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Za vikend moja sestra često radi na računaru.

Za vikend moja sestra često radi na računaru.
On the weekend, my sister often works on the computer.
FromLesson 7inHardcore Serbian

Questions & Answers about Za vikend moja sestra često radi na računaru.

Why does za vikend mean on the weekend / on weekends?

In Serbian, za can be used with time expressions to mean during a period of time. So za vikend literally means during the weekend.

In this sentence, it is understood as a habitual time expression, so the whole sentence means something like My sister often works on the computer on weekends.

A very common alternative is vikendom, which also means on weekends.

What case is vikend in after za, and why does it not change form?

After za in this meaning, Serbian uses the accusative.

The noun vikend is a masculine inanimate noun. For masculine inanimate nouns, the accusative singular is often the same as the nominative singular. That is why it stays vikend and does not visibly change.

So:

  • nominative: vikend
  • accusative: vikend
Why is it moja sestra?

Moja means my, and it is a possessive adjective. In Serbian, possessive adjectives must agree with the noun they describe in gender, number, and case.

Here, sestra is:

  • feminine
  • singular
  • nominative

So the correct form is moja:

  • moj = masculine
  • moja = feminine
  • moje = neuter

Because sestra is feminine singular, we say moja sestra.

Why is sestra in the nominative case?

Because sestra is the subject of the sentence.

The sentence is about what the sister does, so moja sestra is the one performing the action. Subjects are normally in the nominative case in Serbian.

So:

  • moja sestra = the subject
  • radi = the verb
What exactly does često do in the sentence?

Često is an adverb, and it means often.

It tells you how frequently the action happens:

  • moja sestra radi = my sister works
  • moja sestra često radi = my sister often works

Serbian adverbs are not inflected, so često does not change form here.

What is the base form of radi, and what form is it here?

Radi comes from the verb raditi.

Here it is:

  • present tense
  • 3rd person singular

So:

  • ja radim = I work
  • ti radiš = you work
  • on/ona radi = he/she works

Since the subject is moja sestra (my sister), the verb must be radi.

Does raditi here mean work or do?

In Serbian, raditi can mean both to work and to do, depending on context.

In radi na računaru, it most naturally means:

  • works on the computer
  • or more broadly does work on the computer / uses the computer for work

The phrase raditi na often suggests working on/at something.

Why is it na računaru?

The preposition na can mean on, at, or sometimes using/in relation to, depending on context.

With raditi na računaru, the phrase means to work on the computer.

After na, when the meaning is static location or activity associated with a place/object rather than motion toward it, Serbian uses the locative.

So:

  • računar = computer
  • na računaru = on the computer
What case is računaru, and how is that form made?

Računaru is the locative singular of računar.

The dictionary form is:

  • računar = computer

In the locative singular, many masculine nouns take -u:

  • računar → računaru

So:

  • na računaru = on the computer
Why do we use na and not u with računaru?

This is mostly a matter of standard usage.

With devices like computers, Serbian normally says:

  • na računaru = on the computer
  • na telefonu = on the phone

This is similar to English, where we also usually say on the computer, not in the computer, when talking about using it.

So na računaru is the natural expression for using/working on a computer.

Can the word order change?

Yes. Serbian word order is more flexible than English word order because cases show grammatical roles.

The sentence as given:

  • Za vikend moja sestra često radi na računaru.

But you could also hear:

  • Moja sestra često radi na računaru za vikend.
  • Moja sestra za vikend često radi na računaru.
  • Često moja sestra radi na računaru za vikend.
    though this one may sound less natural depending on context

The original version puts Za vikend first, which gives extra emphasis to the time expression.

Does the sentence mean this weekend or on weekends in general?

In this sentence, it most naturally means on weekends in general.

That habitual meaning comes from:

  • često = often
  • the general present tense radi

So the sentence describes a regular pattern, not just one specific weekend.

If you wanted to be very clearly specific about this weekend, you would usually add more context, such as:

  • ovog vikenda = this weekend
Can moja be left out?

Yes, it can, if the context already makes it clear whose sister you mean.

So you could say:

  • Za vikend sestra često radi na računaru.

But this is more context-dependent and may sound less complete out of the blue. Using moja sestra is clearer and more natural when introducing the person.

Why is there no word for the before sister or computer?

Serbian has no articles like English a and the.

So Serbian simply says:

  • moja sestra = my sister
  • na računaru = on the computer

Whether something is a computer or the computer is understood from context.

Is računar the only word for computer?

No. Računar is a standard Serbian word for computer, but you may also hear kompjuter in everyday speech.

So both exist:

  • računar = native/standard Serbian word
  • kompjuter = common borrowed word

In this sentence, na računaru is perfectly normal and standard.

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