Breakdown of Na računaru imam internet, ali na telefonu sada nemam internet.
Questions & Answers about Na računaru imam internet, ali na telefonu sada nemam internet.
Why is it na računaru and na telefonu, not u računaru and u telefonu?
In Serbian, devices are very often treated as something you are on, not in.
So:
- na računaru = on the computer
- na telefonu = on the phone
This is the natural way to talk about using a device or having something available on it.
Using u would usually sound like inside the computer/phone, which is a different idea.
So for internet access, na is the normal choice:
- Imam internet na telefonu.
- Nemam internet na računaru.
What case are računaru and telefonu?
They are in the locative singular, because they come after na when it means a fixed location.
The basic forms are:
- računar = computer
- telefon = phone
After na, they become:
- na računaru
- na telefonu
For many masculine nouns, the dative and locative singular have the same form, often ending in -u, so learners often see the same ending in both cases.
Why is it nemam as one word? Why not ne imam?
Because imati (to have) has a special negative form in the present tense, written as one word:
- imam = I have
- nemam = I don't have
The full pattern is:
- imam
- imaš
- ima
- imamo
- imate
- imaju
Negative:
- nemam
- nemaš
- nema
- nemamo
- nemate
- nemaju
So nemam internet is the normal form, not ne imam internet.
Why do Serbians say imam internet? Isn't that literally I have internet?
Yes, literally it is I have internet, but in everyday Serbian that usually means:
- I have internet access
- I have an internet connection
- My internet works
This is a very common and natural way to say it.
If you want to be more explicit, you could say:
- Imam internet vezu. = I have an internet connection.
- Imam pristup internetu. = I have access to the internet.
But imam internet is perfectly normal in everyday speech.
What case is internet here, and why doesn't it change form?
Here, internet is the direct object of imam / nemam, so it is in the accusative.
However, internet is a masculine inanimate noun, and for that type of noun, the accusative singular is the same as the basic dictionary form.
So:
- dictionary form: internet
- accusative singular: internet
That is why you see:
- imam internet
- nemam internet
with no visible change.
Why is internet repeated in both halves of the sentence? Can it be omitted the second time?
Yes, it can be omitted if the meaning is clear.
Full version:
- Na računaru imam internet, ali na telefonu sada nemam internet.
Shorter version:
- Na računaru imam internet, ali na telefonu sada nemam.
Both are correct.
The repeated internet sounds a bit fuller and clearer, especially for emphasis or contrast. Omitting it is also natural when the object is obvious from context.
Why is sada placed before nemam?
Sada means now or currently.
Serbian word order is more flexible than English word order, so adverbs like sada can move around more easily. In this sentence, putting sada before nemam highlights the current situation:
- na telefonu sada nemam internet = on the phone, I don't have internet now
Other possible word orders include:
- Ali sada na telefonu nemam internet.
- Ali na telefonu nemam internet sada.
They all mean roughly the same thing, but the original version sounds very natural and balanced.
Can na telefonu also mean on the phone as in talking on the phone?
Yes, it can.
Na telefonu can mean:
- on the phone device
- on the phone / in a phone conversation
Context tells you which one is meant.
For example:
- Pričam na telefonu. = I am talking on the phone.
- Na telefonu nemam internet. = I don't have internet on my phone.
In your sentence, because of the word internet, the meaning is clearly about the device, not a phone call.
Is računar the same as kompjuter?
Yes, both mean computer.
- računar is the more standard Serbian word
- kompjuter is also very common in everyday speech
So you may hear both:
- Na računaru imam internet.
- Na kompjuteru imam internet.
Both are natural. If you want the more standard/native-looking word, use računar.
Why are there no words for the or a in the sentence?
Because Serbian does not have articles like English a/an/the.
So:
- računar can mean a computer or the computer
- telefon can mean a phone or the phone
- internet is understood from context
Serbian usually leaves definiteness to context. If needed, it can be made clearer with words like:
- ovaj = this
- taj = that
- jedan = one / a certain
But in your sentence, no article is needed.
Could I use a instead of ali here?
Yes, you could, but the nuance changes a little.
- ali = but, stronger contrast
- a = often and/but/while, softer contrast or simple comparison
So:
Na računaru imam internet, ali na telefonu sada nemam internet.
Stronger contrast: I have internet on the computer, but not on the phone.Na računaru imam internet, a na telefonu sada nemam internet.
Also correct, but slightly more neutral: I have internet on the computer, and/while on the phone I don't.
In this sentence, ali sounds very natural because the speaker is emphasizing the contrast.
How would a Serbian speaker naturally shorten this sentence in everyday conversation?
A native speaker might shorten it in several ways, for example:
- Na računaru imam internet, ali na telefonu nemam.
- Na računaru imam internet, ali na telefonu sad nemam.
- Na kompu imam internet, ali na telefonu nemam.
A few notes:
- sad is a common spoken short form of sada
- komp is a casual spoken short form of kompjuter
- the second internet is often omitted if already understood
So the original sentence is fully correct, but in everyday speech it may be made shorter and lighter.
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