Postajam

Postajam is a verb form encountered in some South Slavic languages, most often discussed in the context of the imperfective verb postajati, which means “to become” or “to develop into.” The root conveys ongoing change, as opposed to a completed change, which is typically expressed by the related perfective verb postati. The prefix po- in Slavic verbs can add a sense of movement toward a new state, contributing to the nuance of gradual transformation.

In standard Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian grammar, postajati is the imperfective counterpart to postati, the perfective “to become.” The imperfective form is used to describe processes that unfold over time, while the perfective form emphasizes a change that ends in a new state. The specific first-person present form often discussed in grammars and pedagogy is ja postajem, indicating “I am becoming.” However, usage notes from some dialects and regional varieties indicate that postajam can appear as a first-person present form in certain speech communities, where it functions similarly to ja postajem in meaning.

Usage and nuance: postajam, where it occurs, generally signals ongoing development or gradual change rather than a single, completed event. It can appear in discourse about personal growth, skill development, or evolving circumstances, typically with adjectives or qualifiers that describe the emerging state.

See also: postajati, postati, South Slavic verbs of becoming, aspect in Slavic languages.

Note: While postajam is documented in some dialectal contexts, many speakers rely on the more standard form ja postajem or other regional variants for the present tense.