Order anything by pointing in Bosnian
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Bosnian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Bosnian phrases in this lesson
- Htio bih...HTI-o bih
- I would like...
- OvoO-vo
- This one
- Koliko košta?KO-li-ko KOSH-ta
- How much is it?
- Račun, molimRA-choon MO-lim
- The bill, please
- KarticomKAR-ti-tsom
- By card
- Gotovinomgo-TO-vi-nom
- In cash
- VodaVO-da
- Water
- KafaKA-fa
- Coffee
- Čajchai
- Tea
- PivoPI-vo
- Beer
- Bez...BEZ
- Without...
Literally "I would want". A woman says "htjela bih" (HTYE-la bih). "Mogu li dobiti...?" (can I get...?) is just as common.
Point and say it. "Ovo, molim" is the polite version.
Essential before committing to anything at a market stall or unlabelled item. Bosnians are generally straightforward about prices. Prices are in convertible marks (KM).
Waiters rarely bring the bill unprompted in Bosnia, so you will need to ask. A 10% tip is expected and appreciated; leave it in cash even if you pay by card.
Ask "mogu li platiti karticom?" (can I pay by card?) before ordering if you are unsure. Smaller establishments and rural areas still prefer cash.
Literally "in ready money." Always have some KM on hand: markets, rural guesthouses, and many coffee bars are cash only. ATMs (bankomati) are common in towns.
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Bosnia. Bottled still water is "negazirana voda" and sparkling is "gazirana voda." Mineral springs are common and water is very cheap.
Bosnian coffee comes in a copper džezva with a sugar cube and rahat lokum. Sip slowly; it is a social event, not a drink.
Local lagers from Sarajevo and Tuzla are everywhere.
"Bez šećera" (bez SHE-che-ra), without sugar; "bez luka" (bez LOO-ka), without onion.