Meeting people in Bosnian
How are you, what is your name, where are you from, I like it: the first five minutes. 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 10 Bosnian phrases in this lesson
- Kako ste?KA-ko ste
- How are you?
- Dobro, hvalaDOB-ro HVA-la
- I'm fine, thanks
- A vi?a VI
- And you?
- Kako se zovete?KA-ko se zo-VE-te
- What's your name?
- Zovem se...ZO-vem se
- My name is...
- Odakle ste?O-dak-le ste
- Where are you from?
- Ja sam iz...ya sam iz
- I'm from...
- Sviđa mi seSVI-ja mi se
- I like it
- Prelijepo jePRE-li-ye-po ye
- It's beautiful
- DobrodošliDOB-ro-DOSH-li
- Welcome
Use with elders, shopkeepers, and anyone you have just met. Bosnians appreciate the courtesy of being addressed formally before familiarity is established.
The standard polite reply to "kako ste/si." You can add "a vi?" (and you?, formal) or "a ti?" (and you?, casual) to return the question.
Polite. With friends: "a ti?" (a TI).
Formal version. The casual form is "kako se zoveš?" To answer, say "Zovem se..." followed by your name: "zovem se" means "I am called."
Literally "I call myself".
Formal and common. Bosnians are curious and welcoming toward foreigners. Be prepared for follow-up questions about your country; the conversation often opens up quickly.
"Ja sam iz Kanade".
Literally "it pleases me".
Literally "it is very beautiful".
Literally "well come".