Visiting the little Balkan gem Bosnia and Herzegovina soon? Then it’s the perfect time to learn some Bosnian phrases! This will give you a more authentic experience and help navigate your trip smoothly.

What languages are spoken in Bosnia & Herzegovina?

Bosnia and Herzegovina uses three official languages: Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.

As for foreign languages, a large percentage of the population speak at least a little bit of English. German may also be of help.

Useful Bosnian phrases

Here are some Bosnian phrases and words to help you understand common signs (in the street, airport, and other areas) and communicate with the locals.

Please note that Bosnian is one of those languages that have a formal and informal version of ‘you’. Assuming you’ll use these phrases for people you don’t know, the article contains only the formal versions.

Basic greetings and courtesies

• Hello/Hi: Zdravo
• Good morning: Dobro jutro
• Good afternoon: Dobar dan
• Good evening: Dobro veče
• Goodbye: Doviđenja
• Please: Molim Vas
• Can you…?: Možete li…?
• Thank you: Hvala
• You’re welcome: Nema na čemu
• Yes: Da
• No: Ne
• Excuse me / Sorry: Izvinite / Oprostite
• How are you?: Kako ste?
• I am fine, thank you.: Dobro sam, hvala.
• What is your name?: Kako se zovete?
• My name is…: Zovem se… / Moje ime je…
• Nice to meet you: Drago mi je
• I am from…: Ja sam iz…

Helpful questions & conversational phrases

• Do you speak English?: Govorite li engleski?
• Can you help me?: Možete li mi pomoći?
• How much does this cost?: Koliko košta ovo?
• Where is…?: Gdje je…?
• Where is the bathroom?: Gdje je WC?
• What time is it?: Koliko je sati?
• Where are you from?: Odakle ste?
• Do you have Wi-Fi?: Imate li Wi-Fi?
• What is the password?: Koja je lozinka?
• I like Bosnia and Herzegovina: Sviđa mi se Bosna i Hercegovina
• It’s beautiful here: Lijepo je ovdje
• Can you recommend a good restaurant?: Možete li preporučiti dobar restoran?

Transportation & directions

• Bus: Autobus
• Train: Voz
• Taxi: Taksi
• Airport: Aerodrom
• Ticket: Karta
• Departures: Odlasci
• Arrivals: Dolasci
• Left: Lijevo
• Right: Desno
• Straight ahead: Ravno / Pravo
• Near: Blizu
• Far: Daleko
• How do I get to…?: Kako da dođem do…?
• When is the next bus/train?: Kada ide sljedeći autobus/voz?
• Where can I buy a ticket?: Gdje mogu kupiti kartu?
• Is this seat taken?: Je li ovo mjesto zauzeto?
• I need a taxi: Treba mi taksi

Accommodations

• Hotel: Hotel
• Reservation: Rezervacija
• Room: Soba
• Bed: Krevet
• Bathroom: Kupatilo
• Key: Ključ
• Do you have a free room?: Imate li slobodnu sobu?
• I have a reservation: Imam rezervaciju

Food and dining

• I am hungry: Gladna sam / Gladna sam (for females)
• I am thirsty: Žedan sam / Žedna sam (for females)
• What do you recommend?: Šta preporučujete?
• Is this spicy?: Da li je ovo ljuto?
• Restaurant: Restoran
• Menu: Jelovnik
• Water: Voda
• Wine: Vino
• Beer: Pivo
• Coffee: kafa
• I am a vegetarian: Ja sam vegetarijanac / vegetarijanka (for females)
• Check, please: Račun, molim Vas

Emergencies, health & safety

• Help (me)!: Upomoć!
• Call the police!: Zovite policiju!
• I need a doctor: Treba mi doktor
• I am lost: Izgubio sam se (for males) / Izgubila sam se (for females)
• My phone was stolen: Ukrali su mi telefon
• I need medicine: Treba mi lijek
• Where is the nearest hospital?: Gdje je najbliža bolnica?
• I have an allergy: Imam alergiju
• I need a pharmacy: Treba mi apoteka

Miscellaneous

• Cheers!: Živjeli!
• I don’t understand: Ne razumijem
• I like it: Sviđa mi se
• Can I take a photo?: Mogu li slikati?
• What is this?: Šta je ovo?

Weather and time

• What time is it?: Koliko je sati?
• What is the weather like?: Kakvo je vrijeme?
• It’s hot/cold: Vruće je / Hladno je
• It’s sunny/rainy: Sunčano je / Pada kiša
• See you later: Vidimo se kasnije
• At what time?: U koliko sati?

Conclusion

Knowing these Bosnian phrases will help you navigate more scenarios with ease and lead to a richer, more immersive travel experience. Enjoy your trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina!

P.S. Make sure to check out safety tips for traveling here, and contact us if you need help arranging the perfect trip!