Izvuci jednu iz špila karata.

Questions & Answers about Izvuci jednu iz špila karata.

What form is izvuci, and why isn’t it izvući?

Izvuci is the imperative form, used to tell one person draw / pull out.

The dictionary form is izvući. In the imperative, some verbs change spelling a bit, so izvući becomes izvuci. This is normal in Serbian.

So:

  • izvući = to draw out, to pull out
  • izvuci! = draw! / pull one out!
Why is it jednu and not jedan?

Because jednu agrees with an implied feminine noun: kartu.

The full idea is really: Izvuci jednu kartu iz špila karata.

Since karta is feminine, one must also be feminine:

  • masculine: jedan
  • feminine: jedna
  • feminine accusative: jednu

So jednu means one referring to one card.

What case is jednu here?

It is accusative singular feminine.

It is in the accusative because it is the direct object of izvuci: it is the thing being drawn.

The omitted noun would also be accusative:

  • jednu kartu
Can I say Izvuci jednu kartu iz špila karata instead?

Yes, absolutely.

That version is fully correct and a bit more explicit: Izvuci jednu kartu iz špila karata.

The shorter version, Izvuci jednu iz špila karata, is also natural because the noun kartu is easy to understand from context. Serbian often leaves out a noun when it is obvious.

Why do we say iz špila karata?

Because the preposition iz means out of / from, and it requires the genitive case.

So:

  • špil → špila
  • iz špila = out of the deck

That is why you get iz špila and not iz špil.

Why is it karata and not karte?

Because Serbian says špil karata for a deck of cards.

Here, karata is the genitive plural of karta. This is a very common Serbian structure: one noun followed by another noun in the genitive.

So:

  • karta = card
  • karte = cards
  • špil karata = deck of cards

In this sentence, the whole phrase is:

  • iz špila karata = from/out of the deck of cards
Why is the verb perfective here?

Izvući is a perfective verb, and that fits this situation because the command refers to one complete action: draw one card.

In Serbian, perfective imperatives are very common when you want someone to do a single finished action.

So:

  • izvuci = draw one out, complete the action
  • izvlači would sound more like keep drawing or be drawing, which is not the normal choice here
Is this command informal?

Yes. Izvuci is the imperative for one person in the informal ti form.

If you wanted to say it:

  • to more than one person, or
  • politely to one person

you would say:

Izvucite jednu iz špila karata.

So:

  • izvuci = informal singular
  • izvucite = plural or formal
Is the word order fixed?

No, Serbian word order is fairly flexible.

The given order, Izvuci jednu iz špila karata, is natural and neutral.

But other orders are possible for emphasis, for example:

  • Jednu izvuci iz špila karata = emphasis on one
  • Iz špila karata izvuci jednu = emphasis on from the deck

So the original version is just the most straightforward instruction.

How do I pronounce the tricky parts?

A rough guide:

  • izvuci ≈ eez-VOO-tsee
  • jednu ≈ YED-noo
  • špila ≈ SHPee-la
  • karata ≈ KA-ra-ta

A few useful sound notes:

  • j is like English y
  • š is like English sh
  • c is like ts

So the final c in izvuci is ts, not k or s.

AI Language TutorTry it ↗
Your avatar
“What's the best way to learn Serbian grammar?”
Serbian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Serbian

Master Serbian — from Izvuci jednu iz špila karata to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions