Bosnian (bosanski) is a South Slavic language spoken by about 2.5 million people in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the diaspora. Very close to Croatian and Serbian, it is written mainly in the Latin alphabet (sometimes Cyrillic) and bears the marks of a rich Ottoman, Slavic and Mediterranean cultural blend. With this kit, you have the bare essentials to navigate Sarajevo, Mostar or Banja Luka.
Bosnian (bosanski jezik) is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, alongside Croatian and Serbian. With about 2.5 million native speakers, it forms with its two cousins a single South Slavic linguistic continuum that linguists often call BCS (Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian) or Serbo-Croatian. The three varieties are mutually intelligible at near 100%, but each strongly claims its own cultural, political and identity specificity.
Bosnian is written mainly in the Latin alphabet enriched with carons (č, ć, š, ž) and digraphs (lj, nj, dž). The Cyrillic alphabet remains in use in some Serb-majority areas. Pronunciation is largely phonetic: what is written is pronounced. The language preserves a notable feature: a large number of words borrowed from Ottoman Turkish (kahva, čaršija, čorba, sevdah), a legacy of four centuries of Ottoman presence that subtly differentiates Bosnian from Croatian and Serbian.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is an exceptional cultural crossroads where Islam, Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Judaism meet. Mastering a few words of Bosnian opens the doors of families, bazaars and kahvane. This kit gathers the essentials to handle an arrival at Sarajevo airport, find your way around the Bascarsija, order in a cevabdzinica, signal an emergency and say goodbye respectfully. You will find key greetings (dobar dan, hvala, molim), the most useful pronouns and verbs, plus cultural tips to avoid faux pas. Memorize these expressions before leaving and you will gain confidence from the very first hours on site.
Here is how these phrases play out in real life. Each scene sets the stage and gathers the useful expressions.
You land at Sarajevo airport in the early morning. The arrivals hall is small and welcoming. You greet the agent at the exchange counter before asking for some local currency for the taxi.
The taxi takes you toward the old town. You tell the driver that your accommodation is near the Bascarsija, the Ottoman bazaar. You ask him if he knows a good traditional cooking school in the area.
You settle in a traditional kahvane near the Gazi Husrev-Beg mosque. The waiter offers you a bosanska kahva with rahat lokum. You also order bread, water and a bit of milk to accompany.
You feel a headache and an earache after a long walk. You explain your state to the hotel receptionist, pointing to your mouth which seems swollen. She offers to call a doctor.
It is your last evening in Sarajevo. You greet your host for the night with a warm phrase, then you say goodbye to him the next morning on the doorstep with a big thank you for his welcome.
What you need to know before travelling to a bosnien-speaking country.
Bosnian shares near-total mutual intelligibility with Croatian and Serbian. The three languages form a single linguistic continuum, but each strongly claims its own identity. Avoid stating that they are one language: it is a politically sensitive topic.
Bosnian coffee (bosanska kahva) is an institution. It is brewed in a cezve, served in a fildjan, and often accompanied by rahat lokum and a glass of water. Sipping it takes time: it is a social act, never a rushed drink.
Sarajevo is nicknamed the Jerusalem of Europe: mosques, Orthodox churches, Catholic cathedrals and a synagogue coexist within a few hundred meters. This diversity is a local pride to respect and to acknowledge in conversation.
Sevdalinka is traditional Bosnian music, a blend of Ottoman and Slavic melodies sung with deep emotion. Knowing the word and the artist Dino Merlin instantly opens dialogue with Bosnians of all generations.
Avoid asking questions about the 1992-1995 war during a first meeting. Many families were affected and the topic remains painful. If the conversation goes there, listen with respect without trying to analyze or judge.
The word raja refers to one's close circle of friends. Being invited into someone's raja is a major sign of trust. Accept the suggested meetings with enthusiasm: it is the key to Bosnian friendship.
Bosnian cuisine revolves around cevapi, burek, sogan dolma and jabuka. Refusing a plate in a traditional restaurant without tasting can hurt. Announce your dietary restrictions on arrival to avoid this awkward moment.
The local currency is the convertible mark (KM or BAM), pegged to the euro. Many shops accept euros in Sarajevo, but official exchange remains more advantageous. Plan for cash outside major cities.
Preview. The full glossary (30 words) and all the phrases are in the PDF.
Molim
please / you're welcome
Izvinite
excuse me, sorry
Dobro došli
welcome
Kako ste?
how are you? (formal)
Selam alejkum
peace be upon you (Muslim greeting)
Merhaba
hello (Turkish-rooted)
Vidimo se
see you
ja
I
ti
you (sg, informal)
on
he
A hundred words, thirty key phrases, as a printable PDF. Instant download, also sent by e-mail.
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Every translation is cross-checked against at least two concordant sources among the references below.
All Targumi resources for this language.
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