Collective Numbers

Level 4

Collective numbers count groups of mixed people.

How It Works

numbercollectiveexample
2dvojedvoje djece
3trojetroje prijatelja
4četveročetvero studenata
5peteropetero ljudi

They are used for:

  • children: dvoje djece, troje djece;
  • a mixed group of men and women: troje prijatelja;
  • nouns that exist only in the plural use a different set of words that agree like adjectives: dvoja vrata, troja kola, četvera kola.

A group of men only usually takes the normal numbers: tri brata.

The verb is in the neuter singular: Troje djece je došlo. A plural verb is also heard, as in Troje djece su došla. In the other cases dvoje and troje often stay unchanged in speech: s troje prijatelja.

For an ordinary count of things, use the usual numbers: tri stola.

Examples (4)

  1. Imamo dvoje djece.

    We have two children.

    Dvoje goes with djece.

  2. Troje prijatelja čeka ispred škole.

    Three friends are waiting in front of the school.

    The verb čeka is singular.

  3. U sobi je četvero studenata.

    There are four students in the room.

    A mixed group takes četvero.

  4. Naša kuća ima troja vrata.

    Our house has three doors.

    Troja is used with nouns that exist only in the plural.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a plain number with children.

    Imamo dva djece.
    Imamo dvoje djece.

    Dva djece is not standard. Say dvoje djece, or dva djeteta.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Collective NumbersLevel 4

Learn This First

Collective numbers.

Words in This Pattern

dvojetroječetveropetero