Ovo je prodavnica.

This is a store.

Breakdown of Ovo je prodavnica.

• ovo: this
• biti: to be
• prodavnica: store

Questions & Answers about Ovo je prodavnica.

What does ovo mean here, and why is it not ova?

Ovo means this in the sense of this thing / this is ....

A very common beginner question is why Serbian uses ovo instead of ova, since prodavnica is a feminine noun.

The reason is:

• ovo is a demonstrative pronoun meaning this
• in Ovo je prodavnica, it stands on its own: This is a store
• it does not directly describe the noun prodavnica

Compare:

• Ovo je prodavnica. = This is a store.
• Ova prodavnica = this store

So:

• ovo = pronoun
• ova = adjective-like form used before a feminine noun

That is why Ovo je prodavnica is correct, not Ova je prodavnica in this basic sense.

What does je mean?

Je means is.

It is the 3rd person singular present tense of the verb biti = to be.

So the sentence breaks down like this:

• Ovo = this
• je = is
• prodavnica = store / shop

Together: This is a store.