Signification
Very informal way to ask what is happening.
Contexte culturel
In the capital, 'Šta ima' is often delivered very fast, sometimes sounding like 'Š'a'ima'. It's part of the fast-paced but casual 'Belgrade vibe'. The phrase is arguably even more common here than in Serbia. It is the universal greeting across all ethnic groups, often followed by a long conversation. For Serbs living abroad, 'Šta ima' is a linguistic 'handshake' that immediately establishes a connection to the homeland and a shared informal culture. In villages, you might hear the more literal 'Ima li šta?' more often, referring to news in the village or specific events.
The 'Nema ništa' rule
90% of the time, the answer will be 'Nema ništa'. Don't be offended; it just means they are relaxed!
Watch the 'Vi'
Never say this to your Serbian mother-in-law the first time you meet her.
Signification
Very informal way to ask what is happening.
The 'Nema ništa' rule
90% of the time, the answer will be 'Nema ništa'. Don't be offended; it just means they are relaxed!
Watch the 'Vi'
Never say this to your Serbian mother-in-law the first time you meet her.
Add 'Brate'
Adding 'brate' (brother) makes it sound 100% more authentic: 'Šta ima, brate?'
The Bosnian Response
In Bosnia, if you ask 'Šta ima?', they might say 'Ima, ima', which is a playful way of saying life is full.
Teste-toi
Which of the following is the most appropriate response to 'Šta ima?' among friends?
Osoba A: Šta ima? Osoba B: ________
'Nema ništa' is the standard, casual response meaning 'Nothing much'.
Complete the phrase to ask 'What's new?'
Šta ima _______?
'Novo' means 'new', making the phrase 'What's new?'.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
1. Šta ima? | 2. Kako ste? | 3. Šta ima za ručak?
'Šta ima' is for cousins/friends, 'Kako ste' for bosses, and the literal use for food.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Marko: Gde si brate, šta ima? Ivan: Evo, ________, kod tebe?
All these are natural ways to respond to a casual 'What's up?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
When to use 'Šta ima?'
Safe
- • Friends
- • Siblings
- • Cafes
- • Texts
Unsafe
- • Interviews
- • Grandparents
- • Police
- • Doctors
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesOsoba A: Šta ima? Osoba B: ________
'Nema ništa' is the standard, casual response meaning 'Nothing much'.
Šta ima _______?
'Novo' means 'new', making the phrase 'What's new?'.
1. Šta ima? | 2. Kako ste? | 3. Šta ima za ručak?
'Šta ima' is for cousins/friends, 'Kako ste' for bosses, and the literal use for food.
Marko: Gde si brate, šta ima? Ivan: Evo, ________, kod tebe?
All these are natural ways to respond to a casual 'What's up?'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsThe most common answer is 'Nema ništa' (Nothing much) or 'Evo, malo radim' (Here, working a bit).
Only if used with people you should be formal with (elders, bosses). With friends, it's perfect.
Yes, it is understood and used throughout the former Yugoslavia, though 'Što ima?' is more common in Croatia.
'Šta ima?' is 'What's up?', while 'Kako si?' is 'How are you?'. 'Šta ima' is more casual.
Yes, it works for one person or a hundred people. It's impersonal.
Yes: Шта има?
No, it can also literally mean 'What is there?' (e.g., in the fridge).
It means 'What's new?'.
It's very informal, but so common that it's almost standard casual speech rather than 'heavy' slang.
No, it's too informal for emails. Use 'Poštovani' or 'Dragi'.
Expressions liées
Šta se radi?
similarWhat's being done?
Kako ide?
similarHow's it going?
Gde si?
builds onWhere are you?
Nema šta.
contrastThere's nothing (to say).
Šta ima veze?
specialized formWhat does it matter?
