Lesson Goals

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Understand the two aspects of Serbian verbs: imperfective and perfective
• Recognize how aspect changes the meaning of tenses
• Identify aspect pairs and learn common formation patterns
• Use aspect correctly in the present, past, and future tenses

1. What is Verb Aspect?

Serbian verbs have two aspects:

1. Imperfective (nesvršeni vid) — focuses on the process, duration, or repetition of an action.
2. Perfective (svršeni vid) — focuses on the completion or result of an action.

2. Imperfective Aspect

• Describes actions in progress, repeated, or habitual.
• Can be used in all tenses.
• Has a true present tense (used for actions happening now).

Examples:

• Čitam knjigu. — I am reading a book.
• Svako jutro pijem kafu. — I drink coffee every morning.
• Juče sam radio ceo dan. — I was working all day yesterday.