Once you land in Serbia, the best way to get comfortable with the local people is to be acquainted with their extraordinary language. Only the knowledge of some basic Serbian expressions can make all the change to your presence and personality in front of them, proffering a sophisticated and favorable outlook. To make it an easy possibility, we have gathered some of the essential and most useful Serbian slang words and phrases that you can learn at home just within a few days. Keep reading and get ready to become a pro-Serbian speaker.
Why Learn The Serbian Language?
If you have a flight to Serbia, no doubt, understanding Serbian is a necessity for you. Nevertheless, the Slavic language has always been a beautiful language to learn and speak. Initially, people who speak English as their mother tongue might find it a bit complicated, but it is worth the while.
The language of Serbia is a part of the Slavic branch from the Indo-European family of languages. It is a language that uses both the Cyrillic and Latin alphabet simultaneously, named Azbuka and Abeceda. It has two dialects, Shtoktavian and Torlakian, where the former is the prestigious language of Serbia and most literary languages are based on it.
The language is spoken in Serbia and is also popular in the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and has a Serbo Croatian connection. Officially, there are almost around 9.5 million speakers of the language and has produced a large variety of literary work, especially poetry, since the 17th century. Several authors like Danilo Kis, Svetlana Velma-Jankovic, and Borislav Pekic have made their names famous in the international book market. Such a literary community sense gives a pure reason to learn basic Serbian phrases and explore its beauty.
Basic Serbian Expressions
You don’t have to utter Serbian ravishingly with unique Serbian phrases to impress and express your feelings to the locals in Serbia. Getting some of the primary and useful Serbian phrases down will do the job. First, let us begin with some everyday phrases and greetings words that every learner should know. If you have already started learning Serbian, these words will sound quite familiar.
1. Здраво!
English Translation: Hello!/ Hey!
Without any doubt, the first thing you would want to do is greet a warm hello to the person in front of you. In Serbian, you can use the word Zdravo! (Здраво!). It means Hello! and can be used in a very casual tone.
2. Шта има?
English Translation: What’s up?
Šta ima? (Шта има?) is the Serbian translation of the English phrase “What’s up?” It is a polite way to start your conversation with your Serbian friend or local mates. However, it is an informal phrase, so you might want to restrict it in front of seniors.
3. Моје име је…
English Translation: My name is…
It is for sure that nobody would be expecting you to speak Serbian, but once you use Moje ime je.. (Моје име је…), you are going to win hearts. The phrase Моје име је… is the Serbian way of saying “My name is…”.
4. Добро јутро /добро вече /лаку ноћ
English Translation: Good morning/good evening/good night
Another polite way of greeting a local would be saying dobro jutro (добро вече)/dobro veče (Добро јутро)/laku noć (лаку ноћ). The first phrase means Good morning, the second stands for Good evening, and the third says Good night. Use these and make Serbian people think twice about your skills.
5. драго ми је да смо се упознали
English Translation: Nice to meet you
Learning a new language or foreign words can be challenging and time-consuming if you are used to English. But simple phrases like drago mi je da smo se upoznali (драго ми је да смо се упознали) can help you learn Serbian in no time. It means “Nice to meet you” in English. Serbs are delightful people, and you will surely make them your fans with this phrase.
6. како се зовеш
English Translation: What is your name?
Now that you know how to introduce your name, learn this simple phrase to ask questions in return. Kako se zoveš (како се зовеш), which means “What is your name” in English will help you with that. You can also say kako se zovete instead of the former one. Kako se zovete is also a Serbian phrase that concerns asking someone’s name.
7. Волим те
English translation: I love you
Another needed expression, Volim te (Волим те), can help you become the star amongst the locals. It means “I love you” in English, and using this can help you get people’s attention.
8. да ли говориш српски
English Translation: Do you speak Serbian
Da li govoriš srpski (да ли говориш српски) means “Do you speak Serbian” in English. It is one of the common expressions or Serbian phrases you will encounter once you are between the Serbian crowd. So get ready for it.
9. Хвала вам
English Translation: Thank you
Hvala vam (Хвала вам) is the Serbian version of Thankyou. Whenever you leave someone’s company, say these two words and act like a pro speaker.
10. Молимо вас
English Translation: Please
Molim vas (Молимо вас) means Please. Use this word whenever you are requesting someone. It is polite and very humble to use such a word. You can also form useful phrases with this word.
More Serbian Phrases To Learn
You have already covered the basic Serbian phrases that will help you express yourself openly and talk smoothly in front of the Serbs. However, there is no harm in knowing more. We have some more greetings words and useful Serbian phrases below that you can use to make your Serbian better and more precise.
| English | Serbian | Pronunciation |
| Do you speak English | да ли говориш енглески | Da li govorite engleski? |
| I’m sorry | Жао ми је | Žao mi je |
| Where is the restroom? | Где је тоалет | gde je toalet |
| What country are you from? | одакле си | odakle ste |
| Happy New Year | Срећна Нова година | srećna nova godina |
| Good Day | Добар дан | dobar dan |
| Happy Birthday | Срећан рођендан | Srećan rođendan |
| I do not know! | Не знам | Ne znam |
| I am from… | ја сам из… | Ja sam iz… |
| Almost done | Скоро завршено | Skoro završeno |
| What happened? | Шта се десило? | Šta se desilo? |
| Oh My God! | О Боже! | O Bože! |
| Is that right? | Је л ‘тако? | Je l ‘tako? |
| I hate you | Мрзим те | Mrzim te |
| Too hot! | Превруће! | Prevruće! |
| What a waste | Какав отпад | Kakav otpad |
| Good news! | Добре вести! | Dobre vesti! |
| Just Kidding | само се шалим | Samo se šalim |
| What a lie! | Каква лаж! | Kakva laž! |
| I don’t care | није ме брига | nije me briga |
| Leave me alone | Остави ме на миру | Ostavi me na miru |
| Go astray | Залутати | Zalutati |
| Goodbye | збогом | zbogom |
| See you again! | Видимо се опет! | Vidimo se opet! |
| What the hell | шта дођавола | šta dođavola |
| Never mind | Није битно | Nije bitno |
| Dinner Time | Време вечере | Vreme večere |
| Have fun! | Забави се! | Zabavi se! |
| Good luck | Срећно | Srećno |
| Come back soon | Врати се ускоро | Vrati se uskoro |
| You are Awesome | Ти си супер | Ti si super |
| Happy valentine’s day | срећан дан заљубљених | srećan dan zaljubljenih |
| Are you ok? | Јеси ли добро? | Jesi li dobro? |
| May I help you? | Могу ли да Вам помогнем? | Mogu li da Vam pomognem? |
| Where to? | Где да? | Gde da? |
| Don’t worry | не брини | ne brini |
| It’s fine | Добро је | Dobro je |
| I have to go! | Морам да идем! | Moram da idem! |
| Meet me again! | Упознајте ме поново! | Upoznajte me ponovo! |
Speak Serbian With Ling!
The Serbian Language is one of the most interesting languages to learn, and I am sure you must have already discovered it. If you want to know further and uncover some of the best phrases and ways to become a fluent speaker, get yourself acquainted with “Serbian Grammar: 3+ Easy Rules To Learn” and “10+ Serbian Greetings Everyone Should Know“.
You can also learn other exciting and fun lessons from the comfort of your mobile phone by downloading the Ling App by Simya Solutions. Ling provides language lessons of different languages from all over the world without charging any price. You will get free access to talented and experienced language experts with just a few clicks. Start learning Serbian now!
