Essential Bulgarian Words for Beginners

Legend has it that the great and mighty gladiator Spartacus was born in what is now known as Bulgaria. I guess that makes him Bulgarian, right? Well, history says he was born in the Thrace region, which is modern-day Bulgaria, so yeah he is Bulgarian!

Bulgaria is tucked away in the Balkans of Southeastern Europe, bordered by Greece and Turkey. It’s the kind of country that looks like a postcard from every single angle. It’s got everything: ancient castles, jagged mountains, and crystal-clear glacial lakes. You can also visit the colorful Rila Monastery (named after the hermit John of Rila), the "flying saucer" looking Buzludzha Monument, or the ancient streets of Plovdiv.

But before you go exploring these postcard views, you'll probably want to know how to talk to the locals. After all, you can't exactly ask Spartacus for directions!

Warning: In Bulgaria, nodding your head means “no” and shaking your head means “yes.”

• hello: Здравейте (zdraveĭte)
• bye: Чао (chao)
• goodbye: Довиждане (dovizhdane)
• see you tomorrow: До утре (do utre)
• see you soon: Доскоро (doskoro)
• good morning: Добро утро (dobro utro)
• good afternoon: Добър ден (dobŭr den)
• good evening: Добър вечер (dobŭr vecher)
• good night: Лека нощ (leka nosht)
• yes: Да (da)
• no: Не (ne)
• please: Моля (molya)
• thank you: Благодаря (blagodarya)
• you’re welcome: Моля (molya)
• excuse me: Извинете (izvinete)
• sorry: Съжалявам (sŭzhalyavam)
• I don’t know: Не знам (ne znam)
• happy birthday: Честит рожден ден (chestit rozhden den)
• how much does it cost: Колко струва (kolko struva)
• how are you: Как си (kak si)
• where is the bathroom: Къде е тоалетната (kŭde e toaletnata)
• what is your name: Как се казваш (kak se kazvash)
• I love you: Обичам те (obicham te)