Language/Bosnian/Grammar/Present-Tense

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Bosnian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Verbs and Tenses → Present Tense

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on the present tense in Bosnian! In this lesson, we will explore how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense. The present tense is used to describe actions happening in the current moment or general truths. Mastering the present tense is essential for building a strong foundation in Bosnian grammar and communication skills. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently form sentences using different verbs and subjects in the present tense.

Regular Verbs in Present Tense

Regular verbs in Bosnian follow a predictable pattern when conjugated in the present tense. To conjugate a regular verb, we remove the infinitive ending and add the appropriate ending based on the subject pronoun. Let's take a look at the conjugation of the verb "govoriti" (to speak) in the present tense:

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
Govorim	go-vo-rim	I speak
Govoriš	go-vo-riš	You speak
Govori	go-vo-ri	He/She/It speaks
Govorimo	go-vo-ri-mo	We speak
Govorite	go-vo-ri-te	You (plural) speak
Govore	go-vo-re	They speak

As you can see, the endings of the verb "govoriti" change depending on the subject pronoun. This pattern applies to all regular verbs in the present tense. Let's practice conjugating a few more regular verbs together:

• "Raditi" (to work):

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
Radim	ra-dim	I work
Radiš	ra-diš	You work
Radi	ra-di	He/She/It works
Radimo	ra-di-mo	We work
Radite	ra-di-te	You (plural) work
Rade	ra-de	They work

• "Pisati" (to write):

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
Pišem	pi-šem	I write
Pišeš	pi-šeš	You write
Piše	pi-še	He/She/It writes
Pišemo	pi-še-mo	We write
Pišete	pi-še-te	You (plural) write
Pišu	pi-šu	They write

By practicing the conjugation of regular verbs in the present tense, you will become more comfortable with the pattern and develop a stronger grasp of the Bosnian language.

Irregular Verbs in Present Tense

While regular verbs follow a predictable pattern, irregular verbs have unique conjugations in the present tense. These verbs require memorization and practice. Let's explore a few common irregular verbs in the present tense:

• "Biti" (to be):

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
Jesam	je-sam	I am
Jesi	je-si	You are
Jeste	je-ste	He/She/It is
Jesmo	je-smo	We are
Jeste	je-ste	You (plural) are
Jesu	je-su	They are

• "Imati" (to have):

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
Imam	i-mam	I have
Imaš	i-maš	You have
Ima	i-ma	He/She/It has
Imamo	i-ma-mo	We have
Imate	i-ma-te	You (plural) have
Imaju	i-ma-ju	They have

• "Htjeti" (to want):

Bosnian	Pronunciation	English
Hoću	ho-ću	I want
Hoćeš	ho-ćeš	You want
Hoće	ho-će	He/She/It wants
Hoćemo	ho-će-mo	We want
Hoćete	ho-će-te	You (plural) want
Hoće	ho-će	They want

Irregular verbs add an extra layer of complexity to the present tense, but with practice and exposure to different verbs, you will become more familiar with their conjugations.

Cultural Insight: Regional Variations

The usage and understanding of the present tense may vary slightly across different regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina. While the core conjugation patterns remain the same, certain dialects may have unique verb forms or pronunciations. For example, in the Herzegovina dialect, the verb "govoriti" (to speak) is often pronounced as "govorit" or "govorit će" instead of "govori" for the third person singular. Additionally, some regions may have local words or phrases that are commonly used in the present tense.

It's important to note these regional variations as you engage with native Bosnian speakers and immerse yourself in the language. Embracing the diversity of the language will not only deepen your understanding but also enhance your cultural experience as you explore Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to put your knowledge into practice! Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding of the present tense in Bosnian. Remember to conjugate the verbs based on the subject pronouns provided.

Exercise 1: Conjugate the verb "čitati" (to read) in the present tense:

• Ja (I) - čitam
• Ti (You) - čitaš
• On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - čita
• Mi (We) - čitamo
• Vi (You - plural) - čitate
• Oni/One/Ona (They) - čitaju

Exercise 2: Conjugate the verb "spavati" (to sleep) in the present tense:

• Ja (I) - spavam
• Ti (You) - spavaš
• On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - spava
• Mi (We) - spavamo
• Vi (You - plural) - spavate
• Oni/One/Ona (They) - spavaju

Exercise 3: Conjugate the verb "jesti" (to eat) in the present tense:

• Ja (I) - jedem
• Ti (You) - jedeš
• On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - jede
• Mi (We) - jedemo
• Vi (You - plural) - jedete
• Oni/One/Ona (They) - jedu

Exercise 4: Conjugate the verb "vidjeti" (to see) in the present tense:

• Ja (I) - vidim
• Ti (You) - vidiš
• On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - vidi
• Mi (We) - vidimo
• Vi (You - plural) - vidite
• Oni/One/Ona (They) - vide

Solutions

Exercise 1:

• Ja (I) - čitam
• Ti (You) - čitaš
• On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - čita
• Mi (We) - čitamo
• Vi (You - plural) - čitate
• Oni/One/Ona (They) - čitaju

Exercise 2:

• Ja (I) - spavam
• Ti (You) - spavaš
• On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - spava
• Mi (We) - spavamo
• Vi (You - plural) - spavate
• Oni/One/Ona (They) - spavaju

Exercise 3:

• Ja (I) - jedem
• Ti (You) - jedeš
• On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - jede
• Mi (We) - jedemo
• Vi (You - plural) - jedete
• Oni/One/Ona (They) - jedu

Exercise 4:

• Ja (I) - vidim
• Ti (You) - vidiš
• On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It) - vidi
• Mi (We) - vidimo
• Vi (You - plural) - vidite
• Oni/One/Ona (They) - vide

Great job! You've successfully practiced conjugating verbs in the present tense. Keep practicing to build your confidence and fluency in Bosnian.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we explored the present tense in Bosnian. We learned how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense and practiced forming sentences using different verbs and subjects. Remember to pay attention to regional variations in the usage and pronunciation of the present tense, as this will enrich your understanding of the Bosnian language and culture. Keep practicing and applying what you've learned to further develop your language skills. Congratulations on completing this lesson, and keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Bosnian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Bosnian Alphabet

• Bosnian Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Special Characters and Sounds

  ---

Basic Bosnian Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Questions and Negations

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Gender and Plurals
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Ordering at a Restaurant

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Bosnian Customs and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Hobbies and Leisure Activities

• Common Hobbies
• Sports and Fitness

  ---

Bosnian Literature and Cinema

• Famous Writers and Works
• Bosnian Cinema

Sources

• Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Present Tense Singular ...
• Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian Grammar: The Present Tense Plural ...

Other Lessons

• Articles and Nouns
• How to Use Be
• Bosnian Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Comparatives and Superlatives
• Questions and Negations
• Conditional Mood
• Adjective Agreement
• Give your Opinion
• 0 to A1 Course

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