qixi hezipuk nibizu ruhiyi gozubu

The dative case is primarily used to indicate the indirect object of a verb, which is typically the recipient of an action. It answers the questions "to whom?" or "for whom?" something is done. The dative case is also used to express purpose, direction, and certain temporal expressions.

Formation of the Dative Case

In Serbian, nouns change their endings to reflect the dative case. The endings vary depending on the gender and number of the noun.

Singular Nouns

• Masculine Nouns: For most masculine nouns, the dative singular is formed by adding the suffix -у or -у to the base form of the noun.

  • Example: "човек" (man) becomes "човеку" (to the man).

• Feminine Nouns: Feminine nouns typically change their ending to -и.

  • Example: "жена" (woman) becomes "жени" (to the woman).

• Neuter Nouns: Neuter nouns usually take the ending -у.

  • Example: "дете" (child) becomes "детету" (to the child).

Plural Nouns

• Masculine Nouns: The dative plural for masculine nouns generally ends in -има.

  • Example: "човек" (man) becomes "људима" (to the men).

• Feminine Nouns: Feminine nouns in the plural form take the ending -ама.

  • Example: "жена" (woman) becomes "женама" (to the women).

• Neuter Nouns: Neuter nouns in the plural form also take the ending -има.

  • Example: "дете" (child) becomes "децима" (to the children).

Usage of the Dative Case

1. Indirect Object: The dative case is used to indicate the indirect object of a verb.

   • Example: "Дајем књигу Марку." (I am giving the book to Mark.)

2. Purpose: It can express the purpose or intention of an action.

   • Example: "Идем у продавницу хлебу." (I am going to the store for bread.)

3. Direction: The dative case can indicate the direction towards which something is moving.

   • Example: "Идем кући." (I am going home.)

4. Temporal Expressions: It is used in certain temporal expressions to indicate a point in time.

   • Example: "Доћи ћу ти у понедељак." (I will come to you on Monday.)

Prepositions with the Dative Case

Certain prepositions in Serbian require the dative case. Some of the most common ones include:

• К/Ка (to/towards): "Идем ка граду." (I am going towards the city.)
• Према (towards): "Према њему, све је у реду." (According to him, everything is fine.)
• Захваљујући (thanks to): "Захваљујући теби, успели смо." (Thanks to you, we succeeded.)