serbian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “serbian” mean?
Of, relating to, or characteristic of Serbia, its people, or their language.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Of, relating to, or characteristic of Serbia, its people, or their language.
Pertaining to the culture, history, traditions, or national identity of Serbia; also used to denote the South Slavic language spoken primarily in Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling conventions (e.g., -ise/-ize) may apply when the word is used in derived forms (e.g., Serbianise/Serbianize), but the base word is identical.
Connotations
Neutral in both varieties. In geopolitical contexts, the same historical and cultural associations apply.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects, with usage spiking in news related to the Balkans.
Grammar
How to Use “serbian” in a Sentence
[be] + Serbian[of] + Serbian + [origin][speak] + SerbianVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “serbian” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Serbian embassy is in Kensington.
- She follows traditional Serbian customs.
American English
- The Serbian community in Chicago is vibrant.
- He ordered a Serbian platter at the restaurant.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referencing markets or partnerships in Serbia (e.g., 'exploring Serbian investment opportunities').
Academic
In historical, linguistic, or political studies (e.g., 'Serbian Cyrillic script evolution').
Everyday
Discussing heritage, travel, or food (e.g., 'My neighbour is Serbian,' 'We ate Serbian sausage.').
Technical
In linguistics, referring to the Shtokavian dialect or the Ekavian/Ijekavian pronunciation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “serbian”
- Capitalisation error: writing 'serbian' instead of 'Serbian'.
- Using 'Serb' as an adjective (e.g., 'Serb cuisine').
- Confusing 'Serbian' with 'Serbo-Croatian' in historical linguistic contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
"Serb" is primarily a noun for a person from Serbia. "Serbian" is the adjective relating to Serbia and is also the standard name for the language and can be used as a noun for a person.
Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin are standardised forms of the same pluricentric language, formerly known as Serbo-Croatian. They are mutually intelligible but have distinct regulatory bodies and some differences in vocabulary, script, and pronunciation.
Yes, as a demonym and language name derived from a proper noun (Serbia), it is always capitalised in English.
Serbian is officially written in both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets. The Cyrillic script is the one designated in the constitution, but the Latin script is also in widespread use.
Of, relating to, or characteristic of Serbia, its people, or their language.
Serbian is usually neutral in register.
Serbian: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɜː.bi.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɝː.bi.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As stubborn as a Serbian mule (informal, stereotypical)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SERBIA-n: Remember it's the -IAN ending for people and things from a country, like 'Italian' from Italy.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE: Serbian culture/history is often conceptualised as a bridge between East and West.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the standard term for the language spoken in Serbia?