Live in SerbiaGrammar · Time
Conditional (kondicional): "would"
The conditional means "would". It is formed with bih / bi / bi / bismo / biste / bi + a participle in -o/-la/-lo/-li. It is used for polite requests, wishes and conditions.
ja bih radio / radila — I would work
ti bi radio / radila — you would work
on bi radio / ona bi radila — he / she would work
mi bismo radili — we would work
Examples
Hteo bih kafu, molim.
I'd like some coffee, please. (politely)
Mogla bih pomoći.
I could help.
Da imam vremena, otišao bih.
If I had time, I would go.
Tips
- "Hteo / htela bih…" (I would like…) is the most polite way to order or ask for something.
- The auxiliary changes with the person: ja bih, ti bi, mi bismo, vi biste — don't drop it.