Sound Change Before J
When j follows a consonant in word building, the pair fuses: s+j to š, z+j to ž, d+j to đ, t+j to ć.
How It Works
The sound j used to follow these consonants in older forms of the word. It left a mark.
| Change | Example |
|---|---|
| s to š | pisati, pišem |
| z to ž | vezati, vežem |
| d to đ | mlad, mlađi; voditi, vođen |
| t to ć | platiti, plaćen; kretati, krećem |
| st to šć | gust, gušći |
It appears in the present of some verbs, in the comparative, and in the passive participle.
The labials b, p, m, v do not fuse. They add lj: ljubiti, ljubljen.
Do not apply it to the ijekavian spelling. In sjesti, djevojka and tjerati the j belongs to the old vowel ě, so nothing changes.
Not every verb has it: čitati, čitam has no change. Learn the changes with the verbs that use them.
Examples (4)
- Lejla piše pismo.
Lejla is writing a letter.
S becomes š in piše.
- Haris veže cipele.
Haris is tying his shoes.
Z becomes ž in veže.
- Moj brat je mlađi od mene.
My brother is younger than me.
D becomes đ in mlađi.
- Račun je plaćen.
The bill is paid.
T becomes ć in plaćen.
Common Mistakes
Learners write the unchanged consonant.
Račun je platen.Račun je plaćen.The t before the old j becomes ć.
How It Connects
Learn This First
A sound change.
Related Patterns
Words in This Pattern
Practice Sound Change Before J in Bubblegum
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