Greetings and politeness in Macedonian
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Macedonian 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 Macedonian phrases in this lesson
- ЗдравоZDRA-vo
- Hello
- Добро утроDOB-ro OO-tro
- Good morning
- Добра вечерDOB-ra VEH-cher
- Good evening
- ЗбогумZBO-gum
- Goodbye
- Се гледамеseh GLEH-da-meh
- See you
- Ве моламveh MO-lam
- Please
- Благодарамbla-GO-da-ram
- Thank you
- Нема на штоNEH-ma na shto
- You're welcome
- Жал ми еzhal mi eh
- Sorry
- Извинетеiz-vi-NEH-teh
- Excuse me
- Мило ми еMI-lo mi eh
- Nice to meet you
The standard all-purpose greeting, usable any time of day with anyone. Macedonians greet warmly and often with eye contact. Perfectly acceptable in shops, restaurants and with strangers.
Used until around midday. Macedonians appreciate time-specific greetings as they signal attentiveness. The double-O in "utro" is a short, rounded sound.
Said arriving anywhere in the evening.
The formal farewell. In casual settings locals often say "Чао" (chow, borrowed from Italian). Збогум carries a slightly final tone, suitable when leaving a shop or hotel.
Literally "we see each other". Збогум (ZBO-goom) sounds more final.
The polite form, right for strangers. To a friend: те молам (teh MO-lam).
Your everyday thank you for small transactions like receiving change, a coffee or directions. Macedonians use this freely and appreciate hearing it from visitors.
Literally "there is nothing to it." The standard polite response to благодарам. Said with a slight wave of the hand in informal settings.
Literally "it is a pity to me", the real apology.
Works both to get attention and to ask someone to let you pass.
Literally "it is pleasant to me." A warm and widely used phrase upon introduction. Often accompanied by a handshake. Women may exchange kisses on the cheek with acquaintances.