Slang

1. Здрасти

   Zdras-ti

   Hi

   Usage

   A casual greeting for friends and peers. With anyone older, or with shop staff, use "Здравейте" from the Greetings category

2. Чао

   Cha-o

   Bye

   Usage

   An Italian import that has settled fully into Bulgarian. Fine with friends, colleagues and familiar staff; in formal settings say "Довиждане"

3. Мерси

   Mer-si

   Thanks

   Usage

   From the French, and heard constantly in daily life — fine in shops and cafés. In formal or written contexts use "Благодаря"

4. Как е?

   Kak e?

   How's it going?

   Usage

   Literally "how is it?" — only for someone you already know. With a stranger or an elder, say "Как сте?"

5. Как я караш?

   Kak ya ka-rash?

   How are you doing?

   Usage

   Literally "how are you driving it?" — the standard opener with a friend you have not seen for a while, never with an elder

6. Хайде

   Hay-de

   Come on / Let's go

   Usage

   A Turkish-derived word shared across the Balkans, used both to urge someone along and as a parting "right then". It hurries the listener, so avoid it with elders

7. Абе

   A-be

   Hey / Well…

   Usage

   A discourse opener, for close company only. Aimed at shop staff or anyone older it sounds over-familiar

8. Брато

   Bra-to

   Bro

   Usage

   The vocative of "брат". Used between male friends of the same age — not with strangers, elders, or women

9. Яко

   Ya-ko

   Awesome

   Usage

   Originally "sturdy", now settled among younger speakers as "cool". Use it about things and events; better avoided in conversation with elders

10. Супер

    Su-per

    Great

    Usage

    A catch-all positive that works across all ages, safe with friends and staff alike

11. Спокойно

    Spo-koy-no

    Take it easy / No worries

    Usage

    Both "calm down" and "don't worry about it" in reply to an apology. Safe with anyone, though "Няма проблем" is politer with an elder

12. Стига бе

    Sti-ga be

    No way / Come off it

    Usage

    Both surprise and "give over". The particle "бе" signals intimacy, so it is rude with an elder or a stranger — friends only

13. Кеф ми е

    Kef mi e

    I'm enjoying this

    Usage

    "Кеф" comes from Turkish and means contentment; say it when you are enjoying a meal or the music. For friends and table companions, not formal settings

14. Купон

    Ku-pon

    Party

    Usage

    A lively party or night out, used with friends your own age. Context keeps it apart from the original sense, a coupon

15. Гадже

    Ga-dzhe

    Boyfriend / Girlfriend

    Usage

    A colloquial word for a partner of either gender, for chat among friends. Forms and formal settings use "партньор"

16. Бачкам

    Bach-kam

    I'm working

    Usage

    The casual counterpart of "работя". Fine chatting with friends; use "работя" in an interview or with a client

17. Един лаф

    E-din laf

    A chat

    Usage

    "Лаф" is Turkish-derived for talk; "Да ударим един лаф" means "let's have a chat". For friends your own age

18. Наздраве

    Naz-dra-ve

    Cheers

    Usage

    Literally "to health" — a toast, and also what you say when someone sneezes. Safe with anyone; when toasting, meet the other person's eyes as you clink

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