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50+ Interesting Common Daily Vocabulary In Serbian

Make it fun and easy with the Ling app!

Tom Clegg

By Tom Clegg
Updated on May 16, 2025

Table Of Contents

Zdravo! Kako si? If you’re planning a trip to Serbia, trying to connect with your family or friends, or simply curious about the language, learning a few basic words can make a big difference. It’s those everyday expressions – the ones people actually use – that help you feel included and understood.

You don’t need to be fluent to start forming real connections. Picking up common daily vocabulary in Serbian is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to ease into the language. These are the words you’ll hear in cafés, on the bus, at the market, or around the dinner table. They’re simple, practical, and used constantly in daily life.

Below, you’ll find 50+ useful Serbian words and phrases that you can start using right away, no matter where you are in your language journey!

Let’s Start With Common Serbian Greetings

Use them when you walk into a shop, greet a neighbor, or thank someone for their help. A simple zdravo can help start conversations and make you feel more connected wherever you are.

EnglishSerbian
HelloZdravo
Hi/ByeĆao
Good dayDobar dan
Good morningDobro jutro
Good eveningDobro veče
Good nightLaku noć
GoodbyeDoviđenja

Basic Serbian Words And Phrases Used In Daily Conversation

These are the kinds of phrases you’ll hear (and use) all the time – at the market, in a café, or when chatting with someone new.

EnglishSerbian
YesDa
NoNe
How are you?Kako si? (casual)
Kako ste (formal)
PleaseMolim
Thank youHvala
What is your name?Kako se zoveš?
My name is…Ja se zovem…
Where is…?Gde je…?
How much does it cost?Koliko košta?
Where can I find…?Gde mogu naći…?
Can I pay by credit card?Mogu li da platim kreditnom karticom?
Excuse me, I don’t speak Serbian well.Izvinite, ne govorim dobro srpski jezik.
Do you speak English?Da li govorite engleski?
I don’t understandNe razumem
What is the time?Koliko je sati?
Nice to meet youDrago mi je
I’m sorryŽao mi je
I don’t understandNe razumem

Numbers To Know In Serbian

Whether you’re telling someone your phone number, asking about the time, or paying for groceries, numbers are everywhere. Start with the basics – learn how to count from zero to ten in Serbian!

EnglishSerbian
ZeroNula
OneJedan
TwoDva
ThreeTri
FourČetiri
FivePet
SixŠest
SevenSedam
EightOsam
NineSevet
TenDeset
HundredSto
ThousandHiljada

Serbian Words For Family And Relationships

If you’re talking to someone in Serbia, chances are they’ll ask you if you have any siblings, or if you’re close to your parents. Family is an important part of Serbian culture, and knowing how to talk about it is a great way to connect with locals on a deeper level.

EnglishSerbian
FamilyPorodica
MotherMajka
FatherOtac
SisterSestra
BrotherBrat
SonSin
DaughterĆerka
CousinRođak (male)
Rođaka (female)
HusbandSuprug
WifeŽena
BoyfriendDečko
GirlfriendDevojka
FriendPrijatelj (male)
Prijateljica (female)

Basic Vocabulary For Food And Drinks

Here are some of the most common food and drink words you’ll hear in Serbia. These are useful when you’re ordering lunch, shopping at the market, or just chatting about what you like to eat.

EnglishSerbian
BreadHleb
CheeseSir
MilkMleko
MeatMesо
FruitVoće
VegetablesPovrće
WaterVoda
CoffeeKafa
TeaČaj
JuiceSok
WineVino
BeerPivo

If you’re a foodie who loves eating in a Serbian kafana, learning more food vocabulary in Serbian can seriously level up your dining experience!

Telling Time And Days Of The Week

If someone asks you what day it is or when you’re free to meet up, these are the words you’ll need. They’re also really handy when reading signs or planning trips with your new Serbian friends.

EnglishSerbian
DayDan
NightNoć
SundayNedelja
MondayPonedeljak
TuesdayUtorak
WednesdaySreda
ThursdayČetvrtak
FridayPetak
SaturdaySubota
MorningJutro
AfternoonPopodne
EveningVeče
Serbian Words For Daily Life

Transportation And Directions

Getting in, out of, and around the country is fairly easy thanks to well-connected transportation in Serbia. Learn these basic Serbian terms to ask for directions, understand signs, and navigate buses, trains, or taxis without stress:

EnglishSerbian
BusAutobus
TrainVoz
TaxiTaksi
AirportAerodrom
LeftLevo
RightDesno
ForwardNapred
BackwardNazad
Where is the station?Gde je stanica?
How do I get to…?Kako da stignem do…?
Person's Shadow

Talking About Weather In Serbian

Rain or shine, weather is a common topic of conversation. You can use these phrases if you’re making small talk or planning a day out:

EnglishSerbian
It’s sunnySunčano je
It’s cloudyOblačno je
It’s rainingPada kiša
It’s snowingPada sneg
It’s warmToplo je
It’s coldHladno je

Serbian Words For Health And Emergencies

If you’re not feeling well or find yourself in an emergency, it’s always helpful to know how to ask for assistance or explain what’s wrong, even if you only remember a few key phrases. Hopefully, you won’t need to use them, but it’s good to be prepared. Here are some basic expressions that can come in handy:

EnglishSerbian
DoctorDoktor
HospitalBolnica
PharmacyApoteka
EmergencyHitna pomoć
HelpPomoć
Please, I need helpMolim vas, treba mi pomoć
Thank you, I feel betterHvala, osećam se bolje
May I borrow your telephone?Mogu li da posudim telefon?

Serbian Words And Phrases When Shopping

Shopping in Serbia? Even if you’re just browsing, knowing how to ask ‘How much is this?’ or say ‘I’d like to try it on’ makes the experience smoother. Let’s start with the basics:

EnglishSerbian
ShopProdavnica
Cash RegisterKasa
PriceCena
SizeVeličina
Fitting roomKabina
How much is this?Koliko košta ovo?
Can I try this on?Mogu li da probam?
It’s too smallMalo mi je
It’s too bigVeliko mi je
I’ll buy this oneKupiću ovo
I’ll pay in cashPlatiću gotovinom
I’ll pay with cardPlatiću karticom

If you’re shopping Serbia, getting familiar with the Serbian currency and picking up some money-related tips can save you time, confusion and maybe even a few dinars.

Expressing Emotions In Serbian

Feeling happy, tired, or just really excited about trying ćevapi for the first time? Emotions are part of everyday conversations, and knowing how to talk about them in Serbian can make your chats feel more real and relatable.

EnglishSerbian
HappySrećan/Srećna
SadTužan/Tužna
AngryLjut/Ljuta
TiredUmoran/Umorna
SurprisedIznenađen/Iznenađena

What Is Common Daily Vocabulary In Serbian?

The Serbian phrase for common daily vocabulary is fraze za svaki dan.

fraze za svaki dan

Tips On How To Memorize Common Daily Vocabulary In Serbian

Learning new words is one thing, actually remembering them is where most people struggle. Here are a few simple ways to make those Serbian words stick:

  1. Learn words by theme, like food or family, so they’re easier to connect.
  2. Say them out loud. Don’t just read – speak! It helps your brain connect sound to meaning.
  3. Listen to native speakers as often as possible – through podcasts, songs, or everyday conversations. Hearing the words in context helps you remember them naturally and understand how they’re really used.
  4. Use language apps like the Ling app to discover vocabulary in context, then write them down in a notebook.
  5. Review regularly. A 5 minute review once a day can help you remember way more than cramming once a week.

Frequently Asked Questions On Common Daily Vocabulary in Serbian

1. How Do Serbians Say ‘Hi’?

Serbians often greet each other with ‘Zdravo!’ It’s a friendly, neutral way to say hello that works at any time of day, just like ‘hello’ in English. You’ll also hear ‘Ćao’, a more casual greeting used among friends, which can mean both ‘hi’ and ‘bye’, depending on the context.

2. How To Respond To ‘Kako si?’ In Serbian?

When someone asks you Kako si? in Serbian, which means ‘how are you?’, a simple and polite response is dobro sam – ‘I’m good’. If you’re feeling great, you can say super, or if things aren’t going so well, loše sam means ‘I’m not well’.

3. How Do Serbians Say ‘Yes’?

Serbians say da to mean ‘yes’. Simple and straightforward!

Wrapping Up Common Daily Vocabulary in Serbian

To summarize – in this article, we’ve covered greetings, food, numbers, shopping, family words, and more. We also shared a few easy tips to help you memorize vocabulary and actually use it in conversations with your family and friends.

So, what did you think? Which words or phrases from this list do you see yourself using first? It doesn’t matter if it’s a simple zdravo, ordering kafa, or asking kako si? – every word you learn brings you closer to using Serbian more confidently in daily life.

And mastering common daily vocabulary in Serbian is just the beginning – with regular practice, you’ll be able to speak more naturally and connect with locals in no time.

Speak Serbian With Confidence!

Learning Serbian doesn’t have to feel like homework. If you’re looking to learn Serbian language in a way that actually sticks, there’s a smarter way to do it. With Ling app, you can explore grammar, vocabulary, and everyday phrases through fun, interactive lessons that keep you engaged.

It’s all about building real skills you can actually use. You might be planning a trip to Serbia, trying to connect more deeply with your family roots, or simply passionate about learning new languages. Whatever your reason, starting with everyday vocabulary is a practical and meaningful way to feel more confident and connected. Start small, stay consistent, and before you know it, you’ll be speaking Serbian like a pro!