Rekao je da radi: other people's words, with the tense left alone
You need to report other people's words in your very first conversation about the news, and Serbian makes it easier than English. The main rule fits in one line: the tense in the clause does not shift. For example: “Новинар је рекао да влада припрема нови закон” — The journalist said the government is preparing a new law. A rule from the Serbian course: worked out on examples, not memorized as a wording.
How it works
You need to report other people's words in your very first conversation about the news, and Serbian makes it easier than English. The main rule fits in one line: the tense in the clause does not shift.
He said: "Radim" — I am working. The report: Rekao je da radi — he said he IS working; English would force "was working", Serbian refuses the backshift. If the man spoke of the past (Radio sam), the past stays: Rekao je da je radio. If about the future (Radiću), the future stays: Rekao je da će raditi. The rule is simple, and it is broken regularly by learners who hear English tense-shift in their heads.
What changes is the person, and only the person. "Ja dolazim" in a report becomes Rekao je da on dolazi. Pronouns and possessives travel with the person: "Moj auto je pokvaren" → Rekao je da je njegov auto pokvaren.
A question is reported through da li or a question word, and the order becomes plain statement order. "Da li dolaziš?" → Pitao me je da li dolazim. "Gde si bio?" → Pitao me je gde sam bio — note the clitic sam landing right after the question word, in second position.
A request or an order is reported through da plus the present: "Dođi sutra" → Rekao mi je da dođem sutra. No to-form here — as nowhere in Serbian.
And the word no news report does without: navodno — "allegedly, reportedly". Navodno je podneo ostavku — he has reportedly resigned. This is how a newspaper washes its hands of someone's claim; in conversation the word means exactly the same.
Table
| direct speech | reported | what changed | in English |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Radim" | rekao je da radi | the person only | said he is working |
| "Radio sam" | rekao je da je radio | the person only | said he was working |
| "Radiću" | rekao je da će raditi | the person only | said he will work |
| "Da li dolaziš?" | pitao je da li dolazim | da li + plain order | asked if I am coming |
| "Gde si?" | pitao je gde sam | the clitic stays second | asked where I was |
| "Dođi!" | rekao je da dođem | da + present | told me to come |
| a rumor in print | navodno je podneo ostavku | navodno = reportedly | he reportedly resigned |
By example
- Новинар је рекао да влада припрема нови законNovinar je rekao da vlada priprema novi zakonThe journalist said the government is preparing a new law
- Питали су ме где сам био синоћPitali su me gde sam bio sinoćThey asked me where I was last night
- Рекла ми је да дођем ранијеRekla mi je da dođem ranijeShe told me to come earlier
How the rule settles in your head
A rule is not memorized from an explanation. It is memorized from an attempt to use it and a mistake — that is why the app delivers it mixed in with words, not as a separate lesson: it resurfaces exactly where you forgot it.
Frequently asked
Rekao je da radi: how does it work in Serbian?
You need to report other people's words in your very first conversation about the news, and Serbian makes it easier than English. The main rule fits in one line: the tense in the clause does not shift.
What does it look like in an example sentence Serbian?
“Новинар је рекао да влада припрема нови закон” (Novinar je rekao da vlada priprema novi zakon) — The journalist said the government is preparing a new law. A rule is easier to test on sentences like this than to memorize as a wording: what surfaces in conversation is the sentence.