Language/Bosnian/Grammar/Adjectives-and-Adverbs

Bosnian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Adjectives and Adverbs

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on Bosnian Grammar! In this lesson, we will explore the fascinating world of adjectives and adverbs in the Bosnian language. Adjectives and adverbs are essential components of language that allow us to describe people, objects, and situations in more detail. They add depth and nuance to our sentences, enabling us to express ourselves effectively.

Understanding how to use adjectives and adverbs correctly is crucial for developing your language skills. In this comprehensive lesson, we will delve into the intricacies of Bosnian adjectives and adverbs, providing numerous examples and exercises to help you grasp these concepts fully.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to describe people, objects, and situations with greater precision, as well as modify verbs and adjectives using adverbs. So let's get started!

Adjectives in Bosnian

What are Adjectives?

Adjectives are words that describe or modify nouns. They provide additional information about the noun, such as its size, color, shape, or quality. In Bosnian, adjectives agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case.

Let's take a look at some examples:

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
lijep	[liˈjɛp]	beautiful
plavi	[ˈplaːʋi]	blue
veliki	[ˈʋɛliki]	big
pametan	[ˈpamɛtan]	smart

In the examples above, we see adjectives that describe the qualities of a noun. Notice that the adjectives change form depending on the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify. This agreement is an important aspect of Bosnian grammar.

Gender Agreement

In Bosnian, adjectives must agree with the gender of the noun they modify. There are three genders in Bosnian: masculine, feminine, and neuter. Let's look at some examples to understand how gender agreement works:

Masculine:

• Visok čovjek (a tall man)
• Lijep grad (a beautiful city)

Feminine:

• Visoka žena (a tall woman)
• Lijepa kuća (a beautiful house)

Neuter:

• Visoko drvo (a tall tree)
• Lijepo jezero (a beautiful lake)

In the examples above, we see how the adjectives "visok" (tall) and "lijep" (beautiful) change form based on the gender of the noun they modify. This agreement is essential for grammatical correctness in Bosnian.

Number Agreement

Just like gender, adjectives in Bosnian also agree with the number of the noun they modify. There are two numbers in Bosnian: singular and plural. Let's see some examples to understand number agreement:

Singular:

• Mala mačka (a small cat)
• Mali pas (a small dog)

Plural:

• Male mačke (small cats)
• Mali psi (small dogs)

In the examples above, we observe how the adjectives "mala" (small) and "mali" (small) change form based on the number of the noun they modify. This agreement ensures grammatical accuracy in Bosnian sentences.

Case Agreement

In addition to gender and number agreement, adjectives in Bosnian also change form according to the case of the noun they modify. There are seven cases in Bosnian: nominative, genitive, dative, accusative, vocative, instrumental, and locative. Let's examine some examples to understand case agreement:

Nominative:

• Crvena jabuka (a red apple)
• Plavi okean (a blue ocean)

Genitive:

• Crvene jabuke (red apples)
• Plavih okeana (blue oceans)

Dative:

• Crvenoj jabuci (to a red apple)
• Plavim oceanima (to blue oceans)

Accusative:

• Crvenu jabuku (a red apple)
• Plave okeane (blue oceans)

Vocative:

• Crvena jabuko! (red apple!)
• Plavi okeane! (blue ocean!)

Instrumental:

• Crvenom jabukom (with a red apple)
• Plavim oceanima (with blue oceans)

Locative:

• Crvenoj jabuci (on a red apple)
• Plavim oceanima (on blue oceans)

In the examples above, we observe how the adjectives "crvena" (red) and "plavi" (blue) change form based on the case of the noun they modify. This agreement ensures grammatical precision in Bosnian sentences.

Adverbs in Bosnian

What are Adverbs?

Adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They provide additional information about the manner, time, place, frequency, or degree of an action or quality. In Bosnian, adverbs play a vital role in adding depth and precision to our sentences.

Let's take a look at some examples:

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
brzo	[ˈbr̩zo]	quickly
polako	[ˈpolako]	slowly
često	[ˈtʃɛsto]	often
veoma	[ˈvɛɔma]	very

In the examples above, we see adverbs that modify verbs or adjectives, providing additional information about the action or quality being described. Adverbs are an essential part of Bosnian grammar, allowing us to express ourselves with more precision and clarity.

Modifying Verbs

Adverbs are commonly used to modify verbs in Bosnian. They provide information about the manner, time, place, or frequency of an action. Let's look at some examples:

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
Ona pjeva lijepo.	[ˈɔna ˈpjɛʋa ˈlijɛpɔ]	She sings beautifully.
Idem polako kući.	[ˈidɛm ˈpɔlakɔ ˈkuːʨi]	I'm going home slowly.
Učim često.	[ˈuːʧim ˈtʃɛstɔ]	I study often.
Ona radi veoma brzo.	[ˈɔna ˈradi ˈvɛɔma ˈbr̩zɔ]	She works very quickly.

In the examples above, the adverbs "lijepo" (beautifully), "polako" (slowly), "često" (often), and "veoma" (very) modify the verbs, providing additional information about the manner or frequency of the actions. Adverbs help us convey a more precise meaning in our sentences.

Modifying Adjectives

Adverbs can also modify adjectives in Bosnian. They provide information about the degree or intensity of a quality. Let's see some examples:

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
On je jako pametan.	[ɔn jɛ ˈjako ˈpamɛtan]	He is very smart.
Ova knjiga je prilično zanimljiva.	[ˈɔʋa ˈkɲiːɡa jɛ priˈlitʃnɔ zaˈnimʎiʋa]	This book is quite interesting.
Taj film je izuzetno dosadan.	[ˈtaj film jɛ iˈzuːɛtnɔ ˈdɔsaːdan]	That movie is extremely boring.

In the examples above, the adverbs "jako" (very), "prilično" (quite), and "izuzetno" (extremely) modify the adjectives, providing information about the degree or intensity of the qualities being described. Adverbs allow us to express ourselves more precisely and vividly.

Cultural Insights

Bosnian culture is rich and diverse, and it greatly influences the language. When it comes to adjectives and adverbs, there are regional variations in their usage and understanding. Different regions of Bosnia may have their own distinctive vocabulary and expressions.

For example, people from the capital city of Sarajevo may use different adjectives and adverbs compared to those from rural areas. The city's multicultural history has shaped the language used by its residents, resulting in a unique linguistic flavor.

Additionally, historical factors have also influenced the Bosnian language. The Ottoman Empire's presence in Bosnia for several centuries has left a lasting impact on the vocabulary and grammar. Turkish loanwords and expressions are still present in the language today, including adjectives and adverbs.

Understanding the cultural aspects of Bosnian language usage enhances your overall language skills and provides valuable insights into the country's history and people.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have explored adjectives and adverbs in Bosnian, let's put our knowledge into practice with some exercises. Complete the following sentences by choosing the correct adjective or adverb from the options provided:

1. Ona je ____(lijepo, brzo) trčala na stadionu. 2. Ovaj kolač je ____(ukusno, često) pripremljen. 3. On je ____(pametno, polako) odgovorio na pitanje. 4. Ta kuća ima ____(veliki, često) dvorište. 5. Ona je ____(lijepo, jako) pjevala na koncertu.

Solutions:

1. Ona je lijepo trčala na stadionu. 2. Ovaj kolač je ukusno pripremljen. 3. On je pametno odgovorio na pitanje. 4. Ta kuća ima veliko dvorište. 5. Ona je jako pjevala na koncertu.

Explanation:

1. The adverb "lijepo" (beautifully) describes how she ran. 2. The adverb "ukusno" (deliciously) describes how the cake was prepared. 3. The adverb "pametno" (intelligently) describes how he answered the question. 4. The adjective "veliko" (big) describes the size of the yard. 5. The adverb "jako" (powerfully) describes how she sang.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the lesson on adjectives and adverbs in Bosnian. You have learned how to describe people, objects, and situations using adjectives, as well as modify verbs and adjectives using adverbs.

By understanding the intricacies of adjectives and adverbs in Bosnian, you can now express yourself with greater precision and clarity. Keep practicing and incorporating these concepts into your language skills to become more fluent in Bosnian.

In our next lesson, we will explore the topic of prepositions and cases in Bosnian. Stay tuned for more exciting language learning adventures!

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 Adverbs

Other Lessons

• Questions
• Future Tense
• Gender
• How to Use Be
• Conditional Mood
• Articles and Nouns
• 0 to A1 Course
• How to Use Have
• Adjectives