When you're talking about being at someone's place or with someone, you'll use the preposition kod. This is often followed by a person's name or a pronoun in the genitive case.
For example, to say "at Marko's place" you would say kod Marka. If you want to say "with her" it would be kod nje. It indicates proximity or association with a person.
When used with the genitive case, kod indicates proximity to a person, place, or institution. For example, kod kuće means "at home" or "by the house". You might say Idem kod lekara meaning "I am going to the doctor's (house/office)". It can also mean "at the place of" someone, such as Ona je kod sestre, meaning "She is at her sister's (place)". Furthermore, it can imply possession or availability, as in Nema kod mene, meaning "I don't have (it) on me" or "It's not at my place." Finally, kod can also signify a characteristic or trait, such as To je lepo kod tebe, which means "That is nice about you."
When used with the genitive case, kod means 'at' or 'by' someone's place, or near something. It's often used for indicating proximity to a person or a general location, but not necessarily inside. Think of it as 'at the place of' or 'near'.
For example, you could say Idem kod lekara (I'm going to the doctor's) or Čekam te kod pošte (I'm waiting for you by the post office).
When used with the genitive case, kod indicates proximity to a person, place, or institution. Think of it as 'at the place of' or 'by'.
For example, you'd say 'Idem kod lekara' to mean 'I'm going to the doctor's (place)'.
It can also indicate possession or belonging, as in 'Knjiga je kod mene' - 'The book is with me/I have the book'.
Finally, it can denote a characteristic or quality present in someone, like 'To je osobina kod njega' - 'That's a characteristic of his'.
§ Don't confuse 'kod' with 'u' or 'na'
Many English speakers learning Serbian often mix up prepositions like 'kod', 'u', and 'na' because they all can sometimes translate to 'at' or 'in' in English. However, in Serbian, their uses are distinct.
- Kod
- Used to indicate being at someone's place, near someone, or in possession of someone.
- U
- Generally means 'in' or 'into' a confined space (e.g., a room, a city, a country).
- Na
- Generally means 'on' or 'on top of' a surface, or 'at' a public place (e.g., a station, a square).
Let's look at examples to make this clearer.
§ Wrong: Using 'u' or 'na' for someone's place
A common error is to say 'u mene' or 'na mene' when you mean 'at my place'. This is incorrect. You always use 'kod' for people's residences or when referring to a person's immediate vicinity.
Idem kod prijatelja. (I'm going to a friend's place.)
NOT: Idem u prijatelja. (Incorrect)
Ona je kod kuće. (She is at home.)
Although 'u kući' (in the house) is also correct, 'kod kuće' specifically refers to being at one's home (the general location, not necessarily inside the building).
§ Incorrect use with inanimate objects/locations
While 'kod' can mean 'near' or 'by', it's usually used for proximity to a person or an abstract concept (like 'kod nas' - with us/in our culture). For general inanimate objects or public places, 'pored' (next to), 'blizu' (near), 'u' (in), or 'na' (on/at) are more appropriate.
Stol je pored prozora. (The table is next to the window.)
NOT: Stol je kod prozora. (Incorrect, unless 'prozora' refers to a person named Prozor, which is unlikely!)
Čekam te na stanici. (I'm waiting for you at the station.)
NOT: Čekam te kod stanice. (Incorrect, implies waiting near the station, but 'na stanici' is the standard phrase for 'at the station'.)
§ Forgetting the Genitive Case
'Kod' always takes the genitive case. This is a crucial grammatical rule. Forgetting to apply the genitive case will make your sentences sound unnatural or incorrect.
Here's a quick reminder:
- Masculine nouns: often add -a (e.g., kod brata - at brother's)
- Feminine nouns: often change -a to -e (e.g., kod sestre - at sister's)
- Neuter nouns: often add -a or -eta (e.g., kod deteta - at child's)
Bio sam kod doktora. (I was at the doctor's.)
NOT: Bio sam kod doktor. (Incorrect, 'doktor' is nominative, needs to be 'doktora' for genitive.)
Imam knjigu kod sebe. (I have the book with me.)
NOT: Imam knjigu kod ja. (Incorrect, 'ja' is nominative, needs to be 'sebe' which is the genitive reflexive pronoun.)
§ Overusing 'kod' for possession
While 'kod' can indicate possession (e.g., 'kod mene je knjiga' - the book is with me/I have the book), it's often more natural to use the verb 'imati' (to have) for general possession.
Ja imam auto. (I have a car.)
While 'Auto je kod mene' (The car is with me) is grammatically correct, 'Ja imam auto' is usually the more direct and common way to express general possession.
स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण
Kod kuće sam ceo dan.
I am at home all day.
Used with genitive case for location.
Sastajemo se kod biblioteke.
We are meeting by the library.
Used with genitive case for proximity.
Nema ga kod kuće.
He is not at home.
Used with genitive case to indicate absence from a location.
Ovo je tajna kod mene.
This is a secret with me (I will keep it a secret).
Used with genitive case to indicate possession of information/secret.
Imam novac kod sebe.
I have money on me.
Used with genitive case for something carried with oneself.
Ovaj recept je kod moje bake.
This recipe is from my grandmother.
Used with genitive case to indicate source (when referring to an item belonging to someone).
Kod nas je uvek toplo.
It's always warm at our place (in our country/home).
Used with genitive case for location belonging to a group/family.
Čekaću te kod ulaza.
I will wait for you by the entrance.
Used with genitive case for proximity to a point.
Kod svih nas postoji želja za boljim životom.
In all of us, there is a desire for a better life.
Here 'kod' implies 'among' or 'within' a group of people.
Nije imao drugog izbora nego da ostane kod kuće.
He had no other choice but to stay at home.
'Kod kuće' is a common fixed expression meaning 'at home'.
Ovo je problem koji se često javlja kod starijih ljudi.
This is a problem that often appears in older people.
'Kod' can indicate prevalence or occurrence within a specific group.
Imala je običaj da se povlači kod sebe kada bi bila tužna.
She used to withdraw into herself when she was sad.
'Kod sebe' here refers to 'within oneself' or 'to one's own space'.
Pronašao je rešenje kod potpuno neočekivanih sagovornika.
He found a solution with completely unexpected interlocutors.
'Kod' can indicate the source or location of something, here referring to people.
Kod nas je tradicija da se slavi Nova godina uz veliku gozbu.
In our country, it is a tradition to celebrate New Year's with a big feast.
'Kod nas' is a common expression meaning 'in our country' or 'at our place'.
Često se dešava da kod takvih promena dođe do otpora.
It often happens that with such changes, resistance occurs.
'Kod' here signifies 'in the case of' or 'with regard to'.
Uprkos svemu, kod nje je uvek tinjala iskra nade.
Despite everything, a spark of hope always glimmered within her.
'Kod nje' indicates 'within her' or 'in her possession (of a feeling)'.
सामान्य शब्द संयोजन
सामान्य वाक्यांश
Ostajem kod kuće.
I am staying at home.
Idem kod lekara.
I am going to the doctor's.
Dođi kod mene.
Come to my place.
Bio sam kod njega.
I was at his place.
Čekam kod ulaza.
I am waiting by the entrance.
Sedeo je kod prozora.
He sat by the window.
Imamo večeru kod nas.
We are having dinner at our place.
Da li si bio kod njih?
Have you been to their place?
Kupio sam hleb kod pekara.
I bought bread at the bakery (literally 'at the baker').
Vidi se kod njega da je umoran.
It can be seen in him that he is tired.
इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें
The most common usage for kod is to say you are 'at' someone's place, or 'at' a location (like a doctor's office). You will often hear it with pronouns in the genitive case. For example:
- Kod mene - At my place
- Kod tebe - At your place
- Kod lekara - At the doctor's (literally 'at doctor')
- Kod kuće - At home (literally 'at house')
Beginners sometimes confuse kod with u or na. Remember, kod usually implies being at someone's location or a specific type of establishment (like a doctor). U means 'in' (e.g., u kući - in the house) and na means 'on' or 'at' a surface/event (e.g., na stolu - on the table, na poslu - at work).
याद करें
स्मृति सहायक
Think of a 'code' (kod) you use to get 'at' or 'by' something. Like a security code lets you get *at* or *by* a door.
दृश्य संबंध
Imagine a friendly dog (kod) sitting right 'at' your feet or 'by' your side, always close to you.
Word Web
चैलेंज
Try to form five sentences using 'kod' to describe where things or people are, or who has something. For example: 'Telefon je kod stola.' (The phone is by the table.)
खुद को परखो 42 सवाल
Choose the correct translation for 'at the doctor's'.
The preposition 'kod' is used to express 'at someone's place' or 'by someone'.
Which sentence correctly uses 'kod' to mean 'at my place'?
'Kod kuće' is a common phrase meaning 'at home'.
Fill in the blank: 'Čekam te ___ škole.' (I am waiting for you ___ the school.)
'Kod' can also mean 'by' or 'near' a place.
The sentence 'On je kod kuće.' means 'He is at home.'
'Kod kuće' is the correct expression for 'at home'.
'Kod' can be used to say 'at my friend's place'.
For example, 'kod prijatelja' means 'at a friend's place'.
The phrase 'Idem kod banke.' means 'I am going to the bank.'
While 'kod' means 'at' or 'by', 'Idem u banku' would be used for 'going to the bank'. 'Kod banke' means 'at/by the bank' (location).
This means 'I am at home.'
This means 'We are at a friend's place.'
This means 'She is at the doctor's.'
Read this aloud:
Gde si?
Focus: Gde si
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Ja sam kod kuće.
Focus: kod kuće
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
On je kod banke.
Focus: kod banke
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine you are meeting a friend at a café. Write two sentences explaining where you are and what you are doing. Use 'kod' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Čekam te kod ulaza u kafić. Pijem kafu kod šanka dok te čekam.
You are describing where a specific book is located. Write two sentences using 'kod' to indicate its position relative to something or someone.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Knjiga je kod lampe na stolu. Možeš je naći kod mog kreveta.
Write two sentences about visiting a friend or relative. Use 'kod' to say whose place you are visiting.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Idem kod prijatelja večeras. Biću kod bake za vikend.
Gde je Marko bio juče?
Read this passage:
Marko je juče bio kod zubara jer ga je boleo zub. Danas se oseća mnogo bolje i sada je kod kuće, odmara se. Njegova sestra je kod drugarice i uči za ispit.
Gde je Marko bio juče?
U tekstu piše 'Marko je juče bio kod zubara'.
U tekstu piše 'Marko je juče bio kod zubara'.
Ko je ostavio ključeve kod komšinice?
Read this passage:
Ana je ostavila ključeve kod komšinice pre nego što je otišla na put. Sada se vratila i treba da ih pokupi. Komšinica je trenutno kod svojih roditelja, pa će Ana morati da sačeka.
Ko je ostavio ključeve kod komšinice?
U tekstu piše 'Ana je ostavila ključeve kod komšinice'.
U tekstu piše 'Ana je ostavila ključeve kod komšinice'.
Gde se nalazi pismo?
Read this passage:
Pismo je stiglo i nalazi se kod poštara. On će ga doneti kasnije tokom dana. Možeš ga sačekati kod ulaznih vrata ako želiš.
Gde se nalazi pismo?
U tekstu piše 'Pismo je stiglo i nalazi se kod poštara'.
U tekstu piše 'Pismo je stiglo i nalazi se kod poštara'.
Ona živi ___ svoje bake u Beogradu.
U ovom kontekstu 'kod' se koristi da označi nečiju lokaciju 'kod' nekoga, tj. u nečijem domu ili blizu nekoga.
Moram da odem ___ lekara što pre.
'Kod' se koristi kada idete na konsultaciju ili posetu profesionalcu, kao što je lekar ili advokat.
Čekam te ___ ulaza u pozorište.
Kada se govori o čekanju na određenom mestu ili blizu nečega, 'kod' je prikladna opcija, slično kao 'by' ili 'at' u engleskom jeziku.
Imam zakazan sastanak ___ notara u tri sata.
Isto kao i za lekara, 'kod' se koristi kada imate zakazan sastanak ili posetu notaru.
Ostavio sam ključeve ___ komšije.
'Kod' se koristi da označi da je nešto ostavljeno kod nekoga, pod njihovim nadzorom ili u njihovoj blizini.
Knjiga je ostala ___ njega, zaboravila sam je uzeti.
U ovom kontekstu, 'kod' znači da je knjiga ostala kod te osobe, tj. u njenom posedu ili na njenoj lokaciji.
This sentence uses 'kod' to indicate location. Listen for the feeling described when someone is at home.
Here, 'kod sebe' means 'with me'. Pay attention to why the person carries an umbrella.
'Kod njega' refers to 'in him' or 'with him' in the sense of 'in his behavior/condition'. Listen for when the changes are expected.
Read this aloud:
Kod koga si ostavio ključeve?
Focus: kod koga
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Radiš li kod kuće ili u kancelariji?
Focus: kod kuće
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Kod mene je sve u redu.
Focus: kod mene
तुमने कहा:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
This sentence describes someone working at their grandfather's place in the countryside. 'Kod' indicates the location of the work.
This sentence describes waiting for someone near the fountain. 'Kod' specifies the meeting point.
This sentence indicates that the books were in the speaker's possession until yesterday. 'Kod mene' means 'with me' or 'at my place'.
This sentence structure correctly places 'kod' before the noun 'prezentaciji' to mean 'at the presentation'.
Here, 'kod njega' functions as 'from him' or 'with him' to understand the essence of the problem.
This sentence correctly uses 'kod' to indicate location 'by the neighbor's entrance'.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
