neka

Level 4

Neka Amir dođe. means "Let Amir come." Neka bude tako. means "So be it."

How It Works

The word neka does the work of the English "let" and "may". It does not change. The verb that follows is a normal present form.

UseExample
permissionNeka dođe. (Let him come.)
wishNeka bude lijep dan. (May it be a nice day.)
indifferenceNeka ide. (Let him go.)
negativeNeka ne pada kiša! (I hope it doesn't rain!)

It is mostly used about a third person, someone who is not in the conversation. For "you" you use the imperative instead, and for "let us" you use another form, which has its own entry.

Speakers often combine neka with a name or noun to put the person in focus: Neka Emina odluči. Many verbs after neka are perfective (dođe, uradi, ostane), because the wish is about a completed action.

Examples (4)

  1. Neka Amir dođe sutra.

    Let Amir come tomorrow.

    Neka plus dođe gives permission.

  2. Neka bude tako.

    Let it be so.

    A common fixed expression.

  3. Neka ostane, ako hoće.

    Let him stay if he wants to.

    Neka can show that you do not mind.

  4. Neka ne pada kiša!

    I hope it doesn't rain!

    Ne goes after neka.

How It Connects

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

nekaLevel 4

Learn This First

Neka makes a third-person command.

Words in This Pattern

neka