Culture & Etiquette

1. Sevdalinka

   Sevdalinka (traditional Bosnian love song)

   Usage

   A traditional song of love and longing, often accompanied by accordion or the šargija. Heard in cafés and at festivals

   Grammar Note

   sevdah is longing or lovesickness, and sevdalinka is a song of it

2. Ilahija

   Ilahija (devotional hymn)

   Usage

   A devotional hymn of the Muslim community, sung without instruments and heard at prayers and religious events

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun; the plural is ilahije

3. Ćeif

   Ćeif (relaxed enjoyment)

   Usage

   The feeling of being at ease, such as enjoying coffee and talk without hurry. Used as in pijem kafu iz ćeifa

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun. It is also written ćejf

4. Merak

   Merak (quiet contentment)

   Usage

   A word for the calm pleasure drawn from small things. Used as in ta kafa je pravi merak

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun, also used for a liking for something

5. Kafana

   Kafana (café-restaurant)

   Usage

   A traditional place serving coffee, drinks and simple meals, where friends sit for a long time

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun derived from kafa, coffee

6. Džezva

   Džezva (copper coffee pot)

   Usage

   A small long-handled copper pot for brewing Bosnian coffee, also a popular souvenir in Baščaršija

   Grammar Note

   A feminine noun; dž is a single letter

7. Fildžan

   Fildžan (small coffee cup)

   Usage

   A small handleless coffee cup into which Bosnian coffee is poured

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the plural is fildžani

8. Ćilim

   Ćilim (woven rug)

   Usage

   A handwoven flat-weave rug sold as a souvenir in shops such as those in Baščaršija; ask about its origin and pattern

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun; the plural is ćilimi

9. Hamam

   Hamam (public bath)

   Usage

   A steam bathhouse from the Ottoman era; today historic ones survive as museums or facilities

   Grammar Note

   A masculine noun. "In the hamam" is u hamamu

10. Tekija

    Tekija (dervish lodge)

    Usage

    A building where Sufi dervishes gather. The tekija at Blagaj is famous; remove shoes and keep quiet when visiting

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. "In the tekija" is u tekiji

11. Čaršija

    Čaršija (market quarter)

    Usage

    The market district at the centre of an old town. "Idem u čaršiju" means going to the shopping streets

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. "Into town" is u čaršiju

12. Mahala

    Mahala (neighbourhood)

    Usage

    A small residential district, such as those up the hillsides, with old lanes and stone houses

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. "In the neighbourhood" is u mahali

13. Avlija

    Avlija (courtyard)

    Usage

    The courtyard of a house, where people gather and sit in traditional homes

    Grammar Note

    A feminine noun. "In the courtyard" is u avliji

14. Stećak

    Stećak (medieval tombstone)

    Usage

    A large medieval stone grave marker known for its carvings, found across Bosnia and Herzegovina; the plural is stećci

    Grammar Note

    A masculine noun; note the ć

15. Sarajevska hagada

    Sarajevo Haggadah

    Usage

    A medieval illuminated Hebrew manuscript used for Passover, kept in the National Museum

    Grammar Note

    hagada is the book read at the Jewish Passover meal; Sarajevska is the feminine adjective

16. Ivo Andrić

    Ivo Andrić (Nobel-winning writer)

    Usage

    A writer known for the novel Na Drini ćuprija and a Nobel laureate in literature; the book is set around the bridge at Višegrad

    Grammar Note

    A male name. "A book by Andrić" is knjiga Ive Andrića (genitive)

17. Mak Dizdar

    Mak Dizdar (poet)

    Usage

    A poet known for the collection Kameni spavač, inspired by stećak carvings and old inscriptions

    Grammar Note

    A male name; the genitive is Maka Dizdara

18. Meša Selimović

    Meša Selimović (writer)

    Usage

    A Bosnian writer known for the novel Derviš i smrt

    Grammar Note

    A male name; the genitive is Meše Selimovića

19. Konvertibilna marka

    Convertible Mark (the currency)

    Usage

    The currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, abbreviated KM, as seen on price tags

    Grammar Note

    konvertibilna is the feminine adjective, agreeing with marka. In daily speech just marka, plural marke

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