Learning to express opinions is a fundamental aspect of mastering any language. In Bosnian, like in many other languages, there are various ways to articulate your thoughts and perspectives. This article will guide you through the essential phrases and structures used to express opinions in Bosnian, providing you with a robust foundation to navigate conversations confidently.
Basic Expressions of Opinion
One of the first steps to expressing an opinion in Bosnian is to become familiar with basic phrases. Here are some common expressions:
– **Mislim da…** (I think that…)
– **Smatram da…** (I consider that…)
– **Vjerujem da…** (I believe that…)
– **Čini mi se da…** (It seems to me that…)
These phrases are typically followed by a clause that states your opinion. For example:
– **Mislim da je ovo dobra ideja.** (I think that this is a good idea.)
– **Smatram da bi trebali otići.** (I consider that we should go.)
– **Vjerujem da će sve biti u redu.** (I believe that everything will be fine.)
– **Čini mi se da je hladno.** (It seems to me that it is cold.)
Agreeing and Disagreeing
Expressing agreement or disagreement is an essential part of any discussion. Here are some useful phrases:
– **Slažem se.** (I agree.)
– **Ne slažem se.** (I disagree.)
– **U pravu si.** (You are right.)
– **Nisi u pravu.** (You are not right.)
– **Apsolutno se slažem.** (I absolutely agree.)
– **Ne mogu se složiti s tim.** (I can’t agree with that.)
For example:
– **Slažem se s tobom.** (I agree with you.)
– **Ne slažem se s tvojim mišljenjem.** (I disagree with your opinion.)
Expressing Uncertainty and Certainty
Sometimes, you might want to express how certain or uncertain you are about your opinion. Here are some useful expressions:
– **Siguran sam da…** (I am sure that…)
– **Nisam siguran da…** (I am not sure that…)
– **Možda…** (Maybe…)
– **Vjerovatno…** (Probably…)
– **Moguće je da…** (It is possible that…)
For example:
– **Siguran sam da će uspjeti.** (I am sure that he/she will succeed.)
– **Nisam siguran da je to dobra ideja.** (I am not sure that it is a good idea.)
– **Možda dolazi kasnije.** (Maybe he/she is coming later.)
– **Vjerovatno će padati kiša.** (It will probably rain.)
– **Moguće je da su otišli.** (It is possible that they have left.)
Expressing Personal Preferences
When you want to talk about your preferences or desires, you can use the following phrases:
– **Volio/Voljela bih…** (I would like…)
– **Želim…** (I want…)
– **Više volim…** (I prefer…)
– **Dajem prednost…** (I give preference to…)
For example:
– **Volio bih da idem kući.** (I would like to go home.)
– **Želim da naučim Bosanski.** (I want to learn Bosnian.)
– **Više volim čaj nego kafu.** (I prefer tea to coffee.)
– **Dajem prednost radu od kuće.** (I give preference to working from home.)
Expressing Likes and Dislikes
To talk about what you like or dislike, use these expressions:
– **Sviđa mi se…** (I like…)
– **Ne sviđa mi se…** (I don’t like…)
– **Obožavam…** (I love…)
– **Mrzim…** (I hate…)
For example:
– **Sviđa mi se ovaj film.** (I like this movie.)
– **Ne sviđa mi se ta ideja.** (I don’t like that idea.)
– **Obožavam čokoladu.** (I love chocolate.)
– **Mrzim zimu.** (I hate winter.)
Expressing Strong Opinions
When you feel strongly about something, you can use these expressions to convey your intensity:
– **Uvijek sam mislio/mislila da…** (I have always thought that…)
– **Apsolutno smatram da…** (I absolutely consider that…)
– **Sigurno je da…** (It is certain that…)
For example:
– **Uvijek sam mislio da je on dobar čovjek.** (I have always thought that he is a good man.)
– **Apsolutno smatram da je ovo najbolja opcija.** (I absolutely consider that this is the best option.)
– **Sigurno je da će biti teško.** (It is certain that it will be difficult.)
Expressing Doubts and Reservations
If you have doubts or reservations about something, these phrases will come in handy:
– **Nisam siguran/sigurna…** (I am not sure…)
– **Sumnjam da…** (I doubt that…)
– **Imam rezervu prema…** (I have reservations about…)
For example:
– **Nisam siguran da će on doći.** (I am not sure that he will come.)
– **Sumnjam da je to istina.** (I doubt that is true.)
– **Imam rezervu prema toj odluci.** (I have reservations about that decision.)
Expressing Suggestions and Advice
Offering suggestions or advice is another important aspect of expressing opinions. Here are some useful expressions:
– **Predlažem da…** (I suggest that…)
– **Savjetujem da…** (I advise that…)
– **Možda bi trebalo…** (Maybe you should…)
For example:
– **Predlažem da idemo ranije.** (I suggest that we go earlier.)
– **Savjetujem da uzmeš kišobran.** (I advise that you take an umbrella.)
– **Možda bi trebalo razgovarati s njim.** (Maybe you should talk to him.)
Expressing Hopes and Wishes
When you want to express your hopes or wishes, you can use these phrases:
– **Nadam se da…** (I hope that…)
– **Volio/Voljela bih da…** (I would like that…)
– **Želim da…** (I wish that…)
For example:
– **Nadam se da ćeš uspjeti.** (I hope that you will succeed.)
– **Volio bih da mogu pomoći.** (I would like that I can help.)
– **Želim da budeš sretan/sretna.** (I wish that you are happy.)
Using Conditional Sentences
Conditional sentences are often used when expressing opinions, especially when talking about hypothetical situations. Here are some examples:
– **Ako bi mogao/mogla…** (If you could…)
– **Kad bi bilo moguće…** (If it were possible…)
For example:
– **Ako bi mogao doći, bilo bi sjajno.** (If you could come, it would be great.)
– **Kad bi bilo moguće, želio bih putovati.** (If it were possible, I would like to travel.)
Expressing Regret and Apology
Sometimes, expressing opinions involves regret or apology. Here are some useful phrases:
– **Žao mi je što…** (I am sorry that…)
– **Ispričavam se zbog…** (I apologize for…)
For example:
– **Žao mi je što nisam mogao doći.** (I am sorry that I couldn’t come.)
– **Ispričavam se zbog kašnjenja.** (I apologize for the delay.)
Expressing Opinions in Formal Contexts
In formal contexts, it is important to use polite and respectful language. Here are some expressions that can be used in formal situations:
– **Po mom mišljenju…** (In my opinion…)
– **Smatram da je potrebno…** (I consider it necessary…)
– **Uvjeren sam da…** (I am convinced that…)
For example:
– **Po mom mišljenju, to je najbolja odluka.** (In my opinion, that is the best decision.)
– **Smatram da je potrebno unaprijediti ovaj proces.** (I consider it necessary to improve this process.)
– **Uvjeren sam da će ova promjena donijeti koristi.** (I am convinced that this change will bring benefits.)
Expressing Opinions in Informal Contexts
In informal contexts, you can be more casual. Here are some expressions commonly used in everyday conversation:
– **Mislim da je to super.** (I think that’s great.)
– **Baš mi se sviđa.** (I really like it.)
– **Nisam siguran za to.** (I am not sure about that.)
For example:
– **Mislim da je to super ideja.** (I think that’s a great idea.)
– **Baš mi se sviđa tvoja nova frizura.** (I really like your new hairstyle.)
– **Nisam siguran za tu odluku.** (I am not sure about that decision.)
Conclusion
Mastering the expressions of opinion in Bosnian will significantly enhance your ability to engage in meaningful conversations. Whether you are agreeing, disagreeing, expressing certainty or uncertainty, or simply sharing your preferences, these phrases will be invaluable tools in your language learning journey. Practice using them in different contexts, and over time, you will find yourself more comfortable and confident in expressing your thoughts and opinions in Bosnian.
