BosanskiWhen It's Not Nana
Kad nije nana
Kako ste?: The Formal How-Are-You
Goal: I can greet and address people formally: kako ste, Vi, gospodine, gospođo.
Research on heritage speakers is blunt: they command the kitchen, not the podium. You already own the kitchen. This unit hands you the podium: Vi is not distance, it is a gift you give strangers, and Bosnians notice a young person who knows when to give it more than they notice any accent.
| Audio | Bosnian | English |
|---|---|---|
| kako ste? | how are you? (formal) | |
| Vi | you (formal) | |
| gospodin | sir / Mr. | |
| gospođa | ma'am / Mrs. | |
| kako se zovete? | what's your name? (formal) | |
| izvolite | here you are / how can I help you (formal) | |
| doviđenja | goodbye (polite) | |
| kako si? | how are you? | |
| dobar dan | good day / good afternoon | |
| hvala | thank you | |
| drago mi je što smo se upoznali | pleased to meet you (formal) | |
| kako ste, gospodine? | how are you, sir? (formal) | |
| molim Vas, sjedite | please, have a seat (formal) | |
| hvala Vam lijepo | thank you kindly (formal) |
Mogu li...?: Polite Requests
Goal: I can ask for things politely: mogu li, da li biste, molim Vas, hvala Vam.
Bosnian politeness is quiet but strict: hoću works at nana's table, mogu li works everywhere else. The magic combination for any counter in Bosnia is izvinite + your request + molim Vas + hvala Vam.
| Audio | Bosnian | English |
|---|---|---|
| mogu li...? | may I...? / can I...? | |
| da li biste...? | would you...? (very polite) | |
| molim Vas | please (formal) | |
| hvala Vam | thank you (formal) | |
| izvinite | excuse me (formal) | |
| nema na čemu | you're welcome / don't mention it | |
| oprostite | excuse me / sorry (formal) | |
| možete li pomoći? | can you help? (polite) | |
| ponovite | say it again (polite) | |
| molim | please / you're welcome |
Halo, ovdje...: Formal Calls & Counters
Goal: I can open a formal phone call, book an appointment, and survive any counter: ovdje..., trebam termin, kada radite?
When to switch back to ti? Rough map: family, friends, and anyone your age in a kafana are ti; doctors, officials, shop staff, your friend's parents, and every gospođa with a handbag are Vi until further notice.
| Audio | Bosnian | English |
|---|---|---|
| ovdje... | this is... (on the phone) | |
| trebam termin | I need an appointment | |
| kada radite? | when are you open? | |
| dođite | come (polite / plural) | |
| sjedite | have a seat (formal) | |
| u petak | on Friday | |
| halo | hello (on the phone) | |
| doktor | doctor | |
| zovem se... | my name is... |
Next unit: Sevdah & Stories.