You have learned that the instrumental case is often used with the preposition s / sa to talk about company or accompaniment. However, certain reflexive verbs require their objects to be in the instrumental case without any preposition. We frequently use this group of verbs to talk about our careers, hobbies, and achievements.
Hobbies and professions
The verb baviti se means to engage in, practice, or do something. When you talk about your profession or hobby, the field or activity goes directly into the instrumental case. Notice how a noun like programiranje (programming) becomes programiranjem.
| I do programming, and my brother plays chess. | Bavim se programiranjem, a moj brat šahom. |
| That girl does acting, not architecture. | Ta djevojka se bavi glumom, a ne arhitekturom. |
Taking pride
When expressing what you are proud of, use the verb ponositi se. The achievement, person, or quality you take pride in takes the instrumental form.
| We are proud of that talent because it is special. | Ponosimo se tim talentom jer je poseban. |
| Are you proud of your progress? | Ponosiš li se svojim napretkom? |
Boasting
Similarly, if someone likes to show off, the verb hvaliti se (to boast) also takes a bare instrumental object.
| He always boasts about his progress. | Uvijek se hvali svojim napretkom. |
| Do not boast about that diploma because it is not yours! | Nemoj se hvaliti tom diplomom jer nije tvoja! |
Settling for things
Finally, when you are content with what you have—or when you refuse to settle for less—you use the verb zadovoljiti se (to be satisfied with / to settle for). Its target is also in the instrumental case.
| I won't settle for journalism. | Neću se zadovoljiti novinarstvom. |
| They didn't settle for one diploma. | Nisu se zadovoljili jednom diplomom. |