Surnames

Level 2

Many Bosnian surnames end in -ić, and a woman's -ić surname usually stays unchanged: Emina Hodžić, Amir Hodžić.

How It Works

Surnames in -ić are a good place to start. Examples are Hodžić, Delić, Mujić and Begić. The ending is the same for the whole family in the nominative.

CaseManWoman
nominativeAmir HodžićEmina Hodžić
accusativeAmira HodžićaEminu Hodžić
vocativeAmire HodžićuEmina Hodžić

The first name changes in all cases. In standard usage the surname changes only for a man, because a woman's -ić surname does not fit the feminine endings (Croatian sources say so; Bosnian writing follows the same habit, though some speakers do decline it). When you talk about the whole family, you add the plural ending: Hodžići (the Hodžić family).

Not every surname ends in -ić. Some end in -ov or -in or are plain words such as Kovač. These can follow different rules, so listen to how people say them.

Examples (5)

  1. Emina Hodžić je učiteljica.

    Emina Hodžić is a teacher.

    The woman's surname has the same form as the man's.

  2. Vidim Amira Hodžića.

    I see Amir Hodžić.

    Both the name and the man's surname take the accusative.

  3. Pozdravi gospođu Hodžić.

    Say hello to Mrs Hodžić.

    The woman's surname stays Hodžić.

  4. Hodžići žive u Zenici.

    The Hodžić family lives in Zenica.

    The plural ending -i names the family.

  5. Sa Eminom Hodžić idem u školu.

    I go to school with Emina Hodžić.

    The first name changes, and the woman's surname does not.

Common Mistakes

  • A woman's surname gets a man's ending.

    Poznajem Eminu Hodžića.
    Poznajem Eminu Hodžić.

    Surnames of women in -ić usually do not change.

How It Connects

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SurnamesLevel 2

Learn This First

Surnames follow gender.

Words in This Pattern

prezime-ić