The verb “biti” (to be) is one of essential verb to know in practically every language. It can be used alone or paired with an adjective – the possibilities are endless. Depending on the situation, most precisely skloni also apply.
Verb Biti – To Be
Here’s a quick review of the verb biti (to be) in Present Tense, Past Tense and Future Tense, as well as in its negation form.
| BITI | Present Tense | Past Tense | Future Tense |
| Jaz | sem / nisem | sem / nisem | bom / ne bom |
| Ti | si / nisi | si / nisi | boš / ne boš |
| On, Ona, Ono | je / ni | se / ni | bo / ne bo |
| Midva, Midve/Medve | sva / nisva | sva / nisva | bova / ne bova |
| Vidva, Vidve, Vedve | sta / nista | sta / nista | bosta / ne bosta |
| Onadva, Onidve | sta / nista | sta / nista | bosta / ne bosta |
| Mi, Me | smo / nismo | smo / nismo | bomo / ne bomo |
| Vi, Ve | ste / niste | ste / niste | boste / ne boste |
| Oni, One | so / niso | so / niso | bodo / ne bodo* |
| *Please note The verb biti for “oni” has two possible endings: bodo or bojo. |
1. Biti + [Noun]1
When the verb biti is used alone with a noun, the First Sklon applies.
For example,
- Jaz sem [Anna]1 (I am Anna).
- Matt, Lina in Jan niso [sodelavci]1 (Matt, Lina and Jan are not coworkers).
2. Biti + Adjective
The verb to be is also used with adjective to describe a state.
Such as,
- Biti lačen / žejen (To be hungry / thirsty)
- Biti pozen / točen (To be late / on time)
- Biti prehlajen (To have a cold)
- Biti zadovoljen / razočaran (To be satisfied / disappointed)
- Biti vesel / žalosten (To be happy)
- Biti poročen / samski (To be married / single)
- Biti utrujen (To be tired)
| When the e is underlined, it means that when declined, the “e” is removed. — Remember that the following adjective has to correspond with the subject. i.e. Otroci so lačni (The children are hungry). |
3. Biti + Adjective + (Preposition) + [Noun]X
Then to make the phrase more completed, a noun can be added. Depending on the situation, there might be or not be a preposition, as some skloni aren’t used with preposition.
- Biti nor na […]4 (To be crazy about chocolate)
Sem nora na čokolado (I’m crazy about chocolate). - Biti znan po […]5 (To be well-known for)
Bled je znan po kremšniti (Bled is well-known for cream cake). - Biti povezan z/s […]6 (To be linked with)
Sladkor je povezan z debelostjo (Sugar is linked with obesity). - Biti zaljubljen v […]4 (To be in love with)
Miranda je zaljubljena v sodelavca (Miranda is in love with her coworker). - Biti tesno soroden z/s […]6 (To be closely related to)
Nemšcina je tesno sorodna z Angleščino (German is closely related to English). - Biti prepričan o […]5 (To be convinced of)
Miha je prepričan o svojem delu (Miha is convinced of his work). - Biti naklonjen […]3 (To be in favor of)
Milan je naklonjen elektronskim položnicam (Milan is in favor of electronic billings). - Biti izpostavljen […]3 (To be exposed to)
Moderni otroci so izpostavljeni tehnologiji (Modern children are exposed to technologies).
What’s important to remember is the context, as well as preposition that would dictates which sklon to use. If there’s other examples that you would want to share, or have any questions, please let me know!
Discover more Slovene “lessons” that might interest you: Slovene Numbers & Numerals, Slovene Nouns & Pronouns, Slovene Verbs, Slovene Adjectives, Slovene Syntax, Slovenian Idioms, Slovene Adverbs.
Let’s learn,
Anna.
Anna in Slovenia 