jesam / jesi / jest / jesmo / jeste / jesu

Stressed Biti

Level 1

Full present forms of biti are jesam, jesi, jest, jesmo, jeste and jesu. They can carry emphasis and appear in short answers.

How It Works

A question such as Jesi li spreman? places the full finite form before li. An affirmative short answer can be Jesam. because the full form can carry its own stress.

The full forms do not replace every ordinary sam or je. In a neutral statement, Ja sam spreman. is the natural basic pattern; a stressed form adds a contrast or supports a particular question or answer.

Keep the persons distinct: jeste addresses plural or polite vi, while jest is third-person singular in the reference paradigm. Regional forms may differ, but the course models these standard forms. Negative answers use the separate nisam paradigm.

Examples (4)

  1. Jesi li spreman?

    Are you ready?

    Jesi is second-person singular before li.

  2. Jesam.

    I am.

    The full form can stand as a stressed affirmative answer.

  3. Jeste li iz Hrvatske?

    Are you from Croatia?

    Jeste addresses plural or respectful vi.

  4. Jesu li oni ovdje?

    Are they here?

    Jesu is third-person plural.

How It Connects

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

jesam / jesi / jest / jesmo / jeste / jesuLevel 1Stressed Biti

Learn This First

The ordinary present forms provide the comparison for negative or stressed forms of biti.

Words in This Pattern

biti