stvarno
/stʋâːrno/
The English word 'really' can be translated into Bosnian using several forms, most commonly stvarno. Wiktionary also lists uistinu and doista.
Meaning: actually (adv)
Ways to say it
| Bosnian | IPA |
|---|---|
| stvarno | /stʋâːrno/ |
| uistinu | /ǔistinu/ |
| doista | /dôista/ |
| zbilja | /zbîʎa/ |
These terms are used to mean 'actually'. You can use a form alone as an interjection with rising intonation to express surprise or skepticism, much like asking 'Really?' in English.
Which one should you use?
While stvarno is a standard way to say 'really', doista is a formal synonym that carries a slightly more literary or old-fashioned tone, meaning 'indeed' or 'truly'.
How do you pronounce it?
/stʋâːrno/
Did you know?
- In some parts of the Balkans, a skeptical 'Really?' might be met not with a word, but with a simple, sharp clicking sound made with the tongue.
- The word stvarno is derived from stvar, which means 'thing'. To say something is 'real' in Bosnian is literally to say it is 'thing-like'.
- While stvarno is common, using uistinu instead might make you sound like a character in a historical novel or a high-fantasy book.
Examples in context
- Stvarno?Really?This example shows how to use stvarno to express surprise.Tatoeba #7788360 by bokalabocca, translation #373216 by kotobaboke
- Ova prezentacija je stvarno dobra.This presentation is really good.
- Da li je stvarno gotovo?Is it really finished?
- Zaista mi je drago što ste došli.I'm really glad you came.
- Ova vijest je zaista iznenađujuća.This news is really surprising.
- Baš mi fališ.I really miss you.
- Je li to baš istina?Is that really true?
- Hrana je bila jako ukusna.The food was really delicious.
- Ovaj film je jako zanimljiv.This movie is really interesting.
- To je stvarno lijepo.That is really beautiful.
- Stvarno sam umoran danas.I am really tired today.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a movie they recently watched.
- AmarTaj film je bio stvarno dobar.That movie was really good.
- LejlaStvarno? Meni se nije svidio.Really? I didn't like it.
- AmarZašto? Glumac je bio odličan.Why? The actor was great.
- LejlaSlažem se, ali priča je bila dosadna.I agree, but the story was boring.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “really” translations and entries stvarno, uistinu, doista, zbilja, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries stvarno, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
