Želim da se zaposlim.

I want to get a job.

Breakdown of Želim da se zaposlim.

• želeti: to want
• da: that
• zaposliti se: to get a job

Questions & Answers about Želim da se zaposlim.

Why is the sentence Želim da se zaposlim and not something with an infinitive, like Želim zaposliti se?

In modern Serbian, after verbs like želeti (to want), it is very common to use da + present tense instead of an infinitive.

So Serbian says:

Želim da se zaposlim
literally: I want that I get employed

This is the normal, natural structure.

An infinitive can exist in Serbian, but after želim, the da + present pattern is much more common in everyday language. Also, zaposliti se is a reflexive verb, and putting se in the right place is easier and more natural in the da construction.

What does se mean here?

Se is the reflexive particle. In zaposliti se, it shows that the subject is becoming employed themselves.

So:

• zaposliti nekoga = to employ someone
• zaposliti se = to get employed / to find employment

In this sentence, se is essential. Without it, the meaning changes.

• Želim da zaposlim... = I want to employ...
• Želim da se zaposlim. = I want to get a job / become employed.

What exactly is zaposlim grammatically?

Zaposlim is the form of the verb .