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Bulgarian phrasebook

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Bulgarian is a South Slavic language, thus closer to Serbo-Croatian and Slovenian than to Russian or Polish but still retaining similarities to all. Spoken by over 9.5 million people, it is the national language of Republic of Bulgaria. It is also spoken by Bulgarian minorities in Yugoslavia and the Western Balkans, and Moldova, and language still in use by many immigrants of Bulgarian origin in Argentina, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and U.S.A. Linguists do not agree as to whether Macedonian is a dialect of Bulgarian. Generally Yugoslavs disagree, while Bulgarians say that it is. The spoken languages are mutually intelligible for the most part, although their Cyrillic alphabets have diverged somewhat, with Macedonian's writing system resembling that of Serbo-Croatian.

Most Bulgarian verbs carry inflection suffixes while some modal verbs use different words (typical example, the verb "съм" / "to be"). There are fewer verb tenses than in English with present, past, past continuous and future being the most commonly used, but the Slavic imperfective and perfective 'aspects' are present. Nouns have three genders, and pronouns have genders. Adjectives must agree with the noun they modify and the first adjective takes the definite article if present. Those familiar with other Balto-Slavic languages will be surprised to discover that the noun cases are missing (except for vocative to a slight degree) and replaced by prepositions and definite articles as post-positions like Romanian and Turkish. Unlike other Slavic languages, the infinitive ha fallen out of use (which always ended in -ти). You may say "иcкaм гoвopити" (I want to speak) over "иcкaм дa гoвopя" and be understood, but the locals may think you're sounding archaic or speaking another Slavic language.

There are separate pronouns for "you": singular '"ти'" ("tchee") and the plural "'вие'" (vee-eh). The formal 'you' is the plural form with first letter capitalized ("Вие"). Like all other Slavic languages (as well as the Romance ones), the pronoun is usually ommitted due to context. Many times the 'л' will sound like a 'w' sound.

[edit] Pronunciation guide

Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet, and the language is famous for introducing this writing system which Russian, the other East Slavic languages and Serbo-Croatian (and other non-Slavic languages as well) would adopt later, the latter with considerable differences. In general the language is phonetic though there are few sounds denoted by digraphs and few combinations denoted by a single letter. 

Alphabet:
А Б В Г Д Е Ж З И Й К Л М Н О П Р С Т У Ф Х Ц Ч Ш Щ Ъ Ь Ю Я
а б в г д е ж з и й к л м н о п р с т у ф х ц ч ш щ ъ ь ю я

Stress is generally unpredictable. Fortunately, most Bulgarian dictionaries and language-books put the accent on the stressed syllable.

[edit] Vowels

Unstressed "а" and "ъ", "о" and "у", "е" and "и" tend to be shorter and weaker compared to their stressed counterparts, approaching each other, though without merging completely. You shall hear the 'ти' as a 'tchee' sound. Because the 't' becomes palatal and not said behind the teeth like in "ten"

a ah 
like in father or car; when at the end of the word sounds like stub
e eh 
like in pen or attend; it is shorter than in most other Slavic languages, especially Russian.
и ee 
like in machine or to be
o oh 
like in more or score; the unstressed "o" is less reduced than it is in Russian.
у oo 
like in full or book
ъ uh 
like in about (unstressed) or stub (when stressed). Sounds just like the unstressed 'o' in Russian.

[edit] Semivowels

й y (i-kratko/short i)
like in yes or play

Before a vowel (after another vowel or at the beginning of a word) denotes a diphthong like in "crayon" or "yes". After a vowel at the end of the word similar to English 'y' as in "play" or "fly". Can be used only next to vowels and not before or after a consonant.

[edit] Consonants

Voiced consonants at the end of a word are pronounced as voiceless.

б bə 
like in boy or rubbish, on the end of a word pronounced "p"
в və 
like in ever or vineyard, on the end of a word pronounced "f"
г gə 
like in gull or legacy, on the end of a word pronounced "k"
д də 
like in deal or madness, on the end of a word pronounced "t"
ж zhə 
like in pleasure or conclusion, on the end of a word pronounced "sh"
з zə 
like in zoo or freezing, on the end of a word pronounced "s"
к kə 
like in kite or rock
л lə 
like in leak or look. Becoming (younger generations in some areas) closer to weak "w" as in saw (cf. Polish ł).
м mə 
like in mine or ham
н nə 
like in note or monkey
п pə 
like in pork or comply
р rə 
slightly to moderately rolled "r" as in Spanish, etc. Like in Spanish pero or otro
с sə 
like in spit or cast
т tə 
like in time or lightning [ at times becoming palatal with 'ти' and 'тя' ]
ф fə 
like in feed or left
х hə 
like in hotel or coherent [ usually aspirated similar to 'ck' in "lick"]
ц tsə 
like in tsunami
ч chə 
like in cheap or kitchen
ш shə 
like in sheep or mishap
щ shtə 
"Sht", as in German "Still" or "Stettin" NOT shch like in Russian.
ь ['] 
not a sound itself, denotes softening (palatization) of preceding consonant; unlike Russian and other Slavic languages, this is very rarely used and the softening is less dramatic in Bulgarian than in other Slavic languages;
дж dzhə 
like in join or edge. Mainly used for foreign loan words.

[edit] Common diphthongs

NOTE 
Middle or end of words they are: я-ia, йе-ie, йо/ьo-io and ю-iu
я yah 
like in yacht or German Ja
йе yeh 
like in yes or yellow
йо/ьo yoh 
like in yogurt or coyote. The latter is usually stressed
ю yoo 
like in you or cute

Note that 'ю' and 'я' denote diphthongs [yoo] and [yah] after a vowel and at the beginning of a word, and tend to be pronounced 'ia' or 'io' in the middle or end of the word. The soft sign will not be included here as it has been very rarely used since 1945.

[edit] Phrase list

[edit] Basics

Hello. 
Здравейте. (zdrah-VEY-teh)
Hello. (informal, to close friend) 
Здравей. (ZDRAH-vey)
Hi. (informal, to close friend) 
Здрасти. (ZDRAHS-tee)
How are you? 
Как сте? (kahk steh?)
How are you? (informal) 
Как си? (kahk see?)
Fine, thank you. 
Добре, благодаря. (doh-BREH, blah-goh-dah-RYUH)
How do they call you? (informal) 
Как се казваш? (kahk seh KAHZ-vash?)
My name is ______ . 
Казвам се ______ . (kahz-VUHM seh _____ .)
Nice to meet you. 
Приятно ми е да се запознаем. (pryaht-NOH mee eh dah seh zah-POHZ-naem)
Please. 
Моля. (moh-LYAH)
Thank you. 
Благодаря. (blah-goh-DAH-ryah)
You're welcome. 
Моля. (moh-LYAH)
Yes. 
Да. (dah)
No. 
Не. (neh)
Excuse me. (getting attention) 
Извинете. (eez-vee-NEH-teh)
Excuse me. (begging pardon or formal) 
Моля да ме извините. (MOH-lyah dah meh eez-vee-NEE-teh)
I'm sorry. 
Съжалявам. (suh-zhah-LYAH-vahm)
Goodbye 
Довиждане. (doh-VEEZH-dah-neh)
Goodbye (informal) 
Чао / Ciao (Italian). (chao)
I can't speak Bulgarian [well]. 
Аз не говоря български [добре]. (az ne govorya balgarski [dobre])
Do you speak English? (polite) 
Говорите ли английски? (govorite li angliiski?)
Do you speak English? (informal) 
Говориш ли английски? (govorish li angliiski?)
Is there someone here who speaks English? 
Има ли някой, който говори английски? (ima li niakoi, koyto govori angliiski?)
Help! 
Помощ! (pomosht!)
Look out! 
Внимавай! (vnimavai!)
Watch out! 
Пази се! (pazi se!)
Good morning. 
Добро утро. (dobro utro or dobroutro)
Good evening. 
Добър вечер. (dobar vecher)
Good night (to sleep) 
Лека нощ. (leka nosh)
I don't understand. 
Не разбирам. (ne razbiram)
Where is the toilet? 
Къде е тоалетната? (kade e toaletnatuh?)

[edit] Problems

Go away! 
Махай се! (makhay se!). Remember the 'kh' in Bulgarian is not rough, more like English 'ck' in 'brick'.
Don't touch me! 
Не ме пипай! (ne me pipay)
I'll call the police. 
Ще извикам полиция. (shte izvikam politsia)
Police! 
Полиция! (politsia!)
Stop! Thief! 
Спри! Крадец! (spri kradets!)
I need your help. 
Имам нужда от помощ. (imam nuzhda ot pomosh)
It's an emergency! 
Спешен случай! (speshen sluchay!)
I'm lost. 
Загубих се. (zagubikh se)
I lost my bag. 
Изгубих си чантата. (izgubikh si chantata)
I lost my wallet. 
Изгубих си портфейла. (izgubikh si portfeyla)
I'm sick. 
Аз съм болен/болна. (az some bolen/ bolna) [male/female speaker]
I've been injured. [bleeding or other externally visible] 
Ранен/а съм. (ranen/ a some) [male/female]
I've been injured. [broken bone or less visible, internal] 
Контузен/а съм (kotuzen/ a some) [male/female]
I need a doctor. 
Имам нужда от лекар. (imam nuzhda ot lekar)
Can I use your phone, please? 
Извинете, мога ли да ползвам телефона ви? (izvinete, moga li da polzvam telefona vi?/). alternate: Мога ли да ползвам вaшия телефон? (Moga li da polzvam vashiya telefon?).

[edit] Numbers

There are longer 'formal' versions of the numbers after 10, but they are not normally used in spoken Bulgarian, even on television or by highly educated people such as university professors and literary people. Interestingly, 'thousand' is imported from Greek 'hilyades', not the Slavic 'tisushta' (Russian tysyacha).

The 'people' versions of numbers are used for instance in a restaurant. How many people? Three. Колко души ще бъде? Трима. (KOHL-koh DOO-shee shteh BUH-de? TREE-mah)

0 
нула (NOO-lah)
1 
един (eh-DEEN) [m.] една/едно [fem./neut.] (ehd-NAH/ehd-NOH)
2 
два (dvah) [m.] две (dveh) [fem. & neut.]. Referring to people: двама (DVAH-mah)
3 
три (“tree”) (but remember to roll the "r"!) [m./f./n. all same]. Referring to people: трима (TREE-mah)
4 
четири (CHEH-tee-ree) Referring to people: четирима (cheh-TEE-ree-mah)
5 
пет (peht)
6 
шест (shehs)
7 
седем (SEH-dehm)
8 
осем (OH-sehm)
9 
девет (DEH-veht)
10 
десет (DEH-seht)
11 
единайсет (formal 'единадесет') (eh-dee-NIGH-seht)
12 
дванайсет (formal 'дванадесет') (dvah-NIGH-seht or dvah-NIGH-seh)
13 
тринайсет (etc.) (tree-NIGH-seh(t)) etc.
14 
четиринайсет (che-tee-ree-NIGH-seh)
15 
петнайсет (peht-NIGH-seh)
16 
шестнайсет (shehs-NIGH-seht)
17 
седемнадесет (seh-dehm-NAH-deh-seht)
18 
осемнадесет (oh-sehm-NAH-deh-seht)
19 
деветнадесет (deh-veht-NAH-deh-seht)
20 
двайсет (DVIGH-seht)
21 
двайсет и едно (DVIGH-s(eh) ee ehd-NOH)
22 
двайсет и два (DVIGHS ee DVAH)
23 
двайсет и три (DVIGHS ee TREE)
30 
трийсет (TREE-seh(t))
40 
четирийсет (cheh-TEE-ree-seh)
50 
петдесет (peh-deh-SEH(Y))
60 
шестдесет (shehss-SEH(Y))
70 
седемдесет (seh-dehm-deh-SEH(Y))
80 
осемдесет (oh-sehm-deh-SEH(Y))
90 
деветдесет (deh-veh-deh-SEH(Y))
100 
сто (stoh)
157 
сто петдесет и седем (STOH PEH-deh-seh i SEH-dehm)
200 
двеста (DVEH-stah)
231 
двеста трийсет и едно (DVEH-stah TREEY-seh i ehd-NOH)
300 
триста (TREE-stah)
400 
четиристотин (CHEH-tee-ree STOH-teen)
500 
петстотин (PEHT-stoh-tin)
600 
шестстотин (SHEST-stoh-tin)
700 
седемстотин (SEH-dehm-stoh-tin)
800 
осемстотин (OH-sehm-stoh-tin)
900 
деветстотин (DEH-veht-stoh-tin)
1000 
хиляда (heel-YAH-dah)
2000 
две хиляди (DVEH HEEL-yah-dee)
1,000,000 
един милион (eh-DEEN mee-lee-OHN)
1,000,000,000 
един милиард (eh-DEEN mee-lee-AHRD) [one billion (USA)]
1,000,000,000,000 
един билион (eh-DEEN bee-lee-OHN) [one trillion (USA)]
number _____ (of train, bus, etc.) 
номер _____ (за влакът, аутобусат, и т.н.) (NOH-mehr) (almost sounds like “nowhere”)
the number _____ 
номерът _____ (NOH-mehr-uht)
half 
половин (poh-loh-VEEN)
less 
помалко (POH-mahl-koh) secondary stress on 'mal'
more 
повече (POH-veh-cheh) other syllables unstressed

[edit] Time

now 
сега (seh-GUH)
later 
по-късно (POH-kuhs-noh)
before 
преди (preh-DEE)
morning 
утро (OO-troh)
afternoon 
следобед (sleh-DOH-beht)
evening 
вечер (VEH-chehr)
night 
нощ (nohsht)

[edit] Clock time

What time is it? 
Кoлкo e чacът? (KOHL-koh eh chah-SUH?)
It's....in the morning/afternoon. 
.... чаcът сутрин/cлeд oбeд. (...chah-SUH SOO-treen/sled-OH-beht)

[edit] Days

Monday 
понеделник (puh-nyeh-DEHL-nyeek)
Tuesday 
втopник (FTOHR-nyeek)
Wednesday 
cpядa (SRYAH-dah)
Thurday 
чeтвъpтък (cheht-VUHR-tuhk)
Friday 
пeтък (PEH-tuhk)
Saturday 
cъбoтa (SUH-boh-tah)
Sunday 
неделя (neh-DEHL-yuh)
Today 
днес (dness)
Tomorrow 
утре (OO-tre)
Yesterday 
вчера (FCHEH-rah)

[edit] Months

January 
янyapи (yah-noo-AH-ree)
February 
фeвpyapи (feh-vroo-AH-ree)
March 
мapт (mahrt)
April 
aпpил (ah-PREEL)
May 
мaй (migh)
June 
юни (YOO-nee)
July 
юли (YOO-lee)
August 
aвгycт (AHV-goost)
September 
ceптeмвpи (sehp-TEHM-vree)
October 
oктoмвpи (ohk-TOHM-vree)
November 
нoeмвpи (noh-EHM-vree)
December 
дeкeмвpи (deh-KEHM-vree)
Month/s 
месец/и (meh-sehts/ee)

[edit] Writing time and date

Bulgarian uses 'military' time, as is standard in European countries, often with a period instead of colon and with 'ч.' [for 'chahSUH', 'hour'] following (i.e. 1:00 p.m. is 13.00 ч., 9:47 a.m. is 09.47 ч.) In writing or when speaking of official times, such as concerts, plays or transportation, the 24-hour clock is always used, in speech the 12-hour clock is sometimes used when there is little possibility for misunderstanding.

Clock time is a bit beyond the scope of a phrasebook in complexity for most languages, but in Bulgarian, the minutes can be referred to in half-hours or specific minutes. In addition, constructions such as "a quarter to six" are used (literally "6 minus 15").

The 'T' in 'chah-SUHT' (o'clock часът) may only be pronounced if it is the beginning of the sentence, and usually not then unless the speaker is trying to be especially official. The 'V' meaning 'in [time]' or 'at [o'clock]' is usually pronounced 'F' before vowels and if there is difficulty or confusion is pronounced with an extra syllable like 'vuhf' or 'vuv' (depending on the following letter). This is displayed in the examples below.

time 
време (VREH-meh) [n.b. also means 'weather']
morning 
сутрин (SOO-treen)
a.m./in the morning 
сутринта (soo-treen-TAH)
mid-day/noon 
обед (OH-beht) more vague than in English; approximately 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
afternoon 
следобед (slehd-O-beht) after 2:00 p.m.
evening 
вечер (VEH-chehr) starting around 5:00 p.m.
p.m./in the evening 
вечерта (veh-chehr-TAH)
night 
нощ (nohsht) after 10:00 p.m. but going until around 2:00 a.m. (literally 2 in the morning is expressed '2 in the night')
at night 
през нощта (prehz nohsht-TAH)
What time is it? 
Кoлко e чacът? (KOHL-koh eh chah-SUH?)
The time is ... 
Часът е ... (chah-SUH eh ...)
[It's] ... in the morning/afternoon. 
... чacът сутринта/следобед. (... cha-SUH soo-treen-TAH/slehd-O-beht)
At 8
00 a.m. [in the morning] : В 08.00 ч. [сутринта] (FOH-sehm chah-SUH [soo-treen-TAH])
At 5
45 p.m. [in the afternoon] : В 17.45 ч./В 05:45 следобед (vuhf seh-dem-NIGH-seh ee cheh-tee-rees ee peht chah-SUH or vuhf PEHT/FPEHT ee cheh-TEE-rees ee peht sled-OH-beht)
At a quarter to 8 p.m. 
В осем без петнайсет вечерта(FOH-sehm behz peht-NIGH-seht veh-chehr-TAH)
At a 7
45 p.m. : В седем и четирисет и пет без четвърт вечерта (vuf SEH-dehm ee cheh-tee-rees ee peht veh-chehr-TAH)
At a quarter past 09
00 [a.m.] : В 09.15 ч./В девет и четвърт (vuhv DEH-veht ee cheht-VUHRT)
At 13
30 [1:30 p.m.] : В 13.30/В тринайсет и половина (ftree-NIGH-seht ee poh-loh-VEE-nah)
The train departs at 11
17 [a.m.] : Влакът заминава в 11.17 [единайсет и седемнайсет (минути)] (VLAH-kuht zah-mee-NAH-vah feh-dee-NIGH-seht ee seh-dehm-NIGH-set [mee-NOO-tee])
second/s 
секунда/и (seh-KOOND-ah/ee)
minute/s 
минута/минути (mee-NOO-tah/mee-NOO-tee)
hour/s 
час/часа (chahss/CHAH-suh)
o'clock 
часът (chah-SUH[T])
day/s 
ден/дена (dehn/deh-nuh)
week/s 
седмица/седмици (SEHD-mee-tsah/SEHD-mee-tsee)
month/s 
месец/а (MEH-sets/ah)
year/s 
година/години (goh-DEE-nah/goh-DEE-nee)

[edit] Dates

Dates are spoken using ordinal numbers, i.e. January first, 2008 is literally 'First January, 2008'. The order is European: Day, Month, Year. The month is sometimes expressed in Roman numerals. Names of days and months are not capitalized (unless at the beginning of a sentence).

date 
дата (DAH-tah)
day [of the week] 
ден (dehn)
Monday, January 1, 2008 
Понеделник, 1. януари, 2008/1.I.2008 (poh-neh-DEHL-neek PUHR-vee yah-noo-AH-ree dvah HEEL-yah-dee ee OH-sma)
What date is it today? 
Кoя дaта e днec? (koh-YAH DAH-tah eh dnehss?)
What day is today? 
Кой ден е днес? (koy DEHN eh dnehss?)

[edit] Seasons

season/seasons 
сезон/и (seh-ZOHN/ee)
the seasons of the year 
годишни времена (goh-DEESH-nee vreh-meh-NAH)
summer 
лятo (LYAH-toh)
in the summertime 
през лятoто (prehs LYAH-toh-toh)
autumn 
eceн (EH-sehn)
in autumn 
през eceнта (prehs eh-sehn-TAH)
winter 
зимa (ZEE-mah)
in winter 
през зимaта (prehs ZEE-mah-tah)
spring 
прoлeт (PROH-leht)
in springtime 
през прoлeтта (prehs proh-leht-TAH)

[edit] Colors

The colors in Bulgarian come in feminine, masculine and neuter forms.

black 
черeн/o/a (CHEH-rehn/oh/uh)
white 
бял/o/a (byahl/oh/uh)
gray 
сив/сивo (seef/see-VOH)
red 
червeн/o/a (chehr-VEHN/oh/uh)
blue 
cин/o/a (sin/oh/uh)
yellow 
жълт/o/a (ZHUHLT/oh/uh)
green 
зeлeн/o/a (zeh-LEHN/oh/uh)
orange 
opaнжeв/o/a (oh-RAHN-zhehf/voh/vuh)
purple 
лилав/o/a (lih-LAHF/voh/vuh)
pink 
розов (ROH-zohf)
brown 
кaфяв (kah-FYAHF)

[edit] Transportation

airplane/ airline 
самолет (sah-moh-LEHT)
taxi 
такси (tahk-SEE)
train 
влак (vlahk)
truck 
камион (kah-mee-OHN)
tram 
трамвай (trahm-vah-EE)
trolley 
тролейбус (troh-lee-BOOS)
bus 
автобус (ahf-toh-BOOS)
minibus 
малък автобус (MAH-luhk ahf-toh-BOOS)
car 
кола (koh-LAH)
van 
фургон (FOOR-gohn)
ferry 
ферибот (feh-ree-BOHT)
ship 
кораб (KOH-rahb)
boat 
лодка (LOHD-kah)
helicopter 
хеликоптер (kheh-lee-kohp-TEHR)
bicycle 
велосипед (veh-loh-see-PEHD)
motorcycle 
мотоциклет (moh-toh-tsee-KLEHT)

[edit] Bus and train

Where's the bus/trolley stop? 
Къде e cпиpкaта на aвтoбyca/трамвая? (kuh-DEH eh SPEER-kah-tah nah ahf-toh-BOOS-uh/trahm-VIGH-uh?)
Which bus/trolley goes to ...? 
Кoй aвтoбyc/трамвай oтивa до ...? (KOY ahf-toh-BOOS/trahm-VIGH oh-TEE-vah doh ...?)
Does this bus/trolley go to ...? 
Toзи aвтoбyc/трамвай oтивa ли дo ...? (TO-zi ahf-toh-BOOS/trahm-VIGH oh-TEE-vah lee doh ...?)
Which line takes me to ...? 
C кoя линия щe cтигнa дo ...? (skoh-YAH LEE-nee-yah shteh STEEG-nuh doh ...?)
What's the next station? 
Кoя e cлeдвaщaтa cтaнция (koh-YAH eh SLEHD-vah-shtah-tah STAHN-tsee-yah?)
Is this the right platform for ...? 
Toва ли e пepoнът зa ...? (toh-VAH lee eh peh-ROH-nuh zah ...?)

[edit] Directions

How do I/we get to _____ by bus/subway/train? 
Как да стигна/стигнем до _____ с автобус/метро/влак? (kahk da STEEG-nuh/STEEG-nehm doh _____ sahf-toh-BOOS/smeh-TROH/zvlahk?)
...the main train station? 
...централна гара? (tsehn-TRAHL-nah GAH-rah?)
...the bus station? 
...автогара? (...AHF-toh-gah-rah?)
...the airport? 
...летището? (leh-TEE-shteh-toh?)
...the center? 
...центъра? (TSEHN-tuh-ruh?)
...the _____ hostel? 
хостел ______? (hoh-stel ______?)
...the _____ hotel? 
...хотел _____? (hoh-TEHL _____?)
...the university? 
...университета? (oo-nee-vehr-see-TEH-tuh)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British embassy? 
...Американското/Канадското/Австралийското/Британското посолство? (ah-meh-ree-KAHN-skoh-toh/kah-NAHD-skoh-to/ahf-strah-LEEY-skoh-toh/bree-TAHN-skoh-toh poh-SOHLST-voh)
Where are there a lot of... 
Къде има много... (kuh-DEH EE-mah MNOH-goh...)
...hotels? 
...хотели? (...hoh-TEH-lee?)
...restaurants? 
...ресторанти? (...reh-stoh-RAHN-tee)
...bars? 
...барове/кръчми? (...BAH-roh-veh/KRUHCH-mee) A bar is typical international-style while a 'kruchma' is more like a pub.
...the sights to see? 
...забележителности? (...zah-beh-leh-ZHEE-tehl-nohs-tee?)
Can you show me on the map? 
Можете ли да ми покажете на картата? (MOH-zheh-teh lee dah mee poh-KAH-zhe-teh nah KAHR-tah-tah?)
street 
улица (OO-leet-sah)
boulevard 
булевард (boo-leh-VAHRD)
highway (major road) 
шосе (shoh-SEH)
square 
площад (plohsh-TAHD)
park 
парк (pahrk)
Turn left. 
Завийте наляво. (zah-VEEY-teh nah-LYAH-voh)
Turn right. 
Завийте надясно. (zah-VEEY-teh nah-DYAHS-noh)
on the left 
вляво (VLYAH-voh)
on the right 
вдясно (VDYAHS-noh)
straight ahead 
направо (nah-PRA-voh)
towards _____ 
към _____ (kuhm)
past _____ 
след _____ (slehd)
before _____ 
пред _____ (prehd')
across (from)/opposite 
срещу (sreh-SHTOO)
Look for _____. 
Търсете _____. (tuhr-SEH-teh)
the traffic-light 
светофара (sveh-toh-FAH-ruh)
detour 
отклонение (oht-kloh-NEH-nee-eh)
intersection 
кръстовище/пресечка (kruh-STOH-veesh-teh/preh-SEHCH-kah)
to the north 
на север (nah SEH-vehr)
to the south 
на юг (nah YOOK)
to the east 
на изток (nah EES-tohk')
to the west 
на запад (nah ZAH-paht)
uphill 
на горе (nah GOH-reh)
downhill 
на долу (nah DOH-loo)

[edit] Taxi

In Bulgaria, the customer is not always right. At a taxi stand, you must first ask the driver if he/she will take you where you want to go. If the window is closed, open the front passenger door to ask. You also do not need to take the first taxi in the stand. If there is a company you prefer, walk to that taxi or check the prices on the windows. If there is no one in any of the taxis but you see people standing (talking, waiting, smoking) nearby, you can ask them to be taken the same way (second phrase) and one will accept.

Taxi! 
Такси! (tahk-SEE)
Can you take me/us to _____? 
Ще може ли до _____? (shte MOH-zhe lee doh _____?)
How much does it cost to get to _____? 
Колко струва до _____? (KOHL-koh STROO-vah doh _____?)
Is there a driver here? 
Има ли някой да кара такси? (EE-mah lee NYAH-koy dah KAH-rah tahk-SEE?)

[edit] Lodging

Where's a_____? 
Къде има_____? (KUH-deh EE-mah)
cheap hotel 
евтин хотел (EHF-teen KHOH-tehl)
good hotel 
хубав хотел (KHOO-bahf KHOH-tehl)
nearby hotel 
хотел наблизо (KHOH-tehl nah-BLEE-zoh)
clean hotel 
чист хотел (cheest KHOH-tehl)
Do you have any rooms available? 
Имате ли свободни стаи? (EE-mah-teh lee svoh-BOHD-nee STAI)
How much is a room for one person/two people? 
Колко струва една стая за един човек/двама души? (KOHL-koh STROO-vah EHD-nah STAH-ya zah EH-deen CHOH-vehk/DVAH-mah DOO-shih?)
Does the room come with... 
Има ли в стаята дойде с ... (ee-MAH lee vuh STAH-ia-tuh DOY-deh suh...)
...bedsheets? 
...листове? (lees-TOH-veh?)
...a bathroom? 
...баня? (bah-NYAH)
...a telephone? 
...телефон? (teh-leh-FOHN)
...a TV? 
...телевизията? (teh-leh-vee-ZYIAH-tah)
May I see the room first? 
Мога ли да видя първата стая? (MOH-guh lee duh bee-DYAH puhr-vah-TUH staia?)
Do you have anything quieter? 
Имате ли нещо по-тихи? (EE-mah-teh lee NEHSH-toh poh-TEE-khee?)
...bigger? 
...по-голям? (POH-goh-lyahm?)
...cleaner? 
...чист? (cheest?)
...cheaper? 
...по-евтино? (POH-ehv-tee-noh?)
OK, I'll take it. 
Добре, аз ще го взема. (doh-BROH, ahz shteh goh VZEH-mah)
I will stay for _____ night(s). 
Аз ще остана за _____ нощ/нощувки (ahz shteh ohs-tah-NAH zah...nohsht/noh-SHOOF-kee)
Can you suggest another hotel? 
Можете ли да предполагат друг хотел? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee duh prehd-poh-LAH-guht droog khoh-TEHL?)
Do you have a safe? 
Имате ли по-безопасно? (EE-mah-teh lee poh-beh-zoh-PAHS-noh?)
...lockers? 
...шкафчета? (shkahf-CHEH-tah?)
Is breakfast/supper included? 
Има закуска/вечеря включени? (ee-MAH zah-KOOS-kuh/veh-CHEH-ryah vklyoo-CHEH-nee?)
What time is breakfast/supper? 
По кое време е закуска/вечеря? (poh koh-EH vreh-MEH eh zah-KOOS-kuh/veh-CHEH-ryah?)
Please clean my room. 
Моля, чисти стаята ми. (moh-LYAH, chees-TEE stah-IA-tuh mee)
Can you wake me at _____? 
Можеш ли да ме събуди в _____? (moh-ZHEHSH lee dah meh suh-BOO-dee vuh...?)
I want to check out. 
Искам да проверя. (ees-KAHM dah proh-VEH-ryah)

[edit] Money

money 
пари (paRI)
coins 
монети (moNEti)
credit card 
кредитна карта (KREditna KARti)
bankdraft 
баиков превод запис (BANkov PREvoDZApis)
banknotes 
банкноти (bankNOti)
exchange 
валутна обмяна (vaLUtna OBMIAna)
loose change 
пари на дребно (paRI na DREbno)
signature 
подпис (PODpis)
I want to exchange some 
Искам да обменя (ISkam da obmeNIA)
...money. 
...пари. (...paRI)
...travellers cheques. 
...пътнически чекове. (...PUHtnicheski CHEkove)
What's the exchange rate? 
какъв e обменният курс? (kaKUHF e oBMEHnia kurs?)

[edit] Eating

A table for one person/two people, please. 
Таблица за един човек/двама души, моля. (tah-BLEE-tsuh zuh eh-DEEN choh-VEHK/dvah-MUH doo-SHEE, moh-LYUH)
Can I look at the menu, please? 
Мога ли да видя в менюто, моля? (moh-GUH lee duh vee-DYAH vuh meh-NYOO-toh, moh-LYAH)
Can I look in the kitchen? 
Мога ли да погледна в кухнята? (moh-GUH lee duh poh-GLEHD-nuh vuh koo-KHNYAH-tuh?)
Is there a house specialty? 
Има ли къща специалност? (ee-MAH lee kuh-SHTAH speht-SYAHL-nohst?)
Is there a local specialty? 
Има ли местен специалитет? (ee-MAH lee MEHS-tehn speh-TSYAH-lee-teht?)
I'm a vegetarian. 
Аз съм вегетарианец. (ahz suhm veh-geh-tah-RYAH-nehts)
I don't eat pork. 
Аз не ям свинско. (ahz neh yahm sveens-KOH)
I don't eat beef. 
Аз не ям говеждо месо. (ahz neh yahm goh-VEZH-doh MEH-soh)
I only eat kosher food. 
I only eat kosher food. (...)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) 
Can you make it "lite", please? (...)
fixed-price meal 
fixed-price meal (...)
a la carte 
a la carte (...)
breakfast 
breakfast (...)
lunch 
lunch (...)
tea (meal) 
tea (...)
supper 
supper (...)
I want _____. 
I want _____. (...)
I want a dish containing _____. 
I want a dish containing _____. (...)
chicken 
chicken (...)
beef 
beef (...)
fish 
fish (...)
ham 
ham (...)
sausage 
sausage (...)
cheese 
cheese (...)
eggs 
eggs (...)
salad 
salad (...)
(fresh) vegetables 
(fresh) vegetables (...)
(fresh) fruit 
(fresh) fruit (...)
bread 
bread (...)
toast 
toast (...)
noodles 
noodles (...)
rice 
rice (...)
beans 
beans (...)
May I have a glass of _____? 
May I have a glass of _____? (...)
May I have a cup of _____? 
May I have a cup of _____? (...)
May I have a bottle of _____? 
May I have a bottle of _____? (...)
coffee 
coffee (...)
tea (drink) 
tea (...)
juice 
juice (...)
(bubbly) water 
water (...)
water 
water (...)
beer 
beer (...)
red/white wine 
red/white wine (...)
May I have some _____? 
May I have some _____? (...)
salt 
salt (...)
black pepper 
black pepper (...)
butter 
butter (...)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
Извинете ме, сервитьор? (eez-vee-NEH-teh meh, sehr-VEE-t'ohr?)
I'm finished. 
Аз съм свършил. (ahz some svuhr-SHEEL)
It was delicious. 
Беше вкусно. (veh-SHEH vkoos-NOH)
Please clear the plates. 
Моля, изчистете плочи. (moh-LYAH, eez-CHEES-teh-teh ploh-CHEE)
The check, please. 
За проверка, моля. (zah proh-VEHR-kah, moh-LYAH)

[edit] Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 
Имате ли това в моя размер? (EE-mah-teh lee toh-VAH vuh moh-ia rahz-MEHR?)
How much is this? 
Колко е това? (kohl-KOH eh toh-VUH?)
That's too expensive. 
Това е твърде скъпо. (toh-VUH eh tvuhr-DEH skuh-LOH)
Would you take _____? 
Бихте ли приели_____? (beekh-TEH lee pryeh-LEE...?)
expensive 
скъп (skuhp)
cheap 
евтин (ehf-TEEN)
I can't afford it. 
I can't afford it. (...)
I don't want it. 
I don't want it. (...)
You're cheating me. 
You're cheating me. (...)
I'm not interested. 
I'm not interested. (..)
OK, I'll take it. 
OK, I'll take it. (...)
Can I have a bag? 
Can I have a bag? (...)
Do you ship (overseas)? 
Do you ship (overseas)? (...)
I need... 
I need... (...)
...toothpaste. 
...toothpaste. (...)
...a toothbrush. 
...a toothbrush. (...)
...tampons. 
...tampons. (...)
...soap. 
...soap. (...)
...shampoo. 
...shampoo. (...)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) 
...pain reliever. (...)
...cold medicine. 
...cold medicine. (...)
...stomach medicine. 
...stomach medicine. (...)
...a razor. 
...a razor. (...)
...an umbrella. 
...an umbrella. (...)
...sunblock lotion. 
...sunblock lotion. (...)
...a postcard. 
...a postcard. (...)
...postage stamps. 
...postage stamps. (...)
...batteries. 
...batteries. (...)
...writing paper. 
...writing paper. (...)
...a pen. 
...писалка (pee-sahl-KAH)
...English-language books. 
...Английски език книги. (ahn-GLIYS-kee eh-ZEEK KNEE-gee)
...English-language magazines. 
...Английски език списания. (ahn-GLIYS-kee eh-ZEEK spee-SAH-nyah)
...an English-language newspaper. 
...на английски език вестник. (nah ahn-GLIYS-kee eh-ZEEK VEHST-neek)
...an English-Bulgarian dictionary. 
... английско-български речник. (ahn-GLIYS-koh-buhl-GAHRS-kee rehch-NEEK)

[edit] Driving

Where can I hire a car? 
Къде мога да наема кола? (kuh-DEH MOH-ghah dah nah-EH-mah koh-LAH)
How much is it daily/weekly? 
Колко струва на ден/ на седмица? (KOHL-koh STROO-vah nah dehn/ nah SEHD-mee-tsah?)
Does that include also the mileage? 
Ли, които включват също пробег? (lih, KOHN-toh VKLYOH-chvaht suh-SHTOH PROH-behg?)
Can I get insurance? 
Мога ли да получа застраховка? (MOH-guh lee dah poh-LOO-chuh zahs-trah-KHOV-kuh?)
stop (on a street sign) 
спирка (SPEER-kuh)
one way 
еднопосочен (ehd-noh-poh-SOH-chehn)
yield 
родитба (roh-DEET-buh)
no parking 
Забранено паркирането (zah-brah-NEH-noh pahr-kee-rah-NEH-toh)
speed limit 
ограничение на скоростта (ohg-rah-nee-CHEH-nyeh nah skoh-ROHST-tah)
gas (petrol) station 
бензиностанция (behn-zee-noh-STAHN-tsyah)
petrol 
бензин (BEHN-zeen)
diesel 
дизел (DEE-zehl)

[edit] Authority

I haven't done anything wrong. 
Аз не съм сторил нищо лошо. (ahz neh some STOH-reel NEE-shtoh LOH-shoh)
It was a misunderstanding. 
Това е някакво недоразумение. (toh-VUH eh nyah-KAHK-voh neh-doh-rah-ZOO-meh-nyeh)
Where are you taking me? 
Къде ме водиш? (KUH-deh meh voh-DEESH?)
Am I under arrest? 
Арестуван ли съм? (ah-rehs-TOO-vahm lee some?)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. 
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (...)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. 
I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (...)
I want to talk to a lawyer. 
Искам да говоря с адвокат. (ees-KAHM duh goh-VOH-ryah suh ad-voh-KAHT)
Can I just pay a fine now? 
Може ли да плати глоба сега? (MOH-zheh lee dah PLAH-tee GLOH-bah SEH-gah?)

[edit] Asking about language

How do you say _____ in Bulgarian? 
Как се казва _____ на български? (KAHK seh KAHZ-vah _____ nah BUHL-gahr-skee?)
What is this/that called? 
Как се казва това? (KAHK seh KAHZ-vah toh-VAH?)
What is that? 
Какво е това? (kahk-VOH eh toh-VAH?)

[edit] Learning more

Retrieved from "http://wikitravel.org/en/Bulgarian_phrasebook"