Neuter Subject and Object

Level 3

Neuter nouns keep their form when they move from subject to object.

How It Works

In Bosnian, a noun ending in -o or -e that is neuter has one form for the subject and the object.

nominative (subject)accusative (object)
singularSelo je malo.Vidim selo.
pluralSela su mala.Vidim sela.

The same is true of more, polje, pismo and jaje. So Pismo je na stolu and Čitam pismo use the same word.

Compare feminine nouns in -a, which change in the singular: kafa becomes kafu. Animate masculine nouns also change in the accusative (Vidim Amira), while inanimate masculine ones do not (Vidim grad).

The adjective that goes with a neuter noun shows the same: veliko selo in both roles. In the plural, velika sela is the same too. Because the noun does not tell you the role, word order and context do the work.

Examples (5)

  1. Selo je malo.

    The village is small.

    Selo is the subject.

  2. Vidim selo u dolini.

    I see the village in the valley.

    Selo is the object and has the same form.

  3. Pismo je na stolu.

    The letter is on the table.

    Pismo as subject.

  4. Čitam pismo.

    I am reading the letter.

    Pismo as object, unchanged.

  5. Vidim mala sela iza brda.

    I see small villages behind the hill.

    The plural also stays the same.

Common Mistakes

  • Changing a neuter noun in the accusative.

    Vidim selu.
    Vidim selo.

    Only feminine nouns in -a take -u. Neuter nouns keep their form.

How It Connects

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

Neuter Subject and ObjectLevel 3

Learn This First

Neuter nouns share two cases.

Words in This Pattern

nominativakuzativsrednjirod