Postati

Postati is a verb used in several South Slavic languages, most notably Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin, with a related form in Slovenian. It means to become or to come to be a new state, role, or condition. The verb expresses a completed change and is typically considered perfective, contrasting with imperfective ways of describing a process of becoming.

Etymology and related forms are generally linked to the Proto-Slavic root for the verb “to stand,” with the prefix po- indicating a completed or resulting action. In modern standard varieties, postati combines with a subject and often with a predicative noun, adjective, or phrase: for example, person + postao/postala/postalo (past participle) or present forms such as postajem, postaješ, postaje, postajemo, postajete, postaju.

Grammar and usage: postati denotes a change of state that is completed or achieved. It forms the main verb of predication in sentences like “On je postao profesor” (He became a professor). The past tense is formed with the auxiliary biti and the appropriate past participle: “on je postao” (he became), “ona je postala” (she became). There is an imperfective counterpart in many varieties called postajati, which emphasizes the process of becoming rather than its completion; it is used for ongoing or repeated changes.

Cross-linguistic notes: while the core meaning is consistent, exact conjugation patterns and the availability of imperfective forms vary by language and dialect among Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, Montenegrin, and Slovenian varieties.

Examples: He became a doctor. She has become a leader. He is becoming more confident.