Recimo, smanjite troškove.

Here recimo works like for example, let’s say, or say in English.

It does not carry the main action of the sentence. The main instruction is smanjite troškove.
Recimo just introduces it as one possible example:

• Recimo, smanjite troškove. = For example, reduce costs.

So it helps frame the sentence rather than adding a new action.

Yes. Recimo is originally the 1st person plural imperative of reći (to say), literally something like let’s say.

In real usage, though, it is very often an idiomatic discourse word meaning:

• let’s say
• for example
• suppose

So in this sentence, learners should understand it as a fixed expression rather than as a literal command to say something.

The comma is there because recimo is being used as an introductory word or discourse marker.

It is similar to English punctuation in phrases like:

• For example, reduce costs.
• Say, reduce costs.

The comma separates this introductory element from the main clause.

You may also see recimo placed inside a sentence, usually with commas on both sides:

• Smanjite, recimo, troškove.

That means roughly Reduce, for example, costs / Reduce costs, for example.

Smanjite is the imperative form of the verb smanjiti (to reduce, to lower).

So it is a command, instruction, or recommendation:

• smanji = reduce! (to one person, informal)
• smanjite = reduce! (to several people, or to one person politely/formally)

In this sentence, it is the part that actually gives the instruction.

It can be either:

1. plural — speaking to more than one person
2. formal singular — speaking politely to one person

That is very common in Serbian. The same form is used for both.

So:

• Smanji troškove. = informal singular
• Smanjite troškove. = plural or polite singular

Without more context, both are possible.

Smanjiti is a perfective verb. In Serbian, perfective verbs often focus on achieving a result.

So smanjite troškove suggests:

• bring the costs down
• achieve a reduction

That is very natural for instructions and advice when the result matters.

If you used the imperfective verb smanjivati instead, the imperative would be smanjujte, which sounds more like:

• reduce them repeatedly
• keep reducing them
• work on reducing them over time

So:

• Smanjite troškove. = reduce the costs / bring them down
• Smanjujte troškove. = keep reducing the costs / reduce them gradually or repeatedly

Because troškove is the accusative plural, which is needed here since troškove is the direct object of the verb smanjite.

The dictionary form is:

• trošak = cost, expense

Its plural forms include:

• troškovi = nominative plural
• troškove = accusative plural

So:

• Troškovi su visoki. = The costs are high.
  (troškovi = subject, nominative)
• Smanjite troškove. = Reduce the costs.
  (troškove = object, accusative)

The base dictionary form is trošak.

Some useful forms are:

• trošak = singular nominative
• troška = singular genitive
• troškovi = plural nominative
• troškove = plural accusative

So when you look up troškove in a dictionary, you would search for trošak.

Yes. If you remove recimo, the sentence still works perfectly:

• Smanjite troškove.

That is a direct instruction: Reduce costs.

Adding recimo changes the tone slightly. It makes the sentence sound more like one example among several possible suggestions:

• Recimo, smanjite troškove. = For example, reduce costs.

So recimo is optional, but it adds nuance.

Yes, Serbian word order is fairly flexible.

You can say:

• Recimo, smanjite troškove.
• Smanjite, recimo, troškove.

Both are grammatical. The first is probably the clearest and most natural if you want to introduce the whole instruction as an example.

The second puts recimo inside the sentence and gives it a parenthetical feel, like Reduce, for example, costs.

So the meaning stays similar, but the emphasis and rhythm change a little.

Not necessarily. In Serbian, the imperative can be used not only for strict commands, but also for:

• advice
• instructions
• recommendations
• business or practical suggestions

Because of recimo, this sentence often sounds softer and more like a suggestion or example than a forceful order.

So depending on context, it could feel like:

• practical advice
• a business recommendation
• an example of what someone could do

rather than someone angrily commanding another person.