Signification
Informal term for a close male friend.
Contexte culturel
In Belgrade, 'ortak' is more than a word; it's an identity. It's associated with the 'krug dvojke' (city center) and the 'blokovi' (New Belgrade). It signals that you are 'gradsko dete' (a city child). Serbia is a basketball nation. On the courts ('tereni'), everyone is an 'ortak'. It's the universal language of the game. In the traditional tavern, 'ortak' is used to show camaraderie. It's common to hear people toasted as 'najbolji ortak'. While 'ortak' is still huge, Gen Z in Serbia is increasingly using 'brat' (brother) or even English loanwords, but 'ortak' remains the classic 'cool' choice for millennials and Gen X.
The Vocative is Key
If you want to sound like a native, always use 'ortače' when calling someone. Using 'ortak' sounds like a textbook.
Gender Matters
Don't use 'ortak' for your girlfriend or female friends unless you want to sound like you're 'one of the boys' in a very specific, slightly awkward way.
Signification
Informal term for a close male friend.
The Vocative is Key
If you want to sound like a native, always use 'ortače' when calling someone. Using 'ortak' sounds like a textbook.
Gender Matters
Don't use 'ortak' for your girlfriend or female friends unless you want to sound like you're 'one of the boys' in a very specific, slightly awkward way.
The 'Brat' Factor
If someone calls you 'brat', they are being very friendly. If they call you 'ortak', they are being cool and casual. Both are good!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'ortak' (singular, plural, or vocative).
Gde si, ______? Nisam te video sto godina!
You are addressing the person directly, so you need the vocative case.
Which sentence is correct for a casual situation?
How do you say 'I am with my buddies'?
'Ortacima' is the informal plural form, perfect for 'buddies'.
Match the word to its register.
Match the following:
Prijatelj is formal, Drug is neutral/standard, and Ortak is slang.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ko je onaj dečko? B: To je Marko, moj ______ iz detinjstva.
The nominative singular 'ortak' is needed here as a subject complement.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Friendship Levels in Serbian
Where to use 'Ortak'
Safe
- • Cafe
- • Gym
- • Parties
Unsafe
- • Job Interview
- • Court
- • With Grandma
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesGde si, ______? Nisam te video sto godina!
You are addressing the person directly, so you need the vocative case.
How do you say 'I am with my buddies'?
'Ortacima' is the informal plural form, perfect for 'buddies'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Prijatelj is formal, Drug is neutral/standard, and Ortak is slang.
A: Ko je onaj dečko? B: To je Marko, moj ______ iz detinjstva.
The nominative singular 'ortak' is needed here as a subject complement.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is very informal. It's like 'dude' or 'mate'.
Only if your boss is your age and you are having a beer after work. Otherwise, no.
The female version is 'ortakinja', but 'drugarica' is much more common.
Yes, it's understood, but it's much more common in Serbia, especially Belgrade.
You say 'moji ortaci'.
Neither is better; 'prijatelj' is for deep, serious friendship, 'ortak' is for your social circle.
This is a grammatical rule in Serbian called sibilarization, which happens in the plural of many masculine nouns ending in 'k'.
Yes, if you are asking a guy for a light or directions in a casual way: 'Izvini, ortače...'
Not at all. It's a classic that has stayed popular for decades.
It's just a cute, shorter version of 'ortak' used by younger people.
Expressions liées
Brat
similarBrother; used as 'bro'.
Drugar
similarFriend/Schoolmate.
Lokalni ortak
specialized formA guy from the neighborhood.
Ortakluk
builds onPartnership or deep friendship.
Prijatelj
synonymFriend (Standard).
