The Bulgarian Language

Interacting with Native Bulgarians

When interacting with the Bulgarian language - whether you move to Bulgaria, purchase an investment property there, or go for a vacation -

it’s best to have a translator with you at all times or learn at least some Bulgarian phrases.

If you intend to relocate permanently to Bulgaria, you will need to not only speak a little of the language but also have some understanding of written Bulgarian.

Speaking Bulgarian

Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet. The downside is that it bears little resemblance to our Latin alphabet. On the other hand, it is phonetic so if you learn the sounds of each letter, you can read words from a dictionary to make yourself understood.

If you intend to travel on your own in Bulgaria, an understanding of the Bulgarian language is a must. The majority of the general public, police officers, and public transport workers don’t understand English. Trying to communicate is virtually impossible. One of the most important things to remember in Bulgaria is that the Bulgarians shake their heads from side to side when they mean “yes” and nod when they mean “no.”

It is advisable to listen carefully to the spoken words, such as da, which means yes and ne, which means no. But be careful. If Bulgarians know they are speaking to foreigners, sometimes the nodding and shaking can be reversed, adding further to the confusion and general misunderstanding.

Is there a way to learn Bulgarian free?

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