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Dative-case in Serbian

To Me, To You

Датив — ми, ти, му, јој — recipients, feelings and what you need.

The recipient case

The dative marks who receives something: Дајем књигу Ани. Common endings are -у for masculine/neuter and -и for feminine.

Пишем поруку Марку.

I'm writing a message to Marko.

Short pronouns

ми, ти, му, јој, нам, вам, им are unstressed clitics and normally sit in second position.

Она ми шаље поруку.

She is sending me a message.

свиђа ми се

Serbian says something is pleasing to me: Свиђа ми се Београд. The liked thing is the subject; the person is dative.

Свиђа ми се ова песма.

I like this song.

Feelings and needs

хладно ми је, жао ми је and треба ми all use the dative experiencer. «Треба ми карта» is the natural Serbian way to say I need a ticket.

Треба ми помоћ.

I need help.

Put It Together

Keep the lesson goal in view: ми, ти, му, јој — recipients, feelings and what you need. Revisit the examples, then test yourself in practice.