Serbian phrasebook

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Serbian (српски / srpski) is the official and main language of Serbia and Montenegro. It is also an official language of Bosnia and Kosovo. Barring a few vocabulary differences, it is almost identical to the Bosnian, Croatian phrasebook and Montenegrin languages. You can use any of the phrasebooks mentioned and get along with it in either Bosnia, Croatia, Serbia or Montenegro (during the period of common state of Yugoslavia these languages were known as Serbo-Croatian). Serbian is written mostly in Cyrillic in Serbia, Bosnia (Serb Rep.) and Kosovo. However in Montenegro the Latin alphabet is almost always used. Sometimes both versions are used. There are also Serbian minority speakers in portions of southern and eastern Croatia. Germany and Austria also have large Serbian minority populations in major cities.

Like all other Balto-Slavic languages (except Bulgarian-Macedonian), pronouns, adjectives and nouns in Serbian are declined through cases (kuća, kuće, kući, etc. mean house, of the house, to the house, etc). However, tenses are more simple than in English - there is no difference between "I go" and "I'm going" or "I saw" and "I have seen". While an English speaker will express himself correctly only by saying, "I was drinking when you came", both verbs of this sentence could be translated by any of Serbian past tenses and still be correct. Note the difference between the polite "you" pronoun, "vi" ("vous" in French, "Sie" in German) and informal "ti" ("tu" in French, "Du" in German). Serbian has no articles and the difference between "a house" and "the house" is understood from the context and noun declensions.

The most common word order is SVO (subject-verb-object).

Pronunciation guide

European route E75 in Serbia, towards Novi Sad. Here the place names are written in both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets

Serbian uses both Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, the only Slavic language to do so. Everyday use is the Roman alphabet, but the Cyrillic alphabet is used for official purposes and is considered more traditional. Pronunciation is usually very simple, as almost every word is written exactly as it is pronounced. Both the Roman alphabet and the Cyrillic version, the azbuka, will be shown here.

Serbian Cyrillic Alphabet:

Аа Бб Вв Гг Дд Ђђ Ее Жж Зз Ии Јј Кк Лл Љљ Мм Нн Њњ Оо Пп Рр Сс Тт Ћћ Уу Фф Хх Цц Чч Џџ Шш

Serbian Latin Alphabet:

Aa Bc Cc Čč Ćć Dd Dždž Đđ Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Ljlj Mm Nn Njnj Oo Pp Rr Ss Šš Tt Uu Vv Zz Žž

Stress

Generally, in complex words, the emphasis is on the first syllable (e.g.: kako [KAH-koh]). In some cases, such as in words with a prefix (e.g.: autobus [ow-TOH-boos]) the stress is on the middle syllable. The last syllable is never stressed.

Vowels

There are five vowels in Serbo-Croatian language. They can be long or short.

a: the 'a' in "article"
e: the 'e' in "end"
i: the 'ee' in "week"
o: the 'o' in "obey"
u: the 'oo' in "took"

Consonants

Many of the consonants are pronounced as in English, except for a few variations.

b: the 'b' in "abuse"
c: always as 'ts' in "bits"
č: the 'ch' in "chair"
ć: the 'ch' in "church"
d: the 'd' in "dog"
đ: the 'd(u)' in "endure"; rarely used at the beginning of a word; this letter is sometimes written as dj; [the Cyrillic equivalent of this letter is "ђ"]
dž: the 'dge' in "edge", but harder [the Cyrillic equivalent of this letter is "џ"]; seldom used
f: the 'f' in "face"
g: the 'g' in "gone" [always hard 'g']
h: the 'h' in "ham" [quite weak, unlike other Slavonic languages and often dropped, eg "hoću" (I will or I wish) becomes 'oću in speech]
j: the 'y' in "yes"
k: the 'k' in "kick"
l: the 'l' in "like"
lj: the 'li' in "million" [the Cyrillic equivalent of this letter is "љ"]
m: the 'm' in "monkey"
n: the 'n' in "noise"
nj: the 'ny' in "canyon" [Spanish ñ nasal sound, the Cyrillic equivalent of this letter is "њ"]
p: the 'p' in "post"
r: the 'r' in "barco" [trilled 'r' like in Spanish language]
s: the 's' in "sun"
š: the 'sh' in "shower"
t: the 't' in "talk"
v: the 'v' in "vase"
z: the 'z' in "zone"
ž: the 'su' in "pleasure"

q w x and y are not part of the Serbian alphabet, and they can occur only in foreign words. Hence, "text" in Serbian is written as "tekst", "expert" as "ekspert", "wagon" as "vagon", "quota" as "kvota" and "myth" as "mit".

Common diphthongs

ija: the 'ia' in "Lydia"
ije: the 'ie' in "miedo"
aj: the 'ie' in "pie" (ia sound)
oj: the 'oy' in "boy"
oa: the 'oa' in "boa"
ao: similar to the 'ou' in "out"
eo: the 'eo' in "video" ('e' as in 'there')
io: the 'io' in "radio"

Note that the diphthong ia is usually written as ija; eg, policija (police) is pronounced exactly as Italian polizia; name Lydia is written as Lidija; Serbia is, as you have well guessed, spelled Srbija.

Phrase list

Basics

Hello.: Здраво. Zdravo. (ZDRAH-voh)
How are you?: Како сте? Kako ste? (KAH-koh steh?)
Well, thanks.: Добро, хвала. Dobro, hvala. (DOH-broh, HVAH-lah)
What is your name?: Како се зовете? Kako se zovete? (KAH-koh seh ZOH-veh-teh)
My name is ______ .: Зовем се_____. Zovem se_____. (ZOH-vehm seh_____.)
Pleased to meet you.: Драго ми је. Drago mi je. (DRAH-goh mee yeh)
Please.: Молим. Molim. (MOH-leem)
Thank you.: Хвала. Hvala. (HVAH-lah)
You're welcome.: Молим. Molim. (MOH-leem)
Yes.: Да. Da. (DAH)
No.: Не. Ne. (NEH)
Excuse me. (getting attention): Извините. Izvinite. (eez-VEE-nee-teh)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Извините. Izvinite. (eez-VEE-nee-teh)
I'm sorry. (if it isn't speaker's fault, e.g. if you hear bad news): Жао ми је. Žao mi je. (ZHOW mee yeh)
I'm sorry. (if it's speaker's fault, e.g. if you bump into someone): Извините. Izvinite. (eez-VEE-nee-teh)
Goodbye: Довиђења. Doviđenja. (doh vee-JEH-nyah)
I can't speak Serbian.: Не говорим српски. Ne govorim srpski. (neh GOH-voh-reem SR-ps-kee)
Do you speak English?: Говорите ли енглески? Govorite li engleski? (GOH-voh-ree-teh lee ENH-glehs-kee?)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Има ли неког ко говори енглески? Ima li nekog ko govori engleski? (EE-mah lee NEH-kohg koh GOH-voh-ree EHN-glehs-kee ?)
Help!: Упомоћ! Upomoć! (OO-poh-mohtch!)
Look out!: Пази! Pazi! (PAH-zee!)
Good morning.: Добро јутро. Dobro jutro. (DOH-broh YOO-troh)

Good afternoon.

Добар дан. Dobar dan. (DOH-bar DAHN)
Good evening.: Добро вече. Dobro veče. (DOH-broh VEH-cheh)
Good night.: Добро вече. Dobro veče. (DOH-broh VEH-cheh)
Good night (to sleep): Лаку ноћ. Laku noć. (LAH-koo nohtch)
I don't understand.: Не разумем. Ne razumem. (neh rah-ZOO-mehm)
Where is the toilet?: Где је тоалет? Gde je toalet? (gee-deh yeh TWAH-leht?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: Остави ме на миру. Ostavi me na miru. (OHS-tah-vee_meh nah_MEE-roo)
Don't touch me!: Не дирај ме! Ne diraj me! (NEH dee-rai meh)
I'll call the police.: Зваћу полицију. Zvaću policiju. (ZVAH-tchoo poh-LEE-tseeyoo)
Police!: Полиција! Policija! (poh-LEE-tseeyah)
Stop the thief!: Држ'те лопова! Drž'te lopova! (DER-zhteh LOH-poh-vah)
I need your help.: Треба ми помоћ. Treba mi pomoć. (TREH-bah mee POH-mohtch)
It's an emergency.: Хитно је. Hitno je. (HIT-noh yeh)
I'm lost.: Изгубио сам се (m). Изгубила сам се (f). Izgubio sam se (m). Izgubila sam se (f). (eez-GOO-byoh sahm seh/ eez-GOO-bee-lah sahm seh) (m = if spoken by a man, f = if spoken by a woman)
I lost my bag.: Изгубио сам торбу (m). Изгубила сам торбу (f). Izgubio sam torbu (m). Izgubila sam torbu (f). (iz-GOO-byoh sahm TOHR-boo/ iz-GOO-bee-lah sahm TOHR-boo)
I lost my wallet.: Изгубио сам новчаник (m). Изгубила сам новчаник (f). Izgubio sam novčanik (m). Izgubila sam novčanik (f). (iz-GOO-byoh sahm nohv-CHAH-neek/ iz-GOO-bee-lah sahm nohv-CHAH-neek)
I'm sick.: Болестан сам (m). Болесна сам (f). Bolestan sam (m). Bolesna sam (f). (BOH-lehs-tahn sahm / BOH-lehs-nah sahm)
I've been injured.: Повређен сам (m). Повређена сам (f). Povređen sam (m). Povređena sam (f). (POHV-reh-jehn sahm / POHV-reh-jeh-nah sahm)
I need a doctor.: Треба ми доктор. Treba mi doktor. (TREH-bah mee DOHK-tohr)
Can I use your phone?: Могу ли да телефонирам? Mogu li da telefoniram? (MOH-goo lee dah teh-leh-FOH-nee-rahm)

Numbers

0: нула, nula (NOO-lah)
1: један, jedan (YEH-dahn)
2: два, dva (dvah)
3: три, tri (tree)
4: четири, četiri (CHEH-tee-ree)
5: пет, pet (peht)
6: шест, šest (shehst)
7: седам, sedam (SEH-dahm)
8: осам, osam (OH-sahm)
9: девет, devet (DEH-veht)
10: десет, deset (DEH-seht)
11: једанаест, jedanaest (yee-DAH-nah-ehst)
12: дванаест, dvanaest (DVAH-nah-ehst)
13: тринаест, trinaest (TREE-nah-ehst)
14: четрнаест, četrnaest (cheh-TEHR-nah-ehst)
15: петнаест, petnaest (PEHT-nah-ehst)
16: шеснаест, šesnaest (SHEHS-nah-ehst)
17: седамнаест, sedamnaest (seh-DAHM-nah-ehst)
18: осамнаест, osamnaest (oh-SAHM-nah-ehst)
19: деветнаест, devetnaest (deh-VEHT-nah-ehst)
20: двадесет, dvadeset (DVAH-deh-seht)
21: двадесет један, dvadeset jedan (DVAH-deh-seht YEH-dahn)
22: двадесет два, dvadeset dva (DVAH-deh-seht dvah)
23: двадесет три, dvadeset tri (DVAH-deh-seht tree)
30: тридесет, trideset (TREE-deh-seht)
40: четрдесет, četrdeset (cheh-tuhr-DEH-seht)
50: педесет, pedeset (peh-DEH-seht)
60: шездесет, šezdeset (shehz-DEH-seht)
70: седамдесет, sedamdeset (seh-dahm-DEH-seht)
80: осамдесет, osamdeset (oh-sahm-DEH-seht)
90: деведесет, devedeset (deh-veh-DEH-seht)
100: сто, sto (stoh)
200: двеста, dvesta (DVEH-stah)
300: триста, trista (TREES-tah)
400: четристо, četristo (CHEH-trees-toh)
500: петсто, petsto (PEHTS-toh)
600: шестсто, šeststo (SHEHST-stoh)
700: седамсто, sedamsto (SEH-dahms-toh)
800: осамсто, osamsto (OH-sahms-toh)
900: деветсто devetsto (DEH-vehts-toh)
1000: хиљаду (тисућу), hiljadu (tisuću) (HEE-lyah-doo/ TEE-soo-tchoo); both are correct and used equally (The first one is a Greek loanword for the same number, while the latter is the Slavic word, used exclusively by Serbs in Croatia, never in Serbia)
2000: две хиљаде (тисуће), dve hiljade (tisuće) (dveh HEE-lyah-deh/ TEE-soo-tcheh)
1,000,000: милион, milion (mee-LEE-ohn)
1,000,000,000: милијарда, milijarda - one thousand million in UK, one billion in USA (mee-LEE-yahr-dah)
1,000,000,000,000: билион, bilion - one billion in UK, one trillion in USA (bee-LY-ohn)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): број _____ broj _____ (broy), it can be shorted like "br." if needed.
half: пола, pola (POH-lah)
less: мање, manje (MAH-nyeh)
more: више, više (VEE-sheh)

Time

now: сада. sada (SAH-dah)
later: касније. kasnije (KAHS-nyeh)
before: пре. pre (preh)
morning: јутро. jutro (from dawn to 8-9 AM) / преподне prepodne (from 8-9 AM till noon) (YOO-troh)
afternoon: поподне. popodne. (poh-POHD-neh)
evening: вече. veče (VEH-cheh)
night: ноћ. noć (nohtch)
dawn: зора. zora. (ZOH-rah)
early: рано. rano ("RAH-noh")
day: дан. dan. (dahn)
sunrise: свануће. svanuće. (svah-NOO-tcheh)
sunset: залазак сунца. zalazak sunca. (ZAH-lah-zahk SOON-tsah)

Clock time

In common speech 12 hour clock is used. 24 hour clock is used in announcements, schedules, formal statements and situations where misunderstanding may arise.

one o'clock AM: један сат. jedan sat (YEH-dahn saht)
two o'clock AM: два сата. dva sata (dvah SAH-tah)

NOTE: There is no exact equivalence of AM and PM, since 12 hour clock is used mainly in common speech. Therefore "one o'clock AM" in Serbian would be stated as "one o'clock past midnight" and 7 AM as "seven in the morning". Likewise, "one o'clock PM" is "one o'clock in the afternoon" and 9 PM would be "nine o'clock in the evening".

noon: подне. podne (POHD-neh)
one o'clock PM: један сат поподне. jedan sat popodne [SEE ABOVE] (YEH-dahn saht poh-POHD-neh)
two o'clock PM: два сата поподне. dva sata popodne [SEE ABOVE] (dvah SAH-tah poh-POHD-neh)
midnight: поноћ. ponoć (POH-nohtch)

Duration

_____ minute(s)

_____ минута. minuta (mee-NOO-tah)
_____ hour(s): _____ сати. sati (SAH-tee)
_____ day(s): _____ дана. dana (DAH-nah)
_____ week(s): _____ недеља. nedelja (NEH-deh-lyah)
_____ month(s): _____ месеци. meseci (meh-SEH-tsee)
_____ year(s): _____ година. godina (GOH-dee-nah)

Days

today: данас. danas (DAH-nahs)
yesterday: јуче. juče (YOO-cheh)
tomorrow: сутра. sutra (SOO-trah)
this week: ове недеље (седмице). ove nedelje (sedmice) (OH-veh NEH-deh-lyeh; N.B. in normal speech, "nedelje" -- from the word meaning "Sunday" is used, even though the proper word for a week is "sedmica", to wit "sedmice" in Genitive case; only when the confusion may arise whether one is talking about Sunday or the whole week, "sedmice" is used)
last week: прошле недеље (седмице). prošle nedelje (sedmice) (PROSH-leh NEH-deh-lyeh)
next week: следеће недеље (седмице). sledeće nedelje (sedmice) (SLEH-deh-tcheh NEH-deh-lyeh)

Monday: понедељак. ponedeljak (poh-NEH-deh-lyahk)
Tuesday: уторак. utorak (OO-toh-rahk)
Wednesday: среда. sreda (SREH-dah)
Thursday: четвртак. četvrtak (cheht-VEHR-tahk)
Friday: петак. petak (PEH-tahk)
Saturday: субота. subota (SOO-boh-tah)
Sunday: недеља. nedelja (NEH-deh-lyah)

NOTE: Week starts on Monday.

Months

January: јануар. januar (YAH-nwahr)
February: фебруар. februar (FEH-brwahr)
March: март. mart (mahrt)
April: април. april (AH-preel)
May: мај. maj (mah-ee)
June: јун. jun (yoon)
July: јул. jul (yool)
August: август. avgust (AHV-goost)
September: септембар. septembar (sehp-TEHM-bahr)
October: октобар. oktobar (ohk-TOH-bahr)
November: новембар. novembar (noh-VEHM-bahr)
December: децембар. decembar (deh-TSEHM-bahr)

Names of months aren't capitalized.

Writing time and date

Clock times are written in schedules as 24 hours clock, but in speech the usage of 12 hour clock is preferred.

Dates are always written in the following order: date-month-year, and they can be written in three main ways, for example 12th September 2006:

12. 9. 2006. or 12. sept. 2006. or 12. IX 2006. (Roman cipher denoting the month)

Colors

black

црно. crno (TSEHR-noh)

white

бело. belo (BEH-loh)

gray

сиво. sivo (SEE-voh)

red

црвено. crveno (tsehr-VEH-noh)

blue

плаво. plavo (PLAH-voh)

yellow

жуто. žuto (ZHOO-toh)

green

зелено. zeleno (zeh-LEH-noh)

orange

наранџасто. narandžasto (NAH-rahn-jahs-toh)

magenta

љубичасто. ljubičasto (LYOO-bee-chahs-toh)

brown

смеђе. smeđe (SMEH-jeh)

beige

беж. bež (behzh)

pink

ружичасто. ružičasto (ROOH-zhee-chah-stoh)

blue-green

петролеј. petrolej (pet-ROH-lehy; like the word for petroleum oil)

turquoise

тиркизно. tirkizno (TIHR-kee-znoh)

Transportation

car: аутомобил, automobil (ow-toh-MOH-beel)
van: комби, kombi (KOHM-bee)
airplane: авион, avion (AH-vyohn)
airline: авио, avio (AH-vyoh)
bus: аутобус, autobus (ow-TOH-boos)
train: воз, voz (vohz)
taxi: такси, taksi (TAHK-see)
boat: чамац, čamac (CHAH-mahts)
ship: брод, brod (brohd)
tram: трамвај, tramvaj (TRAHM-vay)
trolley: тролејбус, trolejbus (troh-LEY-boos)
ferry: ферибот, feribot (FEH-ree-boht)
bicycle: бицикл, bicikl (bee-TSEE-kuhl)
motorcycle: мотоцикл, motocikl (moh-toh-TSEE-kuhl)
helicopter: хеликоптер, helikopter (heh-lee-KOP-tehr)
truck: камион, kamion (KAH-myohn)

Booking Tickets

Where can I buy tickets?: Где могу да купим карту? Gde mogu da kupim kartu? (GH-deh MOH-goo dah KOO-peem CAR-too?)
I want to go to......: Желим да идем у...... Želim da idem u..... (ZHEH-leem dah EE-dehm oo...)
Do I need to book/make a reservation?: Да ли треба да се резервише?, Da li treba da se rezerviše? (dah lee TREH-bah dah seh reh-ZEHR-vee-shae?)
Can I get a stand-by ticket?: Могу ли добити стенд-бај карту?, Mogu li dobiti stend-baj kartu? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee STEHND-bahy KAHR-too)
I'd like...: Хтео бих..., Hteo bih... (KHTEH-oh beekh...)
....a one way ticket.: ....карту у једном смеру. ....kartu u jednom smeru. (KAHR-too ooh YEHD-nohm SMEH-roo)
....two tickets.: ....две карте. ....dve karte. (dveh KAHR-teh)
....a return ticket.: ....повратну карту. povratnu kartu. (pohv-RAHT-noo KAHR-too)
1st. class.: прва класа, prva klasa (PEHR-vah KLAH-sah)
2nd. class.: друга класа, druga klasa (DROO-gah KLAH-sah)

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Колико кошта карта до _____? Koliko košta karta do _____? (koh-LEE-koh KOHSH-tah KAHR-tah doh...?)
One ticket to _____, please.: Једну карту до _____, молим. Jednu kartu do _____, molim.(YEHD-noo KAHR-too doh..., MOH-leem)
Where does this train/bus go?: Куда иде овај воз/аутобус? Kuda ide ovaj voz/autobus?(KOO-dah EE-deh OH-vai vohz/ ow-TOH-boos?)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Где је воз/аутобус за _____? Gde je voz/autobus za _____? (gdeh yeh vohz/ ow-TOH-boos zah...?)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Да ли воз/аутобус стаје у _____? Da li voz/autobus staje u _____? (dah lee vohz/ ow-TOH-boos STAH-yeh oo...?)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: Када воз/аутобус полази? Kada voz/autobus polazi? (KAH-dah vohz/ ow-TOH-boos POH-lah-zee?)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: Када овај воз/аутобус стиже у _____? Kada ovaj voz/autobus stiže u _____? (KAH-dah OH-vai vohz/ ow-TOH-boos STEE-zheh oo...?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Како могу да стигнем до _____ ? Kako mogu da stignem do _____ ?(KAH-koh MOH-goo dah STEEG-nehm doh...?)
...the train station?: ...железничке станице? ... železničke stanice?(ZHEH-lehz-neech-keh STAH-nee-tseh)
...the bus station?: ...аутобуске станице? ... autobuske stanice? (ow-TOH-boos-keh STAH-nee-tseh)
...the airport?: ...аеродрома? ... aerodroma? (AH-eh-roh-droh-mah?)
...downtown?: ...центра града? ... centra grada? (TSEHN-trah GRAH-dah?)
...the hospital?: ...болнице? ...bolnice? (bohl-NEE-tseh?)
...the post office?: ...поште? ...pošte? (POHSH-teh?)
...the youth hostel?: ...омладинског хостела? ...omladinskog hostela? (OHM-lah-deens-kohg khoh-TEH-lah?)
...the _____ hotel?: ...хотела _____ ? ...hotela _____? (khoh-TEH-lah...?)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...америчког/канадског/аустралијског/британског конзулата? ...američkog/kanadskog/australijskog/britanskog konzulata? (ah-MEH-reech-kohg/ KAH-nahds-kohg/ ows-TRAH-lyah-skohg/ BREE-tahns-kohg kohn-ZOO-lah-tah?)
Where are there a lot of...: Где има пуно... Gde ima puno... (gdeh EE-mah POO-noh)
...hotels?: ...хотела? ...hotela? (khohs-TEH-lah)
...restaurants?: ...ресторана? ...restorana? (rehs-toh-RAH-nah)
...bars?: ...барова? ...barova? (BAH-roh-vah)
...sites to see?: ...знаменитости? ...znamenitosti? (ZNAH-meh-nee-tohs-tee?)
Can you show me on the map?: Можете (ли) ми показати на карти? Možete (li) mi pokazati na karti? (MOH-zheh-teh [lee] mee poh-KAH-zah-tee nah KAHR-tee?; the "li" is grammatically correct, but usually omitted in speech)
street: улица, ulica (oo-LEE-tsah)
road: пут, put (poot)
avenue: авенија, avenija (AH-veh-nee-yah)
boulevard: булевар, bulevar (boo-LEH-vahr)
highway: аутопут, autoput (OU-toh-POOT; double stress, as it is a compound word from "auto" abbreviation of "automobile" and "put" = road)
Turn left.: Скрените лево. Skrenite levo. (SKREH-nee-teh LEH-voh)
Turn right.: Скрените десно. Skrenite desno. (SKREH-nee-teh DEHS-noh)
left: лево. levo (LEH-voh)
right: десно. desno (DEHS-noh)
straight ahead: право pravo (PRAH-voh)
towards the _____: према _____ prema _____ (PREH-mah)
past the _____: после _____ posle _____ (POHS-leh)
before the _____: пре _____ pre _____ (preh)
Watch for the _____.: Обратите пажњу на _____. Obratite pažnju na _____. (oh-BRAH-tee-teh PAHZH-nyoo nah...)
intersection: раскрсница. raskrsnica (RAHS-kers-nee-tsah)
east: исток. istok (EES-tohk)
west: запад. zapad (ZAH-pahd)
north: север. sever (SEH-vehr)
south: југ. jug (yoog)
uphill: узбрдо. uzbrdo (OOZ-ber-doh)
downhill: низбрдо nizbrdo (NEEZ-ber-doh)

Taxi

Taxi!: Такси! Taksi! (TAHK-see)
Take me to _____, please.: Одвезите ме до _____, молим. Odvezite me do _____, molim. (ohd-VEH-zee-teh meh doh..., MOH-leem)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Колико кошта вожња до _____? Koliko košta vožnja do _____? (koh-LEE-koh KOHSH-tah VOHZH-nyah doh...?)
Take me there, please.: Возите ме тамо, молим. Vozite me tamo, molim. (VOH-zee-teh meh TAH-moh, MOH-leem)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Имате ли слободних соба? Imate li slobodnih soba? (EE-mah-teh lee SLOH-bohd-neekh SOH-bah?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Колико кошта једнокреветна/двокреветна соба? Koliko košta jednokrevetna/dvokrevetna soba? (koh-LEE-koh KOHSH-tah yehd-noh-KREH-veht-nah/ DVOH-kreh-veht-nah SOH-bah?)
Does the room come with...: Да ли соба има... Da li soba ima... (dah lee SOH-bah EE-mah...)
...bedsheets?: ...постељину? ...posteljinu? (pohs-teh-LEE-noo?)
...a bathroom?: ...купатило? ...kupatilo? (koo-PAH-tee-loh?)
...a telephone?: ...телефон? ...telefon? (teh-LEH-fohn?)
...a TV?: ...телевизор? ...televizor? (teh-leh-VEE-zohr?)
...air conditioning?: ...клима уређај (or just: климу)? ...klima uređaj (or just: klimu)? (KLEE-mah OO-reh-jy / KLEE-moo?)
May I see the room first?: Могу ли да погледати собу? Mogu li da pogledati sobu? (MOH-goo lee POH-gleh-dah-tee SOH-boo?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Имате ли нешто тише? Imate li nešto tiše? (EE-mah-teh lee NEHSH-toh TEE-sheh?)
...bigger?: ...веће? ...veće? (VEH-tcheh?)
...cleaner?: ...чистије? ...čistije? (CHEES-tyeh?)
...cheaper?: ...јефтиније? ...jeftinije? (yehf-TEE-nyeh)
OK, I'll take it.: У реду, узимам. U redu, uzimam. (oo REH-doo, OO-zee-mahm)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Остаћу _____ ноћи. Ostaću _____ noći. (OHS-tah-tchoo...NOH-tchee)
Can you suggest another hotel?: Можете ли предложити други хотел? Možete li predložiti drugi hotel? (MOH-zheh-teh lee prehd-LOH-zhee-tee DROO-gee KHOH-tehl?)
Do you have a safe?: Имате ли сеф? Imate li sef? (EE-mah-teh lee sehf?)
...lockers?: ...ормарић? ...ormarić? (ohr-MAH-reetch?)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Да ли су укључени доручак/вечера? Da li su uključeni doručak/večera? (dah lee soo OO-klyoo-cheh-nee DOH-roo-chahk/ VEH-cheh-rah?)
What time is breakfast/supper?: У колико сати је доручак/вечера? U koliko sati je doručak/večera? (oo koh-LEE-koh SAH-tee yeh DOH-roo-chahk/ VEH-cheh-rah?)
Please clean my room.: Молим вас, очистите ми собу. Molim vas, očistite mi sobu. (MOH-leem vahs, OH-chees-tee-teh mee SOH-boo)
Can you wake me at _____?: Можете ли ме пробудити у _____? Možete li me probuditi u _____? (MOH-zheh-teh lee meh proh-BOO-dee-tee oo...?)
I want to check out.: Желим да се одјавим. Želim da se odjavim. (ZHEH-leem dah seh OH-dyah-veem)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Примате ли америчке/аустралијске/канадске доларе? Primate li američke/australijske/kanadske dolare? (PREE-mah-teh lee ah-MEH-reech-keh/ ows-TRAH-lees-keh/ KAH-nahds-keh DOH-lah-reh?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Примате ли британске фунте? Primate li britanske funte? (PREE-mah-teh lee BREE-tahns-keh FOON-teh?)
Do you accept credit cards?: Примате ли кредитне картице? Primate li kreditne kartice? (PREE-mah-teh lee KREH-deet-neh KAHR-tee-tseh?)
Can you change money for me?: Можете ли променити новац за мене? Možete li promeniti novac za mene? (MOH-zheh-teh lee proh-MEH-nee-tee NOH-vahts zah MEH-neh?)
Where can I get money changed?: Где могу променити новац? Gde mogu promeniti novac? (gdeh MOH-goo proh-MEE-neh-tee NOH-vahts?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Можете ли ми променити путнички чек? Možete li mi promeniti putnički ček? (MOH-zheh-teh lee mee proh-MEH-nee-tee POOT-neech-kee chehk?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Где могу променити путнички чек? Gde mogu dobiti promeniti putnički ček? (gdeh MOH-goo proh-MEH-nee-tee POOT-neech-kee chehk?)
What is the exchange rate?: Колики је курс? Koliki je kurs? (koh-LEE-kee yeh koors?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Где је банкомат? Gde je bankomat? (gdeh yeh bahn-KOH-maht?)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: Молим сто за једно/двоје. Molim sto za jedno/dvoje. (MOH-leem stoh zah YEHD-noh/ DEH-voie)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Могу ли добити јеловник? Mogu li dobiti jelovnik? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee YEH-lohv-neek?)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Могу ли погледати кухињу? Mogu li pogledati kuhinju? (MOH-goo lee POH-gleh-dah-tee KOO-khee-nyoo?)
Is there a house specialty?: Постоји ли специјалитет куће? Postoji li specijalitet kuće? (pohs-TO-yee lee speh-tsyah-LEE-teht KOO-tcheh?)
Is there a local specialty?: Постоји ли локални специјалитет? Postoji li lokalni specijalitet? (pohs-TO-yee lee LOH-kahl-nee speh-tsyah-LEE-teht?)
I'm a vegetarian.: Ја сам вегетаријанац. Ja sam vegetarijanac. (yah sahm veh-geh-TAH-ryah-nahts), also : ne jedem meso ("I don't eat meat")
I don't eat pork.: Не једем свињетину. Ne jedem svinjetinu. (neh YEH-dehm SVEE-nyeh-tee-noo)
I don't eat beef.: Не једем говедину. Ne jedem govedinu. (neh YEH-dehm GOH-veh-dee-noo)
I only eat kosher food.: Једем само кошер храну. Jedem samo košer hranu. (YEH-dehm SAH-moh KOH-shehr KHRAH-noo)
Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard): Могу ли добити малу порцију? Mogu li dobiti malu porciju? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee MAH-loo POHR-tsyoo)
fixed-price meal: фиксна цена оброка fiksna cena obroka (FEEKS-nah TSEH-nah OB-roh-kah)
breakfast: доручак. doručak (DOH-roo-chahk)
lunch: ручак. ručak (ROO-chahk)
supper: вечера večera (VEH-cheh-rah)
I want _____.: Желим _____. Želim _____. (ZHEH-leem)
spoon: Кашика, kašika (KAH-shee-kah)
fork: виљушка, viljuška (VEE-lyoosh-kah)
knife: нож, nož (nohzh)
plate: тањир, tanjir (TAH-nyeer)
(drinking) glass: чаша, čaša (CHAH-shah)
bowl: чинија, činija (CHEE-nee-yah)
cup: шоља, šolja (SHOH-lyah)
saucer: тањирић, tanjirić (tah-NYEE-reetch)
napkin: салвета, salveta (sahl-VEH-tah)
I want a dish containing _____.: Желим јело с _____. Želim jelo s _____. (ZHEH-leem YEH-loh ehs...?)
chicken: пилетином piletinom (PEE-leh-tee-nohm)
beef: говедином govedinom (GOH-veh-dee-nohm)
fish: рибом ribom (REE-bohm)
ham: шунком šunkom (SHOON-kohm)
sausage: кобасицом kobasicom (koh-BAH-see-tsohm)
cheese: сиром sirom (SEE-rohm)
eggs: јаје jaje (YAI-ee)
salad: салатом salatom (sah-LAH-tohm)
(fresh) vegetables: (свежим) поврћем (svežim) povrćem (POH-vehr-tchehm)
(fresh) fruit: (свежим) воћем (svežim) voćem (VOH-tchehm)
bread: хлебом hlebom (KHLE-bohm)
toast: тостом tostom (TOHS-tohm)
noodles: резанцима rezancima (reh-ZAHN-tsee-mah)
rice: пиринчем pirinčem (PEE-reen-chehm)
beans: пасуљем pasuljem (pah-SOO-lyehm)
May I have a glass of _____?: Могу ли добити чашу _____? Mogu li dobiti čašu _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee CHAH-shoo...?)
May I have a cup of _____?: Могу ли добити шољу _____? Mogu li dobiti šolju _____?(MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee SHOH-lyoo...?)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Могу ли добити флашу _____? Mogu li dobiti flašu ______? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee FLAH-shoo...?)
coffee: кафе kafe (KAH-feh)
tea (drink): чаја čaja (CHAI-ah)
juice: сока soka (SOH-kah)
(bubbly) water: минералне воде mineralne vode(MEE-neh-rahl-neh VOH-deh)
water: воде vode (VOH-deh)
beer: пива piva (PEE-vah)
red/white wine: црног/белог вина crnog/belog vina (TSEHR-nohg/ BEH-lohg VEE-na)
May I have some _____?: Могу ли добити _____? Mogu li dobiti _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee...?)
salt: соли soli (SOH-lee)
black pepper: бибера bibera (BEE-beh-rah)
butter: бутера butera (BOO-teh-rah)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Конобар! Konobar! (KOH-noh-bahr)
I'm finished.: Завршио сам. Završio sam. (zah-VEHR-shyoh sahm)
It was delicious.: Било је укусно. Bilo je ukusno. (BEE-loh yeh OO-koos-noh)
Please clear the plates.: Молим вас, склоните тањире. Molim vas, sklonite tanjire. (MOH-leem vahs, SKLOH-nee-teh tah-NYEE-reh)
The check, please.: Рачун, Молим. Račun, molim. (RAH-choon, MOH-leem)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Служите ли алкохолна пића? Služite li alkoholna pića? (SLOO-zhee-teh lee AHL-koh-khohl-nah PEE-tchah?)
A beer/two beers, please.: Једно пиво/два пива, молим. Jedno pivo/dva piva, molim. (YEHD-noh PEE-voh/ dvah PEE-vah, MOH-leem)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: Чашу црног/белог вина, молим. Čašu crnog/belog vina, molim. (CHAH-shoo TSEHR-nohg/ BEH-lohg VEE-nah, MOH-leem)
whiskey: виски viski (VEES-kee)
vodka: вотка votka (VOHT-kah)
rum: рум rum (room)
water: вода voda (VOH-dah)
tonic water: тоник tonik (TOH-neek)
orange juice: ђус đus (joos)
Coke (soda): кола kola (KOH-lah)
One more, please.: Још једно, молим. Još jedno, molim. (yohsh YEHD-noh, MOH-leem)
Another round, please.: Још једну туру, молим. Još jednu turu, molim. (yohsh YEHD-noo TOO-roo, MOH-leem)
When is closing time?: Када затварате? Kada zatvarate? (KAH-dah ZAHT-vah-rah-teh?)
Cheers!: Живели! Živeli! (ZHEE-veh-lee!)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Имате ли ово у мојој величини? Imate li ovo u mojoj veličini? (EE-mah-teh lee OH-voh oo MOY-oi veh-lee-CHEE-nee?)
How much is this?: Колико ово кошта? Koliko ovo košta? (koh-LEE-koh OH-voh KOHSH-tah?)
That's too expensive.: Сувише је скупо. Suviše je skupo. (SOO-vee-sheh yeh SKOO-poh)
Would you take _____?: Да ли бисте узели _____? Da li biste uzeli ______? (dah lee BEES-teh OO-zeh-lee)
expensive: скупо skupo (SKOO-poh)
cheap: јефтино jeftino (YEHF-tee-noh)
I can't afford it.: Не могу то приуштити. Ne mogu to priuštiti. (neh MOH-goo toh pree-OOSH-tee-tee)
I don't want it.: То не желим. To ne želim. (toh neh ZHEH-leem)
You're cheating me.: Варате ме. Varate me. (VAH-rah-teh meh)
OK, I'll take it.: У реду, узимам. U redu, uzimam. (oo REH-doo, OO-zee-mahm)
Can I have a bag?: Могу ли добити кесу? Mogu li dobiti kesu? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee KEH-soo?)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Испоручујете ли робу (у иностранство)? Isporučujete li robu (u inostranstvo)? (ees-poh-ROO-chooi-eh-teh lee ROH-boo (ee-nohs-TRAHNS-tvoh) ?)
I need...: Треба ми... Treba mi... (TREH-bah mee)
...toothpaste.: ...паста за зубе. ...pasta za zube. (PAHS-tah zah ZOO-beh)
...a toothbrush.: ...четкица за зубе. ...četkica za zube. (CHEHT-kee-tsah zah ZOO-beh)
...tampons.: ...тампони. ...tamponi. (TAHM-poh-nee)
...feminine napkins.: ...женски улошци, ženski ulošci. (ZHEHNS-kee oo-LOHSH-tsee)
...soap.: ...сапун. ...sapun. (SAH-poon)
...shampoo.: ...шампон. ...šampon. (SHAM-pohn)
...deodorant.: ...дезодоранс. dezodorans. (deh-zoh-DOH-rahns)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...лек против болова. ...lek protiv bolova. (lehk PRO-teef BOH-loh-vah)
...cold medicine.: ...лек против прехладе. ...lek protiv prehlade. (lehk PROH-teef PREH-khlah-deh)
...stomach medicine.: ...лек против болова у стомаку. ...lek protiv bolova u stomaku. (lehk PRO-teev BOH-loh-vah oo stoh-MAH-koo)
...shaving cream.: ...Крема за бријање. krema za brijanje. (KREH-mah zah BREE-yah-nyeh)
...a razor.: ...бријач. ...brijač. (BREE-yahtch)
...an umbrella.: ...кишобран. ...kišobran. (kee-SHOH-brahn)
...sunblock lotion.: ...лосион за сунчање. ...losion za sunčanje. (loh-SEE-ohn zah SOON-chah-nyeh)
...a postcard.: ...разгледница. ...razglednica. (RAHZ-glehd-nee-tsah)
...postage stamps.: ...поштанске марке. ...poštanske marke. (POHSH-tahn-skeh MAHR-keh)
...batteries.: ...батерије. ...baterije. (BAH-teh-ryeh)
...writing paper.: ...папир за писање. ...papir za pisanje. (PAH-peer zah PEE-sah-nyeh)
...a pen.: ...оловка. ...olovka. (OH-lohf-kah)
...English-language books.: ...књиге на енглеском језику. ...knjige na engleskom jeziku.(KNYEE-geh nah EHN-glehs-kohm YEH-zee-koo)
...English-language magazines.: ...часописи на енглеском. ...časopisi na engleskom. (CHAH-soh-pee-see nah EHN-glehs-kohm)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...новине на енглеском. ...novine na engleskom. (NOH-vee-neh nah EHN-glehs-kohm)
...an English-English dictionary.: ...енглески речник. ...engleski rečnik. (EHN-glehs-kee REHCH-neek)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Желим да изнајмим кола. Želim da iznajmim kola. (ZHEH-leem dah EEZ-nai-meem KOH-lah)
Can I get insurance?: Могу ли добити осигурање? Mogu li dobiti osiguranje? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee oh-see-goo-RAH-nyeh?)
stop (on a street sign): стоп stop (stohp)
one way: један смер jedan smer (YEH-dahn smehr)
yield: пропустити propustiti (proh-POOS-tee-tee)
no parking: забрањено паркирање zabranjeno parkiranje (ZAH-brah-nyeh-noh pahr-KEE-rah-nyeh)
speed limit: ограничење брзине ograničenje brzine (oh-grah-nee-CHEH-nyeh behr-ZEE-neh)
gas (petrol) station: бензинска пумпа benzinska pumpa (BEHN-zeens-kah POOM-pah)
petrol(gas): бензин benzin (BEHN-zeen)
diesel: дизел dizel (DEE-zehl)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: Нисам учинио(m)/учинила(f) ништа лоше. Nisam učinio(m)/učinila(f) ništa loše. (NEE-sahm oo-CHEE-nyoh/ oo-CHEE-nee-lah NEESH-tah LOH-sheh)
It was a misunderstanding.: То је неспоразум. To je nesporazum. (toh yeh NEHS-poh-rah-zoom)
Where are you taking me?: Куда ме водите? Kuda me vodite? (KOO-dah meh VOH-dee-teh?)
Am I under arrest?: Јесам ли ухапшен? Jesam li uhapšen? (YEH-sahm lee OO-hahp-shehn?)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Ја сам амерички/аустралијски/британски/канадски држављанин. Ja sam američki/australijski/britanski/kanadski državljanin. (yah sahm ah-MEH-reech-kee/ ows-TRAH-lees-kee/ BREE-tahns-kee/ KAH-nahds-kee dehr-ZHAH-vlyah-neen)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: Желим да разговарам с америчком/аустралијском/британском/канадском амбасадом/конзулатом. Želim da razgovaram s američkom/australijskom/britanskom/kanadskom ambasadom/konzulatom. (ZHEH-leem dah rahz-GOH-vah-rahm ehs ah-MEH-reech-kohm/ ows-TRAH-lees-kohm/ BREE-tahns-kohm/ KAH-nahdsS-kohm/ ahm-bah-SAH-dohm/ kohn-zoo-LAH-tohm)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Желим да разговарам с адвокатом. Želim da razgovaram s advokatom. (ZHEH-leem dah rahz-GOH-vah-rahm ehs ahd-voh-KAH-tohm)
Can I just pay a fine now?: Могу ли само да платим казну? Mogu li samo da platim kaznu? (MOH-goo lee SAH-moh dah PLAH-teem KAHZ-noo?)

Asking about language

How do you say _____ ?: Како се каже _____ ? Kako se kaže _____? (KAH-koh seh KAH-zheh...?)
What is this/that called?: Како се ово/то зове? Kako se ovo/to zove? (KAH-koh seh OH-voh/ toh ZOH-veh?)
Do you speak English?: Говорите ли енглески? Govorite li engleski? (GOH-voh-ree-teh lee EHN-glehs-kee?)
Does anyone speak English?: Да ли било ко говори енглески? Da li bilo ko govori engleski? (Dah lee BEE-loh koh GOH-voh-ree EHN-glehs-kee?)
I speak very little Serbian.: Ја врло мало говорим српски. Ja vrlo malo govorim srpski. (yah VEHR-loh MAH-loh GOH-voh-reem SEHRPS-kee)

Emergencies

Help!: Упомоћ!, Upomoć! (OO-po-motch)
Look out!: пази!, pazi! (PAH-zee)
Fire!: Пожар!, Pozhar! (POH-zhahr)
Go away!: Бежите!, Bežite! (BEH-zhee-teh)
Thief!: Лопов!, Lopov! (LOH-pohf)
Stop thief!: Заустави лопова!, Zaustavi lopova! (ZOWS-tah-vee LOH-poh-vah)
Call the police!: Зовите полицију!, Zovite policiju! (ZOH-vee-teh poh-LEE-tsyoo)
Where is the police station?: Где је полицијска станица?, Gde je policijska stanica? (gdeh yeh poh-LEE-tsee-skah STAH-nee-tsah)
Can you help me please?: Можете ли да ми помогнете молим вас?, Možete li da mi pomognete molim vas? (MOH-zheh-teh lee dah mee POH-mohg-neh-teh MOH-leem vahs)
Could I use your telephone/mobil/cell phone?: Могу ли користити ваш телефон/ мобилни телефон?, Mogu li koristiti vaš telefon/ mobilni telefon? (MOH-goo lee koh-REES-tee-tee vahsh teh-LEH-fohn/ MOH-BEEL-nee teh-LEH-fohn)
There's been an accident!: Догодила се несрећа! Dogodila se nesreća! (doh-GOH-dee-lah seh NEH-sreh-tchah!)
Call a: Зовите, Zovite (ZOH-vee'teh)
...doctor!: доктора!, doktora! (DOH-toh-rah)
...an ambulance!: хитну помоћ!, hitnu pomoć! (HEET-nooh POH-motch)
I need medical attention!: Треба ми доктор!, Treba mi doktor! (TREH-bah mee DOK-tohr)
I'm ill.: Болестан сам! (m), Болесна сам! (f), Bolestan sam! (m), Bolesna sam (f)! (BOH-leh-stan sahm (m) BOH-leh-snah sahm (f))
I'm lost.: Изгубио сам се! (m), Изгубила сам се! (f), Izgubio sam se! (m), Izgubila sam se! (f) (eehz-GOO-byo sahm seh (m), eehz-GOO-beeh-lah sahm seh (f))
I've been raped!: Силован сам! (m) Силована сам! (f), Silovan sam! (m) Silovana sam! (f) (SEEH-loh-vahn sahm (m), SEEH-loh-vah-nah sahm (f))

(m) = if spoken by male (f) = if spoken by female

Where are the toilets?: Где је тоалет? Gde je toalet? (gdeh yeh TWAH-leht)

Learning more

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