Language/Serbian/Grammar/Verbs:-Participles

Serbian Grammar → Verbs: Conditional → Verbs: Participles

As a Serbian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to introduce you to the concept of participles in Serbian. Participles are verb forms that can function as adjectives or nouns. They are formed by adding a suffix to the stem of the verb, and their endings change according to the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify. In this lesson, we will explore the different types of participles, their formation, and their usage in Serbian.

Present Active Participle

The Present Active Participle is formed by adding "-ći/-či" to the stem of the verb. Its endings are as follows:

Gender	Singular	Plural
Masculine	-ći/-či, -ći/-čeg, -ću/-ča	-ći/-či, -ćih/-čih, -ćima/-čama
Feminine	-ća/-ča, -će/-čije, -ću/-či	-će/-čije, -ćih/-čih, -ćima/-čama
Neuter	-će/-če, -ćeg/-čeg, -ću/-ču	-ća/-ča, -ćih/-čih, -ćima/-čama

The Present Active Participle has two basic functions in Serbian:

- Adjectival function: It modifies a noun and describes its state or action. For example:

• работник (worker) - радећи работник (working worker)
• компјутер (computer) - радећи компјутер (working computer)

- Verbal function: It replaces a clause and expresses a continuous, ongoing action. For example:

• working worker = who is working
• working computer = which is working

Past Passive Participle

The Past Passive Participle is formed by adding "-н/-на/-но/-ни" to the stem of the verb. Its endings change according to the gender, number, and case of the noun it modifies. Here are some examples:

Gender	Singular	Plural
Masculine	-н/-ни, -на/-не, -ном/-ним	-ни/-не, -них/-них, -нима/-нима
Feminine	-на/-на, -не/-не, -ном/-ним	-не/-не, -них/-них, -нима/-нима
Neuter	-но/-но, -ног/-ног, -ним/-ним	-на/-на, -них/-них, -нима/-нима

The Past Passive Participle has an adjectival function and typically describes a state or a result of an action. For example:

• срушена зграда (collapsed building)
• испитан студент (tested student)

Past Active Participle

The Past Active Participle is formed by adding "-о/-ла/-ло/-ли" to the stem of the verb. Its endings are identical to those of the Past Passive Participle. The Past Active Participle has an adjectival function and typically describes a past action or state. For example:

• учинили злочин (committed crime)
• видео филм (seen movie)

Adverbial Participle

The Adverbial Participle is formed by adding "-вши/-вшији" to the stem of the verb. Its endings are identical to those of the Present Active Participle. The Adverbial Participle has an adverbial function and typically describes a circumstance or a cause of an action. For example:

• вративши се кући (having returned home)
• будећи да је крвници на слободи (considering that the killers are free)

In conclusion, participles are an important part of Serbian grammar, adding rich meaning and descriptive power to the language. I hope this lesson has been helpful in increasing your knowledge and understanding of participles in Serbian.

Sources

• Serbian Grammar
• Serbian Language

Table of Contents - Serbian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Serbian Grammar

• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Cases: Nominative and Accusative
• Pronouns: Personal Pronouns
• Verbs: Present Tense
• Verbs: Past Tense

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Introduction to Serbian Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Counting
• Food and Drink
• Family and Relationships
• Transportation and Directions

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Introduction to Serbian Culture

• Traditional Serbian Music
• Religious Festivals
• Folk Dances
• Serbian Films
• Cuisine

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Pronouns: Possessive Pronouns

• Verbs: Future Tense
• Adjectives: Comparative and Superlative
• Verbs: Imperative

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Shopping

• Clothes and Accessories
• At the Market
• Banking and Money

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Sports and Recreation

• Football in Serbia
• Winter Sports
• Music Festivals

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Adjectives: Declension

• Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective
• Verbs: Reflexive Verbs

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Jobs and Professions

• Places around Town
• Education and Learning

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Literature and Poetry

• Medieval Serbian Literature
• Contemporary Serbian Poetry

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Verbs: Conditional

• Verbs: Participles
• Verbs: Infinitives

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Entertainment and Media

• Movies and Theater
• Music and Performances

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Art and Artists

• Famous Serbian Painters
• Contemporary Serbian Art Scene

Related Lessons

• Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective
• Verbs: Present Tense
• Verbs: Imperative
• Cases: Nominative and Accusative
• 0 to A1 Course
• Verbs: Reflexive Verbs
• Adjectives
• Plural
• Conditional Mood
• Future Tense