Signification
Making music with a guitar.
Contexte culturel
In traditional Serbian taverns (kafane), the guitar is often part of an acoustic ensemble. While the accordion is king, the guitar provides the essential rhythmic backbone for 'starogradske pesme'. The guitar is the symbol of the 1980s 'New Wave' in Yugoslavia. Learning to play the guitar often starts with learning songs by bands like EKV or Azra. During summer excursions to mountains like Zlatibor or Tara, 'svirati gitaru' around a fire is a quintessential youth experience. At a 'Slava' (family patron saint day), after the formal meal, it's common for someone to bring out a guitar for a more relaxed, communal singing session.
The 'U' Rule
Always remember that for feminine instruments like gitara, violina, and flauta, the ending changes to 'u' when you play them.
No 'Play' for Games
If you say 'sviram fudbal', Serbians will imagine you blowing into a football like a trumpet!
Signification
Making music with a guitar.
The 'U' Rule
Always remember that for feminine instruments like gitara, violina, and flauta, the ending changes to 'u' when you play them.
No 'Play' for Games
If you say 'sviram fudbal', Serbians will imagine you blowing into a football like a trumpet!
Use 'Znam'
Instead of just 'Sviram gitaru', say 'Znam da sviram gitaru' (I know how to play) to sound more like a native speaker when discussing skills.
The Sing-along
If you play in Serbia, be prepared for people to start singing immediately. It's a compliment!
Teste-toi
Choose the correct verb for playing an instrument.
Ja ______ gitaru svaki dan.
In Serbian, 'svirati' is the only verb used for musical instruments.
Fill in the correct form of the noun 'gitara'.
On voli da svira ______.
The object of the verb 'svirati' must be in the Accusative case. 'Gitara' becomes 'gitaru'.
Match the Serbian phrase with its English translation.
Match the following:
This reinforces the distinction between 'svirati' (instruments) and 'igrati' (sports/dance).
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of 'svirati'.
A: Da li tvoja sestra ______ gitaru? B: Ne, ona ______ klavir.
Both blanks require the 3rd person singular present tense of 'svirati'.
Which phrase is most appropriate for a professional guitarist?
How would a professional describe their job?
Using the noun 'gitarista' and the adverb 'profesionalno' fits the context.
🎉 Score : /5
Aides visuelles
Case Change
Banque d exercices
5 exercicesJa ______ gitaru svaki dan.
In Serbian, 'svirati' is the only verb used for musical instruments.
On voli da svira ______.
The object of the verb 'svirati' must be in the Accusative case. 'Gitara' becomes 'gitaru'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
This reinforces the distinction between 'svirati' (instruments) and 'igrati' (sports/dance).
A: Da li tvoja sestra ______ gitaru? B: Ne, ona ______ klavir.
Both blanks require the 3rd person singular present tense of 'svirati'.
How would a professional describe their job?
Using the noun 'gitarista' and the adverb 'profesionalno' fits the context.
🎉 Score : /5
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsYes, you can say 'svirati bubnjeve', although 'udarati bubnjeve' is also common.
Only when it's the object. If the guitar is the subject (e.g., 'The guitar is loud'), use 'gitara'.
Serbian uses the same form: 'Sviram gitaru'. Context tells you if it's happening now or habitually.
A 'svirka' is an informal word for a gig or a live music performance, usually in a bar.
No, the verb ending '-am' already tells us it's 'I'. 'Sviram gitaru' is more natural than 'Ja sviram gitaru'.
Yes, it can mean to honk a car horn or to whistle, but the context usually makes it clear.
Not a common one, but musicians might call it 'veslo' (oar) if it's a bad electric guitar.
Akustična gitara. So, 'Sviram akustičnu gitaru'.
You can say 'sviram na gitari', but it's slightly more formal or specific to a certain piece.
Yes, but you can also say 'gitaristkinja' for a female guitarist.
It's better to say 'slušam muziku' (listen) or 'pravim muziku' (make). 'Svirati' needs an instrument.
Probably 'Lutka sa naslovne strane' by Riblja Čorba. Every beginner learns it.
It is neutral. It's appropriate for both a king and a street beggar.
Želim da sviram.
Expressions liées
svirati klavir
similarto play the piano
udarati u bubnjeve
specialized formto play the drums
pevati uz gitaru
builds onto sing along with the guitar
naštimovati gitaru
specialized formto tune the guitar
učiti gitaru
relatedto learn the guitar
