Order anything by pointing in Bulgarian
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. 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 11 Bulgarian phrases in this lesson
- Бих искал...bih IS-kal
- I would like...
- Товаto-VA
- This one
- Колко струва?KOL-ko STROO-va
- How much is it?
- Сметката, моляSMET-ka-ta MO-lya
- The bill, please
- С картаs KAR-ta
- By card
- В бройv BROY
- In cash
- Водаvo-DA
- Water
- Кафеka-FEH
- Coffee
- Чайchai
- Tea
- БираBEE-ra
- Beer
- Без...bez
- Without...
Literally "I would want". A woman says "бих искала" (bih IS-ka-la). In practice "един кафе, моля" works fine.
Point and say it. At the deli counter, това plus a flat hand gesture for "about this much" completes the entire transaction.
Ask this before committing at markets and kiosks. For a total of several things: "колко общо?" (KOL-ko OB-shto), how much altogether.
In Bulgaria the bill does not come until you ask for it, ever. Catch the waiter's eye and say this, or mime signing in the air, which is universally understood.
Ask "с карта може ли?" (can I pay by card?). Cards are accepted almost everywhere in cities now, but small village shops and market stalls are often cash only.
The waiter may ask "в брой или с карта?" (cash or card?). Now you can answer either way.
In restaurants specify: минерална (mineral) or обикновена (regular). Tap water is safe in most of the country.
Espresso is the default. Coffee is ordered all day, often with a glass of water.
Herbal tea is the default. Ask for черен чай (CHEH-ren chai) for black tea.
Local lagers are cheap. A large draft is "голяма наливна" (go-LYA-ma na-LEEV-na).
"Без захар" (bez ZA-har), without sugar; "без лед" (bez led), without ice.