Meaning
A vehicle that has just been bought.
Cultural Background
Buying a car often involves 'čašćenje' (treating friends). If you don't treat your friends to a drink, they might jokingly say the car will break down. There is a high preference for luxury brands even if second-hand, but a 'nov auto' from the salon is the ultimate status symbol. The 'Golf' (Volkswagen) is legendary. A 'nov Golf' is considered the best possible investment one can make. Coming back to the home country for summer vacation in a 'nov auto' bought abroad is a classic way to show success.
Sound like a local
Use 'nova kola' instead of 'nov auto' when talking to friends. It sounds much more natural and less like a textbook.
Gender Trap
Never say 'novo auto'. It is the most common mistake for foreigners and even some native children.
Meaning
A vehicle that has just been bought.
Sound like a local
Use 'nova kola' instead of 'nov auto' when talking to friends. It sounds much more natural and less like a textbook.
Gender Trap
Never say 'novo auto'. It is the most common mistake for foreigners and even some native children.
The 'Čast'
If you tell a Serbian friend you bought a 'nov auto', be prepared to take them out for a drink immediately!
Test Yourself
Choose the correct form of the adjective for the word 'auto'.
Moj brat ima ____ auto.
Since 'auto' is masculine and we are introducing it for the first time, the masculine indefinite form 'nov' is correct.
Fill in the missing word to complete the common phrase for 'new wheels'.
Kupio sam nova ____.
'Nova kola' is a very common plural-form synonym for a new car.
Match the response to the situation.
Your friend just bought a new car. What do you say?
This is the standard way to congratulate someone on a new purchase in Serbia.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Da li je to tvoj nov auto? B: Jeste, ____.
The most logical follow-up to confirming a new car purchase is saying when you bought it.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of 'Nov Auto' contexts
Buying
- • Salon
- • Kredit
- • Popust
Celebrating
- • Čašćenje
- • Muštuluk
- • Poklon
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMoj brat ima ____ auto.
Since 'auto' is masculine and we are introducing it for the first time, the masculine indefinite form 'nov' is correct.
Kupio sam nova ____.
'Nova kola' is a very common plural-form synonym for a new car.
Your friend just bought a new car. What do you say?
This is the standard way to congratulate someone on a new purchase in Serbia.
A: Da li je to tvoj nov auto? B: Jeste, ____.
The most logical follow-up to confirming a new car purchase is saying when you bought it.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine. Even though it ends in -o, it follows the gender of 'automobil'.
Yes! 'Kola' is always plural in Serbian, like 'pants' in English. 'Nova kola' can mean one new car or many.
'Nov' is indefinite (a new car), 'novi' is definite (the new car).
Say 'Čestitam!' or 'Neka je sa srećom!'.
Rarely. It sounds very formal, like saying 'motorized vehicle' in English.
Yes, it changes in cases: auta, autu, auto, autom, autu.
It means 'like new', usually describing a well-maintained used car.
Yes, due to taxes, they are often more expensive than in the US or some EU countries.
No, use 'novi' for a new person in a role, but never just 'nov'.
It's a slang idiom for a brand new car, literally 'under the hammer'.
Related Phrases
polovan auto
contrastused car
nova kola
synonymnew wheels/car
ispod čekića
specialized formbrand new
službeni auto
similarcompany car
sportski auto
similarsports car
