Lesson Goals

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

• Understand the functions of the Instrumental case in Serbian
• Recognize instrumental endings for singular and plural nouns
• Use instrumental for means, accompaniment, and time expressions
• Combine instrumental with common prepositions

1. Function of the Instrumental

The instrumental case is used for:

1. Means / instrument — “with what” something is done
2. Accompaniment — “with whom” you are doing something
3. Certain time expressions — “in” or “during” a season, part of the day
4. After some prepositions

Questions: s kim? (with whom?) / s čim? (with what?)

Examples:

• Pišem olovkom. — I am writing with a pen. (means)
• Idem s prijateljem. — I am going with a friend. (accompaniment)
• Zimi je hladno. — It’s cold in winter. (time)

2. Instrumental Endings – Singular