Are you getting ready to meet your Serbian friends and relatives? Try learning some basic Serbian phrases beforehand, as this will definitely help you build relationships faster.
Don’t worry if you only grasp few Serbian phrases. Locals appreciate it when foreigners use the language. They see it as a sign of respect and appreciation for Serbian culture.
You may wonder how proud Serbs are of their language. There’s even a saying that states you should use Serbian so that everyone can understand you. Pričaj srpski da te ceo svet razume.
Source: www.unsplash.com
Before we look into useful Serbian phrases to learn, you should know some basic communication rules. When you talk to older people or an adult you don’t know, use the 2nd person plural form of the verb, aka formal language. In this way, you show politeness and keep things professional.
On the other hand, use informal language if you communicate with people you’re friends with or are younger than you. In these situations, use the 2nd person singular form of the verb. You’ll find the examples below.
How to Learn Basic Serbian Phrases
Mastering the language takes time and practice. Focus on building up your vocabulary first. Here are some tips for you:
- Practice as much as you can
- Don’t feel nervous to ask for help with vocabulary
- Take any chance to read and listen to the local language
Everyday Serbian Phrases
To help you get started, we have compiled a list of common Serbian phrases you can use in daily communication. Let’s dive in:
Hello in Serbian / Zdravo / Ćao / Dobar dan / Dobro veče
Zdravo (Hello) and Ćao (Hi) are the basic informal greetings. To sound more formal, use Dobar dan, which means Good day, or Dobro veče, which is Good evening.
When you’re about to say Goodbye, use Vidimo se or Čujemo se (if you talk on the phone). What is interesting about these two Serbian expressions is that they literally mean See you and Hear from you soon. Since you’re wrapping up the in-person conversation this time, use Vidimo se.
If you speak to an elder or someone you don’t know, say Doviđenja, which is Goodbye.
Locals, especially older generations, appreciate it when you know this difference, and it will help you pronounce these Serbian phrases, too.
What’s Your Name in Serbian / Kako se zoveš / Kako se zovete
When you ask Serbs about the name in their native language, you’ll see genuine surprise on their faces. Pluck up the courage and try speaking Serbian in every situation.
Kako se zoveš? is informal, and Kako se zovete? is more formal. Continue by saying Ja sam + say your name, meaning I am + your name. The longer phrase is Moje ime je, which is My name is. Besides, say A ti?, which means And you. The formal one is A vi.
You can also add Drago mi je, which means Pleased to meet you. We use this one in both casual and polite conversation.
Where Are You From in Serbian / Odakle si / Odakle ste
In Serbian, Where are you from is Odakle si. If you want to use more formal language, say Odakle ste. To answer this question, say Ja sam iz + say your country/ city, meaning I am from + your country/ city.
Pay attention to the name change of some cities in Serbian. For example, Vienna is Beč, but London stays London.
Here’s what it looks like in practice:
Person A: Zdravo. Hello
Person B: Ćao. Kako se zoveš? Hi. What’s your name?
Person A: Ja sam Mila. A ti? I’m Mila. And you?
Person B: Moje ime je Kosta. Drago mi je. My name’s Kosta. Nice to meet you.
Person A: Odakle si? Where are you from?
Person B: Ja sam iz Srbije. I am from Serbia.
Source: www.pixabay.com
Let’s take a look at a more formal conversation:
Person A: Dobar dan. Good day.
Person B: Dobar dan. Kako se zovete? Good day. What’s your name?
Person A: Moje ime je Vladimir. A vi? My name’s Vladimir. And you?
Person B:Ja sam Marija. Drago mi je. I’m Marija. Nice to meet you.
Person A: Odakle ste? Where are you from?
Person B: Ja sam iz Amerike. I’m from America.
What’s the Price in Serbian / Koliko košta
One of the common Serbian phrases you should learn is about prices. When you go to a store or want to buy something, you can ask Koliko košta? for the price. Most locals reply with To je + say the price, meaning That’s + the price. Sometimes, they only say the number, so check them out here.
Whether you buy an item or leave the store, say Hvala, which is Thank you. Serbs love it when foreigners not only try to speak Serbian but also show politeness in daily communication.
Source: www.pexels.com
Can You Repeat That in Serbian/ Možes li da ponoviš / Možete li da ponovite
One of the basic Serbian phrases you need to know is also Možes li da ponoviš?, which means Can you repeat that. The more respectful form is Možete li da ponovite. For extra politeness, just add Molim vas, which means Please.
Final Thoughts
Our students sometimes say that learning Serbian is hard. There are many conversational phrases, seven cases, two different official scripts…
Learning a foreign language takes some time, and Serbian is no exception. That’s why we suggest starting from the basics. Learn the Latin script, expose yourself to the language, and enjoy listening to some great Serbian music.
Now that you have learned basic Serbian phrases, use them in conversation. It is ok to be nervous. But it is so worth it when you get a smile and a handshake from your relatives and friends because of your attempt at Serbian, right?
Don’t have anyone to practice with? We offer one-on-one lessons, lessons in pairs, and group lessons. Learn Serbian online with us and speak it like a pro.
Vidimo se sledeće nedelje! See you next week!
Written by Sanja Dulovic
