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A1 preposition 10 min de lecture

kod

Exemples Notes et astuces kod en 30 secondes
Explication kod in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'kod' is primarily used to talk about being at someone's house or meeting at a specific landmark. You will learn it as a way to answer the question 'Gde si?' (Where are you?). The most important thing to remember is the Genitive case. For example, if you are at Marko's, you say 'Kod Marka'. If you are at Ana's, you say 'Kod Ane'. You also use it for 'at home' (kod kuće). At this stage, don't worry about abstract meanings; just focus on physical locations related to people and simple landmarks like 'kod restorana' (by the restaurant). You will also use it with 'mene' (me) and 'tebe' (you) very often in basic conversations about where to meet.
At the A2 level, you expand your use of 'kod' to include professional services and more specific physical proximity. You will start saying 'Idem kod lekara' (I'm going to the doctor) or 'Idem kod frizera' (I'm going to the hairdresser). You also learn to use 'kod' to describe where an object is located in relation to another, like 'Ključ je kod televizora' (The key is by the TV). You'll begin to notice that 'kod' is used with verbs of motion when the destination is a person, which is a key difference from English. You should also be comfortable using all personal pronouns in the Genitive with 'kod' (kod njega, kod nje, kod nas, kod vas, kod njih).
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At the B1 level, you start using 'kod' in more abstract and idiomatic ways. You will encounter it in phrases like 'Šta ima novo kod tebe?' (What's new with you?) where it refers to a person's life situation rather than their physical location. You also use it to describe traits or customs within a group, such as 'Kod nas u Srbiji...' (Among us in Serbia...). You'll begin to see 'kod' in more complex sentence structures, such as 'Kod ovakvih problema, najbolje je...' (In the case of such problems, it's best to...). You are expected to have mastered the Genitive case endings, including plural forms, so you can say 'kod mojih roditelja' (at my parents') without hesitation.
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At the B2 level, 'kod' is used to express nuanced possession and specific conditions. You might use it in a professional or academic context to describe phenomena: 'Kod ove hemijske reakcije...' (During/In this chemical reaction...). You also use it to contrast different viewpoints or systems, like 'Kod ovog autora vidimo uticaj...' (In this author, we see the influence...). Your use of 'kod' should be fluid, moving between physical proximity, social domain, and abstract characteristics. You will also learn more complex idioms and fixed expressions where 'kod' might not have a direct 'at' or 'by' translation in English, but instead conveys a sense of 'in the case of' or 'within the scope of'.
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At the C1 level, 'kod' is used with high precision to denote subtle distinctions in meaning. You can use it to discuss literary themes or philosophical concepts: 'Pojam slobode kod Ničea' (The concept of freedom in Nietzsche's work). You understand the stylistic difference between 'kod' and other prepositions like 'pri' or 'među' and can choose the one that fits the register. You also recognize when 'kod' is used to imply a certain psychological state or a habitual occurrence within a specific demographic. Your mastery of the Genitive case is perfect, even with irregular nouns or complex noun phrases following the preposition. You can use 'kod' to structure arguments, such as comparing 'kod jednih' (with some) versus 'kod drugih' (with others).
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At the C2 level, you use 'kod' as a native speaker would, including its use in rare dialects or older literature where it might have slightly different nuances. You can appreciate the etymological roots and how they influence modern usage. You can use 'kod' to express the finest shades of meaning in legal, scientific, or poetic texts. You are aware of the rhythmic and phonetic qualities of the word in speech and can use it to create emphasis or stylistic flair. You can explain the 'kod' vs 'u' vs 'na' distinctions to others, including the historical development of the Genitive case after prepositions of proximity. Your usage is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker, incorporating 'kod' into complex, multi-clause sentences effortlessly.
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Exemples Notes et astuces

kod en 30 secondes

  • Used for 'at someone's house' or 'by a landmark'.
  • Always requires the Genitive case for the following noun.
  • Indicates proximity but not being inside an object.
  • Commonly used with pronouns (kod mene, kod tebe).
The Serbian preposition kod is one of the most fundamental building blocks for any student of the language. At its core, it translates to 'at' or 'by' in English, but its usage is far more specific and governed by strict grammatical rules, primarily the requirement of the Genitive case. In the Serbian linguistic worldview, kod serves as a spatial anchor that connects a person or an object to a specific proximity or domain. When you use this word, you are defining a relationship of closeness that often implies ownership or a designated location.
Spatial Proximity
This describes something being physically near another object, such as a lamp being by the bed or a person standing by the door.
Domain or Possession
This is the most common usage, indicating being at someone's house, office, or place of business (e.g., at the doctor's).
Understanding kod requires shifting from the English 'at' which can be vague. In Serbian, if you are 'at' a location like a building (the school), you use 'u' (in) or 'na' (on/at). But if you are 'at' a person's place, you must use kod.

Vidimo se kod fontane u centru grada.

This example illustrates physical proximity. You are not inside the fountain; you are by it. Culturally, kod is deeply tied to Serbian hospitality. To be 'kod nekoga' (at someone's) implies being a guest. It is not just a location; it is a social state. If you are 'kod Marka', you are under Marko's roof, participating in his hospitality. This distinction is vital because saying 'u Marku' would mean you are literally inside Marko's body, which is a common mistake for beginners.

On je sada kod lekara na pregledu.

This shows the 'professional domain' usage. Even though the doctor is in a hospital, you are 'at the doctor's' (kod lekara).
Abstract Presence
Usage in literary or psychological contexts to describe traits found 'within' or 'among' a group (e.g., kod mladih - among the youth).
In summary, kod is the bridge between a person and their space. It defines where things are in relation to people or landmarks. Whether you are meeting 'kod sata' (by the clock) or staying 'kod babe' (at grandma's), this preposition is your primary tool for navigating Serbian social and physical geography. It is used hundreds of times daily in every possible register, from the most informal street talk to high-level academic writing when discussing characteristics 'kod' certain phenomena.
Using kod correctly is less about the word itself and more about the noun that follows it. Because kod always governs the Genitive case, you must be proficient in Genitive endings to use it effectively. Let's break down the sentence structure. The standard pattern is: Subject + Verb + kod + Noun (Genitive).
Personal Names
When visiting a friend: 'Idem kod Ivana' (I am going to Ivan's). Note the -a ending on Ivan.
Pronouns
When referring to yourself or others: 'Dođi kod mene' (Come to my place) or 'Bio sam kod nje' (I was at her place).
A crucial aspect of kod is that it describes a stationary state (where someone is) but is also used with verbs of motion (where someone is going) when the destination is a person. In English, we say 'I am going TO my friend,' but in Serbian, you say 'Idem KOD prijatelja.'

Knjiga se nalazi kod prozora na malom stolu.

Here, kod indicates physical proximity to an inanimate object (the window). Advanced learners should note that kod can also express possession in a way similar to the Russian 'u menya yest'. While Serbian usually uses 'imati' (to have), 'kod mene je tvoj ključ' (your key is with me/at my place) is a very common way to state that you currently possess something.

Sve je u redu kod nas u porodici.

This uses kod to describe a state of affairs within a group or collective.
The 'At home' Exception
The phrase 'kod kuće' (at home) is an adverbial expression. Even though 'kuća' is feminine, it follows the Genitive rule (kuće) and is used to mean 'at home' generally.
When dealing with plural nouns, the Genitive plural ending (usually -a or -i) must be applied. For example, 'kod prijatelja' could mean 'at a friend's' (singular) or 'at friends'' (plural), depending on the length of the 'a' sound in speech, though in writing they often look the same.

Šta ima novo kod tebe na poslu?

This is a standard greeting/question. It translates literally to 'What is there new at you at work?' but means 'What's new with you at work?' It treats the person as a container of news or events. Mastering kod involves practicing these variations until the Genitive case becomes second nature. You will use it to describe where you are, where you are going, who has your things, and where you should meet your friends.
If you spend a single day in Belgrade, Novi Sad, or any Serbian-speaking town, you will hear kod hundreds of times. It is ubiquitous in daily logistics and social planning.
In the Streets
You will hear people on their phones saying 'Čekam te kod...' followed by a landmark. 'Kod konja' (By the horse) is the most famous meeting point in Belgrade (referring to the statue on Republic Square).
In Service Industries
When making appointments, you'll hear: 'Termin je kod frizera' (The appointment is at the hairdresser's) or 'Idem kod automehaničara' (I'm going to the mechanic's).
Serbian culture is highly social and centered around visiting people's homes. Consequently, the phrase 'kod mene' (at my place) or 'kod tebe' (at your place) is the backbone of social life.

Hoćemo li kafu kod mene ili kod tebe?

This is the standard way to propose a coffee hangout. In professional settings, kod is used when discussing clients or patients. A doctor might say, 'Kod ovog pacijenta vidimo poboljšanje' (In this patient, we see improvement). It localizes the observation to that specific person.

Sve je po starom kod nas u kancelariji.

This usage implies 'within our circle' or 'at our place of work.' You will also hear it in sports commentary: 'Lopta je kod Đokovića' (The ball is with Djokovic/in Djokovic's possession).
News and Media
Reporters often use it for locations: 'Nalazimo se kod zgrade vlade' (We are located by the government building).
Even in music, lyrics are filled with kod. Folk songs often talk about meeting 'kod izvora' (by the spring) or 'kod mosta' (by the bridge). It creates a sense of place that is intimate and specific. If you are lost and asking for directions, people will use kod to give you landmarks: 'Skrenite levo kod one crvene zgrade' (Turn left by that red building). Because it is so flexible, it replaces many English prepositions like 'near,' 'beside,' 'at,' and 'with' depending on the context. Its frequency in the language cannot be overstated; it is a top-100 word in terms of utility. Paying attention to how native speakers use it will help you understand the boundaries of personal space and physical proximity in Serbian culture.
The most frequent error for English speakers is using the wrong case after kod. In English, 'at' doesn't change the following word, but in Serbian, kod demands the Genitive.
Case Error
Saying 'kod Marko' (Nominative) instead of 'kod Marka' (Genitive). This sounds very broken to a native ear.
Confusion with 'U'
Saying 'u Marka' to mean 'at Marko's'. As mentioned before, 'u' means 'inside', so 'u Marka' implies being inside his body.
Another common mistake is confusing kod with 'pored' (beside). While they are similar, kod implies a general proximity or a functional location, while 'pored' is strictly about being 'next to' something.

Incorrect: Idem u doktora. Correct: Idem kod doktora.

English speakers often want to use 'u' because they think 'I am going IN to the doctor's office.' But in Serbian, you go TO the person (kod). There is also the 'motion vs. location' trap. In some languages, different prepositions are used if you are moving toward a place or already there. In Serbian, kod works for both if the destination is a person or a landmark. However, beginners often try to use 'na' for people. Never say 'Idem na Marka' unless you are literally jumping on him!

Mistake: Bio sam kod Beograd. Correct: Bio sam u Beogradu.

You cannot use kod for cities or countries to mean 'in'. Kod Beograda would mean 'Near Belgrade' or 'By Belgrade', not 'In Belgrade'. This is a nuance that trips up many A1-A2 learners.
The 'Kod kuće' vs 'Kući' trap
'Kod kuće' means 'at home' (location). 'Kući' means 'homeward' (direction). Don't say 'Idem kod kuće' if you mean 'I am going home'; say 'Idem kući'.
Finally, remember that kod does not mean 'with' in the sense of 'together with'. If you are walking with a friend, use 'sa'. If you are staying at their house, use kod. Mixing these up changes the meaning of your sentence significantly.
To truly master kod, you must know how it compares to its neighbors in the prepositional world. Serbian has several ways to describe 'near' or 'at', each with a specific flavor.
Pored (Beside/Next to)
'Pored' is more precise than 'kod'. If you are 'pored reke', you are right at the edge of the river. 'Kod reke' is more general, meaning 'in the river area'.
Blizu (Near)
'Blizu' indicates proximity but usually at a greater distance than 'kod'. 'Blizu škole' means in the neighborhood of the school, while 'kod škole' suggests you are right there at the entrance.
Another interesting comparison is with the preposition 'pri'. 'Pri' is more formal and often used in fixed expressions or to mean 'attached to' or 'during'. For example, 'pri dnu' (at the bottom) or 'pri ruci' (at hand). Kod is much more common in everyday speech.

Sedim pored prozora (I am sitting right next to the window) vs. Sedim kod prozora (I am sitting in the window area).

When talking about possession, kod competes with 'u' (in) in certain abstract senses. 'U mene' is archaic or dialectal for 'kod mene' in many regions, though 'kod mene' remains the standard. In the context of 'among', kod can be replaced by 'među' (among). However, 'među' usually implies being in the middle of a physical crowd, whereas kod implies a characteristic of that group. 'Kod Srba je običaj...' (Among Serbs, the custom is...) is more natural than 'Među Srbima...' in a general cultural sense.

On je kod kuće (He is at home) vs. On je unutar kuće (He is inside the house).

'Unutar' is much more formal and emphasizes the physical interior. For daily life, kod is your workhorse. It is the default preposition for social location. Understanding these subtle differences helps you sound more like a native and less like a translation app. By choosing kod, you are often choosing the most 'natural' sounding option for proximity in Serbian.

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'kod' is cognate with the Russian 'k' (to), but in Serbian, it evolved to mean 'at' and take the Genitive, whereas 'k' in Serbian takes the Dative and means 'towards'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /kɔd/
US /kɑːd/
Monosyllabic; no specific stress, but it leans onto the following noun.
Rime avec
brod (ship) pod (floor) rod (kinship) hod (walk/gait) plod (fruit) svod (vault) izvod (excerpt) vod (platoon)
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing it like 'code' (long 'o'). It should be short.
  • Devoicing the 'd' to a 't' at the end of a phrase (kot), though this happens naturally in fast speech.
  • Adding a vowel sound at the end (koda).
  • Confusing it with 'kad' (when).
  • Making the 'o' sound like 'u' (kud).
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Exemples par niveau

1

Vidimo se kod škole.

See you by the school.

škole is Genitive singular of škola.

2

On je kod kuće.

He is at home.

kod kuće is a fixed expression for 'at home'.

3

Idem kod Marka.

I am going to Marko's.

Marka is Genitive of Marko.

4

Kafa je kod mene.

The coffee is at my place.

mene is Genitive of ja (I).

5

Gde je lopta? Kod drveta.

Where is the ball? By the tree.

drveta is Genitive of drvo.

6

Čekam te kod apoteke.

I am waiting for you by the pharmacy.

apoteke is Genitive of apoteka.

7

Oni su kod Ane.

They are at Ana's.

Ane is Genitive of Ana.

8

Knjiga je kod prozora.

The book is by the window.

prozora is Genitive of prozor.

1

Moram da idem kod lekara.

I have to go to the doctor.

lekara is Genitive of lekar.

2

Bio sam kod frizera juče.

I was at the hairdresser's yesterday.

frizera is Genitive of frizer.

3

Nađi me kod ulaza u park.

Find me by the park entrance.

ulaza is Genitive of ulaz.

4

Tvoj telefon je kod nje.

Your phone is with her.

nje is Genitive of ona (she).

5

Idemo kod bake na ručak.

We are going to grandma's for lunch.

bake is Genitive of baka.

6

Pas spava kod mojih nogu.

The dog is sleeping by my feet.

nogu is Genitive plural of noga.

7

Sve je kod nas u redu.

Everything is fine with us.

nas is Genitive of mi (we).

8

Lampa stoji kod kreveta.

The lamp stands by the bed.

kreveta is Genitive of krevet.

1

Šta ima novo kod tebe?

What's new with you?

tebe is Genitive of ti (you).

2

Kod nas se kafa pije polako.

In our country/culture, coffee is drunk slowly.

kod nas implies 'among us' or 'in our culture'.

3

Kupio sam hleb kod onog pekara.

I bought bread at that baker's.

pekara is Genitive of pekar.

4

Kod dece se brzo vidi napredak.

In children, progress is quickly seen.

dece is Genitive of deca (children).

5

Sve tvoje stvari su kod mene.

All your things are at my place.

mene is Genitive of ja (I).

6

Kod ove zgrade skrenite desno.

By this building, turn right.

zgrade is Genitive of zgrada.

7

Imam termin kod zubara u tri.

I have an appointment at the dentist's at three.

zubara is Genitive of zubar.

8

Kod njih je uvek veselo.

It's always cheerful at their place.

njih is Genitive of oni (they).

1

Kod ovog pacijenta nema simptoma.

In this patient, there are no symptoms.

pacijenta is Genitive of pacijent.

2

Šta se promenilo kod tvog plana?

What has changed in your plan?

plana is Genitive of plan.

3

Kod njih u firmi vlada disciplina.

In their company, discipline prevails.

njih is Genitive of oni (they).

4

Vidimo sličan stil kod oba slikara.

We see a similar style in both painters.

oba slikara is Genitive dual/plural structure.

5

Kod ovakvih situacija treba biti miran.

In such situations, one should be calm.

situacija is Genitive plural of situacija.

6

Ostavio sam ključeve kod komšije.

I left the keys with the neighbor.

komšije is Genitive of komšija.

7

Kod mladih je popularna ova muzika.

Among the youth, this music is popular.

mladih is Genitive plural of mladi.

8

Proveri da li je novčanik kod tebe.

Check if the wallet is with you.

tebe is Genitive of ti.

1

Kod Andrića često srećemo temu mosta.

In Andrić's work, we often encounter the theme of the bridge.

Andrića is Genitive of Andrić.

2

Analizirali smo uzroke kod ove pojave.

We analyzed the causes in this phenomenon.

pojave is Genitive of pojava.

3

Kod nekih naroda gostoprimstvo je sveto.

Among some nations, hospitality is sacred.

nekih naroda is Genitive plural.

4

To je čest slučaj kod starijih osoba.

That is a frequent case among older persons.

starijih osoba is Genitive plural.

5

Kod tebe se vidi velika promena u stavu.

A big change in attitude is visible in you.

tebe is Genitive.

6

Sve je ostalo kod starog vlasnika.

Everything remained with the old owner.

vlasnika is Genitive.

7

Kod ovog modela motor je jači.

In this model, the engine is stronger.

modela is Genitive.

8

Postoji sumnja kod većine prisutnih.

There is doubt among the majority of those present.

većine is Genitive of većina.

1

Kod Hegela, duh se razvija kroz istoriju.

In Hegel's philosophy, the spirit develops through history.

Hegela is Genitive.

2

Nije primećena anomalija kod ispitanika.

No anomaly was noticed in the subjects.

ispitanika is Genitive plural.

3

Kod ovakve postavke stvari, uspeh je neminovan.

With such a setup of things, success is inevitable.

postavke is Genitive.

4

Pitanje morala kod Dostojevskog je ključno.

The question of morality in Dostoevsky is crucial.

Dostojevskog is Genitive.

5

Kod renesansnih majstora perspektiva je ključna.

Among Renaissance masters, perspective is key.

majstora is Genitive plural.

6

Vidljiva je regresija kod određenih pacijenata.

Regression is visible in certain patients.

pacijenata is Genitive plural.

7

Kod njega se prepliću strah i hrabrost.

In him, fear and courage intertwine.

njega is Genitive.

8

Specifičnost kod ovog dijalekta je akcenat.

The specificity in this dialect is the accent.

dijalekta is Genitive.

Collocations courantes

kod kuće
kod mene
kod tebe
kod lekara
kod frizera
kod prozora
kod vrata
kod nas
kod njih
kod spomenika

Phrases Courantes

Šta ima kod tebe?

— How are you? / What's new in your life?

Zdravo! Šta ima kod tebe?

Sve je kod mene.

— I have all the things / Everything is with me.

Ne brini, sve je kod mene.

Kod koga ideš?

— To whose place are you going?

Kod koga ideš večeras?

Biti kod nekoga.

— To be at someone's place.

Bio sam kod nje ceo dan.

Vidi se kod njega.

— It can be seen in him (his character/face).

Vidi se kod njega da je umoran.

Kod nas u porodici.

— In our family.

Kod nas u porodici svi vole sport.

Pronaći kod sebe.

— To find on oneself (e.g., in a pocket).

Pronašao sam ključ kod sebe.

Kod prve raskrsnice.

— At the first intersection.

Skreni kod prve raskrsnice.

Nije kod nas.

— It is not with us / not at our place.

Knjiga nije kod nas.

Kod svakog čoveka.

— In every person.

Kod svakog čoveka postoji dobrota.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Kod očiju slep"

— To be blind despite having eyes (to not see the obvious).

On je pored nje, a ona ga ne vidi; stvarno je kod očiju slepa.

informal
"Sve je po starom kod nas"

— Everything is the same with us (nothing new).

Kako ste? Ma, sve je po starom kod nas.

neutral
"Kod boga na istini"

— In front of God's truth (to be dead or in a very critical state).

On je sad kod boga na istini.

archaic/religious
"Kod pune svesti"

— Fully conscious.

Potpisao je dokument kod pune svesti.

formal
"Kod zdravog razuma"

— In one's right mind.

Niko kod zdravog razuma to ne bi uradio.

neutral
"Kod svakog dobra"

— At every good thing (being present when something good happens).

On je uvek tu kod svakog dobra.

informal
"Kod živa čoveka"

— While a person is still alive.

To se ne radi kod živa čoveka.

dialectal
"Gde si kod mene"

— Where are you in relation to me (rhetorical question about closeness).

Gde si ti kod mene u srcu?

poetic
"Kod nas u selu"

— A phrase used to start a story about one's origins or traditions.

Kod nas u selu se to drugačije radilo.

informal
"Kod prve prilike"

— At the first opportunity.

Uradiću to kod prve prilike.

neutral

Famille de mots

Apparenté

kuda (where to)
od (from)
do (until)
blizu (near)
pored (beside)
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Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'KOD' as a 'CODe' for a location. To get to someone's house, you need their 'KOD' (address).

Association visuelle

Imagine a person standing next to a large letter 'D' (for Domain). They are 'at' the 'D'.

Word Web

Location Proximity At By Genitive People Landmarks Possession

Défi

Try to describe five things in your room using 'kod'. For example: 'Lampa je kod prozora'.

Origine du mot

Derived from Proto-Slavic *kъ(dъ). It is related to the interrogative stems.

Sens originel : The original meaning was likely linked to direction or location in relation to a specific point.

Indo-European > Balto-Slavic > Slavic > South Slavic > Serbian.

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using 'kod' with names of deceased people; it can sound like you are visiting their grave.

English speakers often over-use 'u' (in) where 'kod' is required because English uses 'at' for both people and buildings.

Meeting 'Kod konja' (By the horse) in Belgrade. The song 'Kod tri šešira' referring to a famous Skadarlija restaurant. Literary analysis of 'kod' in the works of Ivo Andrić.
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