Serbian words starting with Z

• zafor; in (of time: in five minutes, in an hour); behind (where: +…
• za rȁzliku odunlike, in contrast to (+ genitive)
• za svaku pohvalupraiseworthy
• za vrémeduring, in the time of (+ Gen.)
• zabadatito stick in; to poke (one’s nose: zabadati nos u tuđe stvari…
• zȃbavafun, entertainment; a party (neutral)
• zábavanentertaining, amusing; fun (of a film, company)
• zabáviti seto have fun, enjoy oneself
• zabavljati seto go out with, to date (zabavljati se sa nekim); to have fun
• zàbogafor God’s sake, for heaven’s sake (surprise or entreaty; polite; also…
• zabòravitito forget
• zabranaa ban, a prohibition
• zabránitito forbid, to ban (opposite of dozvoliti)
• zabranjenforbidden, prohibited
• zabrinjavajućiworrying, alarming
• zàbrinūtworried, concerned, anxious
• zabrinuti seto become worried (perfective of brinuti)
• začetito conceive; to originate (literary) (perfective)
• zaćito set (of the sun: sunce je zašlo); to go behind something…
• záčinspice; seasoning
• začìnitito season
• zàčinjenoseasoned, spicy
• začutito hear suddenly, to catch (a sound; perfective)
• zadaha bad smell, bad breath
• zadátaka task, an assignment; a problem (in maths)
• zadatito set a task; to deal a blow (perfective; imperfective zadavati; a…
• zàdivljenamazed, in awe, filled with admiration
• zȁdnjīrear, back (seat, door); last (colloquial)
• zȁdovōljansatisfied; pleased
• zadovoljstvopleasure, satisfaction
• zadrugaa zadruga (an extended-family household); a cooperative
• zadržatito hold up, to keep back; to keep (perfective; imperfective…
• zadúžen zaresponsible for, in charge of (+ Acc.)
• zadužénjea debt; a debit (to an account); duties, a task (at work)
• zadužitito put someone in charge (Zadužili su me za zapisnik; zadužiti se, to…
• zadúžiti seto take on debt; to borrow
• zàgaditito pollute
• zàgađenpolluted
• zagađénjepollution (of the air, water)
• zagađìvāčpollutant; polluter
• zaglavitito get stuck (perfective; colloquial: zaglavio je u gužvi, he got…
• zaglavljea letterhead, the heading of a letter or a form
• zagoretito burn (of food; perfective)
• zagradaa bracket (u zagradi, in brackets)
• zàgrejatito heat up; to warm up (perfective; imperfective zagrevati)
• zagréjati rérnuto preheat the oven
• zagrevatito heat up (imperfective of zagrejati)
• zagrlitito hug, to embrace (perfective; imperfective grliti)
• zȁgrljāja hug, an embrace
• zagùšljivstuffy; musty, stagnant (of air); suffocating (fig.: atmosphere)
• zahladitito turn cold (perfective; zahladilo je, it turned cold)
• záhtevan application (official), a request (formal); a demand, a requirement
• záhvālangrateful, thankful
• zahvalitito thank (perfective; + Dat.)
• zahvaljivatito thank (imperfective; + Dat.)
• zahvaljujućithanks to (+ Dat.)
• zahvalnicaa certificate of thanks
• zahválnōstgratitude (feminine)
• zaistareally, indeed, truly
• zajebavatito mess with someone (vulgar; politely zezati; imperfective)
• zȁjednicaa community
• zàjedničkē prostòrijecommunal areas, common areas
• zajedničkishared, held in common
• zȁjednotogether
• zȁjedno satogether with (+ Instr.)
• zakàsnitito be late
• zakázanoscheduled, booked (for a time); by appointment
• zakazatito book, to schedule (an appointment)
• zakázati kod zubárato book a dentist’s appointment
• zakázati màjstorato book a handyman, book a tradesman
• zakázati prȅgledto book a check-up, book a doctor’s appointment
• zakázati sȁstanakto schedule a meeting, arrange a meeting
• zakázati tèrmīnto book an appointment, to make an appointment
• zakazivanjebooking (an appointment)
• zakletvaan oath (položiti zakletvu, to be sworn in)
• záključakconclusion
• zaključanlocked (Fem. zaključana)
• zaključatito lock (perfective; imperfective zaključavati)
• zaključavatito lock (imperfective of zaključati)
• zakljúčitito conclude (an inference or a contract; perfective; imperfective…
• zaključivatito conclude, to infer (imperfective; perfective zaključiti)
• zàključnā rȇčclosing remarks
• zákonlaw, statute
• Zakon o raduthe Labour Law
• zakonodavanlegislative (zakonodavna vlast, the legislature)
• zakonskistatutory, legal
• zàkrpaa patch (on clothes; also a software patch)
• zákuplease
• zalagati seto stand up for, to advocate (zalagati se za; imperfective)
• zalazitito set (of the sun) (imperfective; perfective zaći)
• zalèditi seto freeze (of a computer or app); to freeze over
• zȃlihastock, inventory (usually plural)
• zálivgulf, bay
• zalívatito water
• zalivensealed (ćuti kao zaliven, to keep mum)
• zaljúbiti seto fall in love
• zaljubljenin love
• zalogaja bite, a mouthful (of food)
• zalupatito start banging (on a door)
• zamalonearly (the same as umalo)
• zȃmenaa replacement; an exchange, a swap
• zàmena délapart replacement
• zàmena ȕljaan oil change
• zamenicaa pronoun; a (female) deputy
• zaménitito exchange; to replace
• zameratito find fault, to hold against (imperfective of zameriti)
• zameritito fault, to hold against (perfective; imperfective zamerati)
• zamésitito knead
• zamisaoa plan in mind, what one has in mind (feminine)
• zamislitito imagine (Zamisli! “Just imagine!”)
• zamolitito ask (someone to do something; perfective)
• zamolnica(law) a request for legal assistance, a letter rogatory
• zamorantiring
• zamrznuti seto freeze (of a device)
• zànāta craft, a trade (an occupation)
• zanatlijaa craftsman, a tradesman
• zanatskicraft (adj.: zanatska radnja, a craftsman’s workshop)
• zanímānjean occupation, a profession; interest (in something)
• zanimatito interest (Mene to zanima)
• zanìmljivinteresting
• zaokružitito circle
• zaostaobackward, lagging behind (Fem. zaostala)
• zaostatito fall behind, to lag (perfective; imperfective zaostajati)
• zȁovasister-in-law (husband’s sister)
• zȃpadwest
• zapalitito light, to set fire to (perfective; imperfective paliti; zapaljen)
• zàpāmtitito memorise, to remember (opposite of zaboraviti)
• zapetacomma (also in decimals: tri zapeta četrnaest)
• zapetito get stuck, to snag (perfective)
• zapevatito start singing, to burst into song
• zapísatito write down, to note down (za- fixes the result: zapamtiti…
• zapisivatito write down (imperfective of zapisati)
• zapisničarthe minute-taker
• zápisnīkthe minutes (of a meeting); an official record (also by the police)
• zaplakatito burst into tears (perfective)
• zàpletplot, storyline
• započetito start (something), to set about (perfective)
• započinjatito start (imperfective of započeti)
• zàposlenemployed (zaposleni, an employee)
• zaposlénjea job; employment (having a job)
• zàposlenōstemployment, level of employment (feminine)
• zaposlitito employ, to take on (perfective; imperfective zapošljavati…
• zapòsliti seto get a job
• zapratitito follow (someone on social media; colloquial)
• zȁpravoactually
• zaprèminavolume
• zapŕžitito make a roux, to thicken with a roux
• zapúšenoclogged, blocked
• zȁrreally? (doubting); surely not
• zȁr neisn’t it?, aren’t you? (a tag at the end of a sentence, like “right?”)
• zȃradaearnings, pay (the official word)
• zaráditito earn
• zarađivatito earn (imperfective of zaraditi)
• zarezcomma (also the decimal comma: dva zarez pet)
• zasáditito plant, to plant out (a tree, seedlings; perfective of saditi)
• zašitito sew up (perfective)
• zasnivati seto be based (on: na + Loc.) (imperfective)
• zasnovanbased (on: na + Loc.)
• zaspatito fall asleep (perfective)
• zàstajatito stop temporarily (of movement or action)
• zastareodated, obsolete
• zastatito stop short, to pause (perfective; imperfective zastajati)
• zȃstavaflag
• zȃštitaprotection
• zȁštita potròšāčaconsumer protection
• zȁštita prírodenature conservation
• zaštititito protect (perfective)
• zȁštowhy
• zȁšto da newhy not
• zástojdowntime, a standstill (of a system, work); a hold-up (on the road)…
• zastúpānjerepresentation (acting on someone’s behalf)
• zastupatito represent someone; to hold a view (zastupati stav; imperfective)
• zàtečencaught off guard, taken aback
• zatećito find (on arriving), to come upon (perfective)
• zategnutito tighten, to pull tight (a belt, a screw; perfective; imperfective…
• zategnúti seto do a pull-up
• zàtīmthen, after that (bookish; in conversation pa, onda)
• zàtōthat’s why, so; therefore
• zàto štȍbecause
• zatrebatito come to be needed (perfective; Ako ti zatreba pomoć, if you need…
• zatvaratito close, to shut (imperfective of zatvoriti)
• zátvorprison, imprisonment; constipation (medical)
• zatvorenclosed, shut (of a shop: zatvoreno je)
• zatvòritito close, to shut
• zatvòriti bȍlovānjeto end sick leave, to come off sick leave (and return to work)
• zaudaratito reek (of: na + Acc.) (imperfective)
• zauvekforever
• zauzećecapture, seizure; being occupied (of a line, a seat)
• zȁuzētbusy; taken, occupied (a seat, a line)
• zauzetito occupy, to take (a seat) (perfective; imperfective zauzimati)
• zauzimatito occupy, to take (a seat) (imperfective of zauzeti)
• zȃvesacurtain
• záveta vow, a covenant
• zavidanenvious
• zavisandependent (zavisna rečenica: a subordinate clause)
• závisitito depend (on — od + Gen.)
• závisnōstaddiction; dependence
• zavistenvy
• závodan institute, an institution; an office (a public body)
• zavoletito grow fond of, to fall for (perfective)
• zavrnutito roll up (zavrnuti rukave); to turn off (a tap) (perfective)
• završavatito finish (imperfective of završiti)
• završetakthe finish, the close (završetak radova, the end of the works)
• zavŕšitito finish; to graduate (from a school)
• završni ispitthe final exam after the eighth grade (= mala matura)
• zazíratito shy away from, to be wary of (od + Gen.)
• zazvonitito start ringing (perfective)
• zbijati šaleto crack jokes
• zbira sum, a total (of an addition)
• zbirkaa collection (of poems, stories; of things)
• zbirnicollective (zbirni broj)
• zbȍgbecause of (+ Gen.; neutral, good reasons too; in speech also for a…
• zbog tògabecause of that, that’s why
• zbȏra gathering, an assembly (of citizens; bookish); a choir (in Serbia…
• zbornika collection of papers, proceedings (zbornik radova)
• zdrȁvhealthy
• zdrȁv kȁo drȇnfit as a fiddle, in perfect health (literally ‘as a cornelian cherry’)
• zdrȁv rȁzūmcommon sense
• zdrav zdravcatsafe and sound
• zdrȁva ìshranahealthy eating, a healthy diet
• zdrȃvljehealth
• zdrȁvohello, hi; bye (neutral: fine with acquaintances; to older people…
• zdravstvena karticaa health insurance card
• zdrȁvstvenā knjȉžicaa health insurance booklet (the card’s old name)
• zdràvstvenohealth (of insurance); health insurance (colloquial, on its own)
• zdràvstveno osiguránjehealth insurance
• zdràvstvohealthcare (the system)
• zébnjavague dread (from zepsti, to feel cold)
• zȇca hare; a rabbit (loosely)
• zelembaća green lizard
• zèlengreen
• zèlena salátalettuce
• zelenkastgreenish
• zemaljskiearthly
• zèmljaearth; land; country
• zemljoradnika tiller of the land, a peasant farmer
• zemljotresan earthquake
• zȅtson-in-law; brother-in-law
• zezàncijajoking about, messing around (colloquial; friends only)
• zȅzānjeteasing, kidding around (colloquial)
• zezatito tease, to kid (colloquial; Zezaš me?, are you kidding me?; zezati…
• zȅzati seto joke around; to kid (colloquial)
• zglȍbjoint
• zgȍdangood-looking; attractive; convenient (of a moment)
• zgoregit does no harm (only in nije zgoreg: Nije zgoreg pitati, it doesn’t…
• zgrabitito grab hold of, to seize (perfective)
• zgrȁdaa building, a block of flats
• zicera sitter, a sure chance (sport)
• zȋdwall
• zìdārbricklayer; builder
• ziherfor sure (colloquial)
• ziheraša play-it-safe type (colloquial)
• zímawinter; cold, chill (in “I feel cold”)
• zimiin winter
• zȋmskē gȕmewinter tyres (guma means both a tyre and rubber)
• zimskiwinter (zimski dan)
• zlatangolden, gold (zlatni prsten); of a person, a gem
• zlatara goldsmith, a jeweller
• ZlàtiborZlatibor
• zlatogold
• zloevil, harm (zlu ne trebalo, just in case); also zlo, ill (Zlo mi je…
• zlonameranmalicious
• zlùradōstmalicious glee, schadenfreude (feminine)
• zmȁja dragon; a kite
• zmìjasnake
• znȁčājsignificance, importance
• značajansignificant, notable; important (of an event, a role)
• znáčēnjemeaning
• znȁčīso, that means; I mean (very common filler)
• značitito mean (imperfective)
• znaka symbol, a token (a sign or mark of something; Pl. znaci)
• znamènitōstsight, landmark
• znánjeknowledge
• znȁtanconsiderable, substantial
• znȁtito know (a fact; a person is poznavati); to know how; znati da +…
• zno(colloquial) knew — znao, from znati
• zòradawn
• zòvēm semy name is
• zráčēnjeradiation
• zračna lukaan airport (Croatian; Serbian aerodrom)
• zraka ray (of light); air (Croatian; Serbian vazduh)
• zrakoplovan aeroplane (Croatian; Serbian avion)
• zreoripe, mature (Fem. zrela)
• zretito ripen (imperfective); poetic, to gaze
• zȗba tooth (also of a saw or a gear)
• zȗb nìcatito come through (of a tooth); to teethe
• zub vremenathe ravages of time
• zubaca tooth (of a saw or a gear), a cog
• zùbārdentist
• zȗbiteeth
• zubòboljatoothache
• zujatito buzz
• zumiratito zoom; to enlarge (the scale), to zoom in (on an image)
• zupčanika gear wheel
• zúritito stare (zuriti, at: u + Acc.); to hurry (žuriti)
• zvaničanofficial (usually zvanični: zvanična potvrda)
• zvànična pòsetaan official visit
• zvánjea profession (by training); a title, a degree (academic, professional)
• zvȁtito call (imperfective; the person in the Acc.)
• zvȁti seto be called (my name is…)
• zvézdastar
• zvezdicaan asterisk; a little star
• zvonitito ring (of a bell, a phone)
• zvonoa doorbell; a bell
• zvrrbrrring, a rattle (a bell)
• zvučatito sound (zvučiš veselo, you sound cheerful)
• zvȗksound