Ne želim da izgubim.

• Ne = not
• želim = I want
• da = a very common particle that introduces another verb, often where English uses to
• izgubim = I lose / to lose in this kind of construction

So the whole sentence means I don’t want to lose.

In Serbian, the verb form usually already shows the subject.

• želim = I want
• izgubim = I lose

Because of that, ja (I) is often omitted.
You could say Ja ne želim da izgubim, but that adds emphasis, something like I don’t want to lose.

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

So instead of saying something exactly like I don’t want to lose, Serbian commonly says the equivalent of:

• I don’t want that I lose → Ne želim da izgubim

This is completely normal Serbian grammar.
The infinitive izgubiti does exist, but after verbs like želim (I want), the da + present structure is extremely common and often preferred in modern speech.

Because after da, Serbian uses a present-tense form even when English would use an infinitive.

So izgubim here does not mean literal present-time I am losing.
It is part of the structure da izgubim, which means to lose or that I lose depending on how you explain it.

This is one of the most important patterns in Serbian:

• Želim da idem = I want to go
• Moram da radim = I have to work
• Ne želim da izgubim = I don’t want to lose

Ne negates the verb that follows it.

• želim = I want
• ne želim = I do not want

So Ne želim da izgubim means I don’t want to lose.

A useful comparison:

• Ne želim da izgubim = I don’t want to lose
• Želim da ne izgubim = I want not to lose / I want to make sure I don’t lose

Both are possible, but the emphasis is slightly different.

This is about aspect, which is very important in Serbian.

• izgubiti / izgubim = perfective
• gubiti / gubim = imperfective

Very roughly:

• izgubiti = to lose something as a complete event
• gubiti = to be losing, to lose repeatedly, or to be in the process of losing

In a sentence like I don’t want to lose, Serbian usually prefers the perfective izgubim, especially if you mean one complete result, such as losing:

• a game
• a match
• a job
• money
• a chance

So Ne želim da izgubim sounds natural.

Yes. Serbian often leaves the object unstated if it is obvious from context.

So Ne želim da izgubim can mean:

• I don’t want to lose a game
• I don’t want to lose this opportunity
• I don’t want to lose money
• I don’t want to lose you

If you want to say the object explicitly, you can add it:

• Ne želim da izgubim utakmicu = I don’t want to lose the match
• Ne želim da izgubim posao = I don’t want to lose my job
• Ne želim da izgubim tebe = I don’t want to lose you

Not by itself.

izgubiti without se usually means to lose something or someone.

If you want to get lost, Serbian normally uses:

• izgubiti se = to get lost

So:

• Ne želim da izgubim = I don’t want to lose
• Ne želim da se izgubim = I don’t want to get lost

That little se changes the meaning a lot.

The letter ž sounds like the s in measure or the g in mirage.

So:

• želim sounds roughly like ZHE-lim
• izgubim sounds roughly like iz-GOO-bim

A few helpful pronunciation notes:

• ž = sound like s in vision
• j = English y
• g is always a hard g, as in go

So želim is not pronounced like English zelim with a plain z sound.

Yes, but Ne želim da izgubim is the normal, neutral order.

Other versions are possible:

• Ja ne želim da izgubim = adds emphasis to I
• Ne želim ja da izgubim = stronger contrast, like I’m not the one who wants to lose
• Da izgubim, ne želim = very marked or dramatic, not the normal everyday order

For a learner, Ne želim da izgubim is the best standard version to remember.

Yes, it can sound a bit more deliberate or slightly more formal than some everyday alternatives.

• želim = I want
• hoću can also relate to wanting, but it often overlaps with I will or I am willing to

So Ne želim da izgubim is a very clear and natural way to say I don’t want to lose.

In everyday speech, you may also hear other phrasing depending on tone and region, but ne želim is standard and correct.

Grammatically, both verbs are in present-tense forms, but the meaning is not necessarily about the present moment.

The sentence expresses a wish or intention about a possible event:

• I don’t want to lose now
• I don’t want to lose later
• I don’t want to end up losing

So it is best understood as a statement of desire, not as a simple present-time action.