Live in SerbiaAbout the Serbian language
Basic Serbian phrases for travellers and expats
These phrases will help from your very first day in Serbia: in cafés, shops, transport and when meeting people. Serbs appreciate foreigners who try their language — even a simple “Dobar dan” and “Hvala” goes a long way.
The most useful phrases
| Serbian | English |
|---|---|
| Zdravo! | Hi! Hello! |
| Dobar dan! | Good afternoon! (the standard greeting) |
| Dobro jutro! / Dobro veče! | Good morning! / Good evening! |
| Hvala! / Hvala vam! | Thanks! / Thank you! |
| Molim. | Please. / You’re welcome. / Pardon? |
| Izvinite. | Excuse me. / Sorry. |
| Da. / Ne. | Yes. / No. |
| Ne razumem. | I don’t understand. |
| Možete li sporije? | Could you speak more slowly? |
| Govorite li engleski? | Do you speak English? |
| Koliko košta? | How much is it? |
| Gde je stanica? | Where is the stop? |
| Jednu kafu, molim. | One coffee, please. |
| Račun, molim. | The bill, please. |
| Prijatno! | Enjoy your meal! / Have a nice day! |
| Živeli! | Cheers! |
| Vidimo se! | See you! |
| Doviđenja! | Goodbye! |
Being polite in Serbian
- Use the formal “vi” with strangers and in offices: Izvinite, da li znate…?
- “Molim” is a universal word: “please”, “you’re welcome” and “pardon?”.
- “Prijatno” is said before a meal and when leaving a shop.
The phrasebook has many more phrases for specific situations — the doctor, the bank, renting a flat, paperwork. You can listen to every phrase without signing up.