05 / Frazeološki vodič
Bolgarske fraze za novince
Kratek, vljuden in uporaben začetni paket — za kavarne, taksije in migracijski urad.
Hello
Formal / polite. Default opener.
Здравейте
ZDRAH-vey-teh
Hi
Informal, for friends.
Здрасти
ZDRAS-tee
Please
Use freely. Bulgarians do.
Моля
MO-lya
Thank you
Or shorter: 'Мерси' (mer-SEE).
Благодаря
blah-go-dah-RYAH
Yes
Bulgarians traditionally nod for 'no' and shake for 'yes' — always check verbally.
Да
DAH
No
Не
NEH
Excuse me
Use this to start a question with a stranger.
Извинете
iz-vee-NEH-teh
Sorry
Sincere apology.
Съжалявам
su-zha-LYAH-vam
I don't understand
Honest. People will switch to English.
Не разбирам
neh raz-BEE-ram
Do you speak English?
Polite form.
Говорите ли английски?
go-VO-ree-teh lee an-GLEE-skee
The bill, please
In restaurants and cafes.
Сметката, моля
SMET-ka-tah MO-lya
How much is this?
Shopping essential.
Колко струва това?
KOL-ko STROO-vah to-VAH
Where is the metro?
Substitute 'метрото' with 'тоалетната' (toilet) etc.
Къде е метрото?
ku-DEH eh me-TROH-toh
I'd like a coffee
Literally 'one coffee, please'.
Едно кафе, моля
ed-NOH ka-FEH MO-lya
Good morning
Until ~10am.
Добро утро
do-BROH OO-troh
Good evening
After ~6pm.
Добър вечер
DO-bur VEH-cher
Goodbye
Formal exit.
Довиждане
do-VEEZH-dah-neh
See you!
Informal, friendly.
Чао
CHAH-o
Two cultural notes worth knowing
Nodding is not always yes. Bulgarians traditionally shake their head for "yes" and nod for "no". Younger generations are increasingly using Western gestures, but always confirm verbally. It will save you exactly one painful misunderstanding.
'Мерси' is fine. French "merci" entered Bulgarian as the casual thank-you. Don't worry about not pronouncing "Благодаря" perfectly on day one.