Signification
Expressing the need for food (masculine).
Contexte culturel
In Serbia, if you say you are hungry, expect to be fed immediately. It is considered a failure of the host if a guest's plate is empty. Serbians often express hunger in terms of 'burek' or 'pljeskavica'. Bakeries (pekare) are the social hubs for hungry people at all hours. The wolf is a significant animal in Serbian folklore, representing both danger and strength. Being 'hungry as a wolf' is a powerful, respected state. During Orthodox fasting periods, being 'gladan' takes on a different meaning, as people are hungry for 'mrsna' (fatty/meat) food but must eat 'posna' (lean) food.
Gender Matters
Always check your gender ending. It's the most common giveaway for learners.
Don't say 'Imam glad'
Even though you 'have hunger' in English, in Serbian you 'are hungry'.
Signification
Expressing the need for food (masculine).
Gender Matters
Always check your gender ending. It's the most common giveaway for learners.
Don't say 'Imam glad'
Even though you 'have hunger' in English, in Serbian you 'are hungry'.
Use 'Baš'
Adding 'baš' (really) before 'sam' makes you sound very native: 'Baš sam gladan!'
Accept the food
If you say 'Gladan sam' to a Serbian grandma, be prepared to eat for three hours.
Teste-toi
If you are a woman, how do you say 'I am hungry'?
Choose the correct form:
Women must use the feminine ending '-na' for the adjective 'gladan'.
Complete the common idiom for being very hungry.
Gladan sam kao ____.
'Gladan kao vuk' (Hungry as a wolf) is the standard Serbian idiom.
Fill in the missing word in this restaurant dialogue.
Konobar: Da li ste spremni da naručite? Vi: Da, jako ____ gladan.
The first person singular clitic for 'to be' is 'sam'.
Match the Serbian phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
All pairs are correctly matched in the options list.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
To Be vs To Have
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesChoose the correct form:
Women must use the feminine ending '-na' for the adjective 'gladan'.
Gladan sam kao ____.
'Gladan kao vuk' (Hungry as a wolf) is the standard Serbian idiom.
Konobar: Da li ste spremni da naručite? Vi: Da, jako ____ gladan.
The first person singular clitic for 'to be' is 'sam'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
All pairs are correctly matched in the options list.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but it's more common to just say 'Gladan sam'. Use 'Ja' only if you want to emphasize that *you* specifically are the hungry one.
Yes, it's neutral. However, saying 'Mogu li dobiti meni, gladan sam' (Can I have the menu, I'm hungry) is even better.
The feminine form is 'Gladna sam'.
You can say 'Umirem od gladi' (I'm dying of hunger) or 'Izgladneo sam'.
'Sam' is the form of 'to be' for 'I'. 'Je' is for 'he/she/it'.
No, for thirst you use 'Žedan sam'.
Yes, 'Krče mi creva' (My intestines are growling) is a common informal way to say it.
Ask 'Da li si gladan?' (to a man) or 'Da li si gladna?' (to a woman).
Say 'Da li ste gladni?'
Yes, metaphorically for things like 'gladan moći' (hungry for power).
Expressions liées
Žedan sam
similarI am thirsty
Sit sam
contrastI am full
Prijatno
builds onBon appétit
Gladovati
specialized formTo suffer from hunger
