Language/Bosnian/Vocabulary/Asking-for-Directions
Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn how to ask for and give directions in Bosnian. You will practice forming sentences to describe locations, distances, and landmarks in everyday situations. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to navigate confidently and independently in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Vocabulary
Here is a list of Bosnian words and phrases related to asking for directions:
| Bosnian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Gdje je...? | ɡdje je...? | Where is...? |
| Kako da dođem do...? | kâko da dođem do...? | How can I get to...? |
| Idi pravo | idi prâvo | Go straight |
| Skreni desno/lijevo | skreni dêʃno/lʲevo | Turn right/left |
| Na uglu | na ûɡlu | At the corner |
| Preko puta | prêko pûta | Across from |
| Pored | porêd | Beside |
| Ispred | ispřed | In front of |
| Iza | iza | Behind |
Grammar
When asking for directions in Bosnian, the word order follows the Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) structure. For example:
- Gdje je hotel? (Where is the hotel?) - Kako doći do muzeja? (How to get to the museum?)
Notice that the verb comes last in these sentences.
When giving directions, we use the imperative form of the verb, which is the same as the present tense conjugation for the second-person singular form. For example:
- Idi pravo (Go straight) - Skreni desno (Turn right)
We can use prepositions to describe the location of a place. Some common prepositions used for giving directions include:
- na (on) - preko (across from) - pored (beside) - ispred (in front of) - iza (behind)
Examples
Here are a few examples of how to use these words and grammar structures in sentences:
- Gdje je autobuska stanica? (Where is the bus station?) - Autobuska stanica je na uglu. (The bus station is at the corner.) - Kako doći do mosta? (How to get to the bridge?) - Idi pravo dok ne vidiš crkvu, onda skreni lijevo. Most je preko puta. (Go straight until you see the church, then turn left. The bridge is across from it.) - Gdje je tržni centar? (Where is the shopping center?) - Tržni centar je pored parka. (The shopping center is beside the park.)
Practice
Now it's time to practice asking for and giving directions in Bosnian. Imagine you are lost in a city and need to find your way to a specific location. In pairs or small groups, take turns asking and answering questions using the vocabulary and grammar structures provided in this lesson.
Here are some prompts to get you started:
- Gdje je pošta? - Kako doći do stadiona? - Gdje je najbliža benzinska pumpa? - Kako doći do zračne luke?
Be sure to include prepositions and accurate directions in your answers.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned how to ask for and give directions in Bosnian. You are now one step closer to mastering this beautiful language. Keep practicing and expanding your vocabulary, and soon you will be able to navigate the streets of Bosnia and Herzegovina like a pro!