novac
Latin, masculine
Money in Bosnian is novac. Wiktionary also lists pare and pjenez.
Meaning: currency (noun)
Ways to say it
| Bosnian | Note |
|---|---|
| novac | Latin, masculine |
| pare | Latin, feminine, plural |
| pjenez | Latin, archaic, masculine |
The term is used to refer to currency in a general sense.
Which one should you use?
The masculine singular form novac is the standard term. The plural feminine form pare is a common colloquial way to refer to money, similar to saying 'cash' or 'dough' in English. The masculine term pjenez is archaic and no longer used in modern daily conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
pare is an informal, colloquial term. pjenez is an archaic form that is not used in modern speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine inanimate noun novac remains novac in the accusative case, such as when saying 'I have money'. In the genitive case, which is used after many expressions of quantity or possession, the form changes to novca.
Did you know?
- The term novac literally means 'new' thing, likely originating from a 14th-century monetary reform by Charles I of Hungary.
- The transition from pjenez to novac as the dominant word for money took place gradually and only became complete in the 18th century.
Examples in context
- Novac vodi riječ.Money talks.This sentence illustrates a common proverb using the form novac.Tatoeba #10198919 by bokalabocca, translation #18631 by CK
- Imaš li pare za kafu?Do you have money for coffee?
Example conversation
Selma and Tarik are planning a trip.
- SelmaTarik, imamo li dovoljno novca za put?Tarik, do we have enough money for the trip?
- TarikMislim da imamo, provjerit ću.I think we do, I will check.
- SelmaMoraš uštedjeti novac za hotel.You must save money for the hotel.
- TarikU pravu si, Selma.You are right, Selma.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “money” translations and entries pare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries novac, pare, pjenez, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
