Basic Words

1. Da

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply

   Grammar Note

   "Da" means "yes" and also works as the conjunction "that" (Mislim da je dobro).

2. Ne

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Molim

   Please

   Usage

   Added after a request; on its own it can also mean "you are welcome" or "pardon?"

4. Hvala

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic way to thank someone; "Hvala lijepo" is a warmer version

5. Oprostite

   Excuse me

   Usage

   A polite way to get attention, pass by someone or apologise lightly

   Grammar Note

   Imperative in the plural, the polite "Vi" form; use "Oprosti" with someone you address as "ti".

6. Žao mi je

   I'm sorry

   Usage

   Used to apologise and also to express sympathy at bad news

   Grammar Note

   Literally "it is a pity to me"; the form is the same whatever the speaker's gender.

7. U redu je

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   The standard way to say that everything is fine or that you agree

8. Ne razumijem

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Use when you cannot follow what is said

   Grammar Note

   Bosnian is written in the ijekavian form (razumijem).

9. Razumijem

   I understand

   Usage

   Tells the other person that you have understood

10. Gotovo

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Said when you have finished a meal or a task, or when something is done

11. Sačekajte, molim vas

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to wait a little

    Grammar Note

    "vas" is the polite "Vi" form; with a friend say "Sačekaj, molim te".

12. Samo trenutak

    Just a moment

    Usage

    Asks for a very short wait

13. Jedna karta za odraslu osobu, molim

    One adult ticket, please

    Usage

    Used at ticket counters and entrances to ask for one adult ticket

    Grammar Note

    "osobu" is the accusative of "osoba" after "za"; "karta" is feminine, hence "jedna".

14. Nemam rezervaciju

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tells a hotel or restaurant that you have not booked

    Grammar Note

    "Nemam" is the negative of "imam"; "rezervaciju" is the accusative.

15. Imam rezervaciju

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Tells a hotel or restaurant that you have booked

16. Pomozite mi, molim vas

    Please help me

    Usage

    Asks the people around you for help

    Grammar Note

    "Pomozite" is the polite imperative; with a friend say "Pomozi mi".

17. Ponovite, molim vas

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Asks the speaker to repeat what was said

18. Govorite sporije, molim vas

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Asks someone who speaks too fast to slow down

19. Govorim malo

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Says that you speak only a little; a language name can follow

20. Govorite li engleski?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks whether the other person speaks English; language names are written in lower case

    Grammar Note

    Placing "li" after the verb forms a polite question; informally say "Da li govoriš engleski?".

21. Ovo

    This (near me)

    Usage

    Points to something near you

    Grammar Note

    Neuter demonstrative. Bosnian has three degrees: ovo (near me), to (near you), ono (far).

22. To

    That (near you)

    Usage

    Points to something near the listener; in speech it is also the general "that"

23. Ono

    That over there

    Usage

    Points to something far from both speaker and listener

24. Ovdje

    Here

    Usage

    Refers to the place where you are

    Grammar Note

    Ijekavian form; the ekavian "ovde" is not used.

25. Tu

    There (near you)

    Usage

    Refers to a place near the listener; also often used for "right here"

26. Tamo

    Over there

    Usage

    Refers to a place far away

27. Ja

    I / me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself; often dropped because the verb ending already shows the person

28. Vi

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite "you" for strangers and older people

    Grammar Note

    Use singular "ti" with close people; the polite "Vi" shares its form with the plural.

29. Zajedno

    Together

    Usage

    Expresses doing something together

30. Odmah

    Right now

    Usage

    Used to ask for something immediately or to say you will do it right away

31. Za jednu osobu

    For one person

    Usage

    States the number of people for a table or room

    Grammar Note

    "za" takes the accusative; "osobu" is the accusative of "osoba".

32. Za dvije osobe

    For two people

    Usage

    States the number of people for a table or room

    Grammar Note

    The feminine "two" is "dvije" (not ekavian "dve"); after 2 to 4 the noun takes the form "osobe".

33. Za tri osobe

    For three people

    Usage

    States the number of people for a table or room

Browse all TravelPhrases languages