Bulgarian phrases for visitors: 30 words that help in Varna
30 basic Bulgarian phrases for tourists in Varna, in Cyrillic with the official Latin spelling and easy pronunciation – from hello to the bill.
The Bulgarian phrases that help most in Varna are здравейте (zdraveyte, hello), моля (molya, please), благодаря (blagodarya, thank you), колко струва? (kolko struva?, how much?) and сметката, моля (smetkata, molya, the bill, please). Below are 30 words and phrases in Cyrillic, in the official Latin spelling and with a simple pronunciation; the stressed syllable is in capitals.
How do I read the Latin spelling?
The “Latin spelling” column follows Bulgaria’s Transliteration Act of 2009, the system used for road signs and identity documents. Two letters surprise visitors: ъ is written a but sounds like the “u” in “but”, and щ is written sht. A word-final -ия becomes -ia, as in Sofia. To read signs and menus letter by letter, use our Bulgarian alphabet guide.
Which greetings and basic words should I learn first?
| Bulgarian | Latin spelling | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Здравейте | Zdraveyte | zdra-VEY-te | Hello (polite, to strangers or a group) |
| Здравей | Zdravey | zdra-VEY | Hi (to a friend) |
| Добро утро | Dobro utro | do-BRO OO-tro | Good morning |
| Добър ден | Dobar den | DO-bur den | Good day |
| Добър вечер | Dobar vecher | DO-bur VE-cher | Good evening |
| Довиждане | Dovizhdane | do-VEEZH-da-ne | Goodbye |
| Да / Не | Da / Ne | dah / neh | Yes / No |
| Моля | Molya | MO-lya | Please; you’re welcome |
| Благодаря | Blagodarya | bla-go-da-RYA | Thank you |
| Извинете | Izvinete | iz-vi-NE-te | Excuse me; sorry |
| Не разбирам | Ne razbiram | ne raz-BEE-ram | I don’t understand |
| Говорите ли английски? | Govorite li angliyski? | go-VO-ri-te li an-GLEEY-ski | Do you speak English? |
What do I say in a café or restaurant?
| Bulgarian | Latin spelling | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Едно кафе, моля | Edno kafe, molya | ed-NO ka-FE, MO-lya | A coffee, please |
| Вода | Voda | vo-DA | Water |
| Без месо, моля | Bez meso, molya | bez me-SO, MO-lya | Without meat, please |
| Наздраве! | Nazdrave! | naz-DRA-ve | Cheers! |
| Сметката, моля | Smetkata, molya | SMET-ka-ta, MO-lya | The bill, please |
Not sure what to order? Our guide to what to eat in Varna explains the dishes behind the words.
What helps when shopping?
| Bulgarian | Latin spelling | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Колко струва? | Kolko struva? | KOL-ko STROO-va | How much is it? |
| Може ли с карта? | Mozhe li s karta? | MO-zhe li s KAR-ta | Can I pay by card? |
| Това, моля | Tova, molya | to-VA, MO-lya | This one, please |
| Отворено / Затворено | Otvoreno / Zatvoreno | ot-VO-re-no / zat-VO-re-no | Open / Closed (on doors) |
How do I ask for directions?
| Bulgarian | Latin spelling | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Къде е…? | Kade e…? | kuh-DE e | Where is…? |
| Тоалетна | Toaletna | to-a-LET-na | Toilet |
| Наляво / Надясно / Направо | Nalyavo / Nadyasno / Napravo | na-LYA-vo / na-DYAS-no / na-PRA-vo | Left / Right / Straight on |
| Спирка | Spirka | SPEER-ka | (Bus) stop |
What should I say in an emergency?
The free EU emergency number 112 connects you to police, ambulance and fire; according to the Italian Embassy in Sofia, operators also take calls in English, French and German. These words help on the street:
| Bulgarian | Latin spelling | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Помощ! | Pomosht! | PO-mosht | Help! |
| Повикайте линейка! | Povikayte lineyka! | po-VEE-kay-te li-NEY-ka | Call an ambulance! |
| Повикайте полиция! | Povikayte politsia! | po-VEE-kay-te po-LEE-tsi-ya | Call the police! |
| Аптека | Apteka | ap-TE-ka | Pharmacy |
More safety tips are in Is Bulgaria safe for tourists?.
Why does a nod sometimes mean no?
Traditionally Bulgarians nod for “no” and shake their head from side to side for “yes”. Many people in Varna switch to the international gestures for visitors, so the confusion goes both ways: say да or не out loud. Toasts, name days and other habits are explained in Bulgarian customs and etiquette, and money, time zone and plugs in practical basics for Varna.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How do you say hello and thank you in Bulgarian?
Say здравейте (zdraveyte, zdra-VEY-te) to greet strangers and здравей (zdravey) to friends. Thank you is благодаря (blagodarya, bla-go-da-RYA); моля (molya) means both please and you're welcome.
Do people in Varna speak English?
In hotels, restaurants and shops in the centre and the resorts, English is common. In markets, taxis and small kiosks a few Bulgarian words help, and people appreciate the effort.
Why do Bulgarian signs spell names differently, like Sofia or Varna?
Since the Transliteration Act of 2009, Bulgaria uses one official Latin spelling: ъ becomes a, щ becomes sht and a final -ия becomes -ia, which is why София is written Sofia.
Does nodding mean no in Bulgaria?
Traditionally, yes: a nod can mean no and a side-to-side shake yes. Many people switch for foreigners, so always add да (da, yes) or не (ne, no).
