Kada idem u grad, uvek nosim novčanik sa sobom.

city

Breakdown of Kada idem u grad, uvek nosim novčanik sa sobom.

• ići: to go
• u: to
• sa: with

Questions & Answers about Kada idem u grad, uvek nosim novčanik sa sobom.

Why is it kada idem and not a past tense form?

Because this sentence describes a habit or general routine: Whenever I go into town, I always carry my wallet with me.

In Serbian, the present tense is often used for repeated or habitual actions, just like in English:

• Kada idem u grad... = When/Whenever I go to town...

It does not mean only right now I am going. In this context, it means whenever I go.

What is the difference between kada and kad?

Kada and kad both mean when.

• kada is the fuller form
• kad is a shorter, very common form in everyday speech

So both are possible here:

• Kada idem u grad, uvek nosim novčanik sa sobom.
• Kad idem u grad, uvek nosim novčanik sa sobom.

The meaning is the same. Kada can sound a little more neutral or slightly more formal.

Why is it u grad and not u gradu?

This is about case.

After u, Serbian can use different cases depending on the meaning:

• u + accusative = movement into somewhere