If you’re planning a trip to Serbia, this is just what you’re searching for!
It would help if you learned some essential words and expressions when travelling through Serbia.
So let’s teach you ~
Don’t worry; no one expects you to arrive in Serbia fluent in the language, but knowing the essentials will be the difference between a good trip and a terrific one. ‘Speak Serbian so the world understands you,’ as the locals say (translated).
Greetings
Serbs are delightfully talkative, and you’ll hear even the most simple sentences tossed around from dusk till daybreak and beyond. Learn a few to help you stand out from the crowd.
Dobar Dan / Zdravo / Šta ima! (do-BAR dan / ZDRAH-voh / SHTA-ee-ma) — Good Day / Hello / What’s up!
Everyone enjoys saying hello, so master the essential pleasantries to be extra nice while entering stores, cafes, and other establishments. However, only use šta ima! Around friends, as it may cause some confusion in formal settings.
Hvala / Molim (HVAH-lah / MO-leem) — Thank you / Please.
Even if you struggle with your greetings and good days, ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ are the minimum you should memorise. If you want more context, Hvala isn’t a million miles different from ‘et voila’ or ‘koala’.
Zovem se… / Drago mi je (ZOH-vem seh / DRA-go me ye) — My name is… / Pleased to meet you
Nobody will expect you to be able to introduce yourself in Serbian, but surprising people is usually a pleasant sensation. Drago mi je will earn you brownie points with the older generation.
Doviđenja / čao / laku noč (doh-vee-JEH-nyah / CH-ow / LAH-kuh noch) — Goodbye / ciao / good night
You can be excused for the pleasantries, but you should prepare to say ‘goodbye’ properly after a social experience with the Serbs. After all, everyone can speak čao, right?
Jutro / popodne / večer (YOO-troh / POH-pod-ne / VEH-cheh) — Morning / Afternoon / Evening
The sun’s position in the sky, the drink on the table in front of you, or the ever-reliable efficiency of one’s internal clock will likely tell you what time it is. If you still need to, learn these words.
Dobro / Da / Ne (DOH-broh / DA / NE) — Good / yes / no
The absolute bare minimum. Whatever is less than the bare minimum. Serbia might only be for you if you memorise these three words (just four syllables).
Izvini / Izvinite (EEZ-vee-nee / EEZ-vee-nee-teh) — Excuse me / Sorry
We all need to apologise occasionally, and in Serbia, Izvinite is the proper method to convey grief. These are also the most effective ways to get someone’s attention, whether a waiter in a cafe or a stranger on the street.
Kako ste? (KAH-ko steh?) — How are you?
This a simple question, but one with greater significance in Serbia than the rest of the globe. This question will be asked with the same zeal as a ‘hello’ in many regions of the West. It is an invitation to Serbia to make the world right.
Essentials
Serbs can communicate in English, but older generations may be less ready to abandon their native tongue. To make things a little simpler in such instances, remember the following phrases.
Pričati li Engleski? (PREE-cha-tee lee EN-gles-kee?) — Do you speak English?
There are several ways to ask someone if they know English, but this is the friendliest and least formal.
Ne razumem (neh rah-ZOO-mem) — I don’t understand
You don’t speak the language. Therefore you’ll have a hard time understanding everything. Don’t be afraid to state that.
Gde je… (GD-yeh yeh…) — Where is…
If you’re looking for a specific building or location, add the place’s name to the two words above. Sure, there should be some extra grammar, but people will understand what you’re saying.
Koliko je sati? (KOH-lee-koh ye SAH-tee?) — What is the time?
At the very least, it’s a good conversation opener and a good phrase to know. Because of the surge in mobile phone use, it is now obsolete, but it can still help you learn the numbers.
Pomoć (POH-mohch) — Help
The likelihood of you utilising this word is relatively low. We’ve been in Serbia for over a decade and haven’t used it once, but it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Restaurants and Bars
Serbia has plenty of beautiful restaurants and lively bars, and they will most likely consume most of your stay in the nation. You can put yourself ahead of the game with a few key phrases.
Mogu da dobim… (MOH-goo da DOH-beem…) — Can I get…
When ordering in a restaurant or bar, impress your companions by saying this followed by whatever you want to order. I’d like to have only one pivo, rakija, etc.
Koliko je košta? (KOH-lee-koh ye KOH-shta?) — How much does it cost?
Serbia is a developed country, so the cost is always on the menu before you. Still, it’s an excellent question to ponder as you try to decipher the colourful notes of Serbian currency.
Račun (RAH-choon) — Bill
When you’re ready to pay and depart, you’ll request this. You can mix a few sentences here to produce mogu da dobim račun, stunning everyone before parting with a few hundred dinars.
Others
If you have the time and desire, the Serbian language is a rich and complex tongue that is a joy to master. The phrases and terms on this page should get you by on a quick trip to the state, but we can’t advocate a thorough education enough.
Ulaz / Izlaz (OOH-laz / EEZ-laz) — Entrance / Exit
Important words to learn to avoid entering and exiting through the same door.
Guraj / Vuči (GOO-raye / VOO-chee) — Push / Pull
Nobody likes to embarrass themselves by attempting to push a pull door or vice versa.
Otvoreno / Zatvoreno (OHT-voh-reh-no / ZAHT-voh-reh-no) — Open / Closed
It is otvoreno if anything is open. It is zatvoreno if it is closed. Simple.
Muškarci / Žene (MOOHSH-kahr-tsee / ZHEH-neh) — Men / Women
Most of these are to prevent shame, which is the most significant. If you’re looking for the male restrooms, look for the huge M, while women should look for the big Ž.
Učim polako / boliglava (OOH-cheem POH-lah-ko / BOH-lee GLAH-vah) — I’m learning slowly / My head hurts.
To round things out, here are a couple more phrases that have helped us escape tricky situations. Claiming to learn the language demonstrates an interest and appreciation that will be rewarded well, but be sure to learn the language at some point.
Boliglava is one of the classic Balkan catchphrases. Say that once after finishing a meal to emphasise the delicious food. If you repeat it, your hosts will likely summon a doctor (or bring out the rakija).
Numbers
Nula (NOO-lah) / 0
Jedan (YEH-dahn) / 1
Dva (dvah) / 2
Tri (tree) / 3
Četiri (cheh-TEE-ree) / 4
Pet (peht) / 5
Šest (shehst) / 6
Sedam (SEH-dahm) / 7
Osam (OH-sahm) / 8
Devet (DEH-veht) / 9
Deset (DEH-seht) / 10
