Popodne idem u kafić.

to go

Breakdown of Popodne idem u kafić.

• u: to
• kafić: the café
• popodne: the afternoon

Questions & Answers about Popodne idem u kafić.

Why is there no word for I in Popodne idem u kafić?

In Serbian, subject pronouns are often omitted because the verb ending already shows who is doing the action.

• idem = I go / I am going

So ja is not necessary here. You could say Ja idem u kafić, but that usually adds emphasis, like I’m the one going.

What does idem mean exactly?

Idem is the 1st person singular present tense of ići (to go).

So:

• idem = I go / I’m going

Serbian present tense can often translate into English as either a simple present or a present progressive, depending on context.

Why is it u kafić and not u kafiću?

Because Serbian uses different cases depending on whether there is movement toward a place or location in a place.

With u:

• u + accusative = movement into / to
• u + locative = being in

So:

• idem u kafić = I’m going to the café
• sedim u kafiću = I’m sitting in the café

Here there is motion, so accusative is used.