Signification
Becoming a parent.
Contexte culturel
The 'cepanje košulje' (shirt tearing) is a must-know. When a man becomes a father, his friends tear his shirt to celebrate. It is common to give money (mušuluk) to the person who first tells you that someone 'je dobio dete'. After 'dobijanja deteta', a 'molitva' (prayer) is often read for the mother and child on the first day. Baby showers are becoming popular, but the traditional 'slavlje u kafani' for the father remains the dominant way to celebrate 'dobijanje deteta'.
Gender Neutrality
Remember that 'dobiti dete' works for both moms and dads. It's the safest phrase to use if you aren't sure who gave birth or if it was an adoption.
Case Sensitivity
Always keep 'dete' in the accusative. Luckily for neuter nouns, it looks the same as the nominative, but if you say 'dobiti bebu', you must change the ending!
Signification
Becoming a parent.
Gender Neutrality
Remember that 'dobiti dete' works for both moms and dads. It's the safest phrase to use if you aren't sure who gave birth or if it was an adoption.
Case Sensitivity
Always keep 'dete' in the accusative. Luckily for neuter nouns, it looks the same as the nominative, but if you say 'dobiti bebu', you must change the ending!
The 'Prinova' trick
If you want to sound very sophisticated and polite, use the word 'prinova' instead of 'dete' in formal letters.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'dobiti' in the past tense.
Moja sestra je juče _______ dete.
The subject 'sestra' is feminine singular, so the verb must be 'dobila'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to announce a birth?
How do you say 'They had a baby'?
'Dobili su dete' is the standard idiomatic expression for having a baby.
Match the Serbian phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the various ways to describe parenthood in Serbian.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Čestitam! Čuo sam da ste ______ dete. B: Hvala! Dobili smo sina.
The context of 'Čestitam' (Congratulations) and the response 'Dobili smo' requires 'dobili'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Dobiti vs Imati
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMoja sestra je juče _______ dete.
The subject 'sestra' is feminine singular, so the verb must be 'dobila'.
How do you say 'They had a baby'?
'Dobili su dete' is the standard idiomatic expression for having a baby.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the various ways to describe parenthood in Serbian.
A: Čestitam! Čuo sam da ste ______ dete. B: Hvala! Dobili smo sina.
The context of 'Čestitam' (Congratulations) and the response 'Dobili smo' requires 'dobili'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but you would say 'dobiti blizance' (to get twins).
It is neutral. It's appropriate for both friends and formal news.
'Roditi' is specifically the act of giving birth (mother only). 'Dobiti' is the event of becoming a parent (both parents).
Say 'Čestitam na dobijanju deteta!' or simply 'Čestitam!'
Yes, it is the most common and polite way to describe the arrival of an adopted child.
Absolutely. It is the standard way for fathers to announce it.
In this phrase, yes. If you have more, you say 'dobili su decu' (plural), but usually, births are one at a time!
It's a more formal/elegant version meaning 'to get a new addition to the family'.
No, 'dobiti' takes the direct object (Accusative).
Yes, it is universally understood and used across the BCMS language area.
Expressions liées
roditi dete
similarTo give birth to a child
imati decu
builds onTo have children
čuvati dete
builds onTo look after a child
izgubiti dete
contrastTo lose a child
