ја сам
ja sam
The phrase ја сам (ja sam) is how you say "I am" in Serbian.
This phrase is used to state who you are or to describe your current state or identity.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the word ја, which is the stressed form of the first-person singular pronoun "I" and сам, which is the first-person singular present form of the verb "to be" (biti).
Which one should you use?
While ја сам is grammatically correct, using just сам (omitting the ја) is more common in natural, everyday speech unless you want to emphasize the word "I".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word сам is the first-person singular present form of the verb biti. The word ја is the stressed form of the first-person singular pronoun "I".
How do you pronounce it?
ja sam
Did you know?
- While сам means 'am' in the phrase ја сам, it is also a common Serbian word for 'alone' or 'myself'.
- The word сам shares an ancient Indo-European root with the English verb 'is', meaning they are very distant linguistic cousins.
- If you use the word ја in a sentence, it often signals a strong emotional emphasis or a contradiction of someone else's claim.
Examples in context
- И ја сам овде.I am also here.This sentence is useful for showing how to use ја сам to indicate presence.Tatoeba #13594457 by cafoc64474, translation #3378128 by buster_blu
- Ја сам из Кине.I am Chinese.This sentence shows how to use ја сам to state your nationality.Tatoeba #8917498 by Lebad, translation #335138 by CN
- Ја сам из Грчке.I am from Greece.This sentence demonstrates using ја сам to state where you are from.Tatoeba #13587051 by cafoc64474, translation #12076436 by Niki_Pechlivanidi
- Ja sam Dragan.I am Dragan.
- Ja se zovem Ana.I am called Ana.
- Ja sam iz Beograda.I am from Belgrade.
- Ja sam taj koji voli da peva.I am the one who loves to sing.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Marko and Milica meet at a cafe.
- MarkoЈа сам Марко.I am Marko.
- MilicaДраго ми је, ја сам Милица.Nice to meet you, I am Milica.
- MarkoДа ли си ти студентка?Are you a student?
- MilicaДа, ја сам студентка правног факултета.Yes, I am a law student.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries сам, ја, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
