Bosnian uses two address registers: informal "ti" and formal "Vi" (persiranje). Bosnian forms must match pronoun + verb: "jesi li ti" (informal) and "jeste li Vi" (formal). Mixed forms like "jeste li ti" or "jesi li Vi" are common learner mistakes.
In Bosnian, choosing ti or Vi is not just grammar. It also signals politeness and social distance.
Persiranje means using formal "Vi" to address someone politely (like formal "you"), especially in respectful or professional situations.
Use ti with friends, family, children, and peers when the relationship is informal. Use Vi in formal or respectful situations.
Ti si novi ovdje. (You are new here. (informal))
Vi ste novi ovdje. (You are new here. (formal))
Kako si? (How are you? (informal))
Kako ste? (How are you? (formal))
If you are not sure, start with Vi. Moving from formal to informal is easier than sounding too casual.