Learn Bosnian  grammar : Pronouns

A pronoun is a short word used to replace a noun that has been mentioned before. The pronouns used in Bosnian language are divided into:

Personal

Possessive

Interrogative

Relative

Demonstrative

Do you know Sarajevo? Yes I went there last year.
Do you like Ian? Yes I met Ian once before, but I don't like him.
Do you like learning Bosnian? Yes, but I find it difficult.

i) Personal Pronouns used in the Bosnian language are as follows:

Ja	I, 1st person (sg)
Ti	You/you, 2nd person (sg)
On	He, 3rd person (sg)
Ona	She, 3rd person (sg)
Ono	It, 3rd person (sg)
Mi	We (plural)
Vi	You
Oni	They

Note: Ti (you) is used when addressing the person that one knows very well, such as a relative or a close friend. Vi (you) can be used when politely addressing one person or more.

Declension of personal pronouns through the keys:

Singular

Plural

ii) Possessive pronouns

Singular

a) moj, tvoj,svoj (mine, yours {masc})

b) moja, tvoja, svoja {f} c) moje, tvoje, svoje {n}

Plural

b) nai, naa, nae - ours
c) vai, vae, vaa - yours
d) njihova, njihove, njihova - theirs

Examples:

Naa djeca -(nasha dyetsa) - our children
Nai sinovi -(nashee seenovee) - our sons
Nae k erke- (nashe kcherke) - our daughters

iii) Interrogative pronouns

Ko to - who, what
Koga ega- what
Kome emu- to whom, to what
Koga ta- hey
Kome emu - to whom, to what
Kim ime - with who, with what

iv) Relative Pronouns introduce a subordinate clause that refers to persons, animals, or things that have just been mentioned. Relative pronouns translate into English as 'who', 'whom', 'whose', 'which'.

Example: London is a town which is known for its architecture.

v) Demonstrative pronouns

Examples of demonstrative pronouns:

The one who invented the stethoscope.
They are the ones I need
This is the friend with whom we had dinner.

 

©Namira Bajraktarevic 2002