Ways to say it
| Serbian | Note |
|---|---|
| чекати | Cyrillic, imperfective |
| čekati | Latin, imperfective |
The verb means to delay until some event. It is an imperfective verb, which focuses on the ongoing process of waiting rather than the completion of the act.
Which one should you use?
The forms чекати and čekati are distinguished only by their scripts, with чекати being Cyrillic and čekati being Latin. Because чекати is imperfective, it describes the continuous state of waiting. In contrast, the perfective form сачекати (sačekati) is used when you want to emphasize completing the act of waiting or waiting for a specific, defined moment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular imperative form used to tell someone to 'wait!' is чекај (čekaj). To tell a group or a person formally to 'wait!', use the plural or polite imperative form чекајте (čekajte). For the past tense, the masculine singular past participle is чекао (čekao) and the feminine singular is чекала (čekala).
Did you know?
- In Serbian, the verb čekati can also mean 'to expect' a baby, similar to how English speakers use 'expecting'.
- The imperative form чекајте (čekajte) is used not only for groups but as a mandatory sign of respect when speaking to a single stranger or superior.
- In many Balkan contexts, telling someone čekaj malo (wait a little) is a common way to politely ask for a moment to finish a thought or a task, often acting as a conversational filler.
Examples in context
- Ne mogu čekati zauvek.I can't wait forever.This sentence shows how to use čekati to express an inability to wait indefinitely.Tatoeba #5806735 by dzoja, translation #1955104 by CK
- Tom je rekao da nas neće čekati.Tom said he wouldn't wait for us.This sentence shows how to use čekati to describe someone else's refusal or inability to wait.Tatoeba #4250251 by Lebad, translation #3736124 by CK
- Не могу чекати.I can't wait.This sentence shows how to use чекати to express an inability to wait.Tatoeba #5806729 by dzoja, translation #1908927 by Spamster
- Molim vas, sačekajte trenutak da pronađem dokument.Please wait a moment while I find the document.
- Izvinite, molim vas za trenutak dok dovršim razgovor.Sorry, please wait a moment while I finish the conversation.
- Sačekaj me ispred kafića, stižem za pet minuta.Wait for me outside the café, I'll be there in five minutes.
- Sekund, dolazim da ti pomognem.One second, I'm coming to help you.
- Nema žurbe, sačekaj malo, molim te.No rush, wait a little, please.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jelena and Marko are meeting at a cafe.
- JelenaМорам да чекам своју сестру.I have to wait for my sister.
- MarkoКолико ће она дуго стићи?How long will it take her to arrive?
- JelenaНећу дуго чекати, она је близу.I won't wait long, she is nearby.
- MarkoУ реду, уђимо у кафић.Alright, let's go into the cafe.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wait” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
