Language isn’t just about talking to one another; it’s a window into the soul of a culture. Bulgarian idioms are like little windows into the world of Bulgarian life, packed with wisdom, humor, and daily experiences. They show you what matters to Bulgarians and give you a taste of what makes their culture special.
If you’re new to Bulgarian or you’ve been learning for a while and want to dig a bit deeper, diving into these idioms can really enrich your experience with the language.
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Understanding Bulgarian Idioms And Their Cultural Significance
Bulgarian idioms often appear in everyday conversations, family interactions, and traditional stories passed down through generations. They are an essential part of the language, giving native speakers a way to express emotions, describe situations, and convey life lessons in a manner that is both humorous and meaningful. When you study Bulgarian idioms, you don’t just pick up new phrases; you gain insight into the cultural nuances that make Bulgarian such a rich and expressive language.
Now, I’m going to share with you 10 of the most interesting and frequently used Bulgarian idioms in this article. I will provide literal translations and explanations of their actual meanings so that you will understand how to use them appropriately with your loved ones and friends.
By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of these colorful expressions and be able to use them in your daily conversations just like a native. Let’s have some fun.
1. “Hungry Bear Doesn’t Dance”
The literal translation of this idiom is “Hungry Bear Doesn’t Dance” – gladna mechka horo ne igrae (Гладна мечка хоро не играе), but it actually means that people cannot work or perform well on an empty stomach. You might hear this phrase in the context of someone being reluctant to start a task before eating. It’s a playful reminder of the importance of food in Bulgarian culture.
It is also similar to the idiom “There is no free lunch” – bezplaten obyad nyama (Безплатен обяд няма), and both are used to convey that if you want to get something, you must give something in return. If you want the bear to dance, you have to feed it.
2. “A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing”
The idiom “a wolf in sheep’s clothing” – vŭlk v ovcha kozha (Вълк в овча кожа) describes someone who pretends to be harmless but is actually dangerous. This idiom is used to characterize a deceitful person who hides their true intentions.
3. “Like a Fish Out Of Water”
This funny idiom speaks for itself. Its literal translation is “Like a fish out of water” – kato riba izvŭn vodata (Като риба извън водата/на сухо). We use it when we are out of our comfort zone. Just like a fish out of water.
4. “To Catch the Devil By The Tail”
Our grandmothers often use this phrase as a warning. Its literal meaning is “to catch the devil by the tail” – da hvanesh lŭvŭa za opashkata (Да хванеш лъва за опашката), or also commonly “to find one’s trouble,” i.e., to get into trouble. It is used to imply that if you take the devil by the tail, you will annoy him and get into trouble.
5. “To Make An Elephant Out Of A Fly”
You might not see the sense in this idiom at first, but Bulgarians use it to express hyperbole. Its literal translation is “To make an elephant out of a fly” – da napravish ot muha slon (Да направиш от мухата слон) and means to exaggerate and make something small into something huge.
In Bulgaria, you can often hear that someone makes an elephant out of a fly when they turn something insignificant into a huge problem.
6. “To Chase Two Rabbits”
In Bulgaria you can often hear “To chase two rabbits” – Da gonish dva zaeka ( Да гониш два заека). This might sound strange at first, I know. Why would anyone chase rabbits, right? But actually, when you think about it, you can understand that the meaning is that someone couldn’t easily catch a running rabbit just because it is very fast. What if there are two rabbits, you are one, and they run in different directions?
It’s impossible to catch them. This is the meaning of this phrase. It is used when someone is pursuing impossible goals. Then, someone tells them that they are chasing two rabbits.
7. “To Have A Tooth On Someone”
One of the most common and curious Bulgarian phrases is “To have someone’s tooth” – da imash zŭb na nyakogo (Да имаш зъб на някого). This one is kind of a verbal idiom, which means that you are angry with someone, you are hostile, and you want to take revenge.
8. “To Put Your Head In The Bag”
Do you know all those movies about the past where a culprit had a bag placed over their head before beheading or hanging? This Bulgarian idiom hints at that, though with a paraphrase, suggesting that someone is taking the risk of their head ending up in a bag: “To put your head in the bag” – Da si slozhish glavata v torbata (Да си сложиш главата в торбата).
For example, when you have to make an important decision that could lead to problems if incorrect, it’s said that you are putting your head in the bag, meaning you are putting yourself at risk.
9. “Your Grandmother’s Kite”
This idiom is often used humorously or sarcastically to dismiss something as outdated or unimportant—complete nonsense. “Your grandmother’s kite” is translated as Na baba ti hvurchiloto (На баба ти хвърчилото). This is the expression you might use when someone is talking about something that no longer matters or has no real meaning. It refers to something frivolous and unrealistic to the point of being funny.
10. “The Work Teaches The Mind”
In closing, this last idiom is my favorite (and of many others, simply because that’s how the old Bulgarians taught us).
The literal translation is “The work teaches the mind” – rabotata uchi uma (Работата учи ума) and means that a person acquires practical skills and experience only through work. The same goes for language learning. After acquiring a basic knowledge of a language, you should start practicing it in real life to expand your skills and achieve new ones.
Why Learn Bulgarian Idioms?
As it became clear, Bulgarian idioms are strange sentences that can confuse you, and you can hardly find the meaning if you are not Bulgarian. But in everyday life, they are used too often, so if you want to speak freely and understand your relatives and friends who speak Bulgarian, you have to learn these insights. Of course, there are other reasons why learning Bulgarian idioms is important. For example:
1. Enhance Fluency: Knowing how to use idioms correctly can make your speech sound more natural and fluent.
2. Cultural Insight: Idioms are a wonderful way to get a little peek into the culture and values of the people who speak the language. They can tell us so much about societal norms, humor, and history.
3. Expressiveness: Idioms are a great way to make your speech more colorful and expressive! They can help you share complex ideas in a simple, memorable way and add a little humor or emotion to your conversations, making them more interesting and joyful.
How To Say “Idiom” In Bulgarian?
In Bulgarian, the word “idiom” is the same – translated as idiom (идиом).
FAQs About Bulgarian Idioms
1. What Does “Ailyak” Mean In Bulgarian?
The Bulgarian language has many dialects and different slang, so the word “ailyak” is not so common but rather used only in some parts. The idiom means a state in which a person has no work to do and is absolutely calm about everything.
2. What Does “Opa” Mean In Bulgarian?
In the Bulgarian language, this is the colloquial version of the words “sorry,” “excuse me,” “without meaning to,” etc. For example, if you lightly push someone quite by accident while passing by, you most often say, “Oops.” It can be translated as “oops.”
3. How Do Bulgarians Greet?
There are many ways to say hello in Bulgarian, but when we speak about idioms, one commonly used greeting is “How do you drive it?” – Kak ya karash? (Как я караш?).
Wrapping Up
Bulgarian idioms are a great way to learn more about Bulgarian culture. Get to know these expressions, and you’ll not only brush up on your language skills but you’ll also gain deeper insights into the Bulgarian way of life. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be afraid to use these idioms in conversations with native speakers.
No matter why you’re learning Bulgarian—whether for travel, family, or just out of curiosity—mastering idioms will make your journey more enjoyable and meaningful. If you’re looking for more resources, apps like the Ling app are great because of their structured lessons and practice opportunities.
Explore the vibrant world of Bulgarian expressions and let these idioms bring a new dimension to your language practice. Happy learning!
