Every language has words that cannot be easily translated. Not because similar concepts do not exist in other languages, but because these words carry within them the mentality, humor, experience, and way of life of a particular nation.
The Serbian language is especially rich in such expressions, words that Serbs use in everyday speech and that are difficult for foreigners to understand without extended context and concrete examples. That said, we cannot claim that these words are completely untranslatable, because everything can be explained through context. However, this is a list of words that give foreigners learning Serbian a headache.
Below, we present a selection of Serbian words and expressions that Serbs understand instinctively, while foreigners usually grasp their meaning only after spending a long time in Serbia.
Merak
Merak is a quiet, deep sense of joy.
It is the feeling that everything is just right: the coffee is good, the weather is pleasant, the company is enjoyable, and you feel no need to go anywhere, choosing instead to stay and savor the moment, to enjoy it truly.
Merak is not a planned pleasure, but a state of mind.
It cannot be translated with a single word because it combines satisfaction, inner peace, presence, slow enjoyment of the moment, and the ability to surrender to that enjoyment fully.
From this word come adjectives such as meraklija and the verb meračiti, which is considered a special virtue in Serbia, a skill and sensitivity that are highly valued.
Inat
Inat is not ordinary stubbornness, especially not in Serbia.
For Serbs, it is a key character trait, a conscious decision not to give in at a crucial moment, often against reason and sometimes even to one’s own detriment.
Inat can be:
- defiance
- pride
- an emotional reaction
- a way to preserve dignity
- a form of motivation
- the strongest driver of action
In Serbian culture, inat has an ambivalent meaning. It can be both a virtue and a flaw. Many Serbian writers and historians have written about Serbian inat, and in more recent history, it has been recognized in Serbian athletes, most notably Novak Djokovic, who has often attributed his record-breaking achievements and extraordinary mental strength precisely to Serbian inat.
Hvata zjale
This expression sounds entirely abstract to foreigners.
Hvata zjale means that someone is:
- doing nothing
- wasting time
- avoiding responsibilities
- “killing time”
It does not necessarily mean that the person is lazy. Sometimes it simply means that they are pretending to be busy and doing anything they can to avoid the task in front of them. Alongside this expression, Serbs often use the phrase krade Bogu dane, which has a similar meaning, implying that someone is idling and doing absolutely nothing. This expression more accurately describes a person who is genuinely lazy and hard to motivate.
Bleja
Foreigners tend to associate the verb blejati with the bleating of sheep. Still, in Serbian, bleja is a multifaceted word that refers to time reserved for rest, relaxation with friends, conversation, or having coffee together.
You will often hear Serbs say:
“Come over so we can bleja a bit.”
“What’s up?” “Nothing much, just bleja.”
In everyday Serbian usage, bleja, blejanje, and blejica are rarely associated with animal sounds. Instead, they are almost always connected to leisure, relaxation, and spending carefree time with friends over a beer or coffee.
Kerefeke
Kerefeke refers to:
- small scams
- tricks
- unnecessary complications
- scheming
When a Serb says that something is kerefeke, they usually mean nonsense, pretense, manipulation, or that someone is scheming to deceive them.
Izvodi besne gliste
This expression is closely related to kerefeke, which is why it is mentioned next.
When Serbs say that someone is izvodi besne gliste, it means the person is acting foolishly, showing off, making silly moves, pretending to be someone they are not, and complicating a situation through reckless, unnecessary behavior.
Šušumiga
This is one of the most vivid words in Serbian.
A šušumiga is a person who:
- is lukewarm
- has no firm opinion
- cannot stand up for themselves
- avoids responsibility
They are not necessarily a bad person, but they are not someone you can rely on.
Vrbopuc
In Serbian culture, this expression is associated with the holiday of the Forty Martyrs on March 22, when willows begin to bloom, symbolizing the awakening of desire and the urge for connection, especially during puberty and youth development.
If you hear Serbs say, “Vrbopuc got him,” it means that they have noticed someone behaving more freely, full of passion and inner charge.
Dragička
Dragička is an expression used to introduce good news.
Serbs will say, “Say dragička!” and then announce news that will make the listener happy.
However, as with many things in Serbian, it can also take on an ironic meaning. In that case, dragička may introduce unpleasant news.
The word itself has no independent meaning and serves purely as a conversational cue or introduction to news.
Zauvar
Zauvar means that something being saved or kept will be helpful later. It is used in expressions such as, “I kept some money as zauvar,” meaning that it will come in handy in the future and will be beneficial later on.
The word zauvar itself is untranslatable, but it is used to emphasize that something will have value in the future and that it is good and wise that it exists.
Zazubice
This word reveals a great deal about food culture and social interaction.
When someone pravi zazubice to another person, it means they are awakening someone’s appetite simply by eating in front of them.
For example, if someone is on a diet and another person eats chocolate in front of them, the first might say, “Please don’t make zazubice for me,” meaning do not trigger my craving by eating that in front of me.
Skarabudžiti
Skarabudžiti means:
- to make something quickly
- without order
- improvised
- often with inferior quality
It refers to work that is completed, but done hastily, carelessly, and without much effort.
Vukojebina
A crude but obvious word.
It refers to:
- a remote place
- the middle of nowhere
- a location far from everything
Foreigners tend to learn it quickly because it perfectly describes such situations.
Šalabajzer
A šalabajzer is an unserious person, someone who does not keep their word and cannot be trusted, often resembling a small-time con artist.
They are not necessarily malicious, but they are unreliable and best avoided due to the risk of deception and lies.
Čeljad
Čeljad does not mean just family.
It refers to:
- household members
- people living under one roof
- “all of our people”
The word carries warmth and a strong sense of togetherness. It is frequently used in Serbian and will likely never disappear from the language because it conveys the idea of family and the warmth of home.
A common saying goes: “Where the household is not angry, the house is not too small,” meaning that harmony among people is more critical than physical space.
Jašta
One word, many meanings. It can mean: of course, naturally, obviously, how else could it be, you are absolutely right, yes, that’s true.
Depending on intonation, it can be ironic or friendly. It often serves as a conversational filler, encouraging the speaker to keep talking.
Skočopičiti
A highly vivid word, almost impossible to translate precisely.
It means someone has become extremely cold and stiff from exposure to freezing temperatures.
It can also mean that something has shrunk or tightened to the maximum extent, not necessarily due to cold, but for some other reason.
Šilježe
A regional term for:
- a young lamb
- a young, inexperienced person
It is often used mildly mockingly, but not maliciously.
Lele
Lele is an entirely untranslatable word. It has no literal meaning, but it is a powerful emotional intensifier in conversation. This two-syllable expression conveys surprise, concern, disbelief, and can also be part of a positive reaction when someone sees something beautiful or impressive.
For example:
“Lele, you wrecked the car.”
“Lele, what a beautiful girl.”
Dibidus
A very melodic word, also an emotional intensifier, meaning completely, totally, entirely.
“Dibidus si u pravu” means someone is absolutely right.
It is commonly used in conversation:
“The deal failed, dibidus.”
“He fell in love dibidus.”
Why Serbs Have So Many Untranslatable Words
Serbs have many more untranslatable words than those listed here. We have tried to present the most frequently used ones, but the list is virtually endless. This is because the Serbian language is vivid, rich in irony and multiple meanings, and Serbs are highly skilled at playing with words, giving them new meanings, using sounds from nature, folk expressions, and easily creating new words and phrases.
These words are not learned from dictionaries.
They are picked up in conversation, on the street, around the table, and in everyday situations.
That is why the Serbian language often seems elusive to foreigners, because many of its words do not describe reality itself, but rather an attitude toward it.
