Fairy tales are a wonderful way to connect with any language - and Serbian is no exception. Whether you grew up hearing Ružno pače (The Ugly Duckling) read aloud, or you are discovering these stories for the first time as an adult learner, there is something genuinely magical about hearing them in Serbian. In this post, we practise listening comprehension with a short interview featuring the beloved Serbian actor Nebojša Dugalić, who talks about reading fairy tales to his children.

Listen carefully, answer the questions below, and do not worry if you do not catch every word on the first try - that is completely normal and part of the process. Ponavljam: do not give up!

What is this listening about?

This is a listening comprehension exercise based on a real interview with Nebojša Dugalić, one of Serbia's most recognised and beloved actors. In the interview, Nebojša talks about fairy tales, about reading to his children, and about a special CD recording of Ružno pače. It is a warm, personal conversation - perfect for intermediate learners who want to practise understanding natural, relaxed Serbian speech.

Even if you are a beginner, give it a try. Focus on the words you do recognise, use the questions below as a guide, and you will be surprised how much you can understand.

Watch and answer

Before you watch, read through these questions in Serbian. Then watch the video and try to answer each one. Write your answers in the comments - we love reading them!

Take your time with each question. If a question feels too hard, skip it, watch again, and come back. The goal is not perfection - the goal is progress.

Hear it

Tip: watch once without pausing, then watch again while reading the questions above.

More Serbian examples

Here are some sentences connected to the topic of this lesson. Read them aloud, and try to use them when you write your answers in the comments below.

Volim da čitam bajke.
I love to read fairy tales.

Pričam bajke svojoj deci svake večeri.
I tell fairy tales to my children every evening.

Ružno pače je moja omiljena bajka.
The Ugly Duckling is my favourite fairy tale.

Nebojša Dugalić čita bajke svojoj deci jer ih voli.
Nebojša Dugalić reads fairy tales to his children because he loves them.

Deca vole da slušaju bajke pred spavanje.
Children love to listen to fairy tales before bedtime.

Da li ste čitali bajke kada ste bili mali?
Did you read fairy tales when you were young?

Ona priča bajku detetu.
She is telling a fairy tale to a child.

Moja omiljena bajka je Pepeljuga.
My favourite fairy tale is Cinderella.

Notice how bajka (fairy tale) changes depending on its role in the sentence: bajka (subject), bajku (direct object), bajke (genitive/plural). This is Serbian case grammar in action - very natural once you see it in real sentences.

Vocabulary from the video

Serbian English
bajka fairy tale
deca children
čitati to read
priča story / she tells
pače duckling
ružan / ružna ugly (m/f)
namenjen intended for

Frequently asked questions

Can complete beginners try this listening exercise?

Yes, absolutely. Even if you only catch one or two words, that is a success. Read the questions first so you know what to listen for, and focus on those key words. With each listen, you will catch more. Vežba čini majstora - practice makes perfect.

What level of Serbian do I need?

The interview is natural, conversational Serbian, so it is most useful from around A2 level upward. But beginners are very welcome to try - use it as a motivating challenge. The vocabulary table above will help.

How do I say "I like fairy tales" in Serbian?

You can say: Volim bajke. (I love fairy tales.) Or, using the sviđa mi se construction: Sviđaju mi se bajke. (Fairy tales appeal to me / I like fairy tales.)

What does "Ružno pače" mean?

Ružno means "ugly" and pače means "duckling." So Ružno pače is the Serbian title for Hans Christian Andersen's classic story "The Ugly Duckling." It is a favourite in Serbian-speaking households.

Are there other fairy tales popular in Serbian?

Yes! Pepeljuga (Cinderella), Crvenkapica (Little Red Riding Hood), and the wonderful Serbian folk tales featuring Baš Čelik are all well-loved. Folk tales are a particularly rich resource for learning Serbian vocabulary and culture.

I hope you enjoyed this little listening adventure with Nebojša Dugalić and the world of Serbian fairy tales. Whether you are a parent, a language learner, or simply someone who loves a good story, there is something here for you. Write your answers to the questions in the comments - even one sentence in Serbian is a wonderful thing to share. Do not be shy!

- Marina Petrović

Want more listening practice? Head over to the More listening practice hub for plenty more exercises just like this one.