When talking about family in Serbian, the word for 'sister' is sestra. This is a feminine noun, so it will typically take feminine endings if you're talking about more than one sister, or describing her. For example, if you have one sister, you would say 'moja sestra' (my sister). If you have two sisters, you'd say 'dve sestre'.
When talking about family in Serbian, the word for 'sister' is sestra. This is a feminine noun. If you want to say 'my sister,' you would use moja sestra. For 'two sisters,' it's dve sestre. This word is fundamental for describing family relationships.
sestra em 30 segundos
- Common A1 word
- Used for female siblings
- Essential family vocabulary
§ What does 'sestra' mean?
The Serbian word 'sestra' (pronounced ses-trah) is a noun. It's a fundamental word you'll hear a lot, especially when talking about family. In its most common and direct meaning, 'sestra' means sister. Just like in English, it refers to a female sibling.
- DEFINITION
- Sister (female sibling)
However, 'sestra' can also have a broader meaning, similar to how we might sometimes say 'sister' in English in a less literal sense. For instance, it can refer to a nurse, short for 'medicinska sestra' (medical sister). You'll often hear 'sestra' used in hospitals or clinics to address a nurse directly.
- EXAMPLE
- Could also mean 'nurse' (short for medicinska sestra).
§ When do people use 'sestra'?
You'll use 'sestra' in a few key situations:
- Talking about your family: This is the most common use. If you have a sister, you'll say 'Moja sestra' (My sister).
- Introducing your sister: When you introduce her to someone, you'll use 'Ovo je moja sestra.' (This is my sister.)
- Addressing a nurse: In a medical setting, if you need assistance, you can politely call out 'Sestra!' to get a nurse's attention.
- Describing someone's profession: You might hear someone say 'Ona je sestra' (She is a nurse).
Let's look at some examples to help you understand its use in context. Pay attention to how 'sestra' fits into the sentence structure.
Moja sestra živi u Beogradu.
- HINT
- My sister lives in Belgrade.
Zovem se Marko, a ovo je moja sestra Ana.
- HINT
- My name is Marko, and this is my sister Ana.
Da li je sestra ovde?
- HINT
- Is the nurse here? / Is sister here? (Context dependent)
As you can see, the context usually makes it clear whether you're talking about a sibling or a nurse. If you're discussing family, it's a sister. If you're in a hospital, it's a nurse.
Another important thing to know is that 'sestra' is a feminine noun. This means it will follow certain grammatical rules for feminine nouns in Serbian. Don't worry about memorizing all those rules yet, just be aware that nouns have genders in Serbian, and 'sestra' is female.
§ Quick check: Sestra and brothers
While 'sestra' is for a sister, the word for brother is 'brat'. They are distinct words, so make sure not to mix them up. You'll often hear them together when people talk about their siblings. For example, 'Imam sestru i brata' (I have a sister and a brother).
Keep practicing these basic family words. They are essential building blocks for your Serbian vocabulary. Remember, 'sestra' is your go-to word for 'sister' and often for 'nurse'.
§ Basic meaning of 'sestra'
'Sestra' is the Serbian word for 'sister'. It's a common noun, and you'll hear and use it a lot. It works like 'sister' in English for the most part, but Serbian grammar adds a few twists you need to know.
- Serbian Word
- sestra
- Definition
- Sister
§ Using 'sestra' in sentences: Cases are key
Serbian uses grammatical cases. This means the ending of 'sestra' changes depending on its role in the sentence. Don't panic, it's just like English pronouns (he/him, she/her). You just need to learn the common patterns.
§ Nominative Case: The subject
When 'sestra' is the subject of the sentence (the one doing the action), it stays 'sestra'. This is the basic form you learn.
Moja sestra živi u Beogradu.
My sister lives in Belgrade.
§ Genitive Case: Possession and 'of'
The genitive case is used for possession (like 'my sister's car') or after certain prepositions. The ending of 'sestra' changes to 'sestre'.
Ovo je torba moje sestre.
This is my sister's bag. (Literally: This is the bag of my sister.)
It's also used after prepositions like 'od' (from/of):
Dobio sam pismo od sestre.
I got a letter from my sister.
§ Dative Case: Indirect object
The dative case is for the indirect object, often meaning 'to' or 'for' someone. 'Sestra' becomes 'sestri'.
Dao sam knjigu sestri.
I gave the book to my sister.
§ Accusative Case: Direct object
When 'sestra' is the direct object (the one receiving the action), it can stay 'sestru'.
Vidim tvoju sestru.
I see your sister.
§ Vocative Case: Addressing someone
If you're directly talking to your sister, you use the vocative case, which is also 'sestro'.
Zdravo, sestro!
Hello, sister!
§ Instrumental Case: With whom/by what means
The instrumental case usually means 'with' or 'by means of'. 'Sestra' becomes 'sestrom'.
Idem sa sestrom u bioskop.
I'm going to the cinema with my sister.
§ Locative Case: About whom/where
The locative case is usually used with prepositions like 'o' (about) or 'u' (in), and 'sestra' becomes 'sestri'.
Pričam o sestri.
I'm talking about my sister.
§ Plural: More than one sister
When you're talking about multiple sisters, you need the plural form. In the nominative plural, 'sestra' becomes 'sestre'.
Moje sestre su ovde.
My sisters are here.
Guia de pronúncia
- stressing the second syllable
Padrões gramaticais
Padrões de frases
Ja imam [number] sestru.
Ja imam jednu sestru. (I have one sister.)
Moja sestra se zove [name].
Moja sestra se zove Ana. (My sister's name is Ana.)
Ovo je moja sestra.
Ovo je moja sestra. (This is my sister.)
[Name] je moja sestra.
Jelena je moja sestra. (Jelena is my sister.)
Sestra mi je [adjective].
Sestra mi je mlada. (My sister is young.)
Sestra [verb] dobro.
Sestra peva dobro. (My sister sings well.)
Ja volim moju sestru.
Ja volim moju sestru. (I love my sister.)
Sestra ima [object].
Sestra ima psa. (My sister has a dog.)
Memorize
Mnemônico
Imagine a 'stressed' sister who needs a break. The 's' at the beginning and end of 'sestra' sounds like 'stress'.
Associação visual
Picture two sisters, holding hands, wearing matching 'S' shaped necklaces. One sister has a thought bubble with the word 'sestra' above her head.
Word Web
Desafio
Describe your family members in Serbian. For example, 'Ja imam jednu sestru.' (I have one sister.) or 'Ona je moja sestra.' (She is my sister.) Try to use 'sestra' in a sentence with another family member, like 'Moja majka i moja sestra su kod kuće.' (My mother and my sister are at home.)
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasTo say 'my sister,' you would use:
- Moja sestra (if you are a female speaker)
- Moj brat (if you are a male speaker, but 'brat' means brother)
The plural of 'sestra' is sestre.
You would say: Imam sestru. (I have a sister.) Note the 'u' ending because 'sestra' is in the accusative case here.
Not usually. 'Sestra' covers all sisters. You can add adjectives like starija sestra (older sister) or mlađa sestra (younger sister) if you need to specify.
You can ask: Imaš li sestru? (Do you have a sister? - informal) or Imate li sestru? (Do you have a sister? - formal/plural).
Yes, 'sestra' can also mean 'nurse' in a medical context. For example, medicinska sestra means 'medical nurse'.
For 'my sisters,' you'd say:
- Moje sestre (if you are a female speaker)
- Moji sestre (if you are a male speaker, but 'moji' is usually for male nouns)
You would say Njena sestra (Her sister).
No, it's pronounced differently. The 'e' is like the 'e' in 'bed', and the 's' is always soft, like in 'snake'. The 'tr' sound is like in 'truck'. So, roughly: SES-trah.
You can use general greetings like Zdravo! (Hello!) or Kako si? (How are you? - informal). No special greeting just for sisters.
Teste-se 42 perguntas
Choose the correct English translation for 'sestra'.
'Sestra' directly translates to 'sister' in English.
Which Serbian word means 'sister'?
Among the options, 'sestra' is the Serbian word for 'sister'.
If 'brat' means brother, what does 'sestra' mean?
In Serbian, 'brat' is brother, and 'sestra' is sister.
The word 'sestra' refers to a female sibling.
Yes, 'sestra' means sister, which is a female sibling.
You use 'sestra' to refer to a male friend.
No, 'sestra' is a female sibling. You would not use it for a male friend.
'Sestra' is a common Serbian word for a family member.
Yes, 'sestra' (sister) is a very common family word in Serbian.
My sister is here.
This is my sister.
I have one sister.
Read this aloud:
Moja sestra voli jabuke.
Focus: sestra
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Ona je moja mlađa sestra.
Focus: mlađa sestra
Você disse:
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Read this aloud:
Gde je tvoja sestra?
Focus: Gde je
Você disse:
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Write a short sentence introducing your sister. If you don't have one, imagine you do.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Moja sestra je Marija. Ona je student.
Write a sentence describing your sister's age. For example, 'My sister is 20 years old.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Moja sestra ima dvadeset godina.
Write a sentence about what your sister likes to do. For example, 'My sister likes to read.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Moja sestra voli da čita knjige.
Koliko godina ima Ana?
Read this passage:
Ovo je moja sestra Ana. Ona ima deset godina. Ana voli da se igra sa psom.
Koliko godina ima Ana?
The passage states 'Ona ima deset godina.'
The passage states 'Ona ima deset godina.'
Gde živi Jelena?
Read this passage:
Moja sestra se zove Jelena. Ona živi u Beogradu. Jelena radi kao učiteljica.
Gde živi Jelena?
The passage states 'Ona živi u Beogradu.'
The passage states 'Ona živi u Beogradu.'
Šta Milica studira?
Read this passage:
Imam jednu sestru. Ona se zove Milica. Milica studira medicinu.
Šta Milica studira?
The passage states 'Milica studira medicinu.'
The passage states 'Milica studira medicinu.'
Moja ___ živi u Beogradu.
The sentence means 'My sister lives in Belgrade.' 'Sestra' is the correct word for 'sister'.
Imam jednu stariju ___.
The sentence means 'I have one older sister.' 'Sestru' is the accusative case of 'sestra', used after 'imam' (I have).
Kako se zove tvoja ___?
The sentence means 'What is your sister's name?' 'Sestra' is the correct word for 'sister' in this context.
Reč 'sestra' znači 'brother' na engleskom.
The word 'sestra' means 'sister' in English, not 'brother'. 'Brother' is 'brat'.
Možeš reći 'Moja sestra je dobra' da kažeš 'My sister is good'.
Yes, 'Moja sestra je dobra' is the correct way to say 'My sister is good' in Serbian.
Da bi pitao 'Do you have a sister?', treba reći 'Imaš li sestre?'.
Yes, 'Imaš li sestre?' is the correct way to ask 'Do you have a sister?' in Serbian, using the genitive case 'sestre' after 'imaš li'.
Write a short sentence in Serbian using 'sestra' to say you have a sister named Ana.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Imam sestru Anu.
Write a sentence in Serbian asking if someone has a sister.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Da li imaš sestru?
Describe your sister in one short Serbian sentence, mentioning she is nice.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Moja sestra je dobra.
Kako se zove sestra u tekstu?
Read this passage:
Ovo je moja porodica. Moj otac se zove Marko, a moja majka je Marija. Imam i sestru, njeno ime je Jelena. Volimo da provodimo vreme zajedno.
Kako se zove sestra u tekstu?
The passage states 'Imam i sestru, njeno ime je Jelena.' (I also have a sister, her name is Jelena.)
The passage states 'Imam i sestru, njeno ime je Jelena.' (I also have a sister, her name is Jelena.)
Šta sestre rade zajedno?
Read this passage:
Moja sestra i ja idemo u istu školu. Ona je starija od mene godinu dana. Uvek učimo zajedno i pomažemo jedna drugoj. Veoma smo bliske.
Šta sestre rade zajedno?
The passage says 'Uvek učimo zajedno...' (We always learn together...)
The passage says 'Uvek učimo zajedno...' (We always learn together...)
Koja je profesija Petrove sestre?
Read this passage:
Petar ima sestru. Njegova sestra radi kao doktor. Često razgovaraju telefonom jer ne žive u istom gradu. Petar je ponosan na svoju sestru.
Koja je profesija Petrove sestre?
The text states 'Njegova sestra radi kao doktor.' (His sister works as a doctor.)
The text states 'Njegova sestra radi kao doktor.' (His sister works as a doctor.)
This sentence means 'My older sister lives in Belgrade.' The word order in Serbian for this type of sentence structure is typically possessive adjective, adjective, noun, verb, preposition, city.
This is a common way to ask 'Do you have a sister or a brother?' 'Da li' introduces a yes/no question. 'Imaš' means 'you have' (informal).
This means 'Her younger sister goes to school.' Similar to the first example, the structure is possessive adjective, adjective, noun, verb, preposition, noun.
This sentence explores the intricate nature of relationships between sisters, suggesting they often transcend typical societal norms.
This sentence highlights how each sister, with her distinct life journey, embodies a microcosm of diverse viewpoints.
This sentence describes the profound bond between sisters as a potential source of unwavering support and understanding.
/ 42 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Sestra is the Serbian word for sister, a fundamental term for family relationships.
- Common A1 word
- Used for female siblings
- Essential family vocabulary
