Questions & Answers about Ako tražiš ključ, on je u torbi.
What does ako mean here, and how does this kind of sentence work in Serbian?
Ako means if.
So Ako tražiš ključ, on je u torbi. literally follows the same basic pattern as English:
- Ako tražiš ključ = If you are looking for the key / If you’re looking for a key
- on je u torbi = it is in the bag
This is a normal if-clause in Serbian. In sentences like this, Serbian often uses the present tense in both parts when talking about a real or possible situation.
Why is it tražiš? What form is that?
Tražiš is the 2nd person singular present tense of tražiti = to look for, to search for.
So:
- ja tražim = I am looking for
- ti tražiš = you are looking for
- on/ona/ono traži = he/she/it is looking for
Here, tražiš is used because the sentence is speaking to you singular:
- Ako tražiš... = If you are looking for...
The ending -š is a very common marker for you singular in the present tense.
Why is ključ not changing form? Shouldn’t the object have a special ending?