Želimo mir.

A simple approximation is ZHEH-lee-moh meer.

• Ž sounds like the s in measure or the g in genre
• e is like e in met
• i is like ee in see
• r is rolled or tapped in Serbian

So Želimo is roughly ZHEH-lee-moh, and mir is meer.

Želimo means we want or we wish.

It comes from the verb želeti, which means to want or to wish.

In this sentence:

• želimo = we want
• mir = peace

So the whole sentence means We want peace.

In Serbian, verb endings usually show who is doing the action.

For želeti in the present tense:

• želim = I want
• želiš = you want
• želi = he/she/it wants
• želimo = we want
• želite = you all / you formal want
• žele = they want

So the ending -mo is the marker for we.

Because Serbian usually does not need subject pronouns when the verb ending already makes the subject clear.

So:

• Želimo mir. = We want peace.
• Mi želimo mir. also means We want peace.

Adding mi is possible, but it usually adds emphasis, like:

• We want peace.

The version without mi is very normal and natural.

Here mir is in the accusative case, because it is the direct object of želimo.

We are wanting peace, so peace is the thing being wanted.

However, mir is a masculine inanimate noun, and for many masculine inanimate nouns, the accusative looks exactly the same as the nominative.

So:

• nominative: mir
• accusative: mir

That is why there is no visible change in this sentence.

Usually, yes, mir means peace.

Depending on context, it can also suggest:

• peace as the opposite of war
• calm
• quiet

But in Želimo mir, the most natural meaning is clearly We want peace.

Yes. Serbian word order is more flexible than English word order.

The neutral order here is:

• Želimo mir.

But you could also hear:

• Mir želimo.

That version puts more emphasis on mir (peace). It can sound more emotional, contrastive, or rhetorical depending on context.

Still, Želimo mir is the most straightforward version.

Yes, there can be a difference in tone.

• želimo mir = we want / wish for peace
• hoćemo mir = we want peace too, but often sounds stronger, more direct, or more forceful

In many contexts both are possible, but želimo mir can sound a bit more neutral or formal, while hoćemo mir can sound more like a demand or slogan.

You add ne before the verb:

• Ne želimo mir. = We do not want peace.

This is the normal way to negate a verb in Serbian.

Yes, absolutely.

Želimo mir. is short, complete, and natural. It could be used:

• in everyday speech
• in political speech
• in writing
• on a sign or slogan

It is a very normal Serbian sentence.