Yes, no and the essentials in Bulgarian
The small words that carry half of every conversation, and the ones that rescue it. Play the ten Bulgarian 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 Bulgarian phrases in this lesson
- Даdah
- Yes
- Неneh
- No
- Добреdo-BREH
- Okay
- Не разбирамneh raz-BEE-ram
- I don't understand
- Говорите ли английски?go-VO-ri-teh lee an-GLIY-ski
- Do you speak English?
- Може ли да повторите?MO-zheh lee da pov-TO-ri-teh
- Can you repeat that?
- По-бавно, моляpo-BAV-no MO-lya
- Slowly, please
- Какво е това?kak-VO eh to-VA
- What is this?
- Трябва ми...TRYAB-va mi
- I need...
- Можете ли да ми помогнете?MO-zheh-teh lee da mi po-MOG-neh-teh
- Can you help me?
Easy to say, but watch the head movement. Traditionally Bulgarians shake the head sideways for yes and nod for no, the reverse of most of the world. Younger people often use the international way, so trust the word, not the head.
Often softened to "не, благодаря" (no, thanks) when declining an offer. A firm single не is fine with street vendors.
Literally "well" or "good". This is the all-purpose agreement word: okay, fine, deal, sounds good. You will say and hear it constantly.
Your honest escape hatch. Follow it with the next phrase in this lesson and most encounters resolve themselves.
The polite form. In cities and with anyone under forty the answer is usually yes. Asking in Bulgarian first is appreciated and often earns you friendlier service.
Polite form.
Literally "more slowly, please".
Point at the banitsa or anything else in the bakery window.
Literally "to me is needed": "трябва ми лекар" (TRYAB-va mi LEH-kar), I need a doctor.
Polite form.