Prefixes and Aspect

Level 3

Prefixes often turn an imperfective verb into a perfective one.

How It Works

ImperfectivePrefixPerfective
čitatipro-pročitati
pisatina-napisati
pitipo-popiti
raditiu-uraditi
kuhatis-skuhati

A prefix can also change the meaning, not only the aspect. Pisati and potpisati (to sign) are two different verbs, and popisati means to list or register. So napisati is the partner of pisati, and the others are separate words.

If you are unsure, check a dictionary. It lists the perfective partner next to the verb. A native speaker usually feels which prefix fits, so listen for it and copy the pairs from Poppy.

Examples (5)

  1. Pročitala sam knjigu.

    I read the book.

    Pro- on čitati.

  2. Popio je kafu.

    He drank the coffee.

    Po- on piti.

  3. Uradili smo zadatak.

    We did the task.

    U- on raditi.

  4. Napisao sam poruku.

    I wrote a message.

    Na- on pisati.

  5. Skuhat ću ručak.

    I will cook lunch.

    S- on kuhati.

Common Mistakes

  • Choosing the wrong prefix

    Popisao sam pismo.
    Napisao sam pismo.

    Popisati means to list or register; the partner of pisati is napisati.

How It Connects

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

Prefixes and AspectLevel 3

Learn This First

Prefixes often make a perfective verb.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

čitatipročitatipisatinapisatipitipopitiraditiuraditiskuhatipotpisatipo-s-