Words in -lija
The suffix -lija names a person from a place in a few words, the best known being Sarajlija for a man (Sarajka for a woman).
How It Works
The word Sarajlija means a person from Sarajevo. It looks feminine because of the -a, but it names a man, and its plural is Sarajlije.
| Singular | Plural | |
|---|---|---|
| man | Sarajlija | Sarajlije |
| woman | Sarajka | Sarajke |
Because Sarajlija names a man, the verb and adjective are masculine: pravi Sarajlija je došao.
Many other cities use different endings, such as Mostarac (from Mostar), Banjalučanin (from Banja Luka), Tuzlak or Tuzlanin (from Tuzla) and Bihaćanin (from Bihać). Learn each city's word as you meet it. Written with a capital letter, these words name people, and the matching adjective, such as sarajevski, is written with a small letter.
Examples (5)
- Amir je pravi Sarajlija.
Amir is a true Sarajevan.
Sarajlija names a man.
- Ajla je Sarajka.
Ajla is a Sarajevan woman.
Sarajka is the feminine form.
- Sarajlije vole kafu.
Sarajevans like coffee.
Sarajlije is the plural.
- Moj komšija je Mostarac.
My neighbour is from Mostar.
Mostar uses a different ending.
- Haris je Banjalučanin.
Haris is from Banja Luka.
Banja Luka uses -anin.
How It Connects
Learn This First
This ending is easiest to meet in everyday Turkish-origin words.
Related Patterns
- Cities and Countries
This entry covers place names.
Level 2 - Adjectives in -skiAdjectives from Places
This entry covers the adjectives from places.
Level 2 - Masculine Nouns in -a
Sarajlija is a masculine noun in -a.
Level 2 - Languages and Nationalities
This entry covers other words for people.
Level 2 - Words in -džija and -džinica
This is another Turkish ending for people.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice Words in -lija in Bubblegum
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