BosanskiFor the diaspora
Learning Bosnian for your partner's family
You do not need to be fluent to make a Bosnian family very happy. A greeting, a thank you at the table and a few words to their parents go a long way.
Your first ten phrases
| Audio | Bosnian | English |
|---|---|---|
| dobar dan | good day / good afternoon | |
| drago mi je | nice to meet you | |
| kako ste? | how are you? (formal) | |
| hvala | thank you | |
| ukusno | tasty / delicious | |
| dosta | enough | |
| ne mogu više | I cannot eat any more | |
| doviđenja | goodbye (polite) | |
| zovem se... | my name is... | |
| učim bosanski | I'm learning Bosnian |
Polite or casual?
With your partner's parents and grandparents, use the polite forms: kako ste? rather than kako si, and dobar dan rather than ćao, until they tell you otherwise.
What to expect at a visit
Coffee, food, and a lot of questions. Read what to say when you visit and the coffee ritual.
Questions
What should I say when I meet my Bosnian partner's parents?
Dobar dan, then drago mi je (nice to meet you). Use the polite kako ste? with them.