When diving into a new language, one of the most exciting parts is learning how to describe the wonderful tapestry of people you’ll meet. In Bosnian culture, relationships and communication are vital, and this includes being able to express what you think about someone—whether it’s their appearance, personality, or character. Here, we’ve gathered a selection of must-know Bosnian adjectives to help you describe people with nuance and precision.
Lijep (lee-yep) means “beautiful” or “handsome.” This is perhaps one of the most common adjectives you might use when describing someone who has pleasing features or an attractive appearance.
Njegov brat je vrlo lijep čovjek. (His brother is a very handsome man.)
Pametan (pah-meh-tahn) signifies “intelligent” or “smart.” Use this adjective to compliment someone’s intellectual abilities or quick thinking.
Naša profesorica je veoma pametna žena. (Our teacher is a very intelligent woman.)
Simpatičan (sim-pah-tee-chan) translates to “nice” or “likeable.” It’s a way to express that someone is friendly and easy to get along with.
Ona je veoma simpatična i svi je vole. (She is very nice and everyone likes her.)
Zgodan (zgo-dahn) is another word for “handsome” or “good-looking,” commonly used to describe a man who is physically attractive.
Vidio sam veoma zgodnog čovjeka u parku. (I saw a very handsome man in the park.)
Snalažljiv (sna-lah-zhlee-v) indicates someone who is “resourceful” or “ingenious.” It’s a compliment to someone’s ability to handle difficult situations well.
On je prilično snalažljiv kad su u pitanju tehnički problemi. (He is quite resourceful when it comes to technical problems.)
Smiješan (smee-yeh-shahn) means “funny” or “amusing.” This is the adjective for someone who makes you laugh or entertains people with their sense of humor.
Moj prijatelj je uvijek tako smiješan. (My friend is always so funny.)
Ozbiljan (oz-beel-yahn) translates to “serious” or “solemn.” It’s an essential adjective for describing someone’s demeanor when they are earnest or not prone to joking around.
Kada priča o poslu, on je vrlo ozbiljan. (When he talks about work, he is very serious.)
Mršav (mr-shav) means “thin” or “slim.” This word is used to describe someone’s physique, often in a positive light to signify someone who is slender.
Moja sestra je mršava i visoka. (My sister is thin and tall.)
Debel (deh-bel) translates to “fat” or “chubby.” It is important to use this adjective with sensitivity and awareness of its potential to offend when describing someone.
Moj pas je pomalo debel, ali je i dalje presladak. (My dog is a bit fat, but he’s still adorable.)
Drag (drahg) signifies “dear” or “beloved.” You can use this adjective to express affection and a warm feeling towards someone.
Ona mi je veoma draga prijateljica. (She is a very dear friend of mine.)
When describing people in Bosnian, remember to use adjectives that genuinely reflect your perception and convey respect for the individual’s unique characteristics. These words will not only expand your vocabulary but also help you form deeper connections and understandings of the people you encounter in Bosnian-speaking regions. Happy learning and sretno (“good luck”) with your language journey!