Voziti auto
voziti auto
To drive a car
Phrase in 30 Seconds
The essential phrase for operating a car in Serbian, used in daily commutes and travel talk.
- Means: To physically drive or operate a motor vehicle.
- Used in: Daily routines, travel plans, and discussing personal skills.
- Don't confuse: 'Voziti' (to drive) with 'Voziti se' (to be a passenger).
Explanation at your level:
Bedeutung
Operating a motor vehicle.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The 'Yugo' car is a legendary symbol of the former Yugoslavia. Even though it's no longer produced, people still talk about 'voziti Yuga' with a mix of nostalgia and humor. Manual transmission is the standard. If you say 'voziti auto', people assume it's a manual unless you specify 'automatik'. Traffic in Belgrade is notoriously difficult. 'Voziti auto u špicu' (driving in rush hour) is a test of nerves for any driver. In villages, 'voziti' might refer to tractors or old trucks just as often as cars, reflecting the agricultural lifestyle.
Drop the 'Auto'
In Serbian, if the context is clear, you can just say 'Vozim' (I'm driving).
Reflexive Trap
Be careful with 'voziti se'. It's the #1 mistake for beginners.
Bedeutung
Operating a motor vehicle.
Drop the 'Auto'
In Serbian, if the context is clear, you can just say 'Vozim' (I'm driving).
Reflexive Trap
Be careful with 'voziti se'. It's the #1 mistake for beginners.
Use 'Kola'
To sound more like a native, use 'kola' in informal settings.
Manual is King
Assume most cars are manual when discussing driving in Serbia.
Teste dich selbst
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'voziti'.
Ja svaki dan _______ auto na posao.
The subject is 'Ja' (I), so the verb must end in -m.
Which sentence is correct for a passenger?
If you are sitting in the back seat, you say:
'Voziti se' is the reflexive form used for passengers.
Match the Serbian phrase with its English translation.
1. Voziti auto, 2. Vozačka dozvola, 3. Biti za volanom
These are essential car-related terms.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Da li želiš sok? B: Ne, hvala, ja ______.
In a social context, 'vozim' explains why you aren't drinking alcohol.
Match the phrase to the context.
Context: A formal police report.
This is the most formal and legalistic register.
🎉 Ergebnis: /5
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Voziti vs Voziti se
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIn standard Serbian, 'auto' is masculine (taj auto).
Yes, 'voziti bicikl' is the standard way to say 'ride a bike'.
'Voziti' is everyday language; 'upravljati' is formal/technical.
Use 'Vozim se' (e.g., 'Vozim se u autu').
Yes, 'kola' is a plurale tantum noun, meaning it only has a plural form.
No, 'voziti' takes the direct object in the accusative case (Vozim auto).
It is 'vozačka dozvola'.
Only if you are specifically talking about maneuvering in tight spaces.
Generally yes, but drivers can be aggressive in cities.
It is 18 years old in Serbia.
No, for a boat you use 'upravljati čamcem' or 'ploviti'.
Say 'Učim da vozim'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Voziti kola
similarTo drive a car (informal)
Vozačka dozvola
builds onDriving license
Biti za volanom
similarTo be behind the wheel
Voziti se
contrastTo be a passenger
Upravljati vozilom
specialized formTo operate a vehicle
Wo du es verwendest
At a party
Ana: Hoćeš li pivo?
Marko: Ne, hvala, moram da vozim auto.
Driving School
Instruktor: Danas ćemo voziti auto po gradu.
Učenik: Dobro, spreman sam.
Job Interview
Poslodavac: Da li znate da vozite auto?
Kandidat: Da, imam vozačku dozvolu B kategorije.
With a friend
Jovan: Ko će da vozi auto do mora?
Sara: Ja ću, volim da vozim.
Police Stop
Policajac: Zašto ste vozili auto tako brzo?
Vozač: Izvinite, žurim na posao.
Car Rental
Agent: Koji auto želite da vozite?
Turista: Želim da vozim mali gradski auto.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'VOZ' (train) and 'ITI' (to go). You are making the 'auto' go like a personal train!
Visual Association
Imagine yourself sitting in a car, holding the steering wheel, and shouting 'VO-ZI!' every time you press the gas pedal.
Rhyme
Ko auto vozi, taj je na nozi! (He who drives a car is on his feet/moving!)
Story
Vuk wanted to visit his friend. He didn't want to walk, so he decided to 'voziti auto'. He grabbed the keys, sat in the driver's seat, and drove all the way to the city.
Word Web
Herausforderung
Next time you are in a car, say 'Ja vozim auto' if you are driving, or 'Ja se vozim' if you are a passenger, five times out loud.
In Other Languages
Conducir un coche
Spanish has two common verbs depending on the region.
Conduire une voiture
French is more consistent across regions than Spanish.
Auto fahren
In German, the noun 'Auto' often comes before the verb in certain sentence structures.
車を運転する (Kuruma o unten suru)
It uses a 'noun + do' construction rather than a single verb like 'voziti'.
يقود سيارة (Yaqudu sayyara)
The verb root also implies leadership.
开车 (Kāichē)
The literal meaning 'to open a car' is unique to Chinese logic.
운전하다 (Unjeonhada)
It is a single compound verb in modern usage.
Dirigir um carro
In Portugal, 'guiar' is also frequently used.
Easily Confused
Learners often use the reflexive 'se' when they are the driver.
If you are holding the wheel, no 'se'. If you are looking out the window, use 'se'.
Sounds like 'voziti' but means 'to lead' or 'to take someone somewhere'.
Voziti = Vehicle, Voditi = People/Animals.
FAQ (12)
In standard Serbian, 'auto' is masculine (taj auto).
Yes, 'voziti bicikl' is the standard way to say 'ride a bike'.
'Voziti' is everyday language; 'upravljati' is formal/technical.
Use 'Vozim se' (e.g., 'Vozim se u autu').
Yes, 'kola' is a plurale tantum noun, meaning it only has a plural form.
No, 'voziti' takes the direct object in the accusative case (Vozim auto).
It is 'vozačka dozvola'.
Only if you are specifically talking about maneuvering in tight spaces.
Generally yes, but drivers can be aggressive in cities.
It is 18 years old in Serbia.
No, for a boat you use 'upravljati čamcem' or 'ploviti'.
Say 'Učim da vozim'.
