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A1 verb 8 min read

prodati

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips prodati in 30 Seconds

Explanation prodati in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'prodati' is taught as a basic action verb. Learners focus on the most common meaning: exchanging a personal item for money. You'll learn to say things like 'I sold my car' (Prodao sam auto) or 'I want to sell my book' (Želim da prodam knjigu). The grammar is kept simple, focusing on the past tense and the use of 'da' + present tense for intentions. The focus is on concrete objects and simple transactions in everyday life. You will learn to recognize it on signs in shop windows or online marketplaces. It is one of the first verbs you learn to distinguish between the 'completed' action and the 'ongoing' action, helping you understand the concept of verbal aspect in a very practical way. You will also learn the basic price structure using 'za' + money.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'prodati' in more varied contexts, such as talking about shopping, hobbies, and simple work tasks. You'll learn to use the Dative case to specify whom you sold something to (e.g., 'Prodao sam mu telefon' - I sold him the phone). You will also encounter the passive-like reflexive form 'prodati se' (to be sold), as in 'Sve se prodalo' (Everything was sold). Your vocabulary expands to include common collocations like 'prodati po dobroj ceni' (to sell at a good price). You will start to understand the difference between 'prodati' and 'prodavati' in more complex sentences, such as 'On prodaje osiguranje, ali danas nije prodao ništa' (He sells insurance, but today he didn't sell anything). This level focuses on building fluency in transactional conversations.

At the B1 level, you move beyond simple transactions to more abstract uses of 'prodati'. You will learn about selling ideas, selling one's soul (metaphorically), or the concept of 'selling out' (izdati/prodati nekoga). You will also learn more about the business side, including terms like 'prodati na rate' (to sell in installments) or 'prodati na veliko/malo' (to sell wholesale/retail). Your understanding of aspect becomes more nuanced, and you can comfortably switch between 'prodati' and 'prodavati' to change the meaning of your sentences. You will also encounter the word in news reports about the economy, privatizations, and sports transfers. The grammar becomes more complex as you use 'prodati' in various conditional and relative clauses.

At the B2 level, 'prodati' is used in professional and academic contexts. You will understand its role in economic discussions, marketing strategies, and legal documents. You'll be able to discuss the nuances of 'selling a brand' or 'selling a lifestyle'. You will also become familiar with idiomatic expressions and slang, such as 'prodati foru' (to pull a trick on someone) or 'prodati maglu' (to sell fog/hot air, i.e., to deceive). You can analyze the stylistic choice between 'prodati' and its synonyms like 'otuđiti' or 'plasirati'. Your ability to use the verb in the passive voice and other advanced grammatical structures becomes more natural. You will also be able to participate in debates about the ethics of selling certain products or services.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'prodati'. You can use it with subtle irony, sarcasm, or in highly specialized fields like law or high finance. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word and how it relates to other Slavic languages. You can use 'prodati' in complex literary contexts, understanding how authors use it to signify betrayal, loss of integrity, or the commodification of human emotions. You are comfortable with all its prefixed forms (preprodati, rasprodati, udati - which is etymologically related) and can use them with precision. Your mastery of the verbal aspect is complete, allowing you to use 'prodati' in the most complex sentence structures without hesitation.

At the C2 level, you use 'prodati' with the sophistication of a highly educated native speaker. You can appreciate and use the word in puns, wordplay, and complex rhetorical devices. You are familiar with the most obscure idioms and historical usages of the word. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'selling' in a post-capitalist society or analyze the use of the word in classical Serbian literature. You can effortlessly navigate between different registers, from the coarsest slang to the most formal legal terminology. Your understanding of the word is not just linguistic but cultural, encompassing all the social baggage and historical weight the word carries in the Serbian-speaking world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

prodati in 30 Seconds

The Serbian verb for 'to sell' (perfective).
Used for completed transactions and results.
Requires Accusative for the object and Dative for the buyer.
Commonly used in both physical and digital marketplaces.

The Serbian verb prodati is a fundamental pillar of the Serbian language, specifically categorized as a perfective verb meaning 'to sell'. In the Slavic aspectual system, prodati represents a completed action—the moment the transaction is finalized and the ownership changes hands. Unlike its imperfective counterpart prodavati, which describes the process of selling or being a salesman, prodati focuses on the result. When you use this word, you are talking about the successful conclusion of a deal.

The Core Concept: At its simplest level, to sell something is to exchange goods or services for money. In Serbian culture, this often involves negotiation (cenjkanje), though in modern retail, prices are fixed. Using prodati implies that the 'for sale' sign has been taken down.

Konačno sam uspeo da prodam svoj stari bicikl preko interneta.

The word carries significant weight in daily life, from the bustling 'pijaca' (open-air markets) where vendors hope to prodati their fresh produce by noon, to the high-stakes real estate market in Belgrade where apartments are prodata (sold) in record time. It is not just about commerce; it is about the transition of value. In a metaphorical sense, one can prodati an idea or even 'sell out' a friend, though the latter is used with high emotional intensity.

Cultural Nuance: In Serbia, selling is often a personal interaction. Even in formal settings, the act of selling (prodaja) involves a level of trust (poverenje). To prodati something successfully often requires 'dobra priča' (a good story) or high quality.

Oni su prodali sve ulaznice za koncert u rekordnom roku.

Furthermore, the verb is used in various legal and administrative contexts. When a company is sold, or when a state-owned enterprise undergoes privatization, the verb prodati is used to denote the transfer of assets. It is a word that signifies the end of a chapter for the seller and a new beginning for the buyer. In the context of the CEFR A1 level, you will mostly use it for simple objects like books, clothes, or cars.

Using prodati correctly requires an understanding of Serbian cases and verb conjugation. Since it is a transitive verb, it almost always takes an object in the Accusative case. For example, 'prodati kuću' (to sell a house), where 'kuću' is the feminine accusative form of 'kuća'. If you are selling to someone, that person will be in the Dative case.

Grammar Structure: Subject + Conjugated Verb + Object (Accusative) + Recipient (Dative). Example: 'Ja (Subj) sam prodao (Verb) auto (Acc) komšiji (Dat).' - I sold the car to the neighbor.

Moram da prodam ovaj stan pre nego što se preselim u inostranstvo.

The conjugation of prodati follows the standard pattern for -ati verbs in the present tense (though being perfective, the present tense is usually used in subordinate clauses with 'da'). In the past tense, it uses the 'l-participle': prodao (masculine), prodala (feminine), prodalo (neuter). In the future tense, it combines with the auxiliary verb 'hteti': 'prodaću' (I will sell).

When talking about the price, we use the preposition 'za' followed by the amount in the Accusative. 'Prodao sam telefon za dvesta evra.' (I sold the phone for two hundred euros). This is a very common construction in marketplace interactions. If you are selling something 'at a loss', you might hear the phrase 'prodati u bescenje' (to sell for a pittance).

Da li si uspeo da prodaš sve što si planirao na pijaci?

Common Contexts: 1. Real Estate: Prodati plac (to sell a plot of land). 2. Retail: Prodati robu (to sell goods). 3. Personal: Prodati nameštaj (to sell furniture).

In Serbia, you will encounter the word prodati in a variety of social and commercial settings. One of the most common places is the 'pijaca' (green market). While much of the talk is about prodavanje (the act of selling), the goal is always to prodati. You might hear a vendor say to a colleague, 'Sve sam prodao!' (I sold everything!), signaling a successful day of work. This expression of relief and satisfaction is common among small-scale producers.

Izvinite, već smo prodali poslednji primerak tih novina.

In the digital age, websites like 'KupujemProdajem' (the Serbian equivalent of eBay or Craigslist) are ubiquitous. The word prodati is everywhere on these platforms. Users post ads saying 'Hitno prodajem...' (Selling urgently...), but the feedback section will show 'Prodao sam predmet članu...' (I sold the item to the member...). Hearing people discuss their online sales is a standard part of modern Serbian conversation, especially among younger generations who trade tech gadgets and sneakers.

Another place you'll hear it is in the context of tickets. If a concert or football match is 'rasprodato', it means everything has been 'sold out'. Fans will ask each other, 'Da li su već prodali sve karte?' (Have they already sold all the tickets?). This word carries a sense of urgency and scarcity in these scenarios. In casual slang, 'prodati nekoga' means to betray or let someone down, often heard in dramatic stories among friends: 'Prodao me je u poslednjem trenutku!' (He bailed on me/betrayed me at the last moment!).

Daily Life Examples: Listening to news reports about the economy, hearing neighbors talk about selling their old cars, or seeing 'PRODATO' stickers on items in a shop window.

On je prodao dušu đavolu za malo slave.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make when using prodati is confusing it with its imperfective partner prodavati. In English, 'to sell' covers both the action in progress and the completed event. In Serbian, you must choose. If you say 'Ja prodam jabuke' in the present tense, it sounds like a habit or a scheduled future event, which is grammatically awkward. You should say 'Ja prodajem jabuke' (I am selling apples) or 'Prodao sam jabuke' (I sold apples).

Aspect Error: Using prodati when you mean 'to be in the business of selling'. Correct: On prodaje automobile. Incorrect: On proda automobile.

Pogrešno: Želim da prodajem auto sutra. (I want to be selling my car tomorrow). Ispravno: Želim da prodam auto sutra. (I want to sell my car tomorrow).

Another common error involves the misuse of cases. Learners often forget that the person receiving the item is in the Dative case, while the thing being sold is in the Accusative. Saying 'Prodao sam mog brata auto' (I sold my brother car) is incorrect; it should be 'Prodao sam bratu auto' (I sold [to] my brother the car). The lack of prepositions like 'to' in Serbian means the case endings do all the heavy lifting.

Finally, pronunciation of the 'o' and 'a' can be tricky. The stress is on the first syllable: pro-dati. Some learners accidentally stress the second syllable, which can make the word harder to recognize for native speakers. Also, ensure the 'd' is dental and clear, not aspirated like in some English dialects.

Summary of Mistakes: 1. Confusing perfective/imperfective aspect. 2. Incorrect case usage for the buyer. 3. Misplacing the word stress.

While prodati is the standard word for 'to sell', Serbian offers several alternatives depending on the register and specific context. Understanding these can help you sound more natural and precise. For instance, utrapiti is a colloquial, slightly negative term meaning 'to foist' or 'to sell something of low quality to someone unsuspecting'.

Prodati vs. Ustupiti: Prodati: Commercial exchange for money. Ustupiti: To cede or hand over, often for a fee but implies a transfer of rights or space (e.g., 'ustupiti mesto' - to give up a seat, or 'ustupiti licencu' - to cede a license).

Uspeo je da mi utrapi taj pokvareni televizor!

In a more formal or business context, you might see the verb otuditi. This is a legal term meaning 'to alienate' or 'to divest' property. It's rarely used in casual conversation but is common in contracts. Another related word is razmeniti (to exchange), which is used when money isn't the primary medium, or when changing currency.

For learners, the most important distinction remains between prodati (perfective) and prodavati (imperfective). Think of prodati as the 'done deal' and prodavati as the 'business'. If you are a shopkeeper, you prodajete (imperfective) bread every day, but today you prodate (perfective) 100 loaves. Understanding this pair is key to mastering Serbian verbs.

Comparison Table: - Prodati: To sell (result).
- Prodavati: To sell (process).
- Rasprodati: To sell out.
- Preprodati: To resell (often for profit).

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Preduzeće je odlučilo da proda svoje akcije."

Neutral

"Prodao sam stari bicikl."

Informal

"Hoćeš li da mi prodaš taj telefon?"

Child friendly

"Baka je prodala sve jabuke na pijaci."

Slang

"Lik mi je prodao neku ludačku priču."

Fun Fact

The root '-dati' is one of the most productive in Serbian, forming dozens of verbs like 'izdati' (betray), 'dodati' (add), and 'predati' (surrender).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /prǒːdati/

US /proʊdɑti/

Initial syllable (PRO-da-ti).

Rhymes With

dodati udati zadati poslati oprati izdati znati stati

Common Errors

Stressing the second syllable (pro-DA-ti).
Pronouncing 'o' as a schwa (pruh-dati).
Aspirating the 't' like in English 'tea'.
Confusing the 'd' with a 't' at the end of syllables.
Making the 'a' too short or too long.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very common word, easy to recognize in text.

Writing 2/5

Requires knowledge of verb conjugation and cases for objects.

Speaking 2/5

Simple to pronounce but requires correct aspect usage.

Listening 1/5

Clear and distinct sound, usually easy to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

dati (to give) novac (money) kupiti (to buy) auto (car) kuća (house)

Learn Next

prodavati (to sell - imperfective) cena (price) kupac (buyer) račun (bill) tržište (market)

Advanced

otuđiti (alienate) unovčiti (monetize) privatizovati (privatize) komercijalizovati (commercialize) likvidirati (liquidate)

Grammar to Know

Perfective vs Imperfective Aspect

Prodati (result) vs Prodavati (process).

Accusative Case for Objects

Prodao sam knjigU (Accusative).

Dative Case for Recipients

Prodao sam bratU (Dative).

Future I Tense formation

Prodaću (Proda + ću).

Past Tense (L-participle)

Prodao/Prodala/Prodalo.

Examples by Level

Prodao sam svoj stari telefon.

I sold my old phone.

Past tense, masculine singular.

Želim da prodam auto.

I want to sell the car.

Present tense with 'da' expressing intention.

On je prodao kuću.

He sold the house.

Perfective aspect, completed action.

Da li si prodao bicikl?

Did you sell the bicycle?

Question in the past tense.

Prodaću knjigu sutra.

I will sell the book tomorrow.

Future tense (prodaću = proda + ću).

Ona je prodala haljinu.

She sold the dress.

Past tense, feminine singular.

Mi smo prodali stan.

We sold the apartment.

Past tense, plural.

Prodaj mi tu olovku.

Sell me that pen.

Imperative mood.

Prodao sam mu auto za hiljadu evra.

I sold him the car for a thousand euros.

Dative case 'mu' (to him) and 'za' + amount.

Sve karte su se prodale.

All the tickets have been sold.

Reflexive 'se' used for a passive meaning.

Moramo brzo da prodamo robu.

We must sell the goods quickly.

Modal verb 'morati' + 'da' + present tense.

Kome si prodao sat?

To whom did you sell the watch?

Interrogative pronoun 'kome' in Dative.

Prodao je plac na selu.

He sold a plot of land in the village.

Accusative 'plac' (plot).

Nismo još prodali nameštaj.

We haven't sold the furniture yet.

Negative past tense.

Ona hoće da proda nakit.

She wants to sell the jewelry.

Intentionality with 'hoće da'.

Oni su prodali firmu prošle godine.

They sold the company last year.

Past tense with a time expression.

Prodao je priču o uspehu bez truda.

He sold a story of success without effort.

Metaphorical use of 'prodati'.

Uspeli su da prodaju sve zalihe pre zime.

They managed to sell all the stock before winter.

Verb 'uspeti' + 'da' + 'prodati'.

Prodao bih kuću da imam gde da odem.

I would sell the house if I had somewhere to go.

Potential mood (Conditional).

Niko nije hteo da proda zemlju investitoru.

No one wanted to sell the land to the investor.

Negative intention.

Prodao si me za sitne pare!

You sold me out for small change!

Idiomatic use meaning betrayal.

Nakon što prodamo auto, kupićemo novi.

After we sell the car, we will buy a new one.

Temporal clause with perfective verb.

Prodao je stan pod pritiskom dugova.

He sold the apartment under the pressure of debts.

Prepositional phrase 'pod pritiskom'.

Da li ste prodali prava na film?

Did you sell the film rights?

Abstract object 'prava' (rights).

Kompanija je prodata stranom investitoru.

The company was sold to a foreign investor.

Passive participle 'prodata'.

Prodao je maglu celom gradu.

He sold hot air to the whole city.

Idiom 'prodati maglu' (to deceive).

Umetnik je odbio da proda svoje najbolje delo.

The artist refused to sell his best work.

Infinitive after 'odbiti'.

Ako prodaš deonice sada, izgubiš novac.

If you sell the shares now, you lose money.

Conditional sentence type 1.

Prodao je obraz za političku moć.

He sold his honor for political power.

Idiom 'prodati obraz' (to lose honor).

Nisu mogli da prodaju proizvod na tom tržištu.

They couldn't sell the product in that market.

Modal 'moći' + 'da' + 'prodati'.

Prodao je foru čak i stručnjacima.

He pulled a trick even on the experts.

Slang 'prodati foru'.

Srećom, prodao sam stan pre krize.

Luckily, I sold the apartment before the crisis.

Adverb 'srećom' (luckily).

On je prodao dušu đavolu radi slave.

He sold his soul to the devil for the sake of fame.

Literary/Archetypal usage.

Sistem je prodat kao revolucionarno rešenje.

The system was sold as a revolutionary solution.

Passive construction with 'kao'.

Prodao je svoju privatnost za pet minuta slave.

He sold his privacy for five minutes of fame.

Abstract concept as an object.

Bilo je teško prodati tu ideju upravnom odboru.

It was hard to sell that idea to the board of directors.

Impersonal construction 'bilo je teško'.

Prodao je imanje kako bi isplatio dugove.

He sold the estate in order to pay off debts.

Final clause with 'kako bi'.

Knjiga se prodala u milionskom tiražu.

The book sold millions of copies.

Reflexive usage indicating commercial success.

Prodao je veru za večeru.

He sold his faith for a dinner.

Famous idiom for betrayal for small gain.

Uprava je odlučila da proda višak imovine.

The management decided to sell the surplus assets.

Formal business Serbian.

Intelektualac ne sme prodati svoju nezavisnost.

An intellectual must not sell their independence.

Ethical/Philosophical context.

Prodao je čitav koncept pod drugim imenom.

He sold the entire concept under a different name.

Nuanced commercial strategy.

Njegova ćutnja je bila prodata za veliku sumu.

His silence was sold for a large sum.

Passive voice with abstract object.

On je prodao maglu, ali su svi poverovali.

He sold hot air, but everyone believed him.

Idiomatic mastery.

Prodao je rodnu kuću bez trunke kajanja.

He sold his ancestral home without a shred of regret.

Emotional nuance.

Država je prodata korporacijama.

The state has been sold to corporations.

Political commentary.

Prodao je svoj talenat osrednjosti.

He sold his talent to mediocrity.

Abstract metaphorical usage.

Uspeli su da prodaju rog za sveću.

They managed to sell a horn for a candle (to deceive).

Archaic idiom for deception.

Common Collocations

prodati auto

prodati kuću

prodati dušu

prodati po niskoj ceni

prodati na rate

prodati prava

prodati maglu

prodati znanje

prodati veru za večeru

prodati u bescenje

Common Phrases

Prodato!

— Sold! Used when a deal is struck.

Pruži ruku, prodato!

Na prodaju

— For sale. Commonly seen on signs.

Ova kuća je na prodaju.

Prodati rog za sveću

— To deceive someone by selling something worthless.

Pokušao je da mi proda rog za sveću.

Skupo prodati kožu

— To fight hard before losing or dying.

Skupo su prodali svoju kožu u boju.

Prodati foru

— To trick someone or pull a prank.

Prodao mi je foru da je danas praznik.

Prodati ispit

— To take a bribe for a passing grade (corrupt context).

Priča se da je taj profesor prodao ispit.

Prodati obraz

— To lose one's honor for profit.

On je prodao obraz za malo vlasti.

Prodati se za sitne pare

— To betray one's values for a small gain.

Nije trebalo da se prodaš za sitne pare.

Prodati zjale

— To waste time (regional/colloquial).

Celi dan samo prodaješ zjale.

Sve se prodalo

— Everything is sold out.

Došli smo kasno, sve se prodalo.

Often Confused With

prodati vs prodavati

This is the imperfective form. Use 'prodavati' for the ongoing action of selling.

prodati vs predati

Means 'to hand over' or 'to surrender'. Sounds similar but different meaning.

prodati vs udati

Means 'to marry off' (a woman). Related root but specific context.

Idioms & Expressions

"Prodati nekome rog za sveću"

— To cheat or deceive someone by presenting something bad as something good.

On uvek pokušava da proda rog za sveću naivnim kupcima.

informal

"Prodati dušu đavolu"

— To do something immoral or sacrifice one's values for success or money.

Mnogi kažu da je prodao dušu đavolu zbog slave.

neutral

"Prodati veru za večeru"

— To betray one's core beliefs or heritage for a small, temporary material benefit.

Istorija pamti one koji su prodali veru za večeru.

literary

"Prodati maglu"

— To talk a lot without saying anything meaningful or to sell something non-existent/worthless.

Političari često samo prodaju maglu tokom kampanje.

colloquial

"Prodati foru"

— To successfully pull off a trick, prank, or a clever lie.

Prodao mi je foru da se sutra ne radi.

slang

"Skupo prodati kožu"

— To put up a fierce resistance even when defeat is inevitable.

Naša reprezentacija je skupo prodala kožu protiv favorita.

neutral

"Prodati obraz"

— To act dishonorably for the sake of profit or advantage.

Čovek ne sme da proda obraz ni za kakve pare.

neutral

"Prodati nekoga"

— To betray a friend or an ally, often for personal gain.

Nisam očekivao da ćeš me tako lako prodati.

informal

"Prodati zjale"

— To idle, to loaf around, or to waste time doing nothing.

Prestani da prodaješ zjale i počni da radiš!

colloquial

"Prodati se"

— To compromise one's integrity for money or power.

On se prodao prvoj velikoj korporaciji koja mu je ponudila posao.

neutral

Easily Confused

prodati vs prodavati

Same meaning but different aspect.

Prodati is for a completed sale; prodavati is for the process or habit.

On prodaje (habit) hleb, ali danas nije prodao (result) ništa.

prodati vs predati

Prefix difference (pro- vs pre-).

Prodati is to sell for money; predati is to hand over or give up.

Prodao sam auto, ali sam predao ključeve tek sutradan.

prodati vs izdati

Both involve 'giving' away something.

Prodati is commercial; izdati is to betray or to issue/rent out.

Prodao je stan, ali je izdao prijatelja.

prodati vs dodati

Same root '-dati'.

Prodati is to sell; dodati is to add or pass something.

Dodaj mi so, ja ću ti prodati recept.

prodati vs udati

Same root and sounds similar.

Prodati is to sell; udati is to marry off a daughter.

On je prodao kuću da bi udao ćerku.

Sentence Patterns

Subject + prodao sam + Object.

Ja sam prodao telefon.

Želim da prodam + Object.

Želim da prodam auto.

Prodao sam + Dative + Accusative.

Prodao sam mu knjigu.

Prodao sam + Object + za + Amount.

Prodao sam sat za deset evra.

Subject + je prodat + Prepositional.

Stan je prodat u ponedeljak.

Subject + je prodao + Abstract Object.

On je prodao dušu.

Da sam prodao..., sada bih imao...

Da sam prodao deonice, sada bih imao novac.

Reflexive + se + prodat.

Knjiga se prodala u trenu.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high; essential for daily life.

Common Mistakes

On proda auto svaki dan. → On prodaje auto svaki dan.
You cannot use a perfective verb like 'prodati' for a habitual action in the present tense. Use the imperfective 'prodaje'.
Prodao sam auto mom brat. → Prodao sam auto mom bratu.
The recipient must be in the Dative case ('bratu'), not the Nominative.
Želim prodati kuću. → Želim da prodam kuću.
In Serbian, modal verbs like 'želeti' are usually followed by 'da' + present tense, though the infinitive is also possible but less common in the south/east.
Sve karte su prodati. → Sve karte su prodate.
The passive participle must agree in gender and number with the subject ('karte' is feminine plural).
Prodao sam ga za pet evri. → Prodao sam ga za pet evra.
After the number five, nouns take the Genitive plural form ('evra'), not whatever 'evri' was intended to be.

Tips

Master the Aspect

Always ask yourself: Is the sale finished or ongoing? If finished, use 'prodati'. If ongoing, use 'prodavati'.

Learn the Family

If you know 'dati' (to give), 'prodati' is just 'giving forth' for money. This helps you remember many other verbs too.

Market Talk

When at a market, use 'prodao' to confirm you've finished your shopping or to ask a vendor if they've sold out.

Pro-Dati

Think: A PRO-fessional GIVER (dati). A seller is a professional at giving things for money.

Case Check

Double-check that your object is in the Accusative. It's the most common mistake for beginners.

Betrayal Nuance

Use 'prodati' for betrayal only in informal settings. In formal writing, use 'izdati'.

First Syllable Stress

Emphasis is on the 'PRO'. Say it like 'PRO-dah-tee'.

Future Tense

Use 'prodaću' for 'I will sell'. It's more natural than 'ja ću prodati' in most contexts.

Root Power

The root '-dati' is used in 'udati' (to marry). This shows how the language links giving and social exchange.

Selling Fog

Use 'prodati maglu' when someone is being deceptive. It's a very common and useful idiom.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'PRO-DATI'. 'PRO' sounds like 'PROfessional' and 'DATI' means 'to GIVE'. A professional gives something away for money.

Visual Association

Imagine a 'PRO' athlete 'GIVING' (dati) his jersey to a fan for a stack of cash.

Word Web

kupiti (buy) novac (money) pijaca (market) cena (price) račun (receipt) kupac (buyer) roba (goods) trgovina (trade)

Challenge

Try to name five things in your room you would like to 'prodati' and for how many dinars.

Word Origin

Derived from the Proto-Slavic *dati (to give) with the prefix *pro- (forth/away).

Original meaning: To give away or give forth in exchange for something.

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

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'prodati' with people (e.g., 'udati' for women) as it can sound archaic or objectifying if used incorrectly.

In English, 'sell' is used for both the process and the result. In Serbian, you must be careful with the aspectual pair prodavati/prodati.

'Prodao sam dušu đavolu' (Common literary trope) 'Kupujem Prodajem' (Serbia's largest classifieds site) 'Prodavnica tajni' (Famous album by Bajaga i Instruktori)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the market

Pošto ćete mi ovo prodati?
Sve sam prodao.
Ne želim da prodam ispod cene.
Možete li mi prodati pola kile?

Online selling

Prodato!
Želim da prodam hitno.
Da li ste već prodali predmet?
Prodaću prvom ko se javi.

Real Estate

Prodali smo stan prošle nedelje.
Želimo da prodamo plac.
Kuća je prodata preko agencije.
Teško je prodati nekretninu sada.

Business meeting

Moramo da prodamo ovaj koncept klijentu.
Koliko smo jedinica prodali?
Planiramo da prodamo ogranak firme.
Cilj je prodati što više.

Social betrayal

Prodao si me!
Ne bih te prodao ni za šta.
On bi prodao i rođenu majku.
Prijatelji se ne prodaju.

Conversation Starters

"Da li si ikada prodao nešto preko interneta?"

"Šta bi bilo najteže da prodaš od svojih stvari?"

"Da li je tvoja porodica ikada prodala kuću ili stan?"

"Koji je najčudniji predmet koji si uspeo da prodaš?"

"Da li misliš da je lako prodati ideju velikoj kompaniji?"

Journal Prompts

Piši o nečemu što si prodao i kako si se osećao.

Da li je bolje prodati nešto staro ili to pokloniti?

Zamisli da moraš da prodaš svoju najdražu uspomenu.

Kako bi pokušao da prodaš sneg ljudima na planini?

Napiši oglas u kojem želiš da prodaš svoj talenat.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

'Prodati' is a perfective verb. This means it refers to a completed action or a specific event of selling. Its imperfective partner is 'prodavati', which you use for ongoing actions or habits.

Since you are in the process of selling it, you should use the imperfective form: 'Prodajem auto'. If you say 'Prodao sam auto', it means the sale is already finished.

It takes the Accusative case for the object being sold (e.g., prodao sam kućU) and the Dative case for the person you are selling to (e.g., prodao sam bratU).

Yes, in a colloquial or metaphorical sense, 'prodati nekoga' means to sell someone out or betray them, usually for some kind of personal gain.

'Prodati' means to sell something, while 'rasprodati' means to sell out everything or to sell off a whole collection of items.

For masculine: prodao sam; feminine: prodala sam; neuter: prodalo sam; plural: prodali smo/ste/su.

The passive participle is 'prodat' (masculine), 'prodata' (feminine), 'prodato' (neuter). For example: 'Kuća je prodata.'

Use the preposition 'za'. Example: 'Prodao sam to za pet evra.'

Yes, it is very common to say 'prodati ideju' or 'prodati koncept', just like in English.

No, for renting out you use the verb 'izdati' or 'iznajmiti'. 'Prodati' always involves a permanent transfer of ownership for money.