Visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina soon? These essential Bosnian phrases will help you connect with locals, navigate daily life, and show respect for the culture—whether you're exploring Sarajevo’s streets or sipping coffee in Mostar.
Why Learn Bosnian Phrases?
While many Bosnians speak English—especially younger generations—speaking even a few words of Bosnian can go a long way. It shows cultural respect, breaks the ice, and enhances your travel experience.
Essential Bosnian Phrases for Travelers
| Bosnian Phrase | Pronunciation | Meaning in English |
|---|---|---|
| Zdravo | ZDRAH-voh | Hello |
| Dobar dan | DOH-bar dahn | Good day |
| Hvala | HVAH-lah | Thank you |
| Molim | MOH-leem | Please / You're welcome |
| Kako si? | KAH-koh see? | How are you? |
| Dobro sam, hvala. | DOH-broh sahm, HVAH-lah | I'm fine, thank you. |
| Govorite li engleski? | GOH-voh-ree-teh lee ENG-les-kee? | Do you speak English? |
| Ne razumijem | Neh rah-ZOO-mee-yehm | I don’t understand |
| Gdje je WC? | Gdyeh yeh VEH-tseh? | Where is the bathroom? |
| Koliko košta? | KOH-lee-koh KOH-sh-tah? | How much does it cost? |
| Račun, molim. | RAH-choon, MOH-leem | The bill, please. |
| Izvinite | EEZ-vee-nee-teh | Excuse me / Sorry |
| Laku noć | LAH-koo noch | Good night |
| Doviđenja | DOH-vee-jen-yah | Goodbye |
| Da / Ne | Dah / Neh | Yes / No |
| Možete li mi pomoći? | MOH-zhe-teh lee mee poh-MOH-chee? | Can you help me? |
| Gdje je autobuska stanica? | Gdyeh yeh ow-TOH-boos-kah STAH-nee-tsah? | Where is the bus station? |
| Imam rezervaciju | EE-mahm reh-zehr-VAH-tsee-yoo | I have a reservation |
| Koje je danas datum? | KOH-yeh yeh DAH-nahs DAH-toom? | What is today's date? |
| Sretan put! | SREH-tahn poot! | Have a good trip! |
Bonus: Pronunciation Tips
Bosnian is a phonetic language—words are pronounced exactly as they're written. But the trick lies in rolling your R's and keeping vowels crisp. For best results, try listening to native speakers. You can find free audio clips on platforms like Forvo or Google Translate.
Pro Tip
Practice a few phrases out loud each day before your trip. Even if you get them slightly wrong, Bosnians will appreciate the effort—and you might just get a smile or a helpful reply.
What Phrase Helped You Most?
Are there other phrases you want to learn? Let us know in the comments!