moramo

Moramo is the first-person plural present form of the verb morati in Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian. The verb morati functions as a modal auxiliary meaning “to have to” or “must,” and moramo is used to express obligation by the speaker and others included in the “we” subject. It is commonly followed by another verb in the infinitive.

Conjugation in the present tense (examples for all persons):

- ja moram

- ti moraš

- on/ona/ono mora

- mi moramo

- vi morate

- oni/one moraju

Moramo is typically used with an infinitive, as in Moramo ići sada (We must go now) or Moramo učiti za ispit (We must study for the exam). In negation, ne is placed before the verb, as in Ne moramo ići danas (We do not have to go today). In some Serbian varieties, speakers also say Moramo da idemo, using the da-clause form instead of the direct infinitive.

Etymology and classification: morati is a modal verb in the South Slavic languages, and moramo derives from the same root, indicating obligation. The form is standard across Croatian, Bosnian, and Serbian, with minor dialectal variations in usage and sentence structure.

Usage notes: Moramo behaves like a typical modal in combinations with other verbs and does not normally take an autonomous object. It can appear in formal and informal contexts and is frequently used in everyday speech to designate duties, tasks, or obligations that involve the speaker and others.

See also: morati, obligation expressions in South Slavic languages, present tense conjugation patterns for modal verbs.