само / и јас
Only and Also
Само means only and goes right before the word it limits: Имам само еден брат. И before a word means also: И јас сум студент. (I am a student too.)
How It Works
Само: only. Place it directly before the word it limits:
- Само Ана зборува англиски. Only Ana speaks English (nobody else does).
- Ана зборува само англиски. Ana speaks only English (no other language).
- Имам само еден брат. I have only one brother.
Само is also handy on its own: Само вода, ве молам. (Just water, please.)
И: also. Besides meaning and (Simple Answers and Joining), и placed right before a word means also or too:
- И јас сум студент. I am a student too.
- И јас! Me too!
Исто така also means also. It usually comes after the subject: Јас исто така сакам чај.
Me neither. In negative sentences Macedonian prefers ни: Ни јас. This is taught in Not Even and Nor. Later, само and и combine in Not Only but Also.
Examples (6)
- Имам само еден брат.
I have only one brother.
Word by Word: Have-I only one brother.
- И јас сум студент.
I'm a student too.
Word by Word: Also I am student.
- Само Ана зборува англиски.
Only Ana speaks English.
Word by Word: Only Ana speaks English.
Само is before Ана, so it limits the person.
- Ана зборува само англиски.
Ana speaks only English.
Word by Word: Ana speaks only English.
Само is before англиски, so it limits the language.
- Јас исто така сакам чај.
I like tea too.
Word by Word: I same so like tea.
- Само вода, ве молам.
Just water, please.
Word by Word: Only water, please.
Common Mistakes
Putting само before the wrong word.
Ана зборува само англиски.Само Ана зборува англиски.The intended meaning is that Ana is the only person who speaks English. Само must go right before Ана; before англиски it limits the language instead.
Using the Serbian word for also.
Јас такође сум студент.Јас исто така сум студент.Такође is Serbian. Macedonian uses исто така, or и before the added word: И јас сум студент.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Only and also follow the basic joining words.
Related Patterns
- ниту пак / ниNot Even and nor
Gives ни for me neither in negative sentences.
Level 4 - не само ... туку иNot Only but Also
Combines само and и into not only … but also.
Level 5 - барем / дури / баш / токмуEmphasis Particles
More particles that, like само, focus a single word.
Level 5 - Basic Word Order
The basic word order that само and и attach to.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice само / и јас in Bubblegum
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