s, sa + Instrumental

With: S and Sa

Level 3

S is the short form and sa is the form that is easier to say before certain sounds.

How It Works

Next word starts withUseExample
vowel or easy consonantss Amirom, s prijateljem
s, š, z, žsasa sestrom, sa Šemsom, sa ženom
clustersasa mnom, sa psom

The choice is about ease of speech. Speakers sometimes use sa where s would also do, so both forms are heard, and nobody will correct you.

Watch out for a second meaning. S and sa can also mean "down from" when a genitive follows: Silazim sa Trebevića (I come down from Trebević). The case tells you which meaning you have. With the instrumental, it means "with".

In writing, s and sa are separate words, with a space after them.

Examples (5)

  1. Idem s Amirom u školu.

    I go to school with Amir.

    S before an easy sound.

  2. Pijem kafu sa sestrom.

    I drink coffee with my sister.

    Sa before s.

  3. Sa mnom možeš razgovarati.

    You can talk with me.

    Sa before the cluster mn.

  4. Putujem sa sinom u Neum.

    I am traveling with my son to Neum.

    Sa before s.

  5. Silazim sa Trebevića.

    I am coming down from Trebević.

    With the genitive, sa means "from".

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong case after s.

    Idem sa Amir u školu.
    Idem s Amirom u školu.

    S meaning "with" needs the instrumental.

How It Connects

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

s, sa + InstrumentalLevel 3With: S and Sa

Learn This First

S takes the instrumental.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

ssainstrumental