Are you planning to learn Serbian, and you wonder if it is an easy task? While Serbian might appear challenging to learn, there are a few things you can do to make it easier, faster, and enjoyable at the same time.
Knowing the language can be valuable if you plan to travel to Serbia or other countries where Serbian is spoken. It can also help you communicate with Serbian-speaking communities in your own country.
Keep reading to get actionable advice in learning the Serbian language.
Is Serbian A Hard Language To Learn?
Serbian can be a challenging language for English speakers, but it is not considered one of the most difficult languages in the world. Learning a new language always requires some work to learn words and phrases, but Serbian has a few particular aspects of its grammar.
For example:
- One challenge when learning Serbian is its complex grammar, including cases, verb conjugation, and word order.
- Another challenge is the pronunciation of some sounds that are not present in English, such as the “sh” sound in “šuma” (forest) or the “ch” sound in “čokolada” (chocolate).
However, Serbian vocabulary is primarily based on words of Slavic origin, so if you have studied other Slavic languages such as Russian, Polish, or Croatian, you may find some similarities.
Additionally, many Serbian speakers also speak English, so you may find that you can communicate in English with others.
What Is The Easiest Way To Learn Serbian?
You can do a few things to make it easy to learn Serbian words and phrases to make them stick. Improving listening skills and listing to native speakers can definitively help you remember the language and use correct pronunciation.
Here are some tips that can help make learning Serbian easier:
1. Start With The Basics
Begin with learning the Serbian alphabet and basic phrases to help you communicate in everyday situations.
Learning the Serbian alphabet is essential for reading and writing in Serbian. Serbian uses both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, so you may want to start with one and then move on to the other.
Here are some basics things to do in sequence so you can learn first to make it easier to learn Serbian:
- Learn to read and write the Serbian alphabet, including the letters and their pronunciation.
- Learn common phrases used in everyday situations, such as greetings, introductions, and simple questions and answers.
- Learn the basics of Serbian nouns, including their gender, number, and case. Serbian has seven cases, so starting with the most common ones, such as the nominative, accusative, and genitive cases is important.
- Learn the basics of Serbian verbs, including verb conjugation in the present tense and common irregular verbs.
- Build your vocabulary with common words and phrases related to food, travel, and daily routines.
- Practice listening to and speaking Serbian with a native speaker or a language partner. This can help you get used to the sound and rhythm of the language and build confidence in speaking.
2. Practice Speaking And Listening
Find a language exchange partner or tutor to help you practice speaking and listening in Serbian. You can also use free resources such as Serbian music, videos, or friends.
3. Immerse Yourself In The Language
Listen to Serbian music, watch Serbian TV shows or movies, and read books or articles in Serbian to help you get used to the sound and rhythm of the language. Listening to a native speaker, whether it is on TV or radio, can tremendously speed up your progress.
4. Set Achievable Goals
Set small and achievable goals for yourself and track your progress to help motivate yourself. Practice a little bit every day rather than cramming all your learning into one session.
5. Have Fun Learning A New Language
Learning a language can be challenging, but it can also be fun and rewarding. Enjoy the process and try to make learning Serbian a part of your daily life.
6. Find A Good Language Learning Resource
Use language learning apps, textbooks, a Serbian phrasebook, or online resources that clearly explain grammar rules and vocabulary.
7. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes:
Accept that making mistakes is a normal part of the learning process, and don’t be afraid to speak or write in Serbian, even if you are not yet confident.
Is The Serbian Alphabet Hard To Learn?
Learning the Cyrillic alphabet used in Serbian can be more challenging for English speakers than learning the Latin alphabet. This is because the Cyrillic alphabet has different letters, sounds, and shapes than the Latin alphabet.
However, learning the Cyrillic alphabet can make it easier to read and write in Serbian because each letter in Cyrillic represents a specific sound.
In addition, knowing the Cyrillic alphabet can be helpful if you plan to learn other Slavic languages that use it, such as Russian, Bulgarian, or Ukrainian.
Is The Cyrillic Alphabet Hard To Learn?
The Cyrillic alphabet has 33 letters, some of which are similar to the Latin alphabet, such as A, K, M, O, and T. However, other letters look different and represent different sounds. For example, the Cyrillic letter Ш (sh) is not present in the Latin alphabet, and the letter П (p) looks like the Latin letter R.
One strategy for learning the Cyrillic alphabet is associating each letter with an English word that sounds similar, which can help you remember the letter’s pronunciation.
For example, the Cyrillic letter Б (b) sounds like the English word “bee,” and the letter Г (g) sounds like the English “g” in “go.”
Would you like to learn other aspects of the Serbian language?
Learn More Serbian With Ling App!
It is easy to understand Serbian if you can get guidance and assistance. You can learn this amazing baltic language with the Ling app!
Ling app is a language learning application where you can master over 60 languages worldwide through fun and engaging methods, like games and puzzles!
Meanwhile, check also our other resources to learn more about the Serbian language and culture: Useful Cooking Terms and Exciting Things To Do While Traveling In Serbia.
Don’t waste more time. Download the Ling app from App Store or Play Store!
