A1 · Beginner
🟰 The verb “biti” (to be) الفعل «biti» (يكون)
Croatian’s most used verb: yes, no and question forms side by side.
1. All forms at a glance
Read each row across: statement, negative, question. The short forms (sam, si, je…) never start a sentence.
| Person | I am… | I am not… | Am I…? |
|---|---|---|---|
| jaI | sam | nisam | jesam li? |
| tiyou | si | nisi | jesi li? |
| on / onahe / she | je | nije | je li? |
| miwe | smo | nismo | jesmo li? |
| viyou (pl.) | ste | niste | jeste li? |
| oni / onethey | su | nisu | jesu li? |
Examples
- Ja sam Malik.
I am Malik. · أنا مالك. - Ona je iz Hrvatske.
She is from Croatia. · هي من كرواتيا. - Nisam umoran.
I am not tired. · لستُ متعبًا. - Jeste li spremni?
Are you ready? · هل أنتم مستعدون؟
2. Negative and question
The negative is one word (nisam), not “ne sam”. For a question put the long form first and add “li”. The most common one is “Je li…?”.
Examples
- Je li ovo tvoja torba?
Is this your bag? · هل هذه حقيبتك؟ - Nije daleko.
It is not far. · ليس بعيدًا.
💡 In speech you will often hear “Je l’…?” — the same question, shortened.
Now practise it
Malingo turns this grammar into short exercises with listening and speaking. Free, in English or Arabic.
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