Феномен српске кафане
The Phenomenon of the Serbian Kafana
Why the kafana is a Serbian institution, not just a restaurant: from Europe's first coffee house in 1522 Belgrade to today's checkered tablecloths, ćevapi, rakija, and the live music that defines a night out.
You will practice: Reflexive passive for description (писале су се песме, служи се храна), negation with 'нити', and the past passive participle (отворена, прекривени).
Words to know
Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.
- кафанаkafana (traditional tavern)
- ресторанrestaurant
- институцијаinstitution
- странкаparty (political)
- посаоbusiness, deal, job
- рођенданbirthday
- стоtable
- столњакtablecloth
- хранаfood
- ракијаrakija (fruit brandy)
- музикаmusic
- музичарmusician
- бакшишtip, gratuity
Did you get it?
3 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.
1. What is a kafana, according to the text?
2. Where was the first kafana in Europe opened?
3. What is the most important part of every kafana?
Too hard? Pick an easier text in the Serbian reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.