kako se kaže
The English phrase "how to say" is translated into Serbian as kako se kaže.
To ask how to say a specific word in Serbian, the most natural structure is Kako se kaže [word] na srpskom?
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase kako se kaže literally translates to "how it says itself". It is composed of kako (how), se (reflexive particle) and kaže (says).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the reflexive particle se, which is required in Serbian to express the impersonal "one says" or "it is said".
Did you know?
- The word kako shares an ancestral root with the English word 'how', both descending from the same ancient Indo-European linguistic stock.
- While kako se kaže is used for words, if you want to ask how to perform a physical action or a process, you would swap kaže for radi, resulting in kako se radi.
- If a Serbian speaker is struggling to remember a word, they might say kako se kaže as a filler phrase, similar to how an English speaker says 'um' or 'how do you say'.
Examples in context
- Kako se kaže "thank you" na srpskom jeziku?How to say "thank you" in the Serbian language?
- Možeš li mi reći kako se izgovara "hello" na srpskom?Can you tell me how to pronounce "hello" in Serbian?
- Molim vas, možete li mi objasniti kako da kažem "I love you" na srpskom jeziku?Please, can you explain to me how to say "I love you" in the Serbian language?
- Znaš li kako se kaže "goodbye" na srpskom?Do you know how to say "goodbye" in Serbian?
- Da li biste mi mogli reći kako se kaže "nice to meet you" na srpskom?Could you tell me how to say "nice to meet you" in Serbian?
- Kako se kaže "apple" na srpskom?How do you say "apple" in Serbian?
- Kako se kaže ova reč?How is this word said?
Example conversation
Milica and Luka are studying languages together.
- MilicaLuka, kako se kaže 'apple' na srpskom?Luka, how do you say 'apple' in Serbian?
- LukaKaže se 'jabuka'.It is said 'jabuka'.
- MilicaHvala! A kako se kaže 'pear'?Thanks! And how do you say 'pear'?
- LukaTo se kaže 'kruška'.That is said 'kruška'.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kako, se, CC BY-SA 4.0.
