Bedeutung
Asking about current events.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Belgrade, 'Šta se dešava?' is often the start of a long 'trač' (gossip) session. People love to be in the know about everything from politics to the latest celebrity drama. While 'Šta se dešava?' is understood, you are much more likely to hear 'Šta ima?' or 'Đe si?' as the primary greeting in Sarajevo. Montenegrins might use 'Što se čini?', which is a regional variant that sounds very distinct to locals. Serbian communities in Chicago or Vienna often use 'Šta se dešava?' as a way to maintain a connection to their roots, often mixing it with English (e.g., 'Šta se dešava, man?').
The 'Kod Tebe' Add-on
Add 'kod tebe' (at your place/with you) to make the phrase more personal: 'Šta se dešava kod tebe?'
Don't forget the 'se'!
Without 'se', the sentence is grammatically broken. It's the most common beginner mistake.
Bedeutung
Asking about current events.
The 'Kod Tebe' Add-on
Add 'kod tebe' (at your place/with you) to make the phrase more personal: 'Šta se dešava kod tebe?'
Don't forget the 'se'!
Without 'se', the sentence is grammatically broken. It's the most common beginner mistake.
Intonation Matters
A rising intonation at the end makes it a friendly greeting; a falling, heavy intonation makes it sound like you're demanding an explanation for a problem.
Be ready for an answer
In the Balkans, this question is rarely answered with just 'nothing'. Be prepared for a 5-minute update!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the missing reflexive particle.
Šta ___ dešava u gradu?
The verb 'dešavati' always requires the reflexive particle 'se' in this context.
Which of these is the most natural casual greeting?
You see a friend at a party. What do you say?
'Šta se dešava?' is a perfect casual greeting. 'O čemu se radi?' is too formal.
Match the Serbian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
Understanding the difference between present, past, and general greetings is key.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Čujem veliku buku napolju. B: Da, i ja. Idem da vidim ____.
In the context of hearing a noise, you want to see 'what is happening'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
When to use 'Šta se dešava?'
Social
- • Greeting friends
- • Parties
- • Texting
Inquiry
- • Street events
- • Noises
- • News
Work
- • Project updates
- • Casual meetings
- • Breakroom
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenŠta ___ dešava u gradu?
The verb 'dešavati' always requires the reflexive particle 'se' in this context.
You see a friend at a party. What do you say?
'Šta se dešava?' is a perfect casual greeting. 'O čemu se radi?' is too formal.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
Understanding the difference between present, past, and general greetings is key.
A: Čujem veliku buku napolju. B: Da, i ja. Idem da vidim ____.
In the context of hearing a noise, you want to see 'what is happening'.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenYes, it's the closest equivalent in terms of usage and vibe.
Only if you have a very casual, friendly relationship. Otherwise, use 'Kako ste?'.
'Dešava' is present (happening), 'desilo' is past (happened).
It's a reflexive particle required by the verb 'dešavati se'.
Yes, it is perfectly understood and used in Croatia, though 'Što se događa?' is also very common there.
Common replies include 'Ništa posebno' (Nothing special) or 'Evo, radim' (Here, I'm working).
Yes, if you are asking about a public event or situation.
Only if your tone is sharp. Usually, it's very friendly.
Yes: Шта се дешава?
'Šta se zbiva?' or just 'Šta ima?'.
Only in a very casual email to a friend.
It's universal, but 'Šta ima?' is slightly more common in rural areas.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Šta ima?
synonymWhat's up? / What is there?
Šta se radi?
similarWhat's being done?
Šta se desilo?
builds onWhat happened?
O čemu se radi?
specialized formWhat is it about?
Šta se zbiva?
synonymWhat's occurring?
