Ways to say it
| Serbian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ti | /tîː/ | Latin, familiar |
| ти | Cyrillic, familiar | |
| ви | Cyrillic, polite | |
| vi | /ʋîː/ | Latin, polite |
The pronoun is used to address the person being spoken to. In many Serbian sentences, ti or vi can be omitted because the conjugation of the verb already indicates who the subject is.
Which one should you use?
ti is the singular form used for a single person in an informal context. vi is used to address either a group of people (plural) or a single person in a formal context.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ti is the familiar form, used when addressing one person with whom you have a close or informal relationship, such as a friend, family member or child. vi is the polite form, used to show respect to a single person or to address multiple people. There is even a specific verb phrase, говорити ви, which means to address someone using the more formal second-person pronoun.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
ti is the singular nominative subject pronoun used in informal settings. vi serves a dual purpose as both the plural 'you' and the formal singular 'you'. Additionally, both ti and vi can be used as determiners before epithets for emphasis.
How do you pronounce it?
/tîː/
Did you know?
- The word ti is an ancient linguistic relative of the English word 'thou', as both descend from the same Proto-Indo-European root.
- In some rural or traditional contexts, switching from vi to ti can be a formal social ritual known as 'prelazak na ti', which signifies a transition to a closer friendship.
- While vi is formal, some people use it to address their pets or children as a joke to mimic high-society etiquette.
Examples in context
- A ko si ti?And just who might you be?This sentence is useful for asking someone's identity using ti.Tatoeba #4243554 by Lebad, translation #4216610 by patgfisher
- Ти ми ниси син.You are not my son.This sentence is useful for making a statement about a relationship using ти.Tatoeba #8849036 by Lebad, translation #8794432 by shekitten
- Спава ли ти се?Are you sleepy?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's state using ти.Tatoeba #8855116 by Lebad, translation #322709 by CK
- Ti si divanYou are wonderful
- Kako si?How are you?
- Da li ti se sviđa ova muzika?Do you like this music?
- Pričaj mi o sebi.Tell me about yourself
- Vi ste vrlo ljubazni.You are very kind.
- Kako se osećate danas?How are you feeling today?
- Da li Vam mogu pomoći?Can I help you?
- Gde ste rođeni?Where were you born?
- 942 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are meeting at a cafe.
- JelenaTi si kasnio.You were late.
- NikolaIzvini, ti si u pravu.Sorry, you are right.
- JelenaŠta ćeš ti piti?What will you drink?
- NikolaSamo kafu, Jelena.Just coffee, Jelena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries ti, vi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ti, ви, ти, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
