Accusative)

2. u (trgu - Locative)

3. s (prijateljem - Instrumental)

4. na (stolu - Locative)

Exercise 2: Matching Prepositions to Cases

Match the preposition to the correct case it requires.

1. bez

2. na

3. iz

4. do

A. Locative

B. Genitive

C. Accusative

D. Locative

Answers:

1 - B (bez - Genitive)

2 - D (na - Locative)

3 - B (iz - Genitive)

4 - C (do - Accusative)

Exercise 3: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences into Bosnian using the correct prepositions and cases.

1. I am going with my sister.

2. The book is on the table.

3. I cannot live without you.

4. He is from Canada.

Answers:

1. Idem s sestrom.

2. Knjiga je na stolu.

3. Ne mogu živjeti bez tebe.

4. On je iz Kanade.

Exercise 4: Identify the Case

Identify the case used in the following sentences.

1. "Ja idem do parka."

2. "O njemu pričam."

3. "Igram se s djecom."

4. "Bez njega ne mogu."

Answers:

1. Accusative

2. Locative

3. Instrumental

4. Genitive

Exercise 5: Create Your Own Sentences

Create four sentences using at least two different prepositions and cases.

Example Response:

1. Ja idem u školu bez mog prijatelja. (I am going to school without my friend.)

2. Ona sjedi na klupi s knjigom. (She is sitting on the bench with a book.)

Your Turn:

1. _______________________________

2. _______________________________

3. _______________________________

4. _______________________________

Exercise 6: Sentence Correction

Correct the errors in the following sentences.

1. Ja idem u kući.

2. Ona je bez prijateljem.

3. Knjiga je do stolu.

Answers:

1. Ja idem kući. (I am going home.)

2. Ona je bez prijatelja. (She is without a friend.)

3. Knjiga je na stolu. (The book is on the table.)

Exercise 7: Multiple Choice

Choose the correct preposition for the sentence.

1. I am talking ___ (about) him.

a) o

b) s

c) do

Answer:

1. a) o

Exercise 8: Write a Short Paragraph

Write a short paragraph about your daily routine using at least five different prepositions and cases.

Example Response:

Svako jutro idem u školu. Na putu srećem prijatelje. Bez njih ne mogu zamisliti dan. U školi učimo o raznim stvarima. Poslije škole idemo na kafu.

Exercise 9: Preposition Identification

Identify the prepositions in the following sentence: "Ja idem do škole s mojim prijateljem."

Answer:

• do

• s

Exercise 10: Case Identification

Identify the case of the underlined words in the sentence: "Ona je u parku s prijateljima."

Answer:

• u parku - Locative

• s prijateljima - Instrumental

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this lesson on Bosnian prepositions and cases! You’ve taken a significant step toward becoming proficient in Bosnian grammar. Remember, practice is key! Try to use these concepts in your daily conversations and writing. The more you practice, the more natural it will become.

If you have any questions or need further clarification, don't hesitate to reach out. Happy learning!

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

• Case marking is different in monolingual and heritage Bosnian in ...

Other Lessons

• Plurals
• Future Tense
• 0 to A1 Course
• Articles and Nouns
• Gender
• Pronouns
• Verbs and Conjugation
• Basic Sentence Structure
• Questions