Language & Communication

Bulgarian

The official language is Bulgarian — a South Slavic language written in Cyrillic script. For German-speaking travelers, the language is not easily accessible, but a few basic phrases can open doors and hearts:

German	Bulgarian	Pronunciation
Hello	Здравей	Sdrawej
Thank you	Благодаря / Мерси	Blagodarya / Mersi
Please	Моля	Molya
Yes	Да	Da
No	Не	Ne
Cheers!	Наздраве!	Nasdrawe!
Excuse me	Извинете	Iswinete
How much does it cost?	Колко струва?	Kolko struwa?
The bill, please	Сметката, моля	Smetkata, molya
Good day	Добър ден	Dobŭr den

Foreign Languages

English is well spoken by younger people in Sofia and the tourist coastal areas. In rural areas and among older Bulgarians, communication in English is often difficult. Russian is understood by the older generation (similar language, same script). German is rarely spoken, but some Bulgarians who have worked in Germany speak it surprisingly well.