If you were to see Bulgarian and Russian printed on the same page, you might think you’re reading one language. But these are two distinct languages, and perhaps you wonder how closely they are related and whether knowing one helps you learn the other?
Let us tell you that you’ve clicked on the right article! This guide compares Bulgarian vs Russian one feature at a time, and with examples from linguistic research.
Want to find out more? Keep on reading!
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How Different Are Bulgarian Vs Russian?
Bulgarian and Russian are closely related languages, but they are also clearly different.
In fact, both share the same Slavic origins and use the Cyrillic alphabet. Yet, Bulgarian belongs to the South Slavic language branch of the Indo-European language family, while Russian belongs to the East Slavic branch.
So, these two languages share the same roots, have a lot of vocabulary in common, and also share similar pronunciation patterns.
However, if there is one major difference that makes them fundamentally different, it’s their grammar systems, which took two different directions at some point in time.
Can Bulgarians And Russians Understand Each Other?
Bulgarians and Russians can understand each other only partly when speaking, but significantly more in writing.
Shared roots and the same script give speakers of both languages an advantage, but grammatical differences stop most of them from following a full conversation without giving up.
From a linguistic perspective, several experiments have been conducted to determine the level of mutual intelligibility between Russian and Bulgarian (and other Slavic languages).
And it turns out that written words tell an interesting story!
By comparing Bulgarian and Russian spelling across several word lists, researchers at Saarland University in Germany found out that in core vocabulary (227 items), about 17% of Bulgarian words were spelled exactly like their Russian equivalents, and about 36% matched once simple letter rules were applied. For international words, the identical share jumped to approximately 62%.
So, it is possible to say that Bulgarian and Russian speakers can roughly understand each other in a similar way French and Italian speakers can.
How Similar Is The Vocabulary In Bulgarian And Russian?
As the research above mentions, the Bulgarian language shares quite a few words with Russian.
For example, the Bulgarian word mlyako (мляко) and the Russian word moloko(молоко) both mean “milk.” Similarly, Bulgarian zǎb (зъб) corresponds to Russian zub (зуб), meaning “tooth,” because Bulgarian ъ often corresponds to Russian у.
Are There False Friends In Russian And Bulgarian?
Several common words might look identical in Russian and Bulgarian, but mean different things in reality.
They are common enough that researchers build datasets of them!
In a study, Nakov, Nakov, and Paskaleva (2007) compiled 200 Bulgarian-Russian noun pairs, half of which were considered false friends!
Here are some examples :
| Word | Bulgarian meaning | Russian meaning |
|---|---|---|
| nedelya (неделя) | Sunday | week |
| gora (гора) | forest | mountain |
| cheta (чета) | I read | pair, couple |
| duma (дума) | word | thought, council |
| zaplata (заплата) | salary | patch |
As you can see, some false friends share a similar semantic field, like nedelya (неделя). But their real meaning evolved separately over time.
Do Bulgarian And Russian Use The Same Alphabet?
Bulgarian and Russian use the same script but not the same alphabet.
How is that different?
Well, both are written in Cyrillic, which is why the two look so alike, but not with the same letters.
In fact, the Bulgarian alphabet has 30 letters, while Russian has 33. Moreover, a few letters shared by both alphabets behave differently.
Let’s see some examples :
- Bulgarian has no ы, э, or ё letters.
- Bulgarian ъ is a real vowel, a bit like the “u” sound in “but”. In Russian, ъ is a silent hard sign.
- Bulgarian щ sounds like “sht”, while Russian щ sounds closer to “shch”.
Despite these differences, if you already read Russian, you can read Bulgarian almost at once! And vice versa.
What Are The Main Grammatical Differences Between Bulgarian And Russian?
Bulgarian grammar is simpler for nouns and more complex for verbs, while Russian retains the classic Slavic case system. In short, Bulgarian moved toward the pattern of some of its Balkan neighbors, with a simpler grammar structure like Macedonian, while Russian stayed true to its Slavic roots.
Why Did Bulgarian Lose Its Noun Cases?
Unlike Russian, Bulgarian replaced the traditional seven case endings with prepositions.
This means that Bulgarian nouns don’t change their endings depending on the sentence or context. This makes the language significantly easier to learn than Russian!
Which Is Easier To Learn, Bulgarian Or Russian?
For most English speakers, Bulgarian seems easier to learn because it lacks cases.
However, it is wrong to say that one is easier than the other. Judging the difficulty of a language generally depends on various factors, such as one’s mother tongue and learning style.
So, whether Bulgarian or Russian is hard to learn will entirely depend on you. Here are other things to consider :
- If you know Russian, Bulgarian will feel easy at first because the script, the vocabulary, and the sounds will be very similar.
- If you don’t speak Russian or Bulgarian, you’ll probably want to start with Bulgarian because its grammar is easier.
- If you know Bulgarian, Russian will give you a hard time with cases, but not with the alphabet.
How To Start Learning Bulgarian And Russian?
Want to learn Bulgarian or Russian?
You might want to start with the alphabet rather than with everyday vocabulary! Then establish a proper learning routine in which you commit to learning and progress regularly. This is the only way for you to really start speaking the languages easily and rapidly.
A bonus for you: Our complete guide on how to learn Bulgarian gives you the full roadmap to start your first steps in the language. And if you are hesitating between Bulgarian and other Slavic languages, you might want to read our guide to Macedonian, Bulgarian, and Serbian to understand where you’re heading (linguistically speaking!).
3 Tips To Learn Bulgarian And Russian
Here are three tips for those who decide to learn Bulgarian and Russian:
- Learn the Cyrillic alphabet first. Bulgarian and Russian both use Cyrillic, but some letters differ in pronunciation or use.
- Compare similar words, but watch out for differences. Bulgarian and Russian share many words, which can make vocabulary easier to remember.
- Listen to native speakers. Watch Bulgarian and Russian videos, listen to podcasts, or try songs in each language. Even if you don’t understand everything, regular listening helps you get used to pronunciation, rhythm, and natural speech.
FAQs – Bulgarian Vs Russian
Is Bulgarian Similar To Russian?
Yes, both languages share a Slavic origin, the Cyrillic script, and many words, but they are different languages. Bulgarian has almost no noun cases, whereas Russian still has them.
Can A Russian Speaker Understand Bulgarian?
A Russian speaker can usually guess the gist of modern Bulgarian writing thanks to shared roots and script, and somehow understand the topic of a conversation with a Bulgarian speaker. But the whole speech and details will be harder to understand because of the highly different grammar and the many false friends.
Is Bulgarian Older Than Russian?
No. Since both languages descend from Old Slavonic, neither language is older than the other. Each branch changed in its own way over time and evolved to become what it is today.
Should I Learn Bulgarian Or Russian First?
We recommend choosing the language you will actually use, or the one that seems easier to learn. In a sense, the Bulgarian language might feel easier if you want fewer cases, and it’s useful if you plan to visit Bulgaria. However, Russian will definitely be more useful since it’s the official language of Russia (if you want to move there) and has far more speakers worldwide.
Can I Learn Bulgarian And Russian By Myself?
Yes, you can learn Bulgarian and Russian on your own, especially at the beginner level. Apps like Ling, textbooks, videos, and podcasts can help you build vocabulary, learn grammar, and practice listening.
What To Remember About Bulgarian Vs Russian
Bulgarian and Russian share Slavic roots and use Cyrillic, so knowing one can help you recognize words in the other. However, they differ in pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary, so don’t assume they work the same way.
If you’re learning both, focus on their similarities while paying attention to what makes each language unique. With time and practice, you can build your skills in both without getting them mixed up.
Ready To Try Learning Bulgarian Or Russian With Ling?
Bulgarian and Russian share a lot, but they are still distinct languages that will make your learning experience widely different, depending on your choice!
Since both are Slavic languages, you might encounter some hurdles on the way (yes, Slavic languages are notoriously difficult to learn). But if you choose the Ling app as your pocket language teacher, then you might learn them much more easily! After all, learning a language with Ling means taking the easy path to hard languages!
So, if you’re ready to learn Bulgarian or Russian, don’t miss out! Download Ling today and start your new language journey!
