Bedeutung
Asking about current activity.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The response 'Evo, ništa' (Here, nothing) is a cultural staple. It doesn't mean the person is literally doing nothing, but rather that they are available for conversation. In Montenegro, you might hear 'Šta se čini?' as a regional variation, reflecting a slightly different dialectal preference for the verb 'činiti' (to do/make). In Bosnia, 'Šta ima?' is arguably more frequent than 'Šta radiš?' as a general greeting, often followed by 'Nema ništa' (There is nothing). Among Serbs living abroad, 'Šta radiš?' remains the primary linguistic link to their heritage, often used even when the rest of the conversation is in English.
The 'Evo' Rule
Always start your answer with 'Evo' to sound like a native. It means 'Here' or 'Well'.
Watch the 'Š'
Make sure to pronounce the 'š' at the end clearly, or it might sound like you're talking about someone else (radi).
Bedeutung
Asking about current activity.
The 'Evo' Rule
Always start your answer with 'Evo' to sound like a native. It means 'Here' or 'Well'.
Watch the 'Š'
Make sure to pronounce the 'š' at the end clearly, or it might sound like you're talking about someone else (radi).
Rhetorical Use
If you see a friend doing something stupid, say 'Šta radiš to?!' with a shocked face. It's very idiomatic.
Don't be too literal
If someone asks you this on the street, they don't always want a 10-minute list of your chores. 'Evo, ništa' is often enough.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'raditi' for an informal friend.
Zdravo, Marija! Šta ______?
The '-š' ending is used for 'ti' (informal you).
Which phrase is the best way to ask your boss what they are doing?
How do you ask a superior?
'Šta radite?' is the formal version using the 'Vi' conjugation.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: Šta radiš? B: ________, pijem kafu.
'Evo' is the standard filler word used when answering 'Šta radiš?'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Match 'Šta radiš večeras?' to its purpose.
Adding 'večeras' (tonight) turns the question into an inquiry about availability.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formal vs Informal
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenZdravo, Marija! Šta ______?
The '-š' ending is used for 'ti' (informal you).
How do you ask a superior?
'Šta radite?' is the formal version using the 'Vi' conjugation.
A: Šta radiš? B: ________, pijem kafu.
'Evo' is the standard filler word used when answering 'Šta radiš?'.
Match 'Šta radiš večeras?' to its purpose.
Adding 'večeras' (tonight) turns the question into an inquiry about availability.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNo, it's better to use 'Šta radite?' to show respect.
Yes, in a social context, it functions exactly like 'What's up?'.
You can say 'Evo, radim nešto' or 'U gužvi sam' (I'm in a crowd/busy).
'Šta radiš?' is 'What are you doing?' while 'Šta ima?' is 'What is there?'. Both are used as greetings.
No, 'Šta radiš?' is complete on its own. Adding 'ti' is for emphasis.
It is gender-neutral. It stays the same regardless of who you are talking to.
Only if you are very close with the colleague. Otherwise, use 'Kako ste?' or 'Nadam se da ste dobro'.
It literally means 'Here', but in this context, it's like saying 'Well...' or 'As you can see...'.
Yes, it is identical in Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian.
'Bre' is an emphatic particle that adds flavor and shows closeness or frustration.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Šta ima?
synonymWhat's up? / What is there?
Kako si?
similarHow are you?
Šta se dešava?
similarWhat's happening?
Čime se baviš?
contrastWhat do you do for a living?
Šta radite?
specialized formWhat are you doing? (Formal/Plural)
