Greetings! If you’re looking to learn how to say time in Serbian, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways of telling time in Serbian. From basic phrases to more complex sentences, we will provide plenty of tips, examples, and regional variations where necessary. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Expressions
Let’s start with formal ways of expressing time in Serbian. These phrases are suitable for more official situations such as business meetings or other formal settings:
1. The Simple Hour
When stating the time simply as an hour, use the phrase “Sat je…” followed by the number.
“Sat je sedam (7) sati.” (It’s seven o’clock.)
“Sat je petnaest (15) sati.” (It’s three o’clock.)
2. Minutes Past the Hour
To express minutes past the hour in a formal way, use the phrase “sat i” followed by the number of minutes. You can add “i” before the numeral for clarity.
“Sat je osam (8) sati i dvadeset (20) minuta.” (It’s twenty past eight.)
“Sat je pet (5) sati i pedeset pet (55) minuta.” (It’s fifty-five past five.)
3. Minutes to the Hour
To express minutes to the hour in a formal way, use the phrase “ju je” followed by the number of minutes and “do” (to) before the next hour.
“Sat je devet (9) sati i četrdeset (40) minuta do deset (10) sati.” (It’s twenty to nine.)
“Sat je pet (5) sati i pet (5) minuta do šest (6) sati.” (It’s five minutes to six.)
Informal Expressions
Now, let’s cover the informal ways of telling time in Serbian. These are commonly used in casual conversations with friends and family:
1. The Simple Hour
To express the time informally, simply state the number followed by “sati” (hours) or “h” and omit the word “sat” completely.
“Pet (5) sati.” (Five o’clock.)
“Dva (2) sata.” (Two o’clock.)
2. Minutes Past the Hour
To express minutes past the hour informally, use the phrase “i” followed by the number of minutes.
“Deset (10) i dvadeset (20).” (Twenty past ten.)
“Petnaest (15) i pedeset (50).” (Fifty past fifteen.)
3. Minutes to the Hour
To express minutes to the hour informally, use the phrase “do” followed by the next hour and the number of minutes.
“Pet (5) do šest (6).” (Five to six.)
“Deset (10) do dvanaest (12).” (Ten to twelve.)
Exceptions and Regional Variations
Generally, Serbian time expressions follow the patterns mentioned above. However, there might be slight variations across different regions. Here are a few examples of regional differences:
1. Belgrade Dialect
In Belgrade, it’s common to use “čas” instead of “sat” for the word “hour.” This regional variation doesn’t affect the general sentence structure.
2. Vojvodina Dialect
In Vojvodina, it’s common to use “uro” instead of “sati” for the word “hours.” Again, this regional variation doesn’t change the sentence structure significantly.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve completed the guide on how to say time in Serbian. We’ve covered both formal and informal expressions, providing you with a solid foundation to handle different situations. Remember to practice these phrases regularly to reinforce your knowledge. Serbian is a beautiful language, and mastering its time expressions will help you connect with locals and immerse yourself in the culture. Have fun exploring and learning more about this fascinating language!
