Greetings

1. Dobar dan

   Good day / Hello

   Usage

   A polite daytime greeting for shop staff and people you meet for the first time

   Grammar Note

   In the evening use "Dobro veče", in the morning "Dobro jutro".

2. Ćao

   Hi / Bye

   Usage

   A casual hello among friends and peers; also used when parting

   Grammar Note

   Borrowed from Italian ciao; it works for both hello and goodbye.

3. Doviđenja

   Goodbye

   Usage

   The standard way to say goodbye, e.g. when leaving a shop

   Grammar Note

   Etymologically "until we see each other"; written as one word.

4. Molim

   Please / Here you go / You're welcome

   Usage

   Used after a request, when handing something over, or to answer thanks

   Grammar Note

   Said alone with a rising tone it also means "pardon?".

5. Hvala

   Thank you

   Usage

   The standard way to thank someone; "Hvala lijepo" is warmer

   Grammar Note

   It is simply the noun hvala, "thanks".

6. Govorite li engleski?

   Do you speak English?

   Usage

   For a traveller asking whether the other person can speak English

   Grammar Note

   The particle li follows the verb to form a question; this is the polite Vi form. With a friend say "Govoriš li engleski?".

7. Kako ste?

   How are you? (formal)

   Usage

   A formal way to ask how someone is

   Grammar Note

   ste is the plural of biti, used for polite Vi. With a friend say "Kako si?".

8. Zovem se...

   My name is...

   Usage

   For introducing yourself

   Grammar Note

   Literally "I call myself …". "Ime mi je …" means the same.

9. Dobrodošli u Bosnu i Hercegovinu

   Welcome to Bosnia and Herzegovina

   Usage

   Used to welcome visitors at tourist sites or on official occasions

   Grammar Note

   After "u" with a destination the accusative is used (Bosna becomes Bosnu). The plural dobrodošli is used for polite Vi.

10. Oprostite

    Excuse me / I'm sorry

    Usage

    Used to get someone's attention or to apologise lightly

    Grammar Note

    The plural imperative, i.e. the polite Vi form. With a friend say "Oprosti".

11. Gdje je toalet?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    The basic way to ask for the toilet in restaurants and public places

    Grammar Note

    Bosnian spells gdje in the ijekavian way. Speech uses toalet; "WC" appears only on signs.

12. Ne govorim bosanski

    I don't speak Bosnian

    Usage

    Tells people you do not speak Bosnian, as a lead-in to asking for English

    Grammar Note

    Language names are lower case and used in the adverbial form (bosanski).

13. Doći ću ponovo.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    A friendly parting remark to a place you liked

    Grammar Note

    The future uses the auxiliary ću plus the infinitive; ću takes second position, hence "Doći ću".

14. Odlično sam se zabavio.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Tells your host that you had a great time

    Grammar Note

    The form for a male speaker; a woman says "Odlično sam se zabavila".

15. Hvala, vidimo se!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell to someone you have become friendly with

    Grammar Note

    "Vidimo se" is the standard way to say "see you".

16. Laku noć.

    Good night

    Usage

    Said before going to bed

    Grammar Note

    It is not a general goodbye; use it to someone going to bed.

17. Izlazim.

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging

    Grammar Note

    The subject pronoun ja is dropped.

18. Evo me.

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said when you come back to your lodging

    Grammar Note

    "Evo" means "here is", so evo me means "here I am (back)". Composed from common words following regular grammar.

19. Oprostite, moram ići.

    Excuse me, I have to go

    Usage

    A polite remark when you have to leave

    Grammar Note

    moram plus the infinitive means "I must".

20. Nema na čemu.

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply to thanks

    Grammar Note

    Literally "there is nothing to thank for".

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