Imperatives are one of the most immediately useful parts of Serbian: they let you give instructions, make requests, call someone's attention, and join in everyday conversations. The best way to practise them is not to stare at a table but to use them in action - and today we have a game to help us do exactly that.
This kind of active practice - watching, processing, and producing - is what makes new forms stick. So let us get started!
What is the game?
The exercise works like this: watch how the game is played so you understand what is happening on screen. Then turn the volume down and play through it yourself, giving the correct Serbian imperative for each action you see. Use the list of verbs below as your guide, and say each imperative out loud before moving on to the next. You can also write the imperatives down - writing and speaking together is a powerful combination.
The aim is to respond quickly and naturally, just as you would in a real conversation. Do not worry about speed at first; accuracy comes first and pace follows.
The verbs to practise
Here are the infinitives you will be working with. The translations are there to help you, but try covering them up once you have read through the list and see how many you already know.
| Infinitive | Meaning |
|---|---|
| NOSITI | to carry |
| PEVATI | to sing |
| POZDRAVITI | to greet |
| UCITI | to learn |
| RADITI | to do / to work |
| CISTITI | to clean |
| UGASITI | to extinguish / to turn off |
| SLUŠATI | to listen to |
| PRODAVATI | to sell |
| POPRAVITI | to mend / to fix |
| KORISTITI | to use |
| VOZITI | to drive |
| GOVORITI | to speak |
| CUVATI | to keep / to look after |
| KUVATI | to cook |
| SIPATI | to pour |
How to form the imperative
For most Serbian verbs you form the singular imperative by taking the third-person plural present tense, dropping the ending, and adding -aj, -i, or keeping the stem depending on the conjugation class. For the verbs in our list, the pattern is mostly straightforward. Here are a few ready examples:
Pevaj! - Sing! (to one person)
Pevajte! - Sing! (to a group, or politely to one person)
Cuvaj! - Keep it! / Look after it!
Cuvajte! - Keep it! (plural/polite)
Govori! - Speak!
Govorite! - Speak! (plural/polite)
The plural/polite form adds -te to the singular imperative in almost every case. Keep this in mind as you practise and use the plural form whenever you are addressing more than one person or speaking formally.
More Serbian examples
Here are full imperative sentences so you can hear how they sound in context. Say each one aloud with confidence:
Pevaj pesmu!
Sing the song!
Govori polako!
Speak slowly!
Ugasite svetlo!
Turn off the light!
Slušaj pažljivo!
Listen carefully!
Kuvaj veceru!
Cook dinner!
Nosi torbu!
Carry the bag!
Uci svaki dan!
Study every day!
Sipaj vodu u cašu!
Pour water into the glass!
Popravi bicikl!
Fix the bicycle!
Vozite pažljivo!
Drive carefully!
A tip for getting more out of this exercise
Do not just read the imperatives - shout them! Serbian imperatives are bold, direct, and energetic. Saying them quietly does not give you the feel of how they really land in conversation.
Once you have worked through the full verb list, try inventing your own sentences by combining an imperative with a direct object or an adverb. For example: Cisti sobu! (Clean the room!), Prodaj auto! (Sell the car!), Koristi recnik! (Use the dictionary!). The more personal and real your examples, the better they will stick.
Frequently asked questions
When do I use the singular imperative versus the plural?
Use the singular (Pevaj!) when addressing one person you know well - a friend, a family member, a child. Use the plural (Pevajte!) when addressing more than one person, or when addressing one person formally or politely. In Serbian, as in many European languages, the plural form doubles as the polite singular. When in doubt, use the plural - it is always respectful.
How do I make a negative imperative?
Simply add ne before the imperative form: Ne pevaj! (Don't sing!), Ne govori tako! (Don't speak like that!), Ne cuvaj to! (Don't keep that!). It is straightforward and consistent across all verbs.
Are there any irregular imperatives?
A few common verbs have imperatives that look slightly different from what the rule predicts. The most useful one to know early on is idi! (go!) from the verb ici. Also budi! (be!) from biti. For the verbs in our list above, the regular pattern applies throughout.
Can imperatives sound rude?
Tone and context matter enormously. A bare imperative like Daj! (Give!) can sound abrupt if said sharply, but the same word said with a smile is perfectly warm. Adding molim te (please) - Daj mi, molim te! (Please give me!) - makes any imperative gentler and more polite.
I always find that this kind of active, game-based practice is what really brings the imperative to life. You have sixteen verbs to work with - that is a wonderful range. Take your time with the exercise, and do come back to it a second time after a few days. You will be amazed at how much more fluent you feel on the second go.
- Marina Petrovic