Volim da dižem tegove.

I like to lift weights.

Breakdown of Volim da dižem tegove.

• voleti: to like
• da: that
• teg: an exercise weight
• dizati: to lift or raise

Questions & Answers about Volim da dižem tegove.

What does each word in Volim da dižem tegove mean?

• Volim = I like / I love
• da = a very common linking word, often used where English would use an infinitive like to
• dižem = I lift / am lifting
• tegove = weights

So the whole sentence means I like lifting weights or I like to lift weights.

Why is there no word for I in the sentence?

In Serbian, the verb ending often already shows who the subject is.

• volim means I like
• the ending -m tells you it is I

So ja (I) is usually omitted unless you want emphasis or contrast.

• Volim da dižem tegove. = neutral, natural
• Ja volim da dižem tegove. = I like lifting weights, maybe contrasting with someone else

Why does Serbian use da dižem instead of a single infinitive like to lift?

Serbian very often uses da + present tense where English uses an infinitive.

So:

• Volim da dižem tegove = literally something like I like that I lift weights, but naturally it means I like to lift weights / I like lifting weights