da bih

In Order to

Level 4

In order to: da bih + participle.

How It Works

subjectda + helperexample
jada bihda bih stigao / stigla
tida bida bi stigao / stigla
on, onada bida bi stigao / stigla
mida bismoda bismo stigli
vida bisteda biste stigli
onida bida bi stigli

The participle ends in -o or -ao for a man (razumio, stigao), -la for a woman (razumjela, stigla) and -li for a group.

Use this form when the doer wants to reach a goal: Rano ustajem da bih stigla na posao. The part before da says what is done, and the part after says why.

Speech also uses da with the present for a purpose: Idem u pekaru da kupim hljeb. Both are fine, and da bih sounds a little more careful.

Examples (4)

  1. Rano ustajem da bih stigla na posao.

    I get up early to get to work on time.

    A woman is speaking, so the participle is stigla.

  2. Štedimo novac da bismo putovali u Neum.

    We save money so we can travel to Neum.

    Bismo goes with we.

  3. Lejla uči da bi položila ispit.

    Lejla studies to pass the exam.

    Da bi goes with she.

  4. Idem u pekaru da bih kupio hljeb.

    I am going to the bakery to buy bread.

    A man is speaking, so the participle is kupio.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the present after da bih.

    Idem da bih kupujem hljeb.
    Idem da bih kupio hljeb.

    After da bih comes the participle, not the present.

How It Connects

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

da bihLevel 4In Order to

Learn This First

A purpose clause with bih.

Words in This Pattern

da