A1 General 5 min read Easy

Present Tense: -iti Verb Conjugation (Regular)

To conjugate regular -iti verbs, drop -iti and add the 'I-group' endings, remembering that 'they' ends in -e.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

To conjugate -iti verbs, drop the -iti and add the endings: -im, -iš, -i, -imo, -ite, -e.

  • Remove the -iti suffix to find the stem: 'raditi' becomes 'rad-'.
  • Add the personal endings: ja radim, ti radiš, on radi.
  • Plural forms follow: mi radimo, vi radite, oni rade.
Stem + (im, iš, i, imo, ite, e) = Conjugated Verb

Overview

Welcome to the heart of Serbian communication! If you want to talk about what you do, what you think, or what you speak, you need the present tense. Specifically, you need the -iti verb group. These verbs are the workhorses of the Serbian language. They cover everyday actions like raditi (to work), govoriti (to speak), and učiti (to learn). Mastering this group is like getting a VIP pass to basic conversations. You will use these verbs in coffee shops, at work, and when meeting new friends. Don't worry, the pattern is very logical. Once you see the rhythm, you'll be conjugating like a pro in no time. Let's dive into the world of -iti verbs and get you talking!

How This Grammar Works

Think of Serbian verbs as little Lego sets. Every verb has a base and a tail. The infinitive form (the "to" form) always ends in -ti. For this specific group, the ending is always -iti. To use the verb in a sentence, you have to take off that tail. You can't just say "I to work." You need to change the ending to match the person doing the action. It is like changing the gears on a bike. Each person (I, you, he/she, we, you all, they) has a specific "gear" or ending. The good news? Regular -iti verbs always use the same set of gears. It is predictable and reliable, just like your favorite pair of sneakers. Even if the verb is new to you, the pattern stays the same.

Formation Pattern

1
Ready to build some verbs? Follow these three simple steps to conjugate any regular -iti verb in the present tense.
2
Start with the infinitive form, for example, raditi (to work).
3
Remove the -iti ending to find the stem. In this case, the stem is rad-.
4
Add the personal endings to the stem based on who is doing the action.
5
Here are the endings you need to memorize:
6
Ja (I): -im -> radim (I work)
7
Ti (You singular): -iš -> radiš (You work)
8
On/Ona/Ono (He/She/It): -i -> radi (He/She/It works)
9
Mi (We): -imo -> radimo (We work)
10
Vi (You plural/formal): -ite -> radite (You all work)
11
Oni/One/Ona (They): -e -> rade (They work)
12
Notice how the "i" stays strong in almost every form? That is why we call it the "I-conjugation." Only the very last form (they) swaps the "i" for an "e". Think of it like a group project where the last person decided to wear a different colored shirt.

When To Use It

Use this tense when you are talking about things happening right now. If you are sitting in a cafe and someone asks what you are doing, you say pijem kafu (I am drinking coffee). You also use it for habits or routines. If you work every day, you say radim svaki dan. It also works for general truths or facts. For example, On govori srpski (He speaks Serbian).
Imagine you are in a job interview. The employer asks about your skills. You would use these verbs to describe your abilities. Govorim tri jezika (I speak three languages). Or imagine you are asking for directions. Tražim poštu (I am looking for the post office). It is the most common tense you will ever use. It is the "here and now" of the Serbian language.

When Not To Use It

You shouldn't use this pattern for every verb you see. If a verb ends in -ati (like gledati) or -eti (like videti), it usually follows a different pattern. Also, watch out for the verb biti (to be). It is completely irregular and does its own thing. Don't try to use these endings for future actions either. While we sometimes do this in English ("I am going tomorrow"), Serbian usually prefers a specific future tense. Finally, avoid using this for completed actions in the past. If you already finished your coffee, this isn't the tense for you. Think of it like a grammar traffic light; it only turns green for the present moment.

Common Mistakes

The biggest trap is the "they" form. Many beginners want to say radiu or radu. Remember, for -iti verbs, the ending is always -e. So, it must be oni rade. Yes, even native speakers' kids mess this up sometimes! Another mistake is forgetting to drop the -iti entirely. You cannot say raditim. You must cut the tail before adding the new one. Also, don't forget that Serbian often drops the pronoun (ja, ti, on). The ending already tells us who is speaking. If you keep saying ja radim, ti radiš, you might sound a bit like a robot. Relax and let the endings do the heavy lifting.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

You will often see -ati verbs like slušati (to listen). They look similar but have different endings (like -aju for "they"). It is like confusing a lemon with a lime. They are both citrus, but they taste different! The -iti group is very consistent. While -ati verbs sometimes change their stems, -iti verbs usually stay very stable. There is also the -eti group. Some -eti verbs actually use these same -im, -iš endings (like videti -> vidim). We call those "fake" -iti verbs. For now, just focus on the ones that actually end in -iti. They are the most straightforward and will give you the most confidence.

Quick FAQ

Q

Do I always need to use ja or ti?

No, the verb ending tells you who the subject is!

Q

Is učiti a regular -iti verb?

Yes, it follows the pattern perfectly: učim, učiš, uči...

Q

What if the verb is reflexive, like moliti se?

Just conjugate moliti normally and keep the se nearby!

Q

How do I make it negative?

Just put ne before the verb, like ne radim (I don't work).

Conjugation of 'Raditi' (to work)

Pronoun Ending Form
Ja
-im
radim
Ti
-iš
radiš
On/Ona
-i
radi
Mi
-imo
radimo
Vi
-ite
radite
Oni/One
-e
rade

Meanings

This rule covers the present tense conjugation for the most common group of regular verbs ending in -iti.

1

Present Action

Describing an action happening right now or a habitual action.

“Ja učim srpski.”

“On misli na tebe.”

2

General State

Expressing a state of being or mental process.

“Ona želi kafu.”

“Vi vidite zgradu.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Present Tense: -iti Verb Conjugation (Regular)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + Verb
Ja radim.
Negative
Ne + Verb
Ja ne radim.
Question
Da li + Verb
Da li radiš?
Short Answer
Verb
Radim.
Plural
Subject + Verb
Mi radimo.
Third Person
Subject + Verb
On radi.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Ja radim.

Ja radim. (Work)

Neutral
Radim.

Radim. (Work)

Informal
Radim.

Radim. (Work)

Slang
Šljakam.

Šljakam. (Work)

The -iti Verb Tree

Raditi

Singular

  • radim I work
  • radiš you work
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Examples by Level

1

Ja radim.

I work.

2

Ti učiš.

You study.

1

Mi mislimo na tebe.

We are thinking of you.

2

Oni žele kafu.

They want coffee.

1

Ona govori srpski.

She speaks Serbian.

2

Vi vidite zgradu?

Do you see the building?

1

Oni često izlaze uveče.

They often go out in the evening.

2

Mi nosimo teške torbe.

We are carrying heavy bags.

1

Ona tvrdi da zna istinu.

She claims to know the truth.

2

Oni grade novu kuću.

They are building a new house.

1

Oni žure da stignu na vreme.

They are rushing to arrive on time.

2

Mi cenimo vaš trud.

We appreciate your effort.

Easily Confused

Present Tense: -iti Verb Conjugation (Regular) vs -ati vs -iti

Learners mix up the endings.

Common Mistakes

✗

raditiim

✓

radim

Don't keep the infinitive ending.
✗

radite (for 3rd person)

✓

rade

3rd person plural is -e.
✗

ja radi

✓

ja radim

Need the -im ending.
✗

on radim

✓

on radi

Wrong person ending.
✗

mi radite

✓

mi radimo

Wrong plural ending.
✗

oni radi

✓

oni rade

3rd person plural needs -e.
✗

učimiti

✓

učim

Infinitive is not used in present.
✗

oni učite

✓

oni uče

3rd person plural error.
✗

mi mislite

✓

mi mislimo

Wrong person ending.
✗

oni žurete

✓

oni žure

Over-conjugating.
✗

mi cenite

✓

mi cenimo

Wrong person ending.
✗

on tvrdim

✓

on tvrdi

Wrong person ending.

Sentence Patterns

Ja ___ u Beogradu.

Real World Usage

Texting constant

Šta radiš?

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💡

Drop the pronoun

You don't need to say 'Ja' every time.

Smart Tips

Drop the pronoun.

Ja radim. → Radim.

Pronunciation

RA-dim

Stress

Stress usually falls on the first syllable.

Question

Radiš? ↑

Rising intonation for yes/no questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember the 'IM-IŠ-I' rhythm for singular and 'IMO-ITE-E' for plural.

Visual Association

Imagine a robot (the stem) putting on different hats (the endings) to change its job.

Rhyme

Drop the iti, add the im, now you're speaking like a king!

Story

Ana wants to work. She takes the word 'raditi', chops off the 'iti', and adds 'im'. Now she says 'Ja radim'. Her friends join in, so they add 'imo' to say 'Mi radimo'.

Word Web

raditiučitimislitivoletigovoritivideti

Challenge

Conjugate 3 verbs in 5 minutes.

Cultural Notes

Serbians often drop the subject pronoun because the verb ending is clear.

Slavic root system.

Conversation Starters

“

Šta radiš?

Journal Prompts

Write about your daily routine.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Conjugate 'raditi' for 'Ja'.

Ja ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: radim
First person singular is -im.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises
Conjugate 'raditi' for 'Ja'.

Ja ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: radim
First person singular is -im.

Score: /1

FAQ (1)

To find the stem.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Conjugation by suffix

Serbian is more flexible with word order.

French moderate

Conjugaison

Serbian drops pronouns.

German moderate

Konjugation

German requires pronouns.

Japanese low

Verb conjugation

Serbian uses inflectional endings.

Arabic low

Verb roots

Serbian uses suffixal endings.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Nominative Case: Plural of Neuter Nouns

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