Traka za prtljag je prazna.

The baggage carousel is empty.

Breakdown of Traka za prtljag je prazna.

• biti: to be
• prazan: empty
• traka za prtljag: a baggage carousel

Questions & Answers about Traka za prtljag je prazna.

Why is prazna used here instead of prazan or prazno?

Because prazna has to agree with traka.

In Serbian, adjectives agree with the noun in gender, number, and case:

• traka = feminine singular
• so the adjective must also be feminine singular → prazna

Compare:

• prazan kofer = an empty suitcase
• prazna traka = an empty belt/conveyor
• prazno mesto = an empty seat/place

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What is the role of je in this sentence?

Je is the 3rd person singular present of biti = to be.

So:

• Traka za prtljag je prazna. = The baggage belt is empty.

Unlike in Russian, for example, Serbian normally does use the verb to be in the present tense in sentences like this.

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Why is it za prtljag? What does za mean here?

Here za means for.

So traka za prtljag literally means belt/conveyor for luggage.

This is a very common Serbian pattern:

• čaša za vodu = glass for water
• torba za laptop = bag for a laptop
• karta za autobus = ticket for the bus

After za in this kind of meaning, Serbian uses the accusative case.

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