Bosnian phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

After its secession from Yugoslavia, the Bosnian government declared the official language to be called Bosnian (bosanski / босански) rather than "Serbo-Croatian" (srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски). However, "Croatian," "Serbian," and "Bosnian" are considered by linguists and travellers alike to be the same language, with minor idiomatic differences.

Bosnian is a South Slavic language of the Indo-European family. It is closely related to Croatian and Serbian. Nouns have gender and cases, and the past tense is conjugated by gender and person while other tenses are conjugated only by person.

The language itself should not prove difficult to pronounce. Grammatical complexities will, however, present challenges to those unfamiliar with highly inflected languages, such as Latin or Russian. Inflection is the grammatical process of altering the noun to indicate its position and function in the sentence. The noun has a case. Whereas English nouns are defined in the sentence through the use of prepositions, as in the sentence "Mary throws the ball to John," inflected languages alter the form of the noun, so "John" in the example would appear as the indirect object in the sentence in the dative case (indicated by the change in the suffix and less frequently the prefix) and "ball" as the direct object in the accusative case.

The same sentence in Bosnian would have no preposition "to" as in "Mary baca loptu Johnu." Notice that "John" received a "u" as a suffix, which immediately governs the meaning of the word "Johnu" and dictates its function in the sentence. In another similarity with Latin and the other Balto-Slavic languages (except Bulgarian-Macedonian), Serbo-Croatian does not use articles often; there are a few ariticles, but they are rarely used even in literature and formal speech.

Certain idiomatic differences exist in Serbian and Croatian, mostly as a result of regional applications. Some phrases, such as allahimanet and merhaba, are relatively unique in Bosnian usage, as they are a remnant of Islamic (and therefore Turkish) influences. Consulting separate pages on the Croatian and the Serbian phrasebooks may prove beneficial to those interested in better understanding such regional differences.

Pronunciation guide

The Serbo-Croatian pronunciation, like other Slavic languages, is very phonetic. Each letter represents only one sound, and multiple sounds are produced only when several letters are combined.

The letter "A" represents the sound "ah" in Bosnian and represents only that sound.

Speakers of Spanish and Italian will find most sounds in Bosnian/Serbo-Croatian to be similar to the ones in their own languages.

Keep in mind that Serbo-Croatian is the ONLY Slavic language written in both Latin and Cyrillic, the latter with considerable differences from the more popular Russian/East Slavic version.

Although learning the two alphabets will keep out of trouble and endear the locals, the Latin script is more commonly used, even in Belgrade. The particles -ij and -j found in the middle of a number of words may be omitted due to regional applications and would still be correct.

Vowels

a: like 'a' in "above"
e: like 'e' in "enemy"
i: like 'i' in "sing"
o: like 'o' in "opera"
u: like 'u' in "put"

Stress

Unfortunately, neither stresses (usually it is the second or third-last one, but never the last) nor vowel lengths are marked in the written language, but the stress is more predictable than it is in Russian or Bulgarian, where it is almost obligatory to put an accent on the stressed syllable.

For example, in the sentence sam sam (I am alone), the first "sam" is long, and the second is short (SAHM sam); in the clause da da (that he/she gives), it is reverse (da DAH). The most notorious example is a pun Gore gore gore gore (Up there, forests are burning worse), but it is not likely that you will use this sentence in everyday speech. Unlike Bulgarian, Russian and other East Slavic languages, however, wrongly pronounced vowel length will seldom cause misunderstandings.

Consonants

Bosnian/Serbo-Croatian consonants are crisper than their counterparts in the English language. Approximating the corresponding consonants in Italian or Russian is closer to their true pronunciation.

b: like 'b' in "bed"
c: like 'ts' at the end of "cats" (never like an "s" or "k")
č: pronounced like "ch" as in "church", but with the tongue up on the roof of the mouth
ć: like "tch" as in "catch", but softer, with tongue behind top front teeth
d: like 'd' in "dog"
dž: very close to "j" as in judge, with tongue up on the roof of the mouth; very seldom used
đ: like "j" as in "judge", but softer, with tongue behind top front teeth; hardly used at the beginning of the word
f: like 'f' in "fish"
g: like 'g' in "go" (never pronounced like the "g" in "large")
h: a little more emphasized than the 'h' in "help", somewhat close to the Spanish jota (j), pronounced in the throat. Usually an aspirated sound like the 'ck' in "brick"
j: like 'y' in "yellow"
k: like 'k' in "kite"
l: like 'l' in "love"
lj: like the "li" sound in "million". Combo of the Bosnian/SC "l" "j" sounds together
m: like 'm' in "mother"
n: like 'n' in "nice"
nj: like "ny" in "canyon" Like the Spanish " ñ " sound.
p: like 'p' in "pappy"
r: rolled slightly, like the Spanish r in "pero"
s: like 's' in "sun"
š: like "sh" in "sheep", with tongue raised toward roof of mouth
t: like 't' in "top"
v: like 'v' in "victory"
z: like 'z' in "haze"
ž: like the "s" in "measure", with tongue raised toward roof of mouth

Other Sounds

ije: (ie) like the Spanish word "miedo"
lje: (lyeh) like the Italian word "moglie"
nje: (nyeh) like the Spanish word "muñeco"
ija: (ia) like the Spanish word "mia"
vje: (vyeh) like the Spanish word "viento"

Phrase list

Basics

Hello/Good Day.: Dobar dan (DOH-bahr dahn)
Hello. (informal): Zdravo. (ZDRAH-voh) or ćao (chao)
How are you?: Kako ste? (formal), (KAH-koh steh) Kako si? (informal) (KAH-koh see)
Fine, thank you.: Dobro sam, hvala. (DOH-broh sahm, HVAH-lah)
What is your name?: Kako se zovete? (formal) (KAH-koh seh zoh-VEH-teh)
What is your name?: Kako se zoveš? (informal) (KAH-koh seh ZOH-vehsh)
My name is ______ .: Zovem se ______ . (ZOH-vehm seh____.); I am _____. : Ja sam ______. (yah sahm)
Nice to meet you.: Drago mi je. (DRAH-goh mee yeh)
Please.: Molim. (MOH-leem)
Thank you.: Hvala. (HVAH-lah)
Thank you very much: Hvala lijepo (HVAH-lah LYEH-poh)
You're welcome.: Nema na čemu. (NEH-mah nah CHEH-moo)
Yes. ("formal"): Da (dah)
Yes. ("informal"): Ja (yah)
No.: Ne.(neh)
Excuse me. (getting attention): Oprostite. (oh-prohs-TEE-teh)
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Izvinite. (eez-vee-NEE-teh)
I'm sorry.: Oprostite. (oh-prohs-TEE-teh); I'm sorry. ("expressing condolence"): Žao mi je. (zhao mee yeh)
Goodbye (informal): do viđenja (doh vee-jeh-nyah) or ćao (chaoo) or Zdravo. (ZDRAH-voh)
I can't speak Bosnian/Serbo-Croatian [well].: Ne govorim dobro bosanski/srpskohrvatski. (neh goh-VOH-reem DOH-broh boh-SAHNS-kee/ sehrps-koh-hehr-VAHTS-kee)
Do you speak English?: Da li govorite engleski? (dah lee goh-VOH-ree-teh ehn-GLEHS-kee)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Da li iko ovdje govori engleski? (dah lee EE-koh OHV-dyeh goo-VOH-ree ehn-GLEHS-kee)
Help!: Upomoć! (oo-POH-mohtch)
Look out!: Pazite! (PAH-zee-teh)
Good morning.: Dobro jutro. (DOH-broh YOO-troh)
Good evening.: Dobro večer. (DOH-broh VEH-chehr)
Good night.: Laku noć. (LAH-koo nohtch)
Good night (to sleep): Laku noć. (LAH-koo nohtch)
I don't understand.: Ne razumijem. (neh rah-ZOO-myehm)
Where is the toilet?: Gdje je WC? (gdyeh yeh VEH TSEH?)

Problems

Leave me alone.: Pusti me na miru. (POOS-tee meh nah MEE-roo)
Don't touch me!: Ne diraj me! (neh DEE-rah-ee meh!)
I'll call the police.: Zvaću policiju. (ZVAH-tchoo poh-LEE-tsee-oo)
Police!: Policija! (poh-LEE-tsee-yah!)
Stop! Thief!: Stanite! Lopov! (STAH-nee-teh! LOH-pohv!)
I need your help.: Treba mi vaša pomoć. (TREH-bah mee VAH-shah POH-mohch)
It's an emergency.: Hitno je. (HEET-noh yeh)
I'm lost.: Izgubio [m] (EEZ-goo-byoh) izgubila [f] (EEZ-goo-bee-lah) sam se. (sahm seh)
I lost my bag.: Izgubio [m] (EEZ-goo-byoh) izgubila [f] (EEZ-goo-bee-lah) sam torbu. (sahm TOHR-boo)
I lost my wallet.: Izgubio [m] (EEZ-goo-byoh) izgubila [f] (EEZ-goo-bee-lah) sam novčanik. (sahm NOHV-chah-neek)
I'm sick.: Bolestan [m] (BOH-lehs-tahn) /bolesna [f] (BOH-lehs-nah) sam. (sahm)
I've been injured.: Povrijedio [m] (poh--VREE-eh-dyoh) /povrijedila [f] (poh-VREE-eh-dee-lah) sam se. (sahm seh)
I need a doctor.: Treba mi doktor. (TREH-bah mee DOHK-tohr)
Can I use your telephone?: Mogu li se poslužiti vašim telefonom? (MOH-goo lee seh POHS-loo-zhee-tee VAH-sheem teh-LEH-foh-nohm?)

Numbers

0: nula (NOO-lah)
1: jedan (YEH-dahn)
2: dva/dvije (dvah/dvyeh)
3: tri (tree)
4: četiri (cheh-TEE-ree)
5: pet (peht)
6: šest (shehst)
7: sedam (SEH-dahm)
8: osam (OH-sahm)
9: devet (DEH-veht)
10: deset (DEH-seht)
11: jedanaest (yeh-DAH-nah-ehst)
12: dvanaest (dvah-NAH-ehst)
13: trinaest (tree-NAH-ehst)
14: četrnaest (chehtr-NAH-ehst)
15: petnaest (peht-NAH-ehst)
16: šesnaest (shehs-NAH-ehst)
17: sedamnaest (seh-dahm-NAH-ehst)
18: osamnaest (oh-sahm-NAH-ehst)
19: devetnaest (deh-veht-NAH-ehst)
20: dvadeset (dvah-DEH-seht)
21: dvadeset jedan (dvah-DEH-seht YEH-dahn)
22: dvadeset dva/dvije (dvah-DEH-seht dvah/ DEE-vyeh)
23: dvadeset tri (dvah-DEH-seht tree)
30: trideset (tree-DEH-seht)
40: četrdeset (cheh-tehr-DEH-seht)
50: pedeset (peh-DEH-seht)
60: šezdeset (shehz-DEH-seht)
70: sedamdeset (seh-dahm-DEH-seht)
80: osamdeset (osahm-DEH-seht)
90: devedeset (deh-veh-DEH-seht)
100: sto (stoh)
200: dvjesto (dee-VYEHS-toh)
300: tristo (TREES-toh)
400: četiristo (cheh-tee-REES-toh)
500: petsto (PEHTS-toh)
600: šeststo ("shehs-TEHS-toh")
700: sedamsto (seh-DAHMS-toh)
800: osamsto (oh-SAHMS-toh)
900: devetsto (deh-VEHTS-toh)
1000: hiljadu/tisuću : Both are correct and used equally often (The first one is a Greek loanword for the same number, while the latter is the Slavic word) (hee-LYAH-doo/ tee-SOO-tchoo)
2000: dvije hiljade/tisuće (dee-VYEH hee-LYAH-deh/ tee-SOO-tcheh)
1,000,000: milion (MEE-lyohn)
1,000,000,000: bilion/milijarda (BEE-lyohn/ mee-LYAHR-dah)
1,000,000,000,000: trilion (TREE-lyohn)
number _____: broj_____ (broy)
half: pola (POH-lah)
less: manje (MAH-nyeh)
more: više (VEE-sheh)

Time

now: sad(a)(sahd (ah))
later: kasnije(kahs-NEE-eh)
before: prije(pryeh) or after : poslije(pohs-LYEH)
morning: jutro(YOO-troh)
afternoon: popodne(poh-POHD-neh)
evening: veče(VEH-cheh)
night: noć(nohtch)
midnight: ponoć (POH-notch)
weekend: vikend (VEE-kehnd)
week: sedmica (sehd-MEE-tsah)
sunrise: zora (ZOH-rah)
sunset: sumrak (SOOM-rahk)

Clock time

What time is it?: Koliko je sati? (KOH-lee-koh yeh SAH-tee)
It is_____o'clock.: Sada je_____sati. (SAH-dah yeh...SAH-tee)
one o'clock AM: jedan sat ujutro (YEH-dahn saht OO-yoo-troh)
two o'clock AM: dva sata ujutro (dvah sah-tah OO-yoo-troh)
noon: podne (POHD-neh)
one o'clock PM: jedan sat poslije podne (YEH-dahn saht poh-SLYEH POHD-neh)
two o'clock PM: dva sata poslije podne (dvah sah-tah poh-SLYEH POHD-neh)
six o'clock PM: šest sati uvečer (shehst sah-tee OO-veh-chehr)

Days

day: dan (dahn)
today: danas (DAH-nahs)
tonight: večeras (veh-CHEH-rahs)
yesterday: juče (YOO-cheh)
tomorrow: sutra (SOO-trah)
this week: ove sedmice (oveh sehd-MEE-tseh)
last night: sinoć (SEE-nohtch)
this morning: jutros (YOO-trohs)
last week: prošle sedmice (PROHSH-leh sehd-MEE-tseh)
next week: sljedeće sedmice (slyeh-DEH-tcheh sehd-MEE-tseh)

Sunday: nedjelja (neh-DYEH-lyah)
Monday: ponedjeljak (poh-neh-DYEH-lyahk)
Tuesday: utorak (oo-TOH-rahk)
Wednesday: srijeda (SRYEH-dah)
Thursday: četvrtak (CHEHT-vrtahk)
Friday: petak (PEH-tahk)
Saturday: subota (soo-BOH-tah)

Months

Bosniak Muslims might use the Islamic calendar for religious purposes, such as the dates of the month of Ramadan and other major Islamic festivities.

January: Januar (YAH-nwahr)
February: Februar (FEH-brwahr)
March: Mart (mahrt)
April: April (AH-preel)
May: Maj (mai)
June: Juni (YOO-nee)
July: Juli (YOO-lee)
August: August (OW-goost)
September: Septembar (sehp-TEHM-bahr)
October: Oktobar (ohk-TOH-bahr)
November: Novembar (noh-VEHM-bahr)
December: Decembar (deh-TSEHM-bahr)

Writing time and date

Bosnian time is standard 24 hour time, so midnight is 00:00 while 1PM would be 13:00 just like US military time.

Colors

black: crn (m) crna (f) (TSEHR-nah)
white: bijel (m) bijela (f)(byehl)
gray: siva (SEE-vah)
red: crvena (tsehr-VEH-nah)
blue: plava (PLAH-vah)
yellow: žuta (ZHOO-tah)
green: zelena (zeh-LEH-nah)
orange: narandžasta (nah-rahnd-JAHS-tah)
purple: ljubičasta (lyoo-bee-CHAHS-tah)
brown: smeđa (SMEH-jah)
pink: roze (ROH-zeh)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Imate li slobodnih soba? (ee-MAH-teh lee sloh-BOHD-nee SOH-bah?)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Koliko košta soba za jednu osobu/dvije osobe? (koh-LEE-koh KOHSH-tah SOH-bah zah YEHD-noo oh-SOH-boo/ dvyeh oh-SOH-beh?)
Does the room come with: Da li u sobi ima (dah lee oo SOH-bee EE-mah)
...bedsheets?: ...čaršafa? (...chahr-SHAH-fah?)
...a bathroom?: ...kupatilo? (...koo-PAH-tee-loh?)
...a telephone?: ...telefon? (teh-LEH-fohn?)
...a TV?: ...televizor? (teh-leh-VEE-sohr?)
May I see the room first?: Mogu li prvo pogledati sobu? (MOH-goo lee PEHR-voh poh-GLEH-dah-tee SOH-boo?)
Do you have anything quieter?: Imate li nešto tiše? (ee-MAH-teh lee NEHSH-toh TEE-sheh?)
...bigger?: ...veće? (...VEH-tcheh?)
...cleaner?: ...čišće? (...CHEE-shtcheh?)
...cheaper?: ...jeftinije? (...yehf-TEE-nyeh?)
OK, I'll take it.: U redu, uzeću je. (oo REH-doo, oo-ZEH-tchoo yeh)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: Ostaću _____ noć(i). (ohs-TAH-tchoo...notch(ee))
Can you suggest another hotel?: Možete li mi preporučiti drugi hotel? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee mee preh-poh-ROO-chee-tee DROO-gee HOH-tehl?)
Do you have a safe?: Imate li sef? (ee-MAH-teh lee sehf?)
...lockers?: ...ormariće? (...ohr-MAH-ree-tcheh?)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Da li je doručak/večera uključen? (dah lee yeh doh-ROO-chahk/ veh-CHEH-rah oo-KLYOO-chehn ah?)
What time is breakfast/supper?: Kada je doručak/večera? (KAH-dah yeh doh-ROO-chahk/ veh-CHEH-rah?)
Please clean my room.: Molim, očistite mi sobu. (MOH-leem, oh-CHEES-tee-teh mee SOH-boo)
Can you wake me at _____?: Možete li me probuditi u_____? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee meh proh-BOO-dee-tee oo...?)
I want to check out.: Želim se odjaviti. (ZHEH-leem seh oh-DYAH-vee-tee)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Prihvatate/Primate li američke/australijske/kanadske dolare? (pree-HVAH-tah-teh/ pree-MAH-teh lee ah-meh-REECH-keh/ ows-trah-LEES-keh/ kah-NAHDS-keh doh-LAH-reh?)
Do you accept British pounds?: Prihvatate/Primate li britanske funte? (pree-HVAH-tah-teh/ pree-MAH-teh lee bree-TAHNS-keh FOON-teh?)
Do you accept credit cards?: Prihvatate/Primate li kreditne kartice? (pree-HVAH-tah-teh/ pree-MAH-teh lee kreh-DEET-neh kahr-TEE-tseh?)
Can you change money for me?: Možete li mi razmijeniti novac? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee mee rahz-MYEH-nee-tee NOH-vahts?)
Where can I get money changed?: Gdje mogu razmijeniti novac? (gdyeh MOH-goo rahz-MYEH-nee-tee NOH-vahts?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Možete li mi razmijeniti putnički ček? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee mee rahz-MYEH-nee-tee poot-NEECH-kee chehk?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Gdje mogu zamijeniti putnički ček? (gdyeh MOH-goo zah-MYEH-nee-tee poot-NEECH-kee chehk?)
What is the exchange rate?: Koliko je kurs? (koh-LEE-koh yeh koors?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Gdje je bankomat? (gdyeh yeh bahn-KOH-maht?)

Transportation

airplane/ airline: avion (AH-vyohn)
helicopter: helikopter (heh-lee-KOHP-tehr)
taxi: taksi (TAHK-see)
train: voz (vohz)
minibus: minibus (mee-NEE-boos)
subway: metro (MEH-troh)
tram: tramvaj (TRAHM-vai)
trolley: trolejbus (troh-LAY-boos)
van: kombi (KOHM-bee)
bus: autobus (ow-TOH-boos)
car: kola (KOH-lah)/ auto (OW-toh)
carriage: kočije (KOH-chyeh)
truck: kamion (KAH-myohn)
ferry: skela (SKEH-lah) trajekt ( Trah yeh kt)
ship: brod (brohd)
boat: čamac (CHAH-mahts)
bicycle: bicikl (bee-TSEE-kuhl)
motorcycle: motorcikl motor (moh-tohr-TSEE-kuhl) (moh - thor)

Bus and train

What bus goes to...?: Koji autobus ide...? (koy ow-TOH-boos EE-deh...?)
When does the bus leave for...?: Kada kreće autobus za...? (KAH-dah KREH-tcheh ow-TOH-boos zah...?)
When its the next bus?: Kada je slijedeći autobus? (KAH-dah yeh slyeh-DEH-tchee ow-TOH-boos?)
Where's the...?: Gdje je...? (gdyeh yeh...?)
How long does it take to get there?: Koliko treba vremena do tamo? (KOH-lee-koh TREH-bah VREH-meh-nah doh TAH-moh)
What time will we arrive?: U koje vrijeme ćemo doći? (oo KOH-yeh VRYEH-meh TCHEH-moh DOH-tchee?)
bus stop: ...autobuska stanica. (ow-toh-BOOS-kah stah-NEE-tsah)

Taxi

How much is the fare?: Koliko košta karta? (koh-LEE-koh KOHSH-tah KAHR-tah?)
I want to go to___.: Želim ići u___. (ZHEH-leem EE-tchee oo...)
I'm going to___.: Ja idem u___. (yah EE-dehm oo...)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Kako ću doči do_____ ? (KAH-koh tchoo DOH-chee doh?)
...the hotel?: hotel? (HOH-tehl)
...the bank?: banka? (BAHN-kah)
...the hospital?: bolnica? (BOHL-nee-tsah)
...the train station?: ...željeznička stanica? (ZHEH-lyehz-neech-kah STAH-nee-tsah?)
...the bus station?: ...autobuska stanica? (OW-toh-boos-kah STAH-nee-tsah?)
...the airport?: ...aerodrom? (AH-eh-roh-drohm?)
...downtown?: ...centar grada? (TSEHN-tahr GRAH-dah?)
...the _____ hotel?: ..._____ hotel? (HOH-tehl?)
...the_____embassy?: ambasada? (AHM-bah-sah-dah?)
Where are?: Gdje su? (gdyeh soo)
...hotels?: ...hoteli? (HOH-teh-lee?)
...restaurants?: ...restoran? (REHS-toh-rahn?)
...bars?: ...barovi? (BAH-roh-vee?)
Can you show me on the map?: Možete li mi pokazati na karti? (MOH-zheh-teh lee mee POH-kah-zah-tee nah KAHR-tee?)
street: ulica (OO-lee-tsah)
road: cesta (TSEHS-tah)
boulevard: bulevar (BOO-leh-vahr)
avenue: avenija (AH-veh-nyah)
highway: autoput (ow-TOH-poot)
Turn left.: Skeni lijevo. (SKEH-nee LYEH-voh) : Skreni lijevo ("SKREH-nee LYEH-voh")
Turn right.: Skeni desno. (SKEH-nee DEHS-noh) : Skreni desno ("SKREH-nee LYEH-voh")
left: lijevo (LYEH-voh)
right: desno (DEHS-noh)
straight ahead: Samo ravno (SAH-moh RAHV-noh)
towards the _____: prema_____ (PREH-mah)
past the _____: prođi_____ (PROH-ji)
before the _____: prije_____ (pryeh)
intersection: raskrsnica (RAHS-kuhrs-nee-tsah)
north: sjever (SYEH-vehr)
south: jug (yoog)
east: istok (EES-tohk)
west: zapad (ZAH-pahd)
downhill: nizbrdo (NEEZ-buhr-doh)
uphill: uzbrdo (OOZ-buhr-doh)

Eating

breakfast: doručak (DOH-roo-chahk)
lunch: ručak (ROO-chahk)
dinner/supper: večera (VEH-cheh-rah)
glass (drinking glass): čaša (CHAH-shah)
cup: šolja (SHOH-lyah)
saucer: tanjirić (tah-NYEE-reetch)
plate: tanjir (TAH-nyeer)
bowl: ćasa (cha-sah)
spoon: kašika (kah-SHEE-kah)
fork: viljuška (vee-LYOOSH-kah)
knife: nož (nohzh)
mug: krigla (KREE-glah)
napkin: salveta (sahl-VEH-tah)
A table for one person/two people, please.: Molim Vas, sto za jedno/dvoje.. (MOH-leem vahs, stoh zah YEHD-noh/ DVOH-yeh)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Mogu li pogledati meni/jelovnik? (MOH-goo lee POH-gleh-dah-tee MEH-nee/ YEH-lohv-neek?)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Mogu li pogledati kuhinju? (MOH-goo lee POH-gleh-dah-tee KOO-khee-nyoo?)
Is there a house specialty?: Imate li specijalitet kuće? (EE-mah-teh lee SPEH-tsyah-lee-teht KOO-tcheh?)
Is there a local specialty?: Iate li lokalni specijalitet? (EE-ah-teh lee LOH-kahl-nee SPEH-tsyah-lee-teht?)
I'm a vegetarian.: Ja sam vegetarijanac. (yah sahm VEH-geh-tah-ryah-nahts)
I don't eat pork.: Ja ne jedem svinjetinu. (yah neh YEH-dehm SVEE-nyeh-tee-noo)
I don't eat beef.: Ja ne jedem govedinu. (yah neh GOH-veh-dee-noo)
I want _____.: Želim _____. (ZHEH-leem...)
I want a dish containing _____.: Želim jelo sa _____. (ZHEH-leem YEH-loh sah....)
chicken: piletinom (PEE-leh-tee-nohm)
beef: govedinom (GOH-veh-dee-nohm)
fish: ribom (REE-bohm)
ham: šunkom (SHOON-kohm)
sausage: kobasicom (KOH-bah-see-tsohm)
cheese: sirom (SEE-rohm)
egg: jaje (singular) (YAH-yeh)
eggs: jaja (plural) (YAH-yah)
salad: salatom (SAH-lah-tohm)
(fresh) vegetables: (svježe) povrće ((SVYEH-zheh) POHVR-tcheh)
(fresh) fruit: (svježe) voće ((SVYEH-zheh) VOH-tcheh)
bread: hljeb, kruh (khlyehb) ( kr-ooh)
toast: tost (tohst)
noodles: rezancima (REH-zahn-tsee-mah)
rice: rižom (REE-zhohm)
beans: grahom (GRAH-khohm)
May I have a glass of _____?: Mogu li dobiti čašu _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee CHAH-shoo...?)
May I have a cup of _____?: Mogu li dobiti šolju _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee SHOH-lyoo...?)
May I have a bottle of _____?: Mogu li dobiti flašu _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee FLAH-shoo...?)
coffee: kafe (KAH-feh)
tea (drink): čaja (CHAI-ah)
juice: soka (SOH-kah)
(bubbly) water: (kisele) vode ((KEE-seh-leh) VOH-deh)
water: vode (VOH-deh)
beer: pivo (PEE-voh)
red/white wine: crveno/bijelo vino (TSEHR-veh-noh/ BYEH-loh VEE-noh)
May I have some _____?: Mogu li dobiti _____? (MOH-goo lee DOH-bee-tee...?)
salt: soli (soh-lee)
black pepper: crnog bibera (TSEHR-nohg BEE-behrah)
butter: puter (POO-tehr)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Oprostite, konobar? (OH-prohs-tee-teh, KOH-noh-bahr?)
I'm finished.: Završio sam. (ZAHVR-shyoh sahm)
It was delicious.: Bilo je ukusno. (BEE-loh yeh OO-koos-noh)
Please clear the plates.: Molim Vas, odnesita tanjure. (MOH-leem vahs, OH-dneh-see-tah TAH-nyoo-reh)
The check, please.: Račun, molim. (RAH-choon, MOH-leem)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Da li imate ovo u mojoj veličin? (dah lee ee-MAH-teh OH-voh oo MOY-oy veh-LEE-cheen?)
How much is this?: Koliko je ovo? (koh-LEE-koh yeh OH-voh?)
That's too expensive.: To je preskupo. (toh yeh prehs-KOO-poh)
Would you take _____?: Da li biste uzeli _____? (dah lee BEES-teh oo-ZEH-lee...?)
expensive: skupo. (SKOO-poh)
cheap: jeftino. (yehf-TEE-noh)
I can't afford it.: Ne mogu to priuštiti. (neh MOH-goo toh pryoosh-TEE-tee)
I don't want it.: Neću to. (NEH-tchoo toh)
Can you lower the price?: Možete li smanjiti cijenu? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee smah-NYEE-tee TSYEH-noo?)
I'm not interested.: Nisam zainteresovan(m)/zainteresovana(f). (NEE-sahm zain-teh-REH-soh-vahn/ zain-teh-REH-soh-vah-nah)
OK, I'll take it.: U redu, uzeću. (oo REH-doo, oo-ZEH-tchoo)
Can I have a bag?: Mogu li dobiti kesu? (MOH-goo lee doh-BEE-tee KEH-soo?)
I need...: Treba mi (s) / Trebaju mi (pl)... (TREH-bah mee/ treh-BAH-yoo...)
...toothpaste.: ...pasta za zube. (PAHS-tah zah ZOO-beh)
...a toothbrush.: ...četkica za zube. (cheht-KEE-tsah zah ZOO-beh)
...tampons.: ...tamponi. (tahm-POH-nee)
...feminine napkins.: ženski ulošci. (ZHEHNS-kee oo-LOHSH-tsee)
...soap.: ...sapun. (SAH-poon)
...shampoo.: ...šampon. (SHAHM-poon)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): ...lijek protiv bolova. (lyehk PROH-teef boh-LOH-vah)
...cold medicine.: ...lijek protiv prehlade. (lyehk PROH-teef prehkh-LAH-deh)
...stomach medicine.: ...lijek za stomak. (lyehk zah STOH-mahk)
...a razor.: ...žilet. (ZHEE-leht)
...shaving cream.: krema za brijanje. (KREH-mah zah BRYAH-nyeh)
...deodorant.: dezodorans (deh-zoh-DOH-rahns)
...tissues.: maramice (mah-rah-MEE-tseh)
...perfume.: parfem. (PAHR-fehm)
...an umbrella.: ...kišobran. (kee-SHOH-brahn)
...sunscreen.: ...krema za sunčanje. (KREH-mah zah soon-CHAH-nyeh)
...a postcard.: ...razglednica. (rahz-glehd-NEE-tsah)
...postage stamps.: ...poštanske markice. (posh-TAHNS-keh mahr-KEE-tseh)
...batteries.: ...baterije. (bah-TEH-ryeh)
...writing paper.: ...papir za pisanje. (PAH-peer zah pee-SAH-nyeh)
...a pen.: ...hemijska olovka. (kheh-MYEES-kah oh-LOHF-kah)
...a pencil.: olovka (oh-LOHF-kah)
...notebook: beležnica (beh-lehzh-NEE-tsah)
...English-language books.: ...knjige na engleskom jeziku. (KNYEE-geh nah ehn-GLEHS-kohm yeh-ZEE-koo)
...English-language magazines.: ...časopisi na engleskom jeziku. (chah-soh-PEE-see nah ehn-GLEHS-kohm yeh-ZEE-koo)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...novine na engleskom jeziku. (noh-VEE-neh nah ehn-GLEHS-kohm)
...an English-Bosnian dictionary.: ...engleski-bosanski rječnik. (ehn-GLEHS-kee-boh-SAHNS-kee RYEHCH-neek)
...an English-Bosnian phrasebook.: ...engleski-bosanski zbirka izraza. (ehn-GLEHS-kee-boh-SAHNS-kee ZBEER-kah eez-RAH-zah)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: Želim da iznajmim auto. (ZHEH-leem dah eez-NAI-meem OW-toh)
Can I get insurance?: Mogu li dobiti osiguranje? (MOH-goo lee doh-BEE-tee oh-see-GOO-rah-nyeh?)
no admission: zabraljen pristup (zah-BRAH-lyehn PREES-toop)
no entry: zabraljen ulaz (zah-BRAH-lyehn OO-lahz)
stop (on a street sign): stop (stohp)
one way: jednosmjerna ulica (yehd-nohs-MYEHR-nah oo-LEE-tsah)
yield: pustiti prvenstvo prolaza (poos-TEE-tee pehr-VEHNS-tvoh proh-LAH-zah)
no parking: zabranjeno parkiranje (zah-BRAH-nyeh-noh pahr-kee-RAH-nyeh)
speed limit: ograničenje brzine (ohgrah-nee-CHEH-nyeh behr-ZEE-neh)
gas (petrol) station: benzinska pumpa (behn-ZEENS-kah POOM-pah)
petrol: benzin (BEHN-zeen)
diesel: dizel (DEE-zehl)

Emergency

Help!: Upomoć! (oo-POH-mohtch)
Can you help me please?: Možete li mi pomoći, molim? (moh-ZHEH-teh lee mee poh-MOH-tchee, MOH-leem?)
Where is the nearest telephone?: Gdje je najbliži telefon? (gdyeh yeh nai-BLEE-zhee teh-LEH-fohn?)
This is an emergency!: Ovo je hitan slučaj! (OH-voh yeh KHEE-tahn SLOO-chai!)
I need a doctor.: Treba mi doktor. (TREH-bah mee DOHK-tohr)
Are there landmines in this area?: Ima li mina u ovom rejonu? (EE-mah lee MEE-nah oo OO-vohm RAY-oh-noo?)

This Bosnian phrasebook has guide status. It covers all the major topics for traveling without resorting to English. Please contribute and help us make it a star!