Ти or Ви: Serbian Politeness
Ти или Ви — Use персирање with strangers, elders, and professional contacts.
Two kinds of “you”
Use ти + singular verb with friends, family, children, and people on a first-name basis. Use Ви + plural verb with strangers, elders, officials, and professional contacts. This politeness is called персирање.
Имаш ли…? / Имате ли…?
Do you have…? (familiar / polite)
The verb carries the respect
Како си? becomes Како сте? Говориш ли…? becomes Говорите ли…? In writing, capital Ви makes clear that one person is being addressed politely.
Како сте?
How are you? (polite)
Titles bend when addressed
господин is Mr./sir, госпођа is Mrs./madam, and госпођица is Miss. Direct address previews the vocative: господине and госпођо.
Добар дан, госпођо!
Good afternoon, madam!
Moving to ти
A relationship can switch from Ви to ти with «Можемо ли на ти?» or «Можемо да пређемо на ти?» Traditionally, the older or senior person offers.
Можемо ли на ти?
Can we use ti with each other?
Put It Together
Keep the lesson goal in view: Use персирање with strangers, elders, and professional contacts. Revisit the examples, then test yourself in practice.