Questions & Answers about Gde su moje čarape? Vidim ih na krevetu.
What does gde mean here, and when do I use it?
Gde means where in the sense of location.
So:
- Gde su moje čarape? = Where are my socks?
Serbian often distinguishes different kinds of where:
- gde = where, at what place
- kuda = where to / which way
- odakle = from where
So here gde is correct because the question is about the socks’ location.
Why is it su and not jesu?
Su is the normal short form of to be for they are.
- su = short, unstressed form
- jesu = full form, usually used for emphasis or contrast
In a neutral question, Serbian normally uses su:
- Gde su moje čarape?
You would use jesu only if you want emphasis, for example:
- One jesu na krevetu, nisu u fioci. = They are on the bed, not in the drawer.
Also, su is a clitic, so it typically comes early in the sentence, often after the first word or phrase. That is why Gde su... sounds natural.
Why is it moje and not moja or moji?