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After its secession from Yugoslavia, the Bosnian government declared the official language to be called Bosnian (bosanski / босански) rather than "Serbo-Croatian" (srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски). However, "Croatian," "Serbian," and "Bosnian" are considered by linguists and travellers alike to be the same language, with minor idiomatic differences.

Bosnian is a South Slavic language of the Indo-European family. It is closely related to Croatian and Serbian. Nouns have gender and cases, and the past tense is conjugated by gender and person while other tenses are conjugated only by person.

The language itself should not prove difficult to pronounce. Grammatical complexities will, however, present challenges to those unfamiliar with highly inflected languages, such as Latin or Russian. Inflection is the grammatical process of altering the noun to indicate its position and function in the sentence. The noun has a case. Whereas English nouns are defined in the sentence through the use of prepositions, as in the sentence "Mary throws the ball to John," inflected languages alter the form of the noun, so "John" in the example would appear as the indirect object in the sentence in the dative case (indicated by the change in the suffix and less frequently the prefix) and "ball" as the direct object in the accusative case.

The same sentence in Bosnian would have no preposition "to" as in "Mary baca loptu Johnu." Notice that "John" received a "u" as a suffix, which immediately governs the meaning of the word "Johnu" and dictates its function in the sentence. In another similarity with Latin and the other Balto-Slavic languages (except Bulgarian-Macedonian), Serbo-Croatian does not use articles often; there are a few ariticles, but they are rarely used even in literature and formal speech.

Certain idiomatic differences exist in Serbian and Croatian, mostly as a result of regional applications. Some phrases, such as allahimanet and merhaba, are relatively unique in Bosnian usage, as they are a remnant of Islamic (and therefore Turkish) influences. Consulting separate pages on the Croatian and the Serbian phrasebooks may prove beneficial to those interested in better understanding such regional differences.

Pronunciation guide

[edit]

The Serbo-Croatian pronunciation, like other Slavic languages, is very phonetic. Each letter represents only one sound, and multiple sounds are produced only when several letters are combined.

The letter "A" represents the sound "ah" in Bosnian and represents only that sound.

Speakers of Spanish and Italian will find most sounds in Bosnian/Serbo-Croatian to be similar to the ones in their own languages.

Keep in mind that Serbo-Croatian is the ONLY Slavic language written in both Latin and Cyrillic, the latter with considerable differences from the more popular Russian/East Slavic version.

Although learning the two alphabets will keep out of trouble and endear the locals, the Latin script is more commonly used, even in Belgrade. The particles -ij and -j found in the middle of a number of words may be omitted due to regional applications and would still be correct.

Vowels

[edit]
a
like 'a' in "above"
e
like 'e' in "enemy"
i
like 'i' in "sing"
o
like 'o' in "opera"
u
like 'u' in "put"

Stress

[edit]

Unfortunately, neither stresses (usually it is the second or third-last one, but never the last) nor vowel lengths are marked in the written language, but the stress is more predictable than it is in Russian or Bulgarian, where it is almost obligatory to put an accent on the stressed syllable.

For example, in the sentence sam sam (I am alone), the first "sam" is long, and the second is short (SAHM sam); in the clause da da (that he/she gives), it is reverse (da DAH). The most notorious example is a pun Gore gore gore gore (Up there, forests are burning worse), but it is not likely that you will use this sentence in everyday speech. Unlike Bulgarian, Russian and other East Slavic languages, however, wrongly pronounced vowel length will seldom cause misunderstandings.

Consonants

[edit]

Bosnian/Serbo-Croatian consonants are crisper than their counterparts in the English language. Approximating the corresponding consonants in Italian or Russian is closer to their true pronunciation.

b
like 'b' in "bed"
c
like 'ts' at the end of "cats" (never like an "s" or "k")
č
pronounced like "ch" as in "church", but with the tongue up on the roof of the mouth
ć
like "tch" as in "catch", but softer, with tongue behind top front teeth
d
like 'd' in "dog"
very close to "j" as in judge, with tongue up on the roof of the mouth; very seldom used
đ
like "j" as in "judge", but softer, with tongue behind top front teeth; hardly used at the beginning of the word
f
like 'f' in "fish"
g
like 'g' in "go" (never pronounced like the "g" in "large")
h
a little more emphasized than the 'h' in "help", somewhat close to the Spanish jota (j), pronounced in the throat. Usually an aspirated sound like the 'ck' in "brick"
j
like 'y' in "yellow"
k
like 'k' in "kite"
l
like 'l' in "love"
lj
like the "li" sound in "million". Combo of the Bosnian/SC "l" "j" sounds together
m
like 'm' in "mother"
n
like 'n' in "nice"
nj
like "ny" in "canyon" Like the Spanish " ñ " sound.
p
like 'p' in "pappy"
r
rolled slightly, like the Spanish r in "pero"
s
like 's' in "sun"
š
like "sh" in "sheep", with tongue raised toward roof of mouth
t
like 't' in "top"
v
like 'v' in "victory"
z
like 'z' in "haze"
ž
like the "s" in "measure", with tongue raised toward roof of mouth

Other Sounds

[edit]
ije
(ie) like the Spanish word "miedo"
lje
(lyeh) like the Italian word "moglie"
nje
(nyeh) like the Spanish word "muñeco"
ija
(ia) like the Spanish word "mia"
vje
(vyeh) like the Spanish word "viento"

Phrase list

[edit]

Basics

[edit]
Common signs


OPEN
Otvoren (oht-VOH-rehn)
CLOSED
Zatvoren (zaht-VOH-rehn)
ENTRANCE
Ulazak (OO-lah-zahk), Uzlaz (OOZ-lahz)
EXIT
Izlaz (EEZ-lahz)
PUSH
Gurati (goo-RAH-tee)
PULL
Vući (VOO-tchee)
TOILET
Toalet (TWAH-leht)
MEN
Ljudi (LYOO-dee)
WOMEN
Žene (ZHEH-neh)
CUSTOMS
Carina (tsah-REE-nah)
FORBIDDEN
Zabranjen (zah-BRAH-nyehn)
Hello/Good Day.
Dobar dan (DOH-bahr dahn)
Hello. (informal)
Zdravo. (ZDRAH-voh) or ćao (chao)
How are you?
Kako ste? (formal), (KAH-koh steh) Kako si? (informal) (KAH-koh see)
Fine, thank you.
Dobro sam, hvala. (DOH-broh sahm, HVAH-lah)
What is your name?
Kako se zovete? (formal) (KAH-koh seh zoh-VEH-teh)
What is your name?
Kako se zoveš? (informal) (KAH-koh seh ZOH-vehsh)
My name is ______ .
Zovem se ______ . (ZOH-vehm seh____.)
I am _____. : Ja sam ______. (yah sahm)
Nice to meet you.
Drago mi je. (DRAH-goh mee yeh)
Please.
Molim. (MOH-leem)
Thank you.
Hvala. (HVAH-lah)
Thank you very much
Hvala lijepo (HVAH-lah LYEH-poh)
You're welcome.
Nema na čemu. (NEH-mah nah CHEH-moo)
Yes. ("formal")
Da (dah)
Yes. ("informal")
Ja (yah)
No.
Ne.(neh)
Excuse me. (getting attention)
Oprostite. (oh-prohs-TEE-teh)
Excuse me. (begging pardon)
Izvinite. (eez-vee-NEE-teh)
I'm sorry.
Oprostite. (oh-prohs-TEE-teh)
I'm sorry. ("expressing condolence"): Žao mi je. (zhao mee yeh)
Goodbye (informal)
do viđenja (doh vee-jeh-nyah) or ćao (chaoo) or Zdravo. (ZDRAH-voh)
I can't speak Bosnian/Serbo-Croatian [well].
Ne govorim dobro bosanski/srpskohrvatski. (neh goh-VOH-reem DOH-broh boh-SAHNS-kee/ sehrps-koh-hehr-VAHTS-kee)
Do you speak English?
Da li govorite engleski? (dah lee goh-VOH-ree-teh ehn-GLEHS-kee)
Is there someone here who speaks English?
Da li iko ovdje govori engleski? (dah lee EE-koh OHV-dyeh goo-VOH-ree ehn-GLEHS-kee)
Help!
Upomoć! (oo-POH-mohtch)
Look out!
Pazite! (PAH-zee-teh)
Good morning.
Dobro jutro. (DOH-broh YOO-troh)
Good evening.
Dobro večer. (DOH-broh VEH-chehr)
Good night.
Laku noć. (LAH-koo nohtch)
Good night (to sleep)
Laku noć. (LAH-koo nohtch)
I don't understand.
Ne razumijem. (neh rah-ZOO-myehm)
Where is the toilet?
Gdje je WC? (gdyeh yeh VEH TSEH?)

Problems

[edit]
Leave me alone.
Pusti me na miru. (POOS-tee meh nah MEE-roo)
Don't touch me!
Ne diraj me! (neh DEE-rah-ee meh!)
I'll call the police.
Zvaću policiju. (ZVAH-tchoo poh-LEE-tsee-oo)
Police!
Policija! (poh-LEE-tsee-yah!)
Stop! Thief!
Stanite! Lopov! (STAH-nee-teh! LOH-pohv!)
I need your help.
Treba mi vaša pomoć. (TREH-bah mee VAH-shah POH-mohch)
It's an emergency.
Hitno je. (HEET-noh yeh)
I'm lost.
Izgubio [m] (EEZ-goo-byoh) izgubila [f] (EEZ-goo-bee-lah) sam se. (sahm seh)
I lost my bag.
Izgubio [m] (EEZ-goo-byoh) izgubila [f] (EEZ-goo-bee-lah) sam torbu. (sahm TOHR-boo)
I lost my wallet.
Izgubio [m] (EEZ-goo-byoh) izgubila [f] (EEZ-goo-bee-lah) sam novčanik. (sahm NOHV-chah-neek)
I'm sick.
Bolestan [m] (BOH-lehs-tahn) /bolesna [f] (BOH-lehs-nah) sam. (sahm)
I've been injured.
Povrijedio [m] (poh--VREE-eh-dyoh) /povrijedila [f] (poh-VREE-eh-dee-lah) sam se. (sahm seh)
I need a doctor.
Treba mi doktor. (TREH-bah mee DOHK-tohr)
Can I use your telephone?
Mogu li se poslužiti vašim telefonom? (MOH-goo lee seh POHS-loo-zhee-tee VAH-sheem teh-LEH-foh-nohm?)

Numbers

[edit]
0
nula (NOO-lah)
1
jedan (YEH-dahn)
2
dva/dvije (dvah/dvyeh)
3
tri (tree)
4
četiri (cheh-TEE-ree)
5
pet (peht)
6
šest (shehst)
7
sedam (SEH-dahm)
8
osam (OH-sahm)
9
devet (DEH-veht)
10
deset (DEH-seht)
11
jedanaest (yeh-DAH-nah-ehst)
12
dvanaest (dvah-NAH-ehst)
13
trinaest (tree-NAH-ehst)
14
četrnaest (chehtr-NAH-ehst)
15
petnaest (peht-NAH-ehst)
16
šesnaest (shehs-NAH-ehst)
17
sedamnaest (seh-dahm-NAH-ehst)
18
osamnaest (oh-sahm-NAH-ehst)
19
devetnaest (deh-veht-NAH-ehst)
20
dvadeset (dvah-DEH-seht)
21
dvadeset jedan (dvah-DEH-seht YEH-dahn)
22
dvadeset dva/dvije (dvah-DEH-seht dvah/ DEE-vyeh)
23
dvadeset tri (dvah-DEH-seht tree)
30
trideset (tree-DEH-seht)
40
četrdeset (cheh-tehr-DEH-seht)
50
pedeset (peh-DEH-seht)
60
šezdeset (shehz-DEH-seht)
70
sedamdeset (seh-dahm-DEH-seht)
80
osamdeset (osahm-DEH-seht)
90
devedeset (deh-veh-DEH-seht)
100
sto (stoh)
200
dvjesto (dee-VYEHS-toh)
300
tristo (TREES-toh)
400
četiristo (cheh-tee-REES-toh)
500
petsto (PEHTS-toh)
600
šeststo ("shehs-TEHS-toh")
700
sedamsto (seh-DAHMS-toh)
800
osamsto (oh-SAHMS-toh)
900
devetsto (deh-VEHTS-toh)
1000
hiljadu/tisuću : Both are correct and used equally often (The first one is a Greek loanword for the same number, while the latter is the Slavic word) (hee-LYAH-doo/ tee-SOO-tchoo)
2000
dvije hiljade/tisuće (dee-VYEH hee-LYAH-deh/ tee-SOO-tcheh)
1,000,000
milion (MEE-lyohn)
1,000,000,000
bilion/milijarda (BEE-lyohn/ mee-LYAHR-dah)
1,000,000,000,000
trilion (TREE-lyohn)
number _____
broj_____ (broy)
half
pola (POH-lah)
less
manje (MAH-nyeh)
more
više (VEE-sheh)

Time

[edit]
now
sad(a)(sahd (ah))
later
kasnije(kahs-NEE-eh)
before
prije(pryeh) or after : poslije(pohs-LYEH)
morning
jutro(YOO-troh)
afternoon
popodne(poh-POHD-neh)
evening
veče(VEH-cheh)
night
noć(nohtch)
midnight
ponoć (POH-notch)
weekend
vikend (VEE-kehnd)
week
sedmica (sehd-MEE-tsah)
sunrise
zora (ZOH-rah)
sunset
sumrak (SOOM-rahk)

Clock time

[edit]
What time is it?
Koliko je sati? (KOH-lee-koh yeh SAH-tee)
It is_____o'clock.
Sada je_____sati. (SAH-dah yeh...SAH-tee)
one o'clock AM
jedan sat ujutro (YEH-dahn saht OO-yoo-troh)
two o'clock AM
dva sata ujutro (dvah sah-tah OO-yoo-troh)
noon
podne (POHD-neh)
one o'clock PM
jedan sat poslije podne (YEH-dahn saht poh-SLYEH POHD-neh)
two o'clock PM
dva sata poslije podne (dvah sah-tah poh-SLYEH POHD-neh)
six o'clock PM
šest sati uvečer (shehst sah-tee OO-veh-chehr)

Days

[edit]
day
dan (dahn)
today
danas (DAH-nahs)
tonight
večeras (veh-CHEH-rahs)
yesterday
juče (YOO-cheh)
tomorrow
sutra (SOO-trah)
this week
ove sedmice (oveh sehd-MEE-tseh)
last night
sinoć (SEE-nohtch)
this morning
jutros (YOO-trohs)
last week
prošle sedmice (PROHSH-leh sehd-MEE-tseh)
next week
sljedeće sedmice (slyeh-DEH-tcheh sehd-MEE-tseh)
Sunday
nedjelja (neh-DYEH-lyah)
Monday
ponedjeljak (poh-neh-DYEH-lyahk)
Tuesday
utorak (oo-TOH-rahk)
Wednesday
srijeda (SRYEH-dah)
Thursday
četvrtak (CHEHT-vrtahk)
Friday
petak (PEH-tahk)
Saturday
subota (soo-BOH-tah)

Months

[edit]

Bosniak Muslims might use the Islamic calendar for religious purposes, such as the dates of the month of Ramadan and other major Islamic festivities.

January
Januar (YAH-nwahr)
February
Februar (FEH-brwahr)
March
Mart (mahrt)
April
April (AH-preel)
May
Maj (mai)
June
Juni (YOO-nee)
July
Juli (YOO-lee)
August
August (OW-goost)
September
Septembar (sehp-TEHM-bahr)
October
Oktobar (ohk-TOH-bahr)
November
Novembar (noh-VEHM-bahr)
December
Decembar (deh-TSEHM-bahr)

Writing time and date

[edit]

Bosnian time is standard 24 hour time, so midnight is 00:00 while 1PM would be 13:00 just like US military time.

Colors

[edit]
black
crn (m) crna (f) (TSEHR-nah)
white
bijel (m) bijela (f)(byehl)
gray
siva (SEE-vah)
red
crvena (tsehr-VEH-nah)
blue
plava (PLAH-vah)
yellow
žuta (ZHOO-tah)
green
zelena (zeh-LEH-nah)
orange
narandžasta (nah-rahnd-JAHS-tah)
purple
ljubičasta (lyoo-bee-CHAHS-tah)
brown
smeđa (SMEH-jah)
pink
roze (ROH-zeh)

Lodging

[edit]
Do you have any rooms available?
Imate li slobodnih soba? (ee-MAH-teh lee sloh-BOHD-nee SOH-bah?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?
Koliko košta soba za jednu osobu/dvije osobe? (koh-LEE-koh KOHSH-tah SOH-bah zah YEHD-noo oh-SOH-boo/ dvyeh oh-SOH-beh?)
Does the room come with
Da li u sobi ima (dah lee oo SOH-bee EE-mah)
...bedsheets?
...čaršafa? (...chahr-SHAH-fah?)
...a bathroom?
...kupatilo? (...koo-PAH-tee-loh?)
...a telephone?
...telefon? (teh-LEH-fohn?)
...a TV?
...televizor? (teh-leh-VEE-sohr?)
May I see the room first?
Mogu li prvo pogledati sobu? (MOH-goo lee PEHR-voh poh-GLEH-dah-tee SOH-boo?)
Do you have anything quieter?
Imate li nešto tiše? (ee-MAH-teh lee NEHSH-toh TEE-sheh?)
...bigger?
...veće? (...VEH-tcheh?)
...cleaner?
...čišće? (...CHEE-shtcheh?)
...cheaper?
...jeftinije? (...yehf-TEE-nyeh?)
OK, I'll take it.
U redu, uzeću je. (oo REH-doo, oo-ZEH-tchoo yeh)
I will stay for _____ night(s).
Ostaću _____ noć(i). (ohs-TAH-tchoo...notch(ee))
Can you suggest another hotel?
Možete li mi preporučiti drugi hotel? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee mee preh-poh-ROO-chee-tee DROO-gee HOH-tehl?)
Do you have a safe?
Imate li sef? (ee-MAH-teh lee sehf?)
...lockers?
...ormariće? (...ohr-MAH-ree-tcheh?)
Is breakfast/supper included?
Da li je doručak/večera uključen? (dah lee yeh doh-ROO-chahk/ veh-CHEH-rah oo-KLYOO-chehn ah?)
What time is breakfast/supper?
Kada je doručak/večera? (KAH-dah yeh doh-ROO-chahk/ veh-CHEH-rah?)
Please clean my room.
Molim, očistite mi sobu. (MOH-leem, oh-CHEES-tee-teh mee SOH-boo)
Can you wake me at _____?
Možete li me probuditi u_____? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee meh proh-BOO-dee-tee oo...?)
I want to check out.
Želim se odjaviti. (ZHEH-leem seh oh-DYAH-vee-tee)

Money

[edit]
Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
Prihvatate/Primate li američke/australijske/kanadske dolare? (pree-HVAH-tah-teh/ pree-MAH-teh lee ah-meh-REECH-keh/ ows-trah-LEES-keh/ kah-NAHDS-keh doh-LAH-reh?)
Do you accept British pounds?
Prihvatate/Primate li britanske funte? (pree-HVAH-tah-teh/ pree-MAH-teh lee bree-TAHNS-keh FOON-teh?)
Do you accept credit cards?
Prihvatate/Primate li kreditne kartice? (pree-HVAH-tah-teh/ pree-MAH-teh lee kreh-DEET-neh kahr-TEE-tseh?)
Can you change money for me?
Možete li mi razmijeniti novac? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee mee rahz-MYEH-nee-tee NOH-vahts?)
Where can I get money changed?
Gdje mogu razmijeniti novac? (gdyeh MOH-goo rahz-MYEH-nee-tee NOH-vahts?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?
Možete li mi razmijeniti putnički ček? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee mee rahz-MYEH-nee-tee poot-NEECH-kee chehk?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?
Gdje mogu zamijeniti putnički ček? (gdyeh MOH-goo zah-MYEH-nee-tee poot-NEECH-kee chehk?)
What is the exchange rate?
Koliko je kurs? (koh-LEE-koh yeh koors?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?
Gdje je bankomat? (gdyeh yeh bahn-KOH-maht?)

Transportation

[edit]
airplane/ airline
avion (AH-vyohn)
helicopter
helikopter (heh-lee-KOHP-tehr)
taxi
taksi (TAHK-see)
train
voz (vohz)
minibus
minibus (mee-NEE-boos)
subway
metro (MEH-troh)
tram
tramvaj (TRAHM-vai)
trolley
trolejbus (troh-LAY-boos)
van
kombi (KOHM-bee)
bus
autobus (ow-TOH-boos)
car
kola (KOH-lah)/ auto (OW-toh)
carriage
kočije (KOH-chyeh)
truck
kamion (KAH-myohn)
ferry
skela (SKEH-lah) trajekt ( Trah yeh kt)
ship
brod (brohd)
boat
čamac (CHAH-mahts)
bicycle
bicikl (bee-TSEE-kuhl)
motorcycle
motorcikl motor (moh-tohr-TSEE-kuhl) (moh - thor)

Bus and train

[edit]
What bus goes to...?
Koji autobus ide...? (koy ow-TOH-boos EE-deh...?)
When does the bus leave for...?
Kada kreće autobus za...? (KAH-dah KREH-tcheh ow-TOH-boos zah...?)
When its the next bus?
Kada je slijedeći autobus? (KAH-dah yeh slyeh-DEH-tchee ow-TOH-boos?)
Where's the...?
Gdje je...? (gdyeh yeh...?)
How long does it take to get there?
Koliko treba vremena do tamo? (KOH-lee-koh TREH-bah VREH-meh-nah doh TAH-moh)
What time will we arrive?
U koje vrijeme ćemo doći? (oo KOH-yeh VRYEH-meh TCHEH-moh DOH-tchee?)
bus stop
...autobuska stanica. (ow-toh-BOOS-kah stah-NEE-tsah)

Taxi

[edit]
How much is the fare?
Koliko košta karta? (koh-LEE-koh KOHSH-tah KAHR-tah?)
I want to go to___.
Želim ići u___. (ZHEH-leem EE-tchee oo...)
I'm going to___.
Ja idem u___. (yah EE-dehm oo...)

Directions

[edit]
How do I get to _____ ?
Kako ću doči do_____ ? (KAH-koh tchoo DOH-chee doh?)
...the hotel?
hotel? (HOH-tehl)
...the bank?
banka? (BAHN-kah)
...the hospital?
bolnica? (BOHL-nee-tsah)
...the train station?
...željeznička stanica? (ZHEH-lyehz-neech-kah STAH-nee-tsah?)
...the bus station?
...autobuska stanica? (OW-toh-boos-kah STAH-nee-tsah?)
...the airport?
...aerodrom? (AH-eh-roh-drohm?)
...downtown?
...centar grada? (TSEHN-tahr GRAH-dah?)
...the _____ hotel?
..._____ hotel? (HOH-tehl?)
...the_____embassy?
ambasada? (AHM-bah-sah-dah?)
Where are?
Gdje su? (gdyeh soo)
...hotels?
...hoteli? (HOH-teh-lee?)
...restaurants?
...restoran? (REHS-toh-rahn?)
...bars?
...barovi? (BAH-roh-vee?)
Can you show me on the map?
Možete li mi pokazati na karti? (MOH-zheh-teh lee mee POH-kah-zah-tee nah KAHR-tee?)
street
ulica (OO-lee-tsah)
road
cesta (TSEHS-tah)
boulevard
bulevar (BOO-leh-vahr)
avenue
avenija (AH-veh-nyah)
highway
autoput (ow-TOH-poot)
Turn left.
Skeni lijevo. (SKEH-nee LYEH-voh) : Skreni lijevo ("SKREH-nee LYEH-voh")
Turn right.
Skeni desno. (SKEH-nee DEHS-noh) : Skreni desno ("SKREH-nee LYEH-voh")
left
lijevo (LYEH-voh)
right
desno (DEHS-noh)
straight ahead
Samo ravno (SAH-moh RAHV-noh)
towards the _____
prema_____ (PREH-mah)
past the _____
prođi_____ (PROH-ji)
before the _____
prije_____ (pryeh)
intersection
raskrsnica (RAHS-kuhrs-nee-tsah)
north
sjever (SYEH-vehr)
south
jug (yoog)
east
istok (EES-tohk)
west
zapad (ZAH-pahd)
downhill
nizbrdo (NEEZ-buhr-doh)
uphill
uzbrdo (OOZ-buhr-doh)

Eating

[edit]
breakfast
doručak (DOH-roo-chahk)
lunch
ručak (ROO-chahk)
dinner/supper
večera (VEH-cheh-rah)
glass (drinking glass)
čaša (CHAH-shah)
cup
šolja (SHOH-lyah)
saucer
tanjirić (tah-NYEE-reetch)
plate
tanjir (TAH-nyeer)
bowl
ćasa (cha-sah)
spoon
kašika (kah-SHEE-kah)
fork
viljuška (vee-LYOOSH-kah)
knife
nož (nohzh)
mug
krigla (KREE-glah)
napkin
salveta (sahl-VEH-tah)
A table for one person/two people, please.
Molim Vas, sto za jedno/dvoje.. (MOH-leem vahs, stoh zah YEHD-noh/ DVOH-yeh)
Can I look at the menu, please?
Mogu li pogledati meni/jelovnik? (MOH-goo lee POH-gleh-dah-tee MEH-nee/ YEH-lohv-neek?)
Can I look in the kitchen?
Mogu li pogledati kuhinju? (MOH-goo lee POH-gleh-dah-tee KOO-khee-nyoo?)
Is there a house specialty?
Imate li specijalitet kuće? (EE-mah-teh lee SPEH-tsyah-lee-teht KOO-tcheh?)
Is there a local specialty?
Iate li lokalni specijalitet? (EE-ah-teh lee LOH-kahl-nee SPEH-tsyah-lee-teht?)
I'm a vegetarian.
Ja sam vegetarijanac. (yah sahm VEH-geh-tah-ryah-nahts)
I don't eat pork.
Ja ne jedem svinjetinu. (yah neh YEH-dehm SVEE-nyeh-tee-noo)
I don't eat beef.
Ja ne jedem govedinu. (yah neh GOH-veh-dee-noo)
I want _____.
Želim _____. (ZHEH-leem...)
I want a dish containing _____.
Želim jelo sa _____. (ZHEH-leem YEH-loh sah....)
chicken
piletinom (PEE-leh-tee-nohm)
beef
govedinom (GOH-veh-dee-nohm)
fish
ribom (REE-bohm)
ham
šunkom (SHOON-kohm)
sausage
kobasicom (KOH-bah-see-tsohm)
cheese
sirom (SEE-rohm)
egg
jaje (singular) (YAH-yeh)
eggs
jaja (plural) (YAH-yah)
salad
salatom (SAH-lah-tohm)
(fresh) vegetables
(svježe) povrće ((SVYEH-zheh) POHVR-tcheh)
(fresh) fruit
(svježe) voće ((SVYEH-zheh) VOH-tcheh)
bread
hljeb, kruh (khlyehb) ( kr-ooh)
toast
tost (tohst)
noodles
rezancima (REH-zahn-tsee-mah)
rice
rižom (REE-zhohm)
beans
grahom (GRAH-khohm)
May I have a glass of _____?
Mogu li dobiti čašu _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee CHAH-shoo...?)
May I have a cup of _____?
Mogu li dobiti šolju _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee SHOH-lyoo...?)
May I have a bottle of _____?
Mogu li dobiti flašu _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee FLAH-shoo...?)
coffee
kafe (KAH-feh)
tea (drink)
čaja (CHAI-ah)
juice
soka (SOH-kah)
(bubbly) water
(kisele) vode ((KEE-seh-leh) VOH-deh)
water
vode (VOH-deh)
beer
pivo (PEE-voh)
red/white wine
crveno/bijelo vino (TSEHR-veh-noh/ BYEH-loh VEE-noh)
May I have some _____?
Mogu li dobiti _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee...?)
salt
soli (soh-lee)
black pepper
crnog bibera (TSEHR-nohg BEE-behrah)
butter
puter (POO-tehr)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
Oprostite, konobar? (OH-prohs-tee-teh, KOH-noh-bahr?)
I'm finished.
Završio sam. (ZAHVR-shyoh sahm)
It was delicious.
Bilo je ukusno. (BEE-loh yeh OO-koos-noh)
Please clear the plates.
Molim Vas, odnesita tanjure. (MOH-leem vahs, OH-dneh-see-tah TAH-nyoo-reh)
The check, please.
Račun, molim. (RAH-choon, MOH-leem)

Shopping

[edit]
Do you have this in my size?
Da li imate ovo u mojoj veličin? (dah lee ee-MAH-teh OH-voh oo MOY-oy veh-LEE-cheen?)
How much is this?
Koliko je ovo? (koh-LEE-koh yeh OH-voh?)
That's too expensive.
To je preskupo. (toh yeh prehs-KOO-poh)
Would you take _____?
Da li biste uzeli _____? (dah lee BEES-teh oo-ZEH-lee...?)
expensive
skupo. (SKOO-poh)
cheap
jeftino. (yehf-TEE-noh)
I can't afford it.
Ne mogu to priuštiti. (neh MOH-goo toh pryoosh-TEE-tee)
I don't want it.
Neću to. (NEH-tchoo toh)
Can you lower the price?
Možete li smanjiti cijenu? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee smah-NYEE-tee TSYEH-noo?)
I'm not interested.
Nisam zainteresovan(m)/zainteresovana(f). (NEE-sahm zain-teh-REH-soh-vahn/ zain-teh-REH-soh-vah-nah)
OK, I'll take it.
U redu, uzeću. (oo REH-doo, oo-ZEH-tchoo)
Can I have a bag?
Mogu li dobiti kesu? (MOH-goo lee doh-BEE-tee KEH-soo?)
I need...
Treba mi (s) / Trebaju mi (pl)... (TREH-bah mee/ treh-BAH-yoo...)
...toothpaste.
...pasta za zube. (PAHS-tah zah ZOO-beh)
...a toothbrush.
...četkica za zube. (cheht-KEE-tsah zah ZOO-beh)
...tampons.
...tamponi. (tahm-POH-nee)
...feminine napkins.
ženski ulošci. (ZHEHNS-kee oo-LOHSH-tsee)
...soap.
...sapun. (SAH-poon)
...shampoo.
...šampon. (SHAHM-poon)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
...lijek protiv bolova. (lyehk PROH-teef boh-LOH-vah)
...cold medicine.
...lijek protiv prehlade. (lyehk PROH-teef prehkh-LAH-deh)
...stomach medicine.
...lijek za stomak. (lyehk zah STOH-mahk)
...a razor.
...žilet. (ZHEE-leht)
...shaving cream.
krema za brijanje. (KREH-mah zah BRYAH-nyeh)
...deodorant.
dezodorans (deh-zoh-DOH-rahns)
...tissues.
maramice (mah-rah-MEE-tseh)
...perfume.
parfem. (PAHR-fehm)
...an umbrella.
...kišobran. (kee-SHOH-brahn)
...sunscreen.
...krema za sunčanje. (KREH-mah zah soon-CHAH-nyeh)
...a postcard.
...razglednica. (rahz-glehd-NEE-tsah)
...postage stamps.
...poštanske markice. (posh-TAHNS-keh mahr-KEE-tseh)
...batteries.
...baterije. (bah-TEH-ryeh)
...writing paper.
...papir za pisanje. (PAH-peer zah pee-SAH-nyeh)
...a pen.
...hemijska olovka. (kheh-MYEES-kah oh-LOHF-kah)
...a pencil.
olovka (oh-LOHF-kah)
...notebook
beležnica (beh-lehzh-NEE-tsah)
...English-language books.
...knjige na engleskom jeziku. (KNYEE-geh nah ehn-GLEHS-kohm yeh-ZEE-koo)
...English-language magazines.
...časopisi na engleskom jeziku. (chah-soh-PEE-see nah ehn-GLEHS-kohm yeh-ZEE-koo)
...an English-language newspaper.
...novine na engleskom jeziku. (noh-VEE-neh nah ehn-GLEHS-kohm)
...an English-Bosnian dictionary.
...engleski-bosanski rječnik. (ehn-GLEHS-kee-boh-SAHNS-kee RYEHCH-neek)
...an English-Bosnian phrasebook.
...engleski-bosanski zbirka izraza. (ehn-GLEHS-kee-boh-SAHNS-kee ZBEER-kah eez-RAH-zah)

Driving

[edit]
I want to rent a car.
Želim da iznajmim auto. (ZHEH-leem dah eez-NAI-meem OW-toh)
Can I get insurance?
Mogu li dobiti osiguranje? (MOH-goo lee doh-BEE-tee oh-see-GOO-rah-nyeh?)
no admission
zabraljen pristup (zah-BRAH-lyehn PREES-toop)
no entry
zabraljen ulaz (zah-BRAH-lyehn OO-lahz)
stop (on a street sign)
stop (stohp)
one way
jednosmjerna ulica (yehd-nohs-MYEHR-nah oo-LEE-tsah)
yield
pustiti prvenstvo prolaza (poos-TEE-tee pehr-VEHNS-tvoh proh-LAH-zah)
no parking
zabranjeno parkiranje (zah-BRAH-nyeh-noh pahr-kee-RAH-nyeh)
speed limit
ograničenje brzine (ohgrah-nee-CHEH-nyeh behr-ZEE-neh)
gas (petrol) station
benzinska pumpa (behn-ZEENS-kah POOM-pah)
petrol
benzin (BEHN-zeen)
diesel
dizel (DEE-zehl)

Emergency

[edit]
Help!
Upomoć! (oo-POH-mohtch)
Can you help me please?
Možete li mi pomoći, molim? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee mee poh-MOH-tchee, MOH-leem?)
Where is the nearest telephone?
Gdje je najbliži telefon? (gdyeh yeh nai-BLEE-zhee teh-LEH-fohn?)
This is an emergency!
Ovo je hitan slučaj! (OH-voh yeh KHEE-tahn SLOO-chai!)
I need a doctor.
Treba mi doktor. (TREH-bah mee DOHK-tohr)
Are there landmines in this area?
Ima li mina u ovom rejonu? (EE-mah lee MEE-nah oo OO-vohm RAY-oh-noo?)
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