Language/Serbian/Grammar/Verbs:-Participles
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| ◀️ Contemporary Serbian Poetry — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Verbs: Infinitives ▶️ |
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Welcome to the lesson on Serbian participles! Participles are an important aspect of Serbian grammar that allow us to express various verb forms and convey additional information about actions and states. In this lesson, we will explore the different types of participles in Serbian and learn how to use them correctly. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of participles and be able to incorporate them into your Serbian language skills.
What are Participles?[edit | edit source]
Participles are verb forms that can function as adjectives or adverbs. They are derived from verbs and have both verbal and adjectival qualities. In Serbian, there are three main types of participles: present participles, past participles, and future participles. Each type has its own set of rules for formation and usage, which we will explore in detail.
Present Participles[edit | edit source]
Present participles in Serbian are formed by adding the suffix -ći or -ći to the verb stem. They are used to describe ongoing actions or states. Let's take a look at some examples:
| Serbian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| читати (čitati) | [tʃiˈtaːti] | to read |
| читајући (čitajući) | [tʃiˈtaːjuːtʃi] | reading |
| писати (pisati) | [piˈsaːti] | to write |
| пишући (pišući) | [piˈʃuːtʃi] | writing |
| говорити (govoriti) | [ɡoʋoˈriti] | to speak |
| говорећи (govoreći) | [ɡoʋoˈreːtʃi] | speaking |
As you can see from the examples, present participles are formed by replacing the infinitive ending -ти with -јући or -ћи. They agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, just like adjectives. Let's look at some more examples:
- Читајућа књига (čitajuća knjiga) - reading book
- Пишући стихове (pišući stihove) - writing poems
- Говорећи енглески (govoreći engleski) - speaking English
Past Participles[edit | edit source]
Past participles in Serbian are formed by adding the suffix -о or -и to the verb stem. They are used to describe completed actions or states. Let's see some examples:
| Serbian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| читати (čitati) | [tʃiˈtaːti] | to read |
| прочитан (pročitan) | [proˈtʃiːtan] | read |
| писати (pisati) | [piˈsaːti] | to write |
| написан (napisan) | [naˈpiːsan] | written |
| говорити (govoriti) | [ɡoʋoˈriti] | to speak |
| изговорен (izgovoren) | [izɡoˈʋoːren] | spoken |
In the examples above, the past participles are formed by replacing the infinitive ending -ти with -ан or -ен. Like present participles, past participles agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. Here are some more examples:
- Прочитана књига (pročitana knjiga) - read book
- Написано писмо (napisano pismo) - written letter
- Изговорено извињење (izgovoreno izvinjenje) - spoken apology
Future Participles[edit | edit source]
Future participles in Serbian are formed by adding the suffix -ћу or -чу to the verb stem. They are used to describe actions or states that will happen in the future. Let's take a look at some examples:
| Serbian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| читати (čitati) | [tʃiˈtaːti] | to read |
| читаћу (čitaću) | [tʃiˈtaːtʃu] | I will read |
| писати (pisati) | [piˈsaːti] | to write |
| писаћу (pisaću) | [piˈsaːtʃu] | I will write |
| говорити (govoriti) | [ɡoʋoˈriti] | to speak |
| говорићу (govoriću) | [ɡoʋoˈritʃu] | I will speak |
As you can see, future participles are formed by replacing the infinitive ending -ти with -ћу or -чу. They do not agree in gender, number, or case with the noun they modify. Here are some more examples:
- Читаћу књигу (čitaću knjigu) - I will read a book
- Писаћу писмо (pisaću pismo) - I will write a letter
- Говорићу енглески (govoriću engleski) - I will speak English
Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]
Participles play an important role in Serbian culture and language. They allow us to express nuances and additional information about actions and states. In Serbian literature, participles are often used to create vivid and descriptive scenes. They add depth and richness to the language, enabling us to paint a more detailed picture with words.
Serbian participles can vary regionally and may have different forms or usage in different dialects. This is due to historical reasons and the influence of neighboring languages. For example, in some regions, the suffix -е is used instead of -ће to form the future participle. Additionally, dialectal variations may exist in the past participle forms. These regional differences add diversity and color to the Serbian language and reflect the rich linguistic heritage of the country.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now it's time to practice using participles in Serbian! Complete the following exercises and check your answers below.
Exercise 1: Forming Present Participles Form the present participle of the following verbs:
1. читати (čitati) - 2. писати (pisati) - 3. говорити (govoriti) -
Exercise 2: Forming Past Participles Form the past participle of the following verbs:
1. читати (čitati) - 2. писати (pisati) - 3. говорити (govoriti) -
Exercise 3: Forming Future Participles Form the future participle of the following verbs:
1. читати (čitati) - 2. писати (pisati) - 3. говорити (govoriti) -
Exercise Solutions[edit | edit source]
Exercise 1: Forming Present Participles
1. читајући (čitajući) 2. пишући (pišući) 3. говорећи (govoreći)
Exercise 2: Forming Past Participles
1. прочитан (pročitan) 2. написан (napisan) 3. изговорен (izgovoren)
Exercise 3: Forming Future Participles
1. читаћу (čitaću) 2. писаћу (pisaću) 3. говорићу (govoriću)
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
Congratulations! You have successfully learned about participles in Serbian. You now have the knowledge and skills to use present, past, and future participles in your conversations and writing. Keep practicing and incorporating participles into your Serbian language learning journey. The more you use them, the more natural and fluent you will become. Good luck!
Sources[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- 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
| ◀️ Contemporary Serbian Poetry — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Verbs: Infinitives ▶️ |