Some verbs are so useful that you will use them in almost every conversation from day one. The verb znati - "to know" - is firmly in that group. Whether you want to say you know a language, know a person, or simply admit that you have no idea, znati is your go-to word.
In this short lesson we walk through the full present-tense conjugation of znati, pair it with an audio clip, and end with two everyday phrases that you can start using right away.
The verb znati (to know) - present
Good news: znati is a perfectly regular verb and follows the standard present-tense pattern cleanly. Memorise this table and you will be able to conjugate hundreds of similar verbs by analogy.
| Person | Serbian | English |
|---|---|---|
| ja (I) | znam | I know |
| ti (you, sg.) | znaš | you know |
| on / ona / ono (he/she/it) | zna | he / she / it knows |
| mi (we) | znamo | we know |
| vi (you, pl./formal) | znate | you (all) know |
| oni / one / ona (they) | znaju | they know |
Hear it (carried forward)
Listen to the clip below to hear these forms used naturally. Pay attention to how the speaker stresses the stem and how the endings flow in connected speech.
Two everyday uses
Start with these two phrases and you will find a use for them within hours:
- Ne znam. - "I do not know." Possibly the most useful three-letter phrase in any language when you are a beginner. Say it confidently and without shame!
- Znam srpski. - "I know Serbian." A small but powerful declaration. Even if you only know a little, saying this opens doors and earns warm smiles.
A tip
Notice how the first-person singular drops the personal pronoun naturally: just "Znam" is perfectly complete and sounds far more fluent than "Ja znam." Serbian speakers will notice the difference and appreciate the effort.
A fun way to drill the full paradigm is to imagine a little conversation in your head: "Znam, znaš, zna, znamo, znate, znaju" - say it like a quick rhythm or a song. Your brain will file the pattern away almost without effort.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between "znati" and "poznavati"?
Znati typically refers to knowing facts, skills, or languages - "Znam srpski" (I know Serbian), "Ne znam odgovor" (I do not know the answer). Poznavati is used for knowing or being acquainted with people or places - "Poznajem tu osobu" (I know that person). The distinction is similar to Spanish saber vs. conocer.
Can "znaš" be used to mean "you know" as a filler, like in English?
Yes! "Znaš" is extremely common as a conversational filler in Serbian, very much like "you know" in English. You will hear it constantly in natural speech, often shortened to an almost unstressed "znaš" between clauses.
How do I say "I did not know"?
Use the past tense of znati: "Nisam znao" (I did not know - masculine speaker) or "Nisam znala" (I did not know - feminine speaker). The negative past uses nisam as the auxiliary.
Is "znaju" or "znadu" more common for the third-person plural?
Both exist: znaju is the standard literary form, while znadu is an older or dialectal variant. In modern everyday Serbian you will almost always hear and use znaju.
There you go - one very useful verb, fully under your belt. The more verbs you conjugate, the more the patterns reinforce each other, and progress starts to feel wonderfully fast. Keep going; you are doing great!
All the best, Marina Petrovic
Ready to tackle more verbs? The full collection is waiting at More verb practice.