Unfortunately, there is no Bosnian on Babbel. But we’ve got you covered. In this blog post, we’ll go over why the Ling app is the best resource to learn Bosnian in 2026.
We’ll also explore a few tentative reasons why there’s no Bosnian on Babbel, why you should learn the language in the first place, and what you can expect when using Ling to learn the language.
So, if you’ve been thinking of learning Bosnian for some time and decided to actually start with the help of language-learning apps, don’t let the fact that major apps don’t offer it deter you!
Why Is There No Bosnian On Babbel?
Without knowing the exact reason, we’ve come up with a couple of possible explanations for why there is no Bosnian on Babbel.
- Bosnian is a less widely spoken language (3 million speakers) compared to neighboring Slavic languages. So instead of adding a smaller language course, Babbel would prefer to focus its efforts on popular languages spoken by more than 100 million people.
- The Bosnian language also has a complicated history. Until the early 1990s, there was a single language called Serbo-Croatian, which later split into several smaller languages. So, if Babbel launched a Bosnian course, it would likely feel pressure to launch courses for all the other Balkan languages as well.
Is Bosnian Hard To Learn?
Bosnian is considered a moderately difficult language for English speakers. The U.S. Foreign Service Institute (FSI) classifies it as a Category III language, meaning it typically takes around 1,012 hours of study to reach professional proficiency.
But there are several aspects of Bosnian that make it more approachable than it might seem:
- Grammar: Like other South Slavic languages, Bosnian has 7 grammatical cases, meaning nouns, pronouns, and adjectives change their endings depending on their role in a sentence. This can be quite unfamiliar to English speakers.
- Scripts: Bosnian uses both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, so you’ll need to become familiar with both. The good news is that standard Bosnian leans heavily on the Latin script in everyday use.
- Vocabulary: Bosnian has a notable number of loanwords from Turkish, Arabic, and Persian. Some of these may feel unfamiliar, but they also give the language a distinctive character.
- Mutual intelligibility: If you already know Serbian or Croatian, learning Bosnian will be significantly easier. The three languages are closely related and largely mutually intelligible.
So, while Bosnian has its challenges, it’s manageable with persistence, consistency, and good learning resources.
Why Should I Learn Bosnian?
There are plenty of great reasons to learn Bosnian, whether you’re drawn to the country, the culture, or the language itself. Here are five to get you started:
- Of course, the number one reason to learn Bosnian is your interest in learning a foreign language. If you’re an enthusiastic learner who is always hungry to learn a new language, why not give at least one Slavic language, like Bosnian, a try?
- If you ever travel to Bosnia & Herzegovina, you’ll fall in love with its historical and natural beauty. Places like the Old Bridge in Mostar and the Kravica Waterfall are truly stunning. Who knows, maybe you’ll decide to live there someday?
- Bosnians are among the most hospitable people you’ll come across in Europe. Did you know that in almost every Bosnian house, there is a spare room for guests?
- Similar to Turkey, Bosnian cuisine is full of delicious food and drink. Speaking for myself, if the cuisine is appetizing, that’s a good enough reason to learn the language!
If you want to experience living culture and history on the streets and among people of different ethnicities, you should add Bosnia & Herzegovina to your bucket list right now. Of course, many people there speak English, but interaction and empathy are stronger when you communicate in the local language.
Babbel Vs Ling: Which One Supports Bosnian?
Simply put, the Ling app offers Bosnian, whereas Babbel does not. But the differences go beyond just one language:
| Feature | Ling | Babbel |
|---|---|---|
| Bosnian course available | ✓ | ✗ |
| Languages offered | 70+ | 14 |
| Gamified lessons | ✓ | ✓ |
| Native-speaker audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dialog/conversation practice | ✓ | ✓ |
| Grammar Notes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Non-Latin script writing practice | ✓ | ✗ |
| Free trial | 7 days + 2 free units | First lesson only |
| Pricing | $16.99/month | $9.60/month |
If learning Bosnian specifically is your goal, the Ling app is the clear choice, since there’s no Bosnian on Babbel.
The Best Alternative To Babbel For Learning Bosnian
There’s no Bosnian on Babbel, but as we said, that doesn’t mean you can’t learn the language with a great app. The Ling app offers native-speaker audio, conversational practice, pronunciation feedback, several review tools, and more. Moreover, it specializes in teaching underserved languages, especially those from Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, so you’re definitely in good hands.
Here’s what you’ll find on Ling’s Bosnian course:
- Structured lessons built around real life: Short, practical lessons organized around everyday situations, so you’re learning language you can actually use in daily life.
- Native-speaker audio: Every word and phrase is recorded by a real Bosnian speaker, so you hear the language as it’s genuinely spoken.
- Culture Notes: Short dives into the historical and cultural context that shaped the Bosnian language.
- Grammar Notes: Clear, simple explanations of how Bosnian grammar works.
- Dialog practice: Guided, real-life conversations that build the confidence to actually speak with people.
- Voice recognition: Speak your answers out loud and get instant feedback on your pronunciation. Research has shown that this can significantly impact language learning.
- Access to Serbian and Croatian: Since Ling also offers both neighboring languages, you can explore the wider South Slavic family from the same app whenever you’re ready.
Who Is The Ling App Best For?
The Ling app works well for a wide range of learners, but it’s particularly well-suited to a few specific profiles:
- People with ties to Bosnia & Herzegovina: Whether you have Bosnian family, a partner from Sarajevo, or roots in the region you want to reconnect with, Ling gives you a structured way to build real language skills.
- Curious travelers: Bosnia & Herzegovina is one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. If you’re the kind of traveler who aims to go beyond the surface and actually connect with the people and places you visit, picking up some Bosnian before you go makes a real difference.
- Slavic language enthusiasts: Already dabbling in Serbian, Croatian, or another Slavic language? Bosnian is a natural next step, and Ling makes the transition easy since all three languages are available in the same app.
- Self-motivated learners: Ling is entirely self-paced, making it a good fit for those who prefer to study on their own schedule without the pressure of a class or a tutor.
- Beginners starting from zero: The course is designed to take you from an absolute beginner to conversational proficiency, with no prior knowledge required.
Why Serious Learners Choose Ling
Don’t take our word for it, let’s see what Ling’s users have to say with a couple of reviews taken directly from Google Play:
“I love it in Bosnian and I have been using this for 2 days now and its really helped me read and understand Bosnian. I love this app.”
★★★★★
Sabrina Zecic
“I like the teaching style and the learning pace. I also like that the interface is very smooth and responsive immediately. I like that it evaluates my pronunciation and lets me keep trying until I get it right. I like that there is a review and flashcards. It also lets me pick up where I left off or go all the way back. Learning a whole new tongue is not easy but this seems to be working for me. It is going to be more about how much time I put into it.”
★★★★★
Dione Rodgers
What You’ll Achieve In Your First Week Using Ling
Since the Ling app has a 7-day free trial, let’s see some things you can learn if you use it for a week:
| Day | What You’ll Learn | Examples from the app |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Greetings and introductions in Bosnian | How are you today? – Kako si danas? |
| Day 2 | Basic sentences in Bosnian | I am sorry. – Žao mi je. |
| Day 3 | Bosnian Grammar Notes | Personal pronouns in Bosnian |
| Day 4 | Talking about people in Bosnian | You are a man. – Vi ste muškarac. She is a girl. – Ona je djevojčica. |
| Day 5 | Bosnian Culture Notes | “Bosnian expressions you’ll hear everywhere” |
| Day 6 | More basic sentences in Bosnian | I eat rice. – Ja jedem rižu. |
| Day 7 | Numbers and family in Bosnian | One –jedan, three – tri. She is his older sister. – Ona je njegova starija sestra. |
You can learn several basic words and phrases in Bosnian by using the Ling app for a week. You’ll also see a few Culture Notes and Grammar Notes scattered throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions: No Bosnian On Babbel
What Is The Best App To Learn Bosnian?
The Ling app is one of the best apps for learning Bosnian. It offers lessons built around real-life situations, native-speaker audio, dialog practice, Bosnian grammar and culture notes, and gamified elements to keep you motivated.
Can I Learn Bosnian By Myself?
Yes, Bosnian is very manageable for self-studiers, especially with a structured app like Ling to guide you. Supplementing with Bosnian media, music, or conversations with native speakers will help you progress faster.
How Long Does It Take To Learn Bosnian?
The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) estimates that Bosnian takes around 1,012 hours of study for English speakers to reach professional working proficiency. That said, most learners can reach conversational fluency over several months with consistent daily practice.
Where Is Bosnian Spoken?
Bosnian is the native language of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a country located in the western Balkans in Europe. While the capital is Sarajevo, its best-known cities include Mostar and Banja Luka.
What’s The Ethnicity Of People In Bosnia & Herzegovina?
Bosnia & Herzegovina has been strongly influenced by regional powers, creating a rich ethnic and religious mix. The influences of Islam, Orthodox Christianity, and Roman Catholicism are visible throughout the country, and these three faiths generally correspond to three major ethnic groups: Bosniaks (Muslims), Serbs (Orthodox), and Croats (Catholics).
What Other Languages Are Spoken In Bosnia & Herzegovina?
The native language of the majority is Serbo-Croatian, which means many people speak Croatian and Serbian as well. Since these languages are mutually intelligible to a high degree, communication across the three communities is generally not a problem.
Can I Learn Bosnian For Free?
You can learn Bosnian for free using YouTube. You can pick up useful learning tips from native speakers, polyglots, teachers, and experts, all for free. One channel worth checking out is ‘How To Speak Bosnian’; you can access their Bosnian lessons for free.
Alternatively, you can use the two free units and the 7-day free trial on the Ling app to learn some basic Bosnian.
Is Bosnian On Babbel?
No, Bosnian is not available on Babbel, which offers mostly popular European languages like French and German. That said, the Ling app is one of the best alternatives for learning Bosnian: it offers a full course for the language, with native-speaker audio, conversational practice, review tools, and more.
Start Learning Bosnian With Ling!
The best app to learn Bosnian is, undoubtedly, the Ling app. It offers a Bosnian course that takes you from zero to a conversational level, and it also covers the other languages spoken in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Serbian and Croatian.
Ling doesn’t just teach you vocabulary; it also brings in cultural knowledge through its Bosnian Culture Notes and explains grammar through its Bosnian Grammar Notes.
Moreover, the app puts a structured learning path in front of you, and all you have to do is follow the sequence and work through various fun exercises. There’s writing, listening, dialog practice that builds your real-world conversation skills, and more.
So start learning Bosnian with the Ling app today. You can try it out for free for 7 days and see for yourself why it’s the go-to choice for learners of less common languages.
