B1 Modal Verbs 1 min read متوسط

Expressing Permission (Smijeti)

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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'smijeti' to ask if you're allowed to do something or to tell someone what's forbidden.

  • Conjugate 'smijeti' based on the subject: smijem, smiješ, smije... (Example: Smijem li?)
  • Follow 'smijeti' with an infinitive verb without 'da'. (Example: Smiješ ući.)
  • Negative 'ne smijem' means 'I am not allowed' or 'I must not'. (Example: Ne smiješ pušiti.)
👤 + [smijeti] + ♾️ (Infinitive Verb)

Present Tense of 'Smijeti'

Person Singular Plural
1st Person
ja smijem
mi smijemo
2nd Person
ti smiješ
vi smijete
3rd Person
on/ona/ono smije
oni/one/ona smiju

Past Tense (L-Participle)

Gender Singular Plural
Masculine
smio
smjeli
Feminine
smjela
smjele
Neuter
smjelo
smjela

Meanings

The verb 'smijeti' expresses that an action is permitted by an authority, a rule, or social convention.

1

Seeking Permission

Asking if an action is acceptable or allowed in a specific context.

“Smijem li vas nešto pitati?”

“Smijemo li parkirati ovdje?”

2

Prohibition

Using the negative form to indicate that something is strictly forbidden or not allowed.

“Ovdje se ne smije fotografirati.”

“Djeca ne smiju gledati ovaj film.”

3

Granting Permission

Telling someone they have the right or authority to proceed.

“Smiješ uzeti moju olovku.”

“Sada smijete ići kući.”

4

Impersonal Permission

Referring to general rules or laws using the reflexive 'se'.

“U bolnici se ne smije vikati.”

“Smije li se ovdje pušiti?”

Reference Table

Reference table for Expressing Permission (Smijeti)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + smijeti + Infinitive
Smijem ići.
Negative
Subject + ne + smijeti + Infinitive
Ne smijem ići.
Question (li)
Smijeti + li + Subject + Infinitive
Smiješ li ići?
Question (da li)
Da li + Subject + smijeti + Infinitive
Da li smiješ ići?
Impersonal
Smije se + Infinitive
Smije se pušiti.
Negative Impersonal
Ne smije se + Infinitive
Ne smije se pušiti.
Past Tense
Subject + biti (pres) + smio/la + Infinitive
Nisam smio ići.
Conditional
Subject + biti (cond) + smio/la + Infinitive
Ne bih smio ići.

طيف الرسمية

رسمي
Smije li se ovdje pušiti?

Smije li se ovdje pušiti? (Asking about smoking)

محايد
Smijem li ovdje zapaliti?

Smijem li ovdje zapaliti? (Asking about smoking)

غير رسمي
Mogu li ovdje pušiti?

Mogu li ovdje pušiti? (Asking about smoking)

عامية
Smijem li jednu zapaliti?

Smijem li jednu zapaliti? (Asking about smoking)

The World of Smijeti

Smijeti

Rules

  • Zakon Law
  • Pravila Rules

Social

  • Pristojnost Politeness
  • Pitanje Question

Negative

  • Zabrana Prohibition
  • Opasnost Danger

Smijeti vs. Moći

Smijeti (Permission)
Smijem voziti I have a license/permission to drive
Moći (Ability)
Mogu voziti I know how to drive/I am physically able

Can I do it?

1

Is it a rule or law?

YES
Use 'Smijeti'
NO
Check ability
2

Is it about physical skill?

YES
Use 'Moći'
NO
Use 'Smijeti' for permission

Common Contexts

🏛️

Public

  • • Muzej
  • • Bolnica
  • • Park
🏠

Private

  • • Kuća
  • • Zabava
  • • Obitelj
📄

Official

  • • Posao
  • • Granica
  • • Zakon

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

Smijem li ući?

May I come in?

2

Smiješ uzeti jabuku.

You may take an apple.

3

Smijem li pitati?

May I ask?

4

Ne smiješ to raditi.

You must not do that.

1

Smijemo li ovdje parkirati?

Are we allowed to park here?

2

Djeca ne smiju piti kavu.

Children are not allowed to drink coffee.

3

Smijete li koristiti mobitel?

Are you (plural) allowed to use a cell phone?

4

Ona ne smije izaći van.

She is not allowed to go out.

1

U ovom muzeju se ne smije fotografirati.

In this museum, one is not allowed to take photos.

2

Nisam smio reći istinu.

I wasn't allowed to tell the truth.

3

Smijem li vas zamoliti za uslugu?

May I ask you for a favor?

4

Ne bi smio tako razgovarati s majkom.

You shouldn't (aren't supposed to) talk to your mother like that.

1

Prema zakonu, nitko ne smije biti diskriminiran.

According to the law, no one may be discriminated against.

2

Smije li se pretpostaviti da je on kriv?

May it be assumed that he is guilty?

3

Niste smjeli otkriti našu tajnu.

You shouldn't have (were not allowed to) reveal our secret.

4

Smijem li primijetiti da kasnite?

May I notice (point out) that you are late?

1

Ustavom je propisano što se smije, a što ne.

The Constitution prescribes what is allowed and what is not.

2

Nije se smjelo dopustiti takvo ponašanje.

Such behavior should not have been permitted.

3

Smijem li biti toliko slobodan i ponuditi rješenje?

May I be so bold as to offer a solution?

4

Zar se više ništa ne smije reći u ovom društvu?

Is one no longer allowed to say anything in this society?

1

Ono što se nekad smatralo dopuštenim, danas se više ne smije ni pomisliti.

What was once considered permissible, today must not even be thought of.

2

Smije li se uopće propitivati autoritet vladara?

Is it even permitted to question the authority of the ruler?

3

Njegova se riječ nije smjela pogaziti.

His word was not to be trampled upon (broken).

4

Smijem li se usuditi i reći da griješite?

May I dare to say that you are mistaken?

سهل الخلط

Expressing Permission (Smijeti) مقابل Smijeti vs. Moći

Learners use 'moći' for permission because English uses 'can' for both.

Expressing Permission (Smijeti) مقابل Ne smijeti vs. Ne morati

Learners confuse 'must not' with 'don't have to'.

Expressing Permission (Smijeti) مقابل Smijeti vs. Valjati

Both can relate to what is 'good' or 'allowed' to do.

أخطاء شائعة

✗

Mogu li ući?

✓

Smijem li ući?

Using 'can' (ability) instead of 'may' (permission).
✗

Ja ne smijem da idem.

✓

Ne smijem ići.

Using 'da + present' instead of the infinitive (standard Croatian).
✗

Oni smijeju.

✓

Oni smiju.

Incorrect 3rd person plural conjugation.
✗

Smijem li jabuku?

✓

Smijem li uzeti jabuku?

Missing the main verb (infinitive).
✗

Ne smijem raditi to.

✓

Ne smijem to raditi.

Word order: the object usually comes before the infinitive in this structure.
✗

Smiješ li parkirati?

✓

Smije li se parkirati?

Using personal form instead of impersonal 'se' for general rules.
✗

Nisam smijem.

✓

Nisam smio.

Using present tense instead of the L-participle in the past tense.
✗

Ne smijem zakasniti.

✓

Ne bih smio zakasniti.

Using present instead of conditional for 'I shouldn't'.
✗

Smijem li te pitati?

✓

Smijem li vas pitati?

Using informal 'ti' when asking permission from an authority figure.
✗

On ne smije doći.

✓

On ne može doći.

Saying he is 'forbidden' to come when you mean he 'is unable' to come.
✗

Smije se reći...

✓

Smije se pretpostaviti...

Using 'smije se' for simple speech when a more formal modal is needed.
✗

Nije se smjelo to dogoditi.

✓

To se nije smjelo dogoditi.

Subtle word order issues in complex past passive constructions.

أنماط الجُمل

Smijem li ___?

Ovdje se ne smije ___.

Nisam smio ___ kad sam bio mali.

Smijete li ___ na poslu?

Real World Usage

Social Media occasional

Smije li se ovo podijeliti?

Texting very common

Smijem doći kasnije?

Job Interview common

Smijem li pitati o plaći?

Travel constant

Smije li se ovdje kampirati?

Food Delivery Apps occasional

Smije li se ostaviti napojnica preko aplikacije?

Doctor's Office common

Smijem li piti vodu prije pregleda?

💡

The 'Li' Trick

When asking for permission, always use 'Smijem li...'. It sounds much more natural and polite than just 'Smijem...?'.
⚠️

Strong Prohibition

Be careful with 'Ne smiješ'. It is very strong. If you want to give gentle advice, use 'Ne bi smio' (You shouldn't).
🎯

Impersonal 'Se'

Use 'Smije se' when you don't know who is in charge but want to know the rule. It's the safest way to ask in public.
💬

Respecting Elders

Always use 'Smijete li' (plural/formal) when asking an older person for permission to do something in their space.

Smart Tips

Use the conditional 'Biste li smjeli' or 'Smijem li vas zamoliti'.

Smijem li proći? → Smijem li vas zamoliti da prođem?

Think 'Ne smije se' immediately. It helps associate the visual with the grammar.

Nema parkinga. → Ovdje se ne smije parkirati.

Remember it rhymes with 'piju' (they drink) or 'znaju' (they know). It's 'smiju'!

Oni smijeju. → Oni smiju.

Use 'Ne bi smio' to sound less bossy than 'Ne smiješ'.

Ne smiješ toliko raditi. → Ne bi smio toliko raditi.

النطق

smi-je-ti

The 'ije' sound

The 'ije' in 'smijeti' is a long reflex of yat. It should be pronounced clearly as two syllables in standard Croatian, though often shortened in speech.

NE smijem

Stress on 'smijem'

The stress is on the first syllable. In 'ne smijem', the stress often shifts to the 'ne'.

Rising question intonation

Smijem li ući? ↑

Polite inquiry

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

SMIjeti is for SMIle - you SMIle when you get permission!

ربط بصري

Imagine a green traffic light with the word 'SMIJEM' written on it, and a red light with 'NE SMIJEM'. The green light is a person nodding 'yes'.

Rhyme

Smijem ja, smiješ ti, smijemo se igrati svi!

Story

A little boy wants to eat a cookie. He asks his mom, 'Smijem li?'. She says, 'Smiješ, ali ne smiješ zaboraviti oprati ruke!'. He is happy because he has the green light.

Word Web

DopuštenjeZabranaPraviloZakonSmijemSmijuSmioSmjela

تحدٍّ

Go through your day and identify 3 things you are allowed to do and 3 things you are not allowed to do. Say them out loud in Croatian using 'Smijem' and 'Ne smijem'.

ملاحظات ثقافية

Croatians value politeness in formal settings. Using 'smijeti' instead of 'moći' when talking to elders or officials is highly appreciated.

In Dalmatia, you might hear 'smi' instead of 'smije' in very casual speech, but 'smijeti' remains the standard for permission.

In Zagreb, people might use 'smjeti' (shorter) in fast speech, but 'smijeti' is the written norm.

From Proto-Slavic *směti, which originally meant 'to dare' or 'to have courage'.

بدايات محادثة

“

Smijem li sjesti pored vas?

“

Što se ne smije raditi u tvojoj zemlji?

“

Smijemo li očekivati promjene u zakonu?

“

Smijem li vas zamoliti za malu pomoć oko prtljage?

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Napiši 5 pravila u tvojoj kući koristeći 'smijeti' i 'ne smijeti'.
Opiši što si smio, a što nisi smio raditi kao dijete.
Raspravi o tome što bi se trebalo smjeti raditi u javnim prostorima (npr. parkovima).
Napiši pismo šefu u kojem tražiš dopuštenje za rad od kuće.

أخطاء شائعة

Incorrect

صحيح

Incorrect

صحيح

Incorrect

صحيح

Incorrect

صحيح

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of 'smijeti' in the present tense.

Oni ___ (smijeti) ući u dvoranu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: smiju
The 3rd person plural of 'smijeti' is 'smiju'.
Choose the correct modal verb for permission. اختيار متعدد

___ li otvoriti prozor? (May I...)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Smijem
'Smijem' is used for permission, 'Mogu' for ability, and 'Moram' for obligation.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ti ne smiješ da pušiš ovdje.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: da pušiš
In standard Croatian, modal verbs are followed by the infinitive (pušiti), not 'da + present'.
Change the sentence to the past tense. Sentence Transformation

Ne smijem ići van.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nisam smio ići van.
The past tense uses the auxiliary 'biti' and the L-participle 'smio'.
Is the following statement true or false? True False Rule

'Ne smijem' means 'I don't have to'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Ne smijem' means 'I am not allowed to'. 'I don't have to' is 'Ne moram'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Smijem li posuditi tvoju knjigu? B: Da, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: smiješ
The answer should match the person being addressed (you may).
Which sentence is a general rule (impersonal)? Grammar Sorting

Sort the sentences.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ovdje se ne smije.
The reflexive 'se' indicates an impersonal general rule.
What is the 1st person plural of 'smijeti'? Conjugation Drill

Mi ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: smijemo
The ending for 'mi' is '-mo'.

Score: /8

تمارين تطبيقية

8 exercises
Fill in the correct form of 'smijeti' in the present tense.

Oni ___ (smijeti) ući u dvoranu.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: smiju
The 3rd person plural of 'smijeti' is 'smiju'.
Choose the correct modal verb for permission. اختيار متعدد

___ li otvoriti prozor? (May I...)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Smijem
'Smijem' is used for permission, 'Mogu' for ability, and 'Moram' for obligation.
Find the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Ti ne smiješ da pušiš ovdje.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: da pušiš
In standard Croatian, modal verbs are followed by the infinitive (pušiti), not 'da + present'.
Change the sentence to the past tense. Sentence Transformation

Ne smijem ići van.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nisam smio ići van.
The past tense uses the auxiliary 'biti' and the L-participle 'smio'.
Is the following statement true or false? True False Rule

'Ne smijem' means 'I don't have to'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
'Ne smijem' means 'I am not allowed to'. 'I don't have to' is 'Ne moram'.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Smijem li posuditi tvoju knjigu? B: Da, ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: smiješ
The answer should match the person being addressed (you may).
Which sentence is a general rule (impersonal)? Grammar Sorting

Sort the sentences.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ovdje se ne smije.
The reflexive 'se' indicates an impersonal general rule.
What is the 1st person plural of 'smijeti'? Conjugation Drill

Mi ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: smijemo
The ending for 'mi' is '-mo'.

Score: /8

الأسئلة الشائعة (8)

In casual speech, yes, but it's less precise. Using `smijeti` shows you understand the difference between ability and permission.

`Ne smijem` means you are forbidden. `Ne moram` means you have a choice and it's not required.

Only slightly in the 3rd person plural (`smiju`) and the past tense (`smio`). The rest follows the '-ijeti' pattern.

Use the conditional: `Ne bih smio` (masculine) or `Ne bih smjela` (feminine).

Yes, it is standard, though some dialects might shorten the 'ije' to 'e' or 'i'.

Rarely. In some contexts, it can mean 'should be', but it's much safer to stick to permission.

This is the impersonal form. It translates to 'it is allowed' or 'one may'.

It is formed with `biti` + `smio/smjela`. Example: `Nisam smio` (I wasn't allowed).

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Poder / Estar permitido

Spanish doesn't have a single dedicated modal verb just for permission like 'smijeti'.

French moderate

Pouvoir / Avoir le droit

Croatian uses a single verb 'smijeti' where French often uses a phrase.

German high

Dürfen

The conjugation patterns differ, but the logic is identical.

Japanese low

〜てもいい (~te mo ii)

Japanese is a construction; Croatian is a verb.

Arabic partial

يسمح (yusmah) / يجوز (yajuz)

Arabic equivalents are often impersonal or passive, while 'smijeti' is a standard personal modal.

Chinese moderate

可以 (kěyǐ)

Croatian 'smijeti' cannot mean 'ability' or 'possibility'.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Expressions with 'Prije' and 'Poslije' (Before/After)
Next
Agreement of Ordinal Numbers

Related Grammar Rules

A2

Expressions of Necessity (Treba, Mora se)
B1

The Verb 'Moći' (Can, To be able to)
B1

The Verb 'Htjeti' (To want to, Will)
B1

Impersonal Expressions of Obligation (Treba, Valja)
B1

Modal Verbs with Infinitives
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