Phrase in 30 Seconds
A fundamental phrase used to express that you possess the financial means to buy something or sustain yourself.
- Means: To possess money or have financial resources available.
- Used in: Shopping, planning trips, or discussing personal financial status.
- Don't confuse: 'Imati novca' (general) with 'Plaćati' (the act of paying).
Erklärung auf deinem Niveau:
Bedeutung
Being in possession of funds.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Slava' tradition requires families to host large feasts. Even if they don't 'have money' (nemaju novca) throughout the year, they will save specifically for this event to ensure guests are well-fed. Tipping (Bakšiš) is common but not mandatory. However, 'imati novca' is often demonstrated by leaving a small amount of change at cafes. Many Serbians working abroad (Gastarbajteri) return in the summer. The phrase 'imati novca' is often associated with them, as they bring foreign currency to spend in their hometowns. In the capital, there is a visible divide between the 'new rich' and the middle class. 'Imati novca' in Belgrade often involves showing off through expensive cars or 'splavovi' (river clubs).
The 'A' Ending
Always remember the 'a' at the end of 'novca'. If you say 'novac', it sounds like you're talking about a specific coin.
Don't say 'Ja sam novca'
In English, we say 'I am broke', but in Serbian, we use 'Imati' (to have) or specific adjectives. Never use 'to be' with 'novca'.
The 'A' Ending
Always remember the 'a' at the end of 'novca'. If you say 'novac', it sounds like you're talking about a specific coin.
Don't say 'Ja sam novca'
In English, we say 'I am broke', but in Serbian, we use 'Imati' (to have) or specific adjectives. Never use 'to be' with 'novca'.
Use 'Para' with friends
To sound more like a local, switch 'novca' to 'para' when talking to people your age.
The 'Častim' Rule
If you say 'Imam novca' loudly in a group, someone might jokingly expect you to pay for everyone!
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of 'novac' (Genitive).
On nema ____ za novu košulju.
After the negative verb 'nema', we must use the genitive case 'novca'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say 'I have money'?
Choose the best option:
'Ja imam novca' uses the correct verb conjugation and the partitive genitive.
Match the Serbian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
These are the four basic tense/polarity variations of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Hoćeš li kafu? B: Ne mogu, ____.
The context 'Ne mogu' (I can't) implies a lack of funds.
Match the register to the situation.
Where would you say 'Imati novca'?
'Imati novca' is the standard neutral/formal choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formal vs Informal
Aufgabensammlung
6 AufgabenOn nema ____ za novu košulju.
After the negative verb 'nema', we must use the genitive case 'novca'.
Choose the best option:
'Ja imam novca' uses the correct verb conjugation and the partitive genitive.
Ordne jedem Element links seinen Partner rechts zu:
These are the four basic tense/polarity variations of the phrase.
A: Hoćeš li kafu? B: Ne mogu, ____.
The context 'Ne mogu' (I can't) implies a lack of funds.
Where would you say 'Imati novca'?
'Imati novca' is the standard neutral/formal choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /6
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 Fragen'Novac' is formal/neutral and singular. 'Para' is informal and technically a plural form. Use 'novac' in writing and 'para' in speaking.
It's the genitive case. Serbian uses the genitive for 'some' of something (partitive) and after negative verbs.
Yes, it is perfectly fine to say 'Firma ima novca'.
You can say 'Ja sam bogat' or 'Imam mnogo novca'.
Yes, it is a very polite and standard way to discuss finances.
'Lova' is slang for money, similar to 'dough' or 'bucks'. Use it only with very close friends.
You would say 'Da li imate sitno?' (Do you have small [money]?).
No, it can refer to money in a bank account or general wealth.
Say 'Nemam ni dinara!' (I don't have even a dinar!).
Yes, it is understood and used across the entire BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) language area.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Imati para
similarTo have money (informal).
Biti bogat
builds onTo be rich.
Nemati ni dinara
contrastTo not have a single dinar (to be broke).
Zaraditi novac
builds onTo earn money.
Rasipati novac
contrastTo waste/squander money.
Wo du es verwendest
At a Cafe
Konobar: To je petsto dinara.
Gost: U redu, imam novca kod sebe.
Planning a Trip
Prijatelj A: Idemo li u Grčku ovog leta?
Prijatelj B: Nadam se, ako budemo imali novca.
At the Bank
Službenik: Želite li da podignete sredstva?
Klijent: Da, moram da vidim koliko imam novca na računu.
Borrowing Money
Brat: Možeš li mi pozajmiti sto evra?
Sestra: Izvini, trenutno zaista nemam novca.
Job Interview
Kandidat: Kolika je početna plata?
Menadžer: Naša firma ima novca za konkurentne plate.
Shopping for Clothes
Prodavac: Ova jakna je na popustu.
Kupac: Odlično, taman imam toliko novca.
Einprägen
Eselsbrücke
Think of 'Imati' as 'I'm at it' (working to get money) and 'Novca' as 'Notes & Coins'.
Visuelle Assoziation
Imagine a giant silver coin with the word 'NOV' (New) stamped on it, sitting inside your wallet. Every time you open the wallet, you see the 'New' coin and remember 'Novca'.
Rhyme
Ko novca ima, taj se dopada svima. (He who has money is liked by everyone.)
Story
Marko goes to the market. He wants an apple. He checks his pocket and says 'Imam novca'. He buys the apple. Then he sees a car. He checks his pocket again and says 'Nemam novca'. He walks home.
In Other Languages
Similar to 'Tener dinero' in Spanish or 'Geld haben' in German. Most languages use a simple 'To have + Money' construction.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Go through your day and every time you see a price tag, say to yourself in Serbian: 'Imam novca za ovo' or 'Nemam novca za ovo'.
Review this phrase on day 1, 3, 7, and 30. Focus on the 'a' ending of 'novca' each time.
Aussprache
Short 'i', stress on the first syllable.
The 'v' is soft, like a mix between 'v' and 'w'. The 'c' is pronounced like 'ts' in 'cats'.
Formalitätsspektrum
Posedujem neophodna novčana sredstva. (General statement of wealth)
Imam novca. (General statement of wealth)
Imam para. (General statement of wealth)
Pun sam ko brod. / Imam lovu. (General statement of wealth)
The verb 'imati' comes from the Proto-Slavic '*jěti', meaning 'to take' or 'to hold'. 'Novac' comes from 'nov' (new), referring to the 'new' coins minted in the medieval period.
Wusstest du?
The Serbian Dinar is one of the oldest currencies in Europe, first mentioned in 1214.
Kulturelle Hinweise
The 'Slava' tradition requires families to host large feasts. Even if they don't 'have money' (nemaju novca) throughout the year, they will save specifically for this event to ensure guests are well-fed.
“Štedimo cele godine da bismo imali novca za Slavu.”
Tipping (Bakšiš) is common but not mandatory. However, 'imati novca' is often demonstrated by leaving a small amount of change at cafes.
“On uvek ostavlja bakšiš jer ima novca.”
Many Serbians working abroad (Gastarbajteri) return in the summer. The phrase 'imati novca' is often associated with them, as they bring foreign currency to spend in their hometowns.
“Gastarbajteri uvek imaju novca za velike svadbe.”
In the capital, there is a visible divide between the 'new rich' and the middle class. 'Imati novca' in Belgrade often involves showing off through expensive cars or 'splavovi' (river clubs).
“U Beogradu je važno pokazati da imaš novca.”
Gesprächseinstiege
Šta bi uradio da imaš milion evra?
Da li je važno imati mnogo novca za sreću?
Imaš li novca kod sebe za kafu?
Kako ljudi u tvojoj zemlji štede novac?
Häufige Fehler
Imam novac.
Imam novca.
L1 Interference
Ja sam imajući novca.
Imam novca.
L1 Interference
Imam pare u banci.
Imam novca u banci.
L1 Interference
Nemam novac.
Nemam novca.
L1 Interference
Imam novca na džepu.
Imam novca u džepu.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
Tener dinero
Serbian uses the genitive case (novca), Spanish uses the direct object.
Avoir de l'argent
French uses an article, Serbian uses a noun ending change.
Geld haben
Word order in German can change (e.g., in subordinate clauses), while Serbian is more flexible.
お金がある (Okane ga aru)
Japanese focuses on the existence of money, Serbian on the possession by a person.
لديه مال (Ladayhi mal)
Arabic lacks a direct 'to have' verb equivalent to 'imati'.
有钱 (Yǒu qián)
Chinese has no grammatical cases or verb conjugations.
돈이 있다 (Don-i itda)
The particle '-i' marks money as the subject of existence.
Ter dinheiro
Portuguese often uses 'ter' where other Romance languages might use 'haver', making it very close to the Serbian 'imati'.
Spotted in the Real World
“...jer on ima novca, on ima sve...”
A popular folk song about a man who has everything because he has money.
“Pantiću, ti nikad nemaš novca!”
The boss mocking his employee for always being broke.
“Vlada tvrdi da ima novca za povećanje penzija.”
Reporting on the national budget and pension increases.
Leicht verwechselbar
Learners often mix up 'novca' (money) and 'vremena' (time) because both are essential resources often discussed together.
Remember 'N' for Novac (Notes/Numbers) and 'V' for Vreme (Variable/Vast).
Learners use 'imati novca' when they want to say 'to pay'.
'Imati' is the state; 'Plaćati' is the action.
Häufig gestellte Fragen (10)
'Novac' is formal/neutral and singular. 'Para' is informal and technically a plural form. Use 'novac' in writing and 'para' in speaking.
basic understandingIt's the genitive case. Serbian uses the genitive for 'some' of something (partitive) and after negative verbs.
grammar mechanicsYes, it is perfectly fine to say 'Firma ima novca'.
usage contextsYou can say 'Ja sam bogat' or 'Imam mnogo novca'.
practical tipsYes, it is a very polite and standard way to discuss finances.
cultural usage'Lova' is slang for money, similar to 'dough' or 'bucks'. Use it only with very close friends.
comparisonsYou would say 'Da li imate sitno?' (Do you have small [money]?).
practical tipsNo, it can refer to money in a bank account or general wealth.
basic understandingSay 'Nemam ni dinara!' (I don't have even a dinar!).
practical tipsYes, it is understood and used across the entire BCS (Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian) language area.
cultural usage
