Speaking with natives is enough to learn Serbian. Don’t use coursebooks! Watch movies, and you’ll learn the language in two months.
Does the advice on studying Serbian make you anxious? Some will help you, but other could impact your learning in the wrong way.
Don’t worry! You have come to the right place. We’ll make your learning experience as smooth as possible. We have made a list of common mistakes in Serbian learning to avoid. Keep on reading.
What Effects Your Serbian Learning
Is learning Serbian challenging? This might be because your mother tongue doesn’t belong to the same language family. The Serbian language is a Slavic language. These languages have unique grammar rules and rich vocabulary. We use Cyrillic and Latin scripts, and many learners find this hard to learn.
Our students come from all over the world- Australia, the USA, and Europe. They all had some doubts about the best way to learn Serbian when they were beginners. In our classes, we overcome every learning obstacle together.
With this blog, we’ll help you have an enjoyable learning journey, too. That’s why we have listed ten common errors in Serbian learning. Let’s see what they are and what to do instead.
Mistake 1: Focusing Only on Grammar
Learn grammar. However, focusing too much on rules can hinder practical language use. Language is more than structure- it’s about communicating with others.
The key is in balance. Practice listening and speaking on the one hand and grammar on the other. This helps you apply what you learn. As teachers like to say, practice makes it perfect.
Mistake 2: Using Only Apps to Learn
Learning apps are an excellent practice tool, and we encourage you to use them. But, they cannot teach you a foundation or delicate language nuances. Nothing can replace the benefits you experience from speaking Serbian with people. What should you do besides using apps:
- Immerse yourself in the language- watch TV series, listen to music, read books
- Make a conversation with native speakers daily as much as possible
- Explore Serbian culture- watch our Instagram reels and learn about our customs
Mistake 3: Learning Only by Memorizing Phrases
The following common mistake in Serbian to avoid is only memorizing phrases. This can help with survival language, but it doesn’t teach the basis. You will feel confused when you encounter new or altered phrases.
Understanding how to construct Serbian sentences provides excellent flexibility in communication. Your head won’t spin if someone says any of the following, as they all mean the same:
I gave a book to Milica.
- Dao sam Milici knjigu.
- Milici sam dao knjigu.
- Knjigu sam dao Milici.
Mistake 4: Not Talking with Locals
Do you panic when you don’t know a word and avoid conversations with native speakers? This limits your practical language development. What benefits do you get when engaging with locals:
- better pronunciation
- picking up funny phrases
- gaining confidence, to mention a few.
We know that speaking Serbian with natives is not always mačiji kašalj, but it will be easier in a few months’ time.
Mistake 5: Avoiding the Cyrillic Script
Serbs use both Latin and Cyrillic alphabets. You’ll miss many opportunities if you avoid learning Cyrillic. Many signs, books, and even a vast part of Serbian online content are in Cyrillic.
Learning both scripts opens up more learning resources and deepens your language understanding. When you master both scripts, you can read and check any information in Serbian yourself. How powerful, right?
Mistake 6: Not Studying Regularly
Not putting a regular study in your schedule is next on the list of common errors in Serbian learning. If you fail to develop this habit, you’ll make slower progress. On top of that, you’ll likely forget the fine details.
We know that you are busy. Yet, regular practice, even if it’s only an hour a day, helps with memorizing and keeps the language fresh. Developing a routine ensures steady improvement over time. Can you imagine how much progress you’ll make in 6 months?
Mistake 7: Avoiding Listening Exercises
Serbian is a phonetic language. But, without proper listening practice, understanding native speakers can be challenging. Listen to Serbian conversations, music, or podcasts. This helps train your ear for the language’s sounds and rhythm, which are key to fluency.
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Mistake 8: Giving up on Serbian and Using English Instead
Resorting to English whenever something is difficult to say can prevent progress. Push through the challenge by continuing to use Serbian, even if it means making mistakes. This persistence builds your skills and confidence in the language.
For example:
Želim da idem kolima. I want to go by car.
If you don’t know the expression “kolima”, try explaining it.
Mistake 9: Literal Translation from Mother Tongue to Serbian
Word-for-word translation rarely works because languages differ in word order, phrases, and grammar. Translating from English into Serbian can lead to awkward or incorrect communication. Instead, focus on understanding Serbian in its context.
English: I am cold.
Serbian: Ja sam hladan. (literal translation).
The correct translation is: Meni je hladno.
Mistake 10: Using ChatGPT for Grammar Rules
ChatGPT is a powerful tool for getting explanations. But don’t rely on it too much, as it isn’t always accurate.
Instead, use well-known course books to learn grammar and theory. Have you heard of Učimo srpski by Nataša Milićević Dobromirov, Biljana Novković Adžaip and Sanja Sekač? Our students love this one.
Common Errors in Serbian and How to Avoid Them
Learning any foreign language requires patience, commitment, and the right approach. We believe that following these principles will help you learn Serbian easily, too.
You don’t need a pile of apps or textbooks to succeed. How can you speed up your language learning process then? Avoid the mistakes we’ve mentioned.
What are some common errors in Serbian learning you make? Write in the comments below.
Written by Sanja Dulovic