Learning a new language can be an enriching and exciting experience, especially when it comes to picking up a beautiful language like Bosnian. As a beginner, starting with some common words can help build the foundation for your language skills. Here are some of the most common Bosnian words that you should start with, complete with their definitions and example sentences to get you using them right away.
Zdravo
Meaning “hello,” this is the basic greeting you would use in Bosnian.
Zdravo! Kako si? (Hello! How are you?)
Hvala
This word means “thank you.” It’s an expression of gratitude.
Hvala vam na pomoći. (Thank you for your help.)
Molim
“Molim” has several meanings, including “please,” “you’re welcome,” and is also used when asking someone to repeat something.
Molim, možeš li to ponoviti? (Please, can you repeat that?)
Doviđenja
This is the standard way to say “goodbye.”
Vidimo se sutra, doviđenja! (See you tomorrow, goodbye!)
Da
The simple word for “yes.”
Da, ja to želim. (Yes, I want that.)
Ne
The straightforward way to say “no.”
Ne, hvala. (No, thank you.)
Oprostite
This term means “excuse me” or “sorry,” and is used to get someone’s attention or to apologize.
Oprostite, gdje je WC? (Excuse me, where is the bathroom?)
Kako se zoveš?
This question means “What is your name?”
Kako se zoveš? Ja sam Iva. (What is your name? I am Iva.)
Govorite li engleski?
An important phrase which means “Do you speak English?”
Oprostite, govorite li engleski? (Excuse me, do you speak English?)
Ne razumijem
This phrase means “I don’t understand,” useful when you’re having trouble following a conversation.
Žao mi je, ne razumijem. (I’m sorry, I don’t understand.)
Gdje je…?
A helpful question that means “Where is…?” when trying to find a place.
Gdje je najbliža pekara? (Where is the nearest bakery?)
Koliko košta?
This phrase means “How much does it cost?”, very handy when shopping.
Koliko košta ovaj suvenir? (How much does this souvenir cost?)
Mogu li dobiti…?
Meaning “Can I get…?”, this is another useful phrase for ordering food or services.
Mogu li dobiti račun, molim vas? (Can I get the bill, please?)
Pomozite!
The imperative for “Help!”
Pomozite! Izgubio sam torbu. (Help! I have lost my bag.)
Starting with these common Bosnian words will not only allow you to engage in basic communication but also give you the confidence to delve deeper into learning this fascinating language. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to use these words as often as you can! Sretno! (Good luck!)
