Language/Serbian/Grammar/Verbs:-Imperative/lt
Explanation of the imperative mood in Serbian verbs
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The imperative mood in Serbian verbs is used to give commands, orders, or instructions. It is formed differently depending on whether the command is given to one person or to multiple people.
Singular Imperative
To form the singular imperative, simply take the infinitive form of the verb and remove the final -ti. For example:
Serbian | Pronunciation | Lithuanian |
---|---|---|
Raditi | /rǎːditi/ | Daroti |
Čekati | /tʃɛkati/ | Laukti |
Zvati | /zvǎːti/ | Kviesti |
As you can see in the table above, the verb "raditi" (to work) becomes "radi" in the singular imperative form, "čekati" (to wait) becomes "čekaj", and "zvati" (to call) becomes "zovi".
Plural Imperative
To form the plural imperative, the first step is to take the present tense root of the verb. Then, depending on the verb ending, add the appropriate ending. For example:
Serbian | Pronunciation | Lithuanian |
---|---|---|
Raditi | /rǎːditi/ | Daroti |
Čekati | /tʃɛkati/ | Laukti |
Zvati | /zvǎːti/ | Kviesti |
As you can see in the table above, the verb "raditi" (to work) has the present tense root "radi". To form the plural imperative, we add the ending "-te", which gives us "radite" (work!). Likewise, "čekati" (to wait) becomes "čekajte" and "zvati" (to call) becomes "zovite".
Note that for some verbs, the present tense root ends in "-e" or "-i". In these cases, the plural imperative ending is "-ite". For example:
Serbian | Pronunciation | Lithuanian |
---|---|---|
Peći | /pɛ̌ːtʃi/ | Kepinti |
Voditi | /vǒditi/ | Vesti |
Učiti | /ǔːtʃiti/ | Mokytis |
As you can see in the table above, the verb "peći" (to bake) has the present tense root "peč". To form the plural imperative, we add the ending "-ite", which gives us "pecite" (bake!). Likewise, "voditi" (to lead) becomes "vodite" and "učiti" (to learn) becomes "učite".
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Congratulations! You have learned how to form the imperative mood in Serbian verbs. Now, practice using the imperative with your friends and family!