Basic Words

1. Да

   Da

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Не

   Ne

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Моля

   Mo-lya

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

4. Благодаря

   Bla-go-da-rya

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

5. Извинете

   Iz-vi-ne-te

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

6. Съжалявам

   Sa-zha-lya-vam

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

7. Всичко е наред

   Vsich-ko e na-red

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Не разбирам

   Ne raz-bi-ram

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Разбирам

   Raz-bi-ram

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Готово

    Go-to-vo

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Изчакайте, моля

    Iz-cha-kay-te, mo-lya

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Един момент

    E-din mo-ment

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Един възрастен, моля

    E-din vaz-ras-ten, mo-lya

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Нямам резервация

    Nya-mam re-zer-va-tsi-ya

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

15. Имам резервация

    I-mam re-zer-va-tsi-ya

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Помогнете ми, моля

    Po-mog-ne-te mi, mo-lya

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

17. Повторете, моля

    Pov-to-re-te, mo-lya

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Говорете по-бавно, моля

    Go-vo-re-te po-bav-no, mo-lya

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Говоря малко

    Go-vo-rya mal-ko

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

20. Говорите ли английски?

    Go-vo-ri-te li ang-liy-ski?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

    Grammar Note

    "Говорите ли" is the polite plural (вие) form — the one to use with strangers.

21. Това

    To-va

    This

    Usage

    Point at something in front of you to order or confirm it. Watch how the answer comes back: in Bulgaria a head shake means yes and a nod means no — the opposite of most countries

22. Онова

    O-no-va

    That (one over there)

    Usage

    For something further away; Bulgarian has only two degrees — "това" (near) and "онова" (far) — so it covers both Japanese "sore" and "are"

23. Тук

    Tuk

    Here

    Usage

    Show where you want to get out, sit down, or stop

24. Там

    Tam

    There

    Usage

    For a spot a little away from you

25. Ей там

    Ey tam

    Over there

    Usage

    The colloquial way to stress a distant spot; use it together with a pointing gesture

26. Аз

    Az

    I / me

    Usage

    Points at yourself; Bulgarian normally drops subject pronouns because the verb shows the person, so "аз" is the emphatic form

27. Вие

    Vi-e

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite form for the person you are addressing; use "ти" only with friends and children

28. Заедно

    Za-ed-no

    Together

    Usage

    Shows that you are with someone, or that things should be handled as one

Browse all TravelPhrases languages