Language Learning

1. Уча се на български.

   U-cha se na bal-GAR-ski.

   I am learning Bulgarian.

   Usage

   Used to tell someone that you are learning Bulgarian

   Grammar Note

   "Уча се" is a reflexive verb meaning "to study/learn." "На + language" expresses the subject of study.

2. Можете ли да говорите по-бавно?

   mo-ZHE-te li da go-VO-ri-te po-BAV-no?

   Could you speak more slowly?

   Usage

   Used when someone is speaking too fast to understand

   Grammar Note

   Bulgarian comparatives are formed with the prefix "по-." "По-бавно" means "more slowly."

3. Как се казва това на български?

   kak se KAZ-va TO-va na bal-GAR-ski?

   What is this called in Bulgarian?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the Bulgarian name of something

   Grammar Note

   "Как се казва" literally means "How is it called?" and is the standard phrase for asking names.

4. Можете ли да повторите?

   mo-ZHE-te li da pov-TO-ri-te?

   Could you repeat that?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to repeat what they said

   Grammar Note

   "Можете ли да + verb" is a polite request. The plural imperative form conveys respect.

5. Направих ли грешка?

   na-PRA-vih li GRESH-ka?

   Did I make a mistake?

   Usage

   Used to check whether what you said was correct

   Grammar Note

   "Направих" is the first-person singular past tense of "правя" (to do/make).

6. Моля, поправете ме.

   MO-lya, po-PRA-ve-te me.

   Please correct me.

   Usage

   Used to invite a native speaker to correct your mistakes

   Grammar Note

   "Моля" (please) with an imperative softens the command. "Ме" is the accusative "me."

7. Разбрах ли правилно?

   raz-BRAH li PRA-vil-no?

   Did I understand correctly?

   Usage

   Used to verify that you understood something correctly

   Grammar Note

   "Разбрах" is the past tense of "разбирам" (to understand). Bulgarian verbs have perfective/imperfective aspects.

8. Как се произнася тази дума?

   kak se pro-iz-NA-sya TA-zi DU-ma?

   How is this word pronounced?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the pronunciation of a word

   Grammar Note

   "Как се произнася" means "How is it pronounced?" The reflexive "се" creates the passive voice.

9. Търся учител по български.

   TAR-sya u-CHI-tel po bal-GAR-ski.

   I am looking for a Bulgarian language teacher.

   Usage

   Used to express that you are looking for a language teacher

   Grammar Note

   "По + subject" indicates the field of study. "По български" means "of/in Bulgarian."

10. Говоря малко български.

    go-VO-rya MAL-ko bal-GAR-ski.

    I speak a little Bulgarian.

    Usage

    Used to convey that your Bulgarian is limited

    Grammar Note

    "Говоря" is the first-person singular present of "to speak." "Малко" is an adverb meaning "a little."

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