A brand-new language can feel like a solid wall of unknown words - every sign, every sentence a small mystery. But then you notice something: a word that looks almost exactly like a word you already know, sitting there in the middle of an otherwise unfamiliar sentence like a friendly face at a party where you do not know anyone else. Serbian has more of these "friendly words" than you might expect, and today we are going to look at them together.
What are international and loan words?
Loan words - reci stranog porekla in Serbian - are words that Serbian borrowed from other languages and made its own. Many of them came from English, French, German, Turkish, and Greek at different points in history, and a good number of the English-origin ones have arrived just in the last few decades along with technology and popular culture. For a beginner, they are a genuine confidence boost: you already know what they mean before you have learned a single grammar rule.
Think of them as a small head start, a cluster of words you can understand on day one. Every one you recognize is a tiny victory, and tiny victories matter enormously when you are just starting out.
Guess what they are
Before you read the translations below, try saying each Serbian word out loud and see if you can guess its meaning. The sounds are different from English, but the shape of the word is often close enough to give the game away.
| Serbian | English |
|---|---|
| internet | internet |
| kompjuter | computer |
| telefon | telephone |
| televizor | television set |
| sport | sport |
| muzika | music |
| hotel | hotel |
| taxi | taxi |
Most of these were probably obvious even before the translation column - which is exactly the point. Your brain already did some of the work for you.
Show, don't tell
Here is an image from the original lesson that shows a selection of international words presented in the style of a guessing game - bigger letters for the ones that are easier, smaller for the trickier ones. Cover the page and see how many you can place before scrolling down.
How many did you get? Even if you only recognized three or four without help, that is three or four Serbian words you now own. Keep that feeling - it is what learning a language feels like when it is going well.
Why friendly words matter
Every word you already understand is a bridge you did not have to build from scratch, and that saves time and energy for the words that truly need your attention. More importantly, recognizing even a handful of words inside an otherwise incomprehensible sentence is enough to make the whole sentence feel less frightening - and a learner who feels less frightened keeps going.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Are these words exactly the same as in English?
A: Often very similar, but not always identical. Serbian spelling adjusts the word to fit Serbian sounds - so "computer" becomes kompjuter - and the ending may change depending on grammar. The meaning, though, stays the same.
Q: Should I focus on loan words first?
A: They are a wonderful place to build early confidence, yes. Recognizing them quickly gives you a foothold, and a foothold is everything at the start. Just do not stop there - Serbian has a rich native vocabulary that is well worth exploring.
Q: Is there any catch?
A: One worth knowing: pronunciation and stress are Serbian, not English. Kompjuter sounds noticeably different from the English "computer," and the same goes for most others. So do read the words, but also listen to them - a recording or a native speaker will make the difference clear quickly.
These friendly words are one of my favourite things to show new students, because the reaction is almost always the same: a small smile of surprise and relief. I am Marina Petrovic, and in over a year of running this blog I have learned that every moment of surprise and relief keeps a learner on the path a little longer. If you spotted words in the image that are not in the table, write them in the comments - I would love to hear which ones jumped out at you.
More everydday Serbian: browse the Serbian Vocabulary category.