Igrati

Igrati is the infinitive of a verb meaning “to play” in several South Slavic languages, including Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, and Slovenian. It is used to describe playing a game or sport, and in some contexts can also appear with a reflexive form, igrati se, meaning to play around or to joke.

Etymology and forms: Igrati derives from Proto-Slavic *igrati, connected to the noun igra meaning game. In present tense, the verb follows a regular conjugation with the stem igr- and person-specific endings. In Croatian, Serbian, and Bosnian, forms include igram, igraš, igra, igramo, igrate, igraju. In Slovenian, the corresponding forms are igram, igraš, igra, igramo, igrate, igrajo.

Usage: The verb commonly takes a direct object to name the activity, for example igram nogomet (I play football), igram šah (I play chess), or igram tenis. The non-reflexive use often implies actively engaging in the game or sport. The reflexive igrati se means to play around, to mess about, or to joke with someone. Related lexical items include igra (game), igrač (player), igralište or igrišče (playground), and igračka (toy), all derived from the same root.

Remarks: The exact spelling and pronunciation may vary by language and dialect, but the core meaning and conjugation pattern are widely shared across Croatian, Bosnian, Serbian, and Slovenian. The term is central to everyday language when referring to recreational or competitive activities.

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