Questions & Answers about Ovaj simptom nije hitan.
What does ovaj mean, and why is it used here?
Ovaj means this.
In Ovaj simptom nije hitan, it points to a specific symptom: this symptom.
Serbian demonstratives change depending on the gender, number, and case of the noun:
- ovaj = this (masculine singular)
- ova = this (feminine singular)
- ovo = this (neuter singular)
Because simptom is a masculine singular noun, the correct form is ovaj.
Why is it ovaj simptom and not ova simptom?
Because simptom is a masculine noun in Serbian.
The demonstrative this must agree with the noun:
- ovaj simptom = this symptom
- ova stvar = this thing
- ovo pitanje = this question
So ova simptom would be incorrect because ova is feminine, while simptom is masculine.
Is simptom masculine just because it ends in a consonant?
Usually, yes. In Serbian, nouns that end in a consonant are often masculine.
So:
- → masculine