'''Bulgarian''' is a South Slavic language, thus closer to Serbo-Croatian and Slovenian than to Russian or Polish but still retaining similarities to all. Spoken by over 9.5 million people, it is the national language of Republic of Bulgaria. It is also spoken by Bulgarian minorities in Yugoslavia and the Western Balkans, and Moldova, and language still in use by many immigrants of Bulgarian origin in Argentina, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and U.S.A. Linguists do not agree as to whether Macedonian is a dialect of Bulgarian. Generally Yugoslavs disagree, while Bulgarians say that it is. The spoken languages are mutually intelligible for the most part, although their Cyrillic alphabets have diverged somewhat, with Macedonian's writing system resembling that of Serbo-Croatian.

Most Bulgarian verbs carry inflection suffixes while some modal verbs use different words (typical example, the verb "_____}" / "to be"). There are fewer verb tenses than in English with present, past, past continuous and future being the most commonly used, but the Slavic imperfective and perfective 'aspects' are present. Nouns have three genders, and pronouns have genders. Adjectives must agree with the noun they modify and the first adjective takes the definite article if present. Those familiar with other Balto-Slavic languages will be surprised to discover that the noun cases are missing (except for vocative to a slight degree) and replaced by prepositions and definite articles as post-positions like Romanian and Turkish. Unlike other Slavic languages, the infinitive ha fallen out of use (which always ended in -___y). You may say "_yc_{a_} _so_rop_y___y" (I want to speak) over "_yc_{a_} _ta _so_rop__" and be understood, but the locals may think you're sounding archaic or speaking another Slavic language.

There are separate pronouns for "you": singular '"___y'" ("tee") and the plural "'_r_y_u'" (''vee-eh''). The formal 'you' is the plural form with first letter capitalized ("_B_y_u"). Like all other Slavic languages (as well as the Romance ones), the pronoun is usually ommitted due to context.

Pronunciation guide

Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, and the language is famous for introducing this writing system which Russian, the other East Slavic languages and Serbo-Croatian (and other non-Slavic languages as well) would adopt later, the latter with considerable differences. In general the language is phonetic though there are few sounds denoted by digraphs and few combinations denoted by a single letter.

<pre> Alphabet: _@ _A _B _C _D _E _G _H _I _J _K _L _M _N _O _P _Q _R _S _T _U _V _W _X _Y _Z _[ _] __ _` _p _q _r _s _t _u _w _x _y _z _{ _| _} _~ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ </pre>

Stress is generally unpredictable. Fortunately, most Bulgarian dictionaries and language-books put the accent on the stressed syllable.

Vowels

Unstressed "_p" and "__", "__" and "__", "_u" and "_y" tend to be shorter and weaker compared to their stressed counterparts, approaching each other, though without merging completely.

; a ah : like in f'''a'''ther or c'''a'''r; when at the end of the word sounds like st'''u'''b ; e eh : like in p'''e'''n or att'''e'''nd; it is shorter than in most other Slavic languages, especially Russian. ; _y ee : like in mach'''i'''ne or to b'''e''' ; o oh : like in m'''o'''re or sc'''o'''re; the unstressed "o" is less reduced than it is in Russian. ; __ ooh : like in f'''u'''ll or r'''u'''le ; __ uh : like in '''a'''bout (unstressed) or st'''u'''b (when stressed). Sounds just like the unstressed 'o' in Russian.

Semivowels

; _z y (i-kratko/short i): like in '''y'''es or pla'''y'''

Before a vowel (after another vowel or at the beginning of a word) denotes a diphthong like in "crayon" or "yes". After a vowel at the end of the word similar to English 'y' as in "play" or "fly". Can be used only next to vowels and not before or after a consonant.

Consonants

Voiced consonants at the end of a word are pronounced as voiceless. ; _q b? : like in '''b'''oy or ru'''bb'''ish, on the end of a word pronounced "p" ; _r v? : like in e'''v'''er or '''v'''ineyard, on the end of a word pronounced "f" ; _s g? : like in '''g'''ull or le'''g'''acy, on the end of a word pronounced "k" ; _t d? : like in '''d'''eal or ma'''d'''ness, on the end of a word pronounced "t" ; _w zh? : like in plea'''s'''ure or conclu'''s'''ion, on the end of a word pronounced "sh" ; _x z? : like in '''z'''oo or free'''z'''ing, on the end of a word pronounced "s" ; _{ k? : like in '''k'''ite or ro'''ck''' ; _| l? : like in '''l'''eak or '''l'''ook. Becoming (younger generations in some areas) closer to weak "w" as in sa'''w''' (cf. Polish '''?'''). ; _} m? : like in '''m'''ine or ha'''m''' ; _~ n? : like in '''n'''ote or mo'''n'''key ; __ p? : like in '''p'''ork or com'''p'''ly ; __ r? : slightly to moderately rolled "r" as in Spanish, etc. Like in Spanish pe'''r'''o or ot'''r'''o ; __ s? : like in '''s'''pit or ca'''s'''t ; __ t? : like in '''t'''ime or ligh'''t'''ning ; __ f? : like in '''f'''eed or le'''f'''t ; __ h? : like in '''h'''otel or co'''h'''erent [ usually aspirated similar to 'ck' in "lick"] ; __ ts? : like in '''ts'''unami ; __ ch? : like in '''ch'''eap or ki'''tch'''en ; __ sh? : like in '''sh'''eep or mi'''sh'''ap ; __ sht? : "Sht", as in German "Still" or "Stettin" NOT ''shch'' like in Russian. ; __ ['] : not a sound itself, denotes softening (palatization) of preceding consonant; unlike Russian and other Slavic languages, this is very rarely used and the softening is less dramatic in Bulgarian than in other Slavic languages; ;'''_t_w''' dzh? : like in '''j'''oin or e'''dg'''e

Common diphthongs

; NOTE : Middle or end of words they are: __-ia, _z_u-ie, _z__/__o-io and __-iu ; __ yah : like in '''ya'''cht or German '''Ja''' ; _z_u yeh : like in '''ye'''s or '''ye'''llow ; _z__/__o yoh : like in '''yo'''gurt or co'''yo'''te. The latter is usually stressed ; __ yoo : like in '''you''' or c'''u'''te

Note that '__' and '__' denote diphthongs [yoo] and [yah] after a vowel and at the beginning of a word, and tend to be pronounced 'ia' or 'io' in the middle or end of the word. The soft sign will not be included here as it has been very rarely used since 1945.

Phrase list

Basics

; Hello. : _H_t___p_r_u_z___u. (''zdraveyte'') ; Hello. (''informal, to close friend'') : _H_t___p_r_u_z. (''zdravey'') ; Hi. (''informal, to close friend'') : _H_t___p_____y. (''zdrasti'') ; How are you? : _K_p_{ _____u? (''kak ste?'') ; How are you? (''informal'') : _K_p_{ ___y? (''kak si?'') ; Fine, thank you. : _D___q___u, _q_|_p_s___t_p____. (''dobre, blagodaria'') ; How do they call you? (''informal'') : _K_p_{ ___u _{_p_x_r_p__? (''kak se kazvash?'') ; My name is ______ . : _K_p_x_r_p_} ___u ______ . (''kazvam se _____ .'') ; Nice to meet you. : _P___y_____~__ _}_y _u _t_p ___u _x_p_____x_~_p_u_}. (''priiatno mi e da se zapoznaem'') ; Please. : _M___|__. (''molia'') ; Thank you. : _A_|_p_s___t_p____. (''blagodaria'') ; You're welcome. : _M___|__. (''molia'') ; Yes. : _D_p. (''da'') ; No. : _N_u. (''ne'') ; Excuse me. (''getting attention'') : _I_x_r_y_~_u___u. (''izvinete'') ; Excuse me. (''begging pardon'' or ''formal'') : _M___|__ _t_p _}_u _y_x_r_y_~_y___u. (''molia da me izvinite'') ; I'm sorry. : _R___w_p_|___r_p_}. (''tsazhaliavam'') ; Goodbye : _D___r_y_w_t_p_~_u. (''dovizhdane'') ; Goodbye (''informal'') : _X_p__ / Ciao (Italian). (''chao'') ; I can't speak ''Bulgarian'' [well]. : _@_x _~_u _s___r______ _q___|_s_p_____{_y [_t___q___u]. (''az ne govorya balgarski [dobre]'') ; Do you speak English? (''polite'') : _C___r_____y___u _|_y _p_~_s_|_y_z___{_y? (''govorite li angliiski?'') ; Do you speak English? (''informal'') : _C___r_____y__ _|_y _p_~_s_|_y_z___{_y? (''govorish li angliiski?'') ; Is there someone here who speaks English? : _I_}_p _|_y _~___{___z, _{___z____ _s___r_____y _p_~_s_|_y_z___{_y? (''ima li niakoi, koyto govori angliiski?'') ; Help! : _P___}____! (''pomosht!'') ; Look out! : _B_~_y_}_p_r_p_z! (''vnimavai!'') ; Watch out! : _P_p_x_y ___u! (''pazi se!'') ; Good morning. : _D___q____ ________. (''dobro utro'' or ''dobroutro'') ; Good evening. : _D___q____ _r_u___u__. (''dobar vecher'') ; Good night (''to sleep'') : _L_u_{_p _~____. (''leka nosh'') ; I don't understand. : _N_u ___p_x_q_y___p_}. (''ne razbiram'') ; Where is the toilet? : _K___t_u _u _____p_|_u___~_p___p? (''kade e toaletnata?'') ; Condom : _P___u_x_u___r_p___y_r (''prezervatif'')

Problems

; Go away! : _M_p___p_z ___u! (''makhay se!''). Remember the 'kh' in Bulgarian is not rough, more like English 'ck' in 'brick'. ; Don't touch me! : _N_u _}_u ___y___p_z! (''ne me pipay'') ; I'll call the police. : _Z_u _y_x_r_y_{_p_} _____|_y___y__. (''shte izvikam politsia'') ; Police! : _P___|_y___y__! (''politsia!'') ; Stop! Thief! : _R_____y! _K___p_t_u__! (''spri kradets!'') ; I need your help. : _I_}_p_} _~___w_t_p ____ _____}____. (''imam nuzhda ot pomosh'') ; It's an emergency! : _R___u___u_~ ___|_____p_z! (''speshen sluchay!'') ; I'm lost. : _H_p_s___q_y__ ___u. (''zagubikh se'') ; I lost my bag. : _I_x_s___q_y__ ___y ___p_~___p___p. (''izgubikh si chantata'') ; I lost my wallet. : _I_x_s___q_y__ ___y ___________u_z_|_p. (''izgubikh si portfeyla'') ; I'm sick. : _@_x _____} _q___|_u_~/_q___|_~_p. (''az some bolen/ bolna'') [male/female speaker] ; I've been injured. [bleeding or other externally visible] : _Q_p_~_u_~/_p _____}. (''ranen/ a some'') [male/female] ; I've been injured. [broken bone or less visible, internal] : _K___~_____x_u_~/_p _____} (''kotuzen/ a some'') [male/female] ; I need a doctor. : _I_}_p_} _~___w_t_p ____ _|_u_{_p__. (''imam nuzhda ot lekar'') ; Can I use your phone, please? : _I_x_r_y_~_u___u, _}___s_p _|_y _t_p _____|_x_r_p_} ___u_|_u_____~_p _ra__a? (''izvinete, moga li da polzvam telefona vasha?/''). alternate: _}___s_p _|_y _____|_x_r_p___y _ra__a ___u_|_u_____~_p? (moga li polzvati vasha telefona).

Numbers

There are longer 'formal' versions of the numbers after 10, but they are not normally used in spoken Bulgarian, even on television or by highly educated people such as university professors and literary people. Interestingly, 'thousand' is imported from Greek 'hilyades', not the Slavic 'tisushta' (Russian ''tysyacha'').

The 'people' versions of numbers are used for instance in a restaurant. ''How many people? Three.'' _K___|_{__ _t_____y ___u _q___t_u? _S___y_}_p. (KOHL-koh DOO-shee shteh BUH-de? TREE-mah)

; 0 : _~___|_p (''NOO-lah'') ; 1 : _u_t_y_~ (''eh-DEEN'') [m.] _u_t_~_p/_u_t_~__ [fem./neut.] (''ehd-NAH''/''ehd-NOH'') ; 2 : _t_r_p (''dvah'') [m.] _t_r_u (''dveh'') [fem. & neut.]. Referring to people: _t_r_p_}_p (''DVAH-mah'') ; 3 : _____y (''_gtree_h'') (but remember to roll the "r"!) [m./f./n. all same]. Referring to people: _____y_}_p (''TREE-mah'') ; 4 : ___u___y___y (''CHEH-tee-ree'') Referring to people: ___u___y___y_}_p (''cheh-TEE-ree-mah'') ; 5 : ___u__ (''peht'') ; 6 : ___u____ (''shehss'') (barely audible "t") ; 7 : ___u_t_u_} (''SEH-dehm'') ; 8 : _____u_} (''OH-sehm'') ; 9 : _t_u_r_u__ (''DEH-veht'') ; 10 : _t_u___u__ (''DEH-seht'') ; 11 : _u_t_y_~_p_z___u__ (formal '_u_t_y_~_p_t_u___u__') (''eh-dee-NIGH-seht'') ; 12 : _t_r_p_~_p_z___u__ (formal '_t_r_p_~_p_t_u___u__') (''dvah-NIGH-seht'' or ''dvah-NIGH-seh'') ; 13 : _____y_~_p_z___u__ (etc.) (''tree-NIGH-seh(t)'') etc. ; 14 : ___u___y___y_~_p_z___u__ (''che-tee-ree-NIGH-seh'') ; 15 : ___u___~_p_z___u__ (''peht-NIGH-seh'') ; 16 : ___u_____~_p_z___u__ (''shehss-NIGH-seh'') ; 17 : seventeen (''seh-dehm-NIGH-seh'') ; 18 : eighteen (''oh-sehm-NIGH-seh'') ; 19 : nineteen (''deh-veht-NIGH-seh'') ; 20 : _t_r_p_z___u__ (''DVIGH-seh(t)'') ; 21 : _t_r_p_z___u__ _y _u_t_~__ (''DVIGH-s(eh) ee ehd-NOH'') ; 22 : _t_r_p_z___u__ _y _t_r_p (''DVIGHS ee DVAH'') ; 23 : _t_r_p_z___u__ _y _____y (''DVIGHS ee TREE'') ; 30 : _____y_z___u__ (''TREE-seh(t)'') ; 40 : ___u___y___y_z___u__ (''cheh-TEE-ree-seh'') ; 50 : ___u___t_u___u__ (''peh-deh-SEH(Y)'') ; 60 : ___u_____t_u___u__ (''shehss-SEH(Y)'') ; 70 : ___u_t_u_}_t_u___u__ (''seh-dehm-deh-SEH(Y)'') ; 80 : _____u_}_t_u___u__ (''oh-sehm-deh-SEH(Y)'') ; 90 : _t_u_r_u___t_u___u__ (''deh-veh-deh-SEH(Y)'') ; 100 : ______ (''stoh'') ; 157 : ______ ___u___t_u___u__ _y ___u_t_u_} (''STOH PEH-deh-seh i SEH-dehm'') ; 200 : _t_r_u_____p (''DVEH-stah'') ; 231 : _t_r_u_____p _____y_z___u__ _y _u_t_~__ (''DVEH-stah TREEY-seh i ehd-NOH'') ; 300 : _____y_____p (''TREE-stah'') ; 400 : ___u___y___y_________y_~ (''CHEH-tee-ree STOH-teen'') ; 500 : ___u___________y_~ (''PEHT-stoh-tin'') ; 600 : ___u_____________y_~ (''SHEST-stoh-tin'') ; 700 : ___u_t_u_}_________y_~ (''SEH-dehm-stoh-tin'') ; 800 : _____u_}_________y_~ (''OH-sehm-stoh-tin'') ; 900 : _t_u_r_u___________y_~ (''DEH-veht-stoh-tin'') ; 1000 : ___y_|___t_p (''heel-YAH-dah'') ; 2000 : _t_r_u ___y_|___t_y (''DVEH HEEL-yah-dee'') ; 1,000,000 : _u_t_y_~ _}_y_|_y___~ (''eh-DEEN mee-lee-OHN'') ; 1,000,000,000 : _u_t_y_~ _}_y_|_y_p___t (''eh-DEEN mee-lee-AHRD'') [one billion (USA)] ; 1,000,000,000,000 : _u_t_y_~ _q_y_|_y___~ (''eh-DEEN bee-lee-OHN'') [one trillion (USA)] ; number _____ (''of train, bus, etc.'') : _~___}_u__ _____ (''_x_p _r_|_p_{____, _p_______q_____p__, _y __._~.'') (''NOH-mehr'') (almost sounds like _gnowhere_h) ; the number _____ : _~___}_u______ _____ (''NOH-mehr-uht'') ; half : _____|___r_y_~ (''poh-loh-VEEN'') ; less : _____}_p_|_{__ (''POH-mahl-koh'') secondary stress on 'mal' ; more : _____r_u___u (''POH-veh-cheh'') other syllables unstressed

Time

Clock time

; What time is it? : _Ko_|_{o e __ac____? (''KOHL-koh eh chah-SUH?'') ; It's....in the morning/afternoon. : .... ___pc____ _________y_~/c_|e_t o_qe_t. (''...chah-SUH SOO-treen/sled-OH-beht'')

Days

; Monday : _____~_u_t_u_|_~_y_{ (''puh-nyeh-DEHL-nyeek'') ; Tuesday : _r__op_~_y_{ (''FTOHR-nyeek'') ; Wednesday : cp___ta (''SRYAH-dah'') ; Thurday : __e___r__p_____{ (''cheht-VUHR-tuhk'') ; Friday : __e_____{ (''PEH-tuhk'') ; Saturday : c___qo__a (''SUH-boh-tah'') ; Sunday : _~_u_t_u_|__ (''neh-DEHL-yuh'')

; Today : _t_~_u__ (''dness'') ; Tomorrow : _______u (''OO-tre'') ; Yesterday : _r___u___p (''FCHEH-rah'')

Months

; January : ___~yap_y (''yah-noo-AH-ree'') ; February : __e_rpyap_y (''feh-vroo-AH-ree'') ; March : _}ap__ (''mahrt'') ; April : a__p_y_| (''ah-PREEL'') ; May : _}a_z (''migh'') ; June : ___~_y (''YOO-nee'') ; July : ___|_y (''YOO-lee'') ; August : a_r_syc__ (''AHV-goost'') ; September : ce____e_}_rp_y (''sehp-TEHM-vree'') ; October : o_{__o_}_rp_y (''ohk-TOHM-vree'') ; November : _~oe_}_rp_y (''noh-EHM-vree'') ; December : _te_{e_}_rp_y (''deh-KEHM-vree'')

; Month/s : _}_u___u__/_y (''meh-sehts/ee'')

Writing time and date

Bulgarian uses 'military' time, as is standard in European countries, often with a period instead of colon and with '__.' [for 'chahSUH', 'hour'] following (i.e. 1:00 p.m. is 13.00 __., 9:47 a.m. is 09.47 __.) In writing or when speaking of official times, such as concerts, plays or transportation, the 24-hour clock is always used, in speech the 12-hour clock is sometimes used when there is little possibility for misunderstanding.

Clock time is a bit beyond the scope of a phrasebook in complexity for most languages, but in Bulgarian, the minutes can be referred to in half-hours or specific minutes. In addition, constructions such as "a quarter to six" are used (literally "6 minus 15").

The 'T' in 'chah-SUHT' (o'clock ''___p______'') may only be pronounced if it is the beginning of the sentence, and usually not then unless the speaker is trying to be especially official. The 'V' meaning 'in [time]' or 'at [o'clock]' is usually pronounced 'F' before vowels and if there is difficulty or confusion is pronounced with an extra syllable like 'vuhf' or 'vuv' (depending on the following letter). This is displayed in the examples below.

; time : _r___u_}_u (''VREH-meh'') [n.b. also means 'weather'] ; morning : _________y_~ (''SOO-treen'') ; a.m./in the morning : _________y_~___p (''soo-treen-TAH'') ; mid-day/noon : ___q_u_t (''OH-beht'') more vague than in English; approximately 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. ; afternoon : ___|_u_t___q_u_t (''slehd-O-beht'') after 2:00 p.m. ; evening : _r_u___u__ (''VEH-chehr'') starting around 5:00 p.m. ; p.m./in the evening : _r_u___u_____p (''veh-chehr-TAH'') ; night : _~____ (''nohsht'') after 10:00 p.m. but going until around 2:00 a.m. (literally 2 in the morning is expressed '2 in the night') ; at night : _____u_x _~_______p (''prehz nohsht-TAH'')

; What time is it? : _Ko_|_{__ e __ac____? (''KOHL-koh eh chah-SUH?'') ; The time is ... : _X_p______ _u ... (''chah-SUH eh ...'') ; [It's] ... in the morning/afternoon. : ... __ac____ _________y_~___p/___|_u_t___q_u_t. (''... cha-SUH soo-treen-TAH/slehd-O-beht'') ; At 8:00 a.m. [in the morning] : _B 08.00 __. [_________y_~___p] (''FOH-sehm chah-SUH [soo-treen-TAH]'') ; At 5:45 p.m. [in the afternoon] : _B 17.45 __./_B 05:45 ___|_u_t___q_u_t (''vuhf seh-dem-NIGH-seh ee cheh-tee-rees ee peht chah-SUH'' or ''vuhf PEHT/FPEHT ee cheh-TEE-rees ee peht sled-OH-beht'') ; At a quarter to 8 p.m. : _B _____u_} _q_u_x ___u___~_p_z___u__ _r_u___u_____p(''FOH-sehm behz peht-NIGH-seht veh-chehr-TAH'') ; At a 7:45 p.m. : _B ___u_t_u_} _y ___u___y___y___u__ _y ___u__ _q_u_x ___u___r______ _r_u___u_____p (''vuf SEH-dehm ee cheh-tee-rees ee peht veh-chehr-TAH'') ; At a quarter past 09:00 [a.m.] : _B 09.15 __./_B _t_u_r_u__ _y ___u___r______ (''vuhv DEH-veht ee cheht-VUHRT'') ; At 13:30 [1:30 p.m.] : _B 13.30/_B _____y_~_p_z___u__ _y _____|___r_y_~_p (''ftree-NIGH-seht ee poh-loh-VEE-nah'') ; The train departs at 11:17 [a.m.] : _B_|_p_{____ _x_p_}_y_~_p_r_p _r 11.17 [_u_t_y_~_p_z___u__ _y ___u_t_u_}_~_p_z___u__ (_}_y_~_____y)] (''VLAH-kuht zah-mee-NAH-vah feh-dee-NIGH-seht ee seh-dehm-NIGH-set [mee-NOO-tee]'')

; second/s : ___u_{___~_t_p/_y (''seh-KOOND-ah/ee'') ; minute/s : _}_y_~_____p/_}_y_~_____y (''mee-NOO-tah/mee-NOO-tee'') ; hour/s : ___p__/___p___p (''chahss/CHAH-suh'') ; o'clock : ___p______ (''chah-SUH[T]'') ; day/s : _t_u_~/_t_u_~_p (''dehn/deh-nuh'') ; week/s : ___u_t_}_y___p/___u_t_}_y___y (''SEHD-mee-tsah/SEHD-mee-tsee'') ; month/s : _}_u___u__/_p (''MEH-sets/ah'') ; year/s : _s___t_y_~_p/_s___t_y_~_y (''goh-DEE-nah/goh-DEE-nee'')

Dates

Dates are spoken using ordinal numbers, i.e. January first, 2008 is literally 'First January, 2008'. The order is European: Day, Month, Year. The month is sometimes expressed in Roman numerals. Names of days and months are not capitalized (unless at the beginning of a sentence).

; date : _t_p___p (''DAH-tah'') ; day [of the week] : _t_u_~ (''dehn'') ; Monday, January 1, 2008 : _P___~_u_t_u_|_~_y_{, 1. ___~___p___y, 2008/1.I.2008 (''poh-neh-DEHL-neek PUHR-vee yah-noo-AH-ree dvah HEEL-yah-dee ee OH-sma'') ; What date is it today? : _Ko__ _ta___p e _t_~ec? (''koh-YAH DAH-tah eh dnehss?'') ; What day is today? : _K___z _t_u_~ _u _t_~_u__? (''koy DEHN eh dnehss?'')

Seasons

; season/seasons : ___u_x___~/_y (''seh-ZOHN/ee'') ; the seasons of the year : _s___t_y___~_y _r___u_}_u_~_p (''goh-DEESH-nee vreh-meh-NAH'') ; summer : _|____o (''LYAH-toh'') ; in the summertime : _____u_x _|____o____ (''prez LYAH-toh-toh'') ; autumn : ece_~ (''EH-sehn'') ; in autumn : _____u_x ece_~___p (''prez eh-sehn-TAH'') ; winter : _x_y_}a (''ZEE-mah'') ; in winter : _____u_x _x_y_}a___p (''prez ZEE-mah-tah'') ; spring : ____o_|e__ (''PROH-leht'') ; in springtime : _____u_x ____o_|e_____p (''prez proh-leht-TAH'')

Colors

As all adjectives in Bulgarian do, colors come in three varieties, masculine, feminine and neuter to agree with the noun they are modifying. This will be shown (example 'black') as follows: ___u___u_~/___u___~_p/__ meaning ___u___u_~/___u___~_p/___u___~__ (''CHEH-rehn/CHEHR-nah/CHEHR-noh'').

; black : ___u__e_~/___u___~_p/__ (''CHEH-rehn/CHEHR-nah/CHEHR-noh'') ; white : _q___|/_p/__ (''BYAHL/-ah/-oh'') ; gray : ___y_r/___y_r_p/___y_r__ (''sif/SIV-ah/SIV-oh'') ; red : ___u___re_~/_p/__ (''chehr-VEHN/-ah/-oh'') ; blue : c_y_~/___y_~__/___y_~____ (''sin/SIN-yah/SIN-yoh'') ; yellow : _w___|__/_p/__ (''ZHUHLT/-ah/-oh'') ; green : _xe_|e_~/a/o (''zeh-LEHN/-ah/-oh'') ; orange : opa_~_we_r/_p/__ (''oh-RAHN-zhehf/oh-RAHN-zheh-vah/-voh'') ; purple : _|_y_|_p_r/_p/__ (''lih-LAHF/lih-LAH-vah/-voh'') ; pink : _____x___r/_p/__ (''ROH-zohf/ROH-zoh-vah/-voh'') ; brown : _{a_____r/_p/__ (''kah-FYAHF/kah-FYAH-vah/-voh'')

Transportation

; airplane/ airline : ___p_}___|_u__ (''sah-moh-LEHT'') ; taxi : ___p_{___y (''tahk-SEE'') ; train : _r_|_p_{ (''vlahk'') ; truck : _{_p_}_y___~ (''kah-mee-OHN'') ; tram : _____p_}_r_p_z (''trahm-vah-EE'') ; trolley : _______|_u_z_q____ (''troh-lee-BOOS'') ; bus : _p_r_____q____ (''ahf-toh-BOOS'') ; car : _{___|_p (''koh-LAH'') ; ferry : ___u___y_q____ (''feh-ree-BOHT'') ; ship : _{_____p_q (''KOH-rahb'') ; boat : _|___t_{_p (''LOHD-kah'') ; helicopter : ___u_|_y_{_______u__ (''kheh-lee-kohp-TEHR'') ; bicycle : _r_u_|_____y___u_t (''veh-loh-see-PEHD'') ; motorcycle : _}_________y_{_|_u__ (''moh-toh-tsee-KLEHT'')

Bus and train

; Where's the bus/trolley stop? : _K___t_u e c___yp_{a___p _~_p a_r__o_qyca/_____p_}_r_p__? (''kuh-DEH eh SPEER-kah-tah nah ahf-toh-BOOS-uh/trahm-VIGH-uh?'') ; Which bus/trolley goes to ...? : _Ko_z a_r__o_qyc/_____p_}_r_p_z o___y_ra _t__ ...? (''KOY ahf-toh-BOOS/trahm-VIGH oh-TEE-vah doh ...?'') ; Does this bus/trolley go to ...? : To_x_y a_r__o_qyc/_____p_}_r_p_z o___y_ra _|_y _to ...? (''TO-zi ahf-toh-BOOS/trahm-VIGH oh-TEE-vah lee doh ...?'') ; Which line takes me to ...? : C _{o__ _|_y_~_y__ __e c___y_s_~a _to ...? (''skoh-YAH LEE-nee-yah shteh STEEG-nuh doh ...?'') ; What's the next station? : _Ko__ e c_|e_t_ra__a__a c__a_~___y__ (''koh-YAH eh SLEHD-vah-shtah-tah STAHN-tsee-yah?'') ; Is this the right platform for ...? : To_r_p _|_y e __epo_~____ _xa ...? (''toh-VAH lee eh peh-ROH-nuh zah ...?'')

Directions

; How do I/we get to _____ by bus/subway/train? : _K_p_{ _t_p _____y_s_~_p/_____y_s_~_u_} _t__ _____ __ _p_r_____q____/_}_u______/_r_|_p_{? (''kahk da STEEG-nuh/STEEG-nehm doh _____ sahf-toh-BOOS/smeh-TROH/zvlahk?'') ; ...the main train station? : ...___u_~_____p_|_~_p _s_p___p? (''tsehn-TRAHL-nah GAH-rah?'') ; ...the bus station? : ..._p_r_____s_p___p? (''...AHF-toh-gah-rah?'') ; ...the airport? : ..._|_u___y___u____? (''leh-TEE-shteh-toh?'') ; ...the center? : ...___u_~_______p? (''TSEHN-tuh-ruh?'') ; ...the _____ hostel? : _________u_| ______? (''hoh-stel ______?'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ..._______u_| _____? (''hoh-TEHL _____?'') ; ...the university? : ...___~_y_r_u_____y___u___p? (oo-nee-vehr-see-TEH-tuh'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British embassy? : ..._@_}_u___y_{_p_~___{______/_K_p_~_p_t___{______/_@_r_______p_|_y_z___{______/_A___y___p_~___{______ _________|_____r__? (''ah-meh-ree-KAHN-skoh-toh/kah-NAHD-skoh-to/ahf-strah-LEEY-skoh-toh/bree-TAHN-skoh-toh poh-SOHLST-voh'') ; Where are there a lot of... : _K___t_u _y_}_p _}_~___s__... (''kuh-DEH EE-mah MNOH-goh...'') ; ...hotels? : ..._______u_|_y? (''...hoh-TEH-lee?'') ; ...restaurants? : ...___u_________p_~___y? (''...reh-stoh-RAHN-tee'') ; ...bars? : ..._q_p_____r_u/_{_______}_y? (''...BAH-roh-veh/KRUHCH-mee'') A bar is typical international-style while a 'kruchma' is more like a pub. ; ...the sights to see? : ..._x_p_q_u_|_u_w_y___u_|_~_______y? (''...zah-beh-leh-ZHEE-tehl-nohs-tee?'') ; Can you show me on the map? : _M___w_u___u _|_y _t_p _}_y _____{_p_w_u___u _~_p _{_p_____p___p? (''MOH-zheh-teh lee dah mee poh-KAH-zhe-teh nah KAHR-tah-tah?'') ; street : ___|_y___p (''OO-leet-sah'') ; boulevard : _q___|_u_r_p___t (''boo-leh-VAHRD'') ; highway (major road) : _______u (''shoh-SEH'') ; square : ___|_____p_t (''plohsh-TAHD'') ; park : ___p___{ (''pahrk'') ; Turn left. : _H_p_r_y_z___u _~_p_|___r__. (''zah-VEEY-teh nah-LYAH-voh'') ; Turn right. : _H_p_r_y_z___u _~_p_t_____~__. (''zah-VEEY-teh nah-DYAHS-noh'') ; on the left : _r_|___r__ (''VLYAH-voh'') ; on the right : _r_t_____~__ (''VDYAHS-noh'') ; straight ahead : _~_p_____p_r__ (''nah-PRA-voh'') ; towards _____ : _{___} _____ (''kuhm'') ; past _____ : ___|_u_t _____ (''slehd'') ; before _____ : _____u_t _____ (''prehd') ; across (from)/opposite : _____u____ (''sreh-SHTOO'') ; Look for _____. : _S_______u___u _____. (''tuhr-SEH-teh'') ; the traffic-light : ___r_u_______p___p (''sveh-toh-FAH-ruh'') ; detour : _____{_|___~_u_~_y_u (''oht-kloh-NEH-nee-eh'') ; intersection : _{___________r_y___u/_____u___u___{_p (''kruh-STOH-veesh-teh/preh-SEHCH-kah'') ; to the north : _~_p ___u_r_u__ (''nah SEH-vehr'') ; to the south : _~_p ___s (''nah YOOK'') ; to the east : _~_p _y_x_____{ (''nah EES-tohk') ; to the west : _~_p _x_p___p_t (''nah ZAH-paht'') ; uphill : _~_p _s_____u (''nah GOH-reh'') ; downhill : _~_p _t___|__ (''nah DOH-loo'')

Taxi

In Bulgaria, the customer is not always right. At a taxi stand, you must first ask the driver if he/she will take you where you want to go. If the window is closed, open the front passenger door to ask. You also do not need to take the first taxi in the stand. If there is a company you prefer, walk to that taxi or check the prices on the windows. If there is no one in any of the taxis but you see people standing (talking, waiting, smoking) nearby, you can ask them to be taken the same way (second phrase) and one will accept.

; Taxi! : _S_p_{___y! (''tahk-SEE'') ; Can you take me/us to _____? : _Z_u _}___w_u _|_y _t__ _____? (''shte MOH-zhe lee doh _____?'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : _K___|_{__ _________r_p _t__ _____? (''KOHL-koh STROO-vah doh _____?'') ; Is there a driver here? : _I_}_p _|_y _~___{___z _t_p _{_p___p ___p_{___y? (''EE-mah lee NYAH-koy dah KAH-rah tahk-SEE?'')

Lodging

; Where's a_____? : _K___t_u _y_}_p_____? (''KUH-deh EE-mah'') ; cheap hotel : _u_r___y_~ _______u_| (''EHF-teen KHOH-tehl'') ; good hotel : _____q_p_r _______u_| (''KHOO-bahf KHOH-tehl'') ; nearby hotel : _______u_| _~_p_q_|_y_x__ (''KHOH-tehl nah-BLEE-zoh'') ; clean hotel : ___y____ _______u_| (cheest KHOH-tehl'') ; Do you have any rooms available? : _I_}_p___u _|_y ___r___q___t_~_y _____p_y? (''EE-mah-teh lee svoh-BOHD-nee STAI'')

Money

; money : ___p___y (''paRI'') ; coins : _}___~_u___y (''moNEti'') ; credit card : _{___u_t_y___~_p _{_p_____p (''KREditna KARti'') ; bankdraft : _q_p_y_{___r _____u_r___t _x_p___y__ (''BANkov PREvoDZApis'') ; banknotes : _q_p_~_{_~_____y (''bankNOti'') ; exchange : _r_p_|_____~_p ___q_}___~_p (''vaLUtna OBMIAna'') ; loose change : ___p___y _~_p _t___u_q_~__ (''paRI na DREbno'') ; signature : _____t___y__ (''PODpis'')

; I want to exchange some : _I___{_p_} _t_p ___q_}_u_~__ (''ISkam da obmeNIA'') ; ...money. : ...___p___y. (''...paRI'') ; ...travellers cheques. : ..._______~_y___u___{_y ___u_{___r_u. (''...PUHtnicheski CHEkove'') ; What's the exchange rate? : _{_p_{___r e ___q_}_u_~_~_y____ _{______? (''kaKUHF e oBMEHnia kurs?'')

Eating

; Where's the nearest restaurant? : _K___t_u _u _~_p_z-_q_|_y_x_{_y____ ___u_________p_~__? (''kuhde e nayblzkiiat restorant?'') ; Can I see the menu? : _M___w_u _|_y _t_p _r_y_t__ _}_u_~______? (''mozhe li da vidia meniuto?'') ; What can you recommend? (to the waiter/ waitress) : _K_p_{_r__ _}_y _____u___________r_p___u? (''kakvo mi preporuhchvate?'') ; Something to eat/ to drink, please. : _N_u____ _x_p ___t_u_~_u/___y_u_~_u, _}___|__. (''neshto za yadene/ piene, molia'') ; What would you like, please? ( from waiter/ waitress ) : _K_p_{_r__ ___q_y___p___u, _}___|__? (''kakvo obichate, molia?'') ; I'd like...? : _M___|__, _t_p_z___u _}_y...? (''molia, dayte mi...?'') ; coffee : _{_p___u (''kafe'') ; wine : _r_y_~__ (''vino'')

Shopping

; How much is it? : _K___|_{__ _________r_p? (''KOLko STRUva?'') ; What is this? : _K_p_{_r__ _u _____r_p? (''KAKvo e TOva?'') ; I'll buy it. : _Z_u _s__ _{______. (''Shte go kupia'') ; Give me that one. : _D_p_z___u _}_y ___~___r_p. (''Daite mi onova'') ; I would like to buy ... : _I___{_p_} _t_p _{______... (Iskam da kupia...) ; Do you accept credit cards? : _P___y_u_}_p___u _|_y _{___u_t_y___~_y _{_p_____y? (''priEmate li KREditni KARti?'') ; Do you have...? : _I_}_p___u _|_y...? (''Imate li...?'') ; shampoo. : ___p_}_____p_~. (''shampoAN'') ; toilet paper. : _____p_|_u___~_p ___p___y__. (''toaLETna kharTIa'') ; soap. : ___p_____~. (''saPUN'')

Driving

; Where can I hire a car? : _K___t_u _}___s_p _t_p _~_p_u_}_p _{___|_p? (''kuh-DEH MOH-ghah dah nah-EH-mah koh-LAH'') ; How much is it daily/weekly? : _K___|_{__ _________r_p _~_p _t_u_~/ _~_p ___u_t_}_y___p? (''KOHL-koh STROO-vah nah dehn/ nah SEHD-mee-tsah?'')

Authority

<!--; I haven't done anything wrong. : I haven't done anything wrong. (''NISH-to ne sum STOH-ril'') ; It was a misunderstanding. : It was a misunderstanding. (''...'') ; Where are you taking me? : Where are you taking me? (''...'') ; Am I under arrest? : Am I under arrest? (''...'') ; I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (''...'') ; I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (''...'') ; I want to talk to a lawyer. : I want to talk to a lawyer. (''...'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : Can I just pay a fine now? (''...'')-->

Asking about language

; How do you say _____ in Bulgarian? : _K_p_{ ___u _{_p_x_r_p _____ _~_p _q___|_s_p_____{_y? (''KAHK seh KAHZ-vah _____ nah BUHL-gahr-skee?'') ; What is this/that called? : _K_p_{ ___u _{_p_x_r_p _____r_p? (''KAHK seh KAHZ-vah toh-VAH?'') ; What is that? : _K_p_{_r__ _u _____r_p? (''kahk-VOH eh toh-VAH?'')

Learning more

  • [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Bulgarian Bulgarian Wikibook]
  • [http://sa.dir.bg/ online dictionary]