Language/Bosnian/Grammar/Past-Tense

◀️ Present Tense — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Numbers 1-100 ▶️

Bosnian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Past Tense

Welcome to the Bosnian Grammar → Past Tense lesson! In this lesson, we will explore how to conjugate verbs in the past tense, an essential skill for anyone looking to communicate effectively in Bosnian. The past tense allows us to share our experiences, tell stories, and connect with others by discussing what has already happened.

Understanding the past tense is crucial as it adds depth to your conversations and helps you express yourself in a more nuanced way. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to conjugate various verbs and form coherent sentences that describe past events and actions.

Here’s a brief outline of what we will cover in this lesson:

Introduction to the Past Tense

In Bosnian, the past tense is formed differently depending on the verb's conjugation and the subject's gender. We'll break down the rules and provide plenty of examples to solidify your understanding.

Verb Conjugation in the Past Tense

We'll cover the rules for regular and irregular verbs, including both perfective and imperfective aspects. You'll see how different subjects affect the verb forms.

Examples of Past Tense Conjugations

We’ll provide numerous examples to illustrate the different forms of verbs in the past tense.

Practice Exercises

At the end of the lesson, you'll have the chance to practice what you've learned through various exercises designed to reinforce your understanding.

Introduction to the Past Tense

In Bosnian, the past tense is crucial for storytelling and sharing experiences. It allows speakers to reflect on what they have done, seen, or felt. The past tense is formed using different endings depending on the subject's gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter) and whether the verb is perfective or imperfective. Let's dive into the specifics!

Verb Conjugation in the Past Tense

Bosnian verbs can be categorized into two main aspects: perfective and imperfective.

• Perfective verbs indicate completed actions.

• Imperfective verbs express ongoing or habitual actions.

Regular Verbs

Regular verbs typically follow predictable patterns. Here’s a basic structure of how to conjugate regular verbs in the past tense:

• Masculine: Verb stem + "o"

• Feminine: Verb stem + "la"

• Neuter: Verb stem + "lo"

Let's take a look at how this works with the verb "raditi" (to work).

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
ja sam radio	ja sam radio	I worked (masculine)
ja sam radila	ja sam radila	I worked (feminine)
ja sam radilo	ja sam radilo	I worked (neuter)

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs don't always follow the same patterns, so they need to be memorized. For example, the verb "ići" (to go) is irregular.

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
ja sam išao	ja sam išao	I went (masculine)
ja sam išla	ja sam išla	I went (feminine)
ja sam išlo	ja sam išlo	I went (neuter)

Examples of Past Tense Conjugations

Now that we understand the basic structure, let's look at more examples using different verbs.

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
ona je jela	ona je jela	She ate
oni su pili	oni su pili	They drank
mi smo učili	mi smo učili	We learned
ti si gledao	ti si gledao	You watched (masculine)
ti si gledala	ti si gledala	You watched (feminine)

Summary of Conjugation Patterns

• Masculine: Verb stem + "o"

• Feminine: Verb stem + "la"

• Neuter: Verb stem + "lo"

Practice Exercises

Now that we've covered the theory, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises designed to help you practice what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct past tense form of the verb in parentheses.

1. Ja ____ (ići) u prodavnicu.

2. Ona ____ (gledati) film.

3. Mi ____ (raditi) domaći zadatak.

Exercise 2: Conjugate the Verb

Conjugate the following verbs in the past tense for all three genders.

1. Trčati (to run)

2. Svirati (to play an instrument)

Exercise 3: Create Sentences

Using the verbs provided, create sentences in the past tense.

1. (pisati)

2. (pričati)

Solutions to Exercises

Exercise 1:

1. Ja sam išao u prodavnicu. (masculine)

2. Ona je gledala film. (feminine)

3. Mi smo radili domaći zadatak.

Exercise 2:

1. Trčati (to run)

• ja sam trčao / trčala / trčalo

• ti si trčao / trčala

• on/ona/ono je trčao / trčala / trčalo

• mi smo trčali / trčale

• vi ste trčali / trčale

• oni/one su trčali / trčale

2. Svirati (to play an instrument)

• ja sam svirao / svirala / sviralo

• ti si svirao / svirala

• on/ona/ono je svirao / svirala / sviralo

• mi smo svirali / svirale

• vi ste svirali / svirale

• oni/one su svirali / svirale

Exercise 3:

1. Pisati: Ja sam pisao/la/lo pismo. (I wrote a letter.)

2. Pričati: Ona je pričala priču. (She told a story.)

By practicing these exercises, you will enhance your understanding of the past tense, making your conversations in Bosnian much richer and more engaging. Remember, practice makes perfect!

In conclusion, mastering the past tense in Bosnian opens up a whole new world of communication for you. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be sharing your own stories and experiences with confidence!

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/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Past Tense - YouTube
• Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Past Tense in Negation ...

Other Lessons

• Negation
• Adjectives
• How to Use Have
• Noun Gender and Plurals
• Prepositions and Cases
• Questions and Negations
• How to Use Be
• Adjectives and Adverbs
• Plurals
• Personal Pronouns

◀️ Present Tense — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Numbers 1-100 ▶️