BosanskiHow to say hello in Bosnian
zdravo is the everyday way to say hello in Bosnian. It works with anyone, at any time of day.
Bosnians greet a lot, and the greeting you pick says something about who you are talking to. With friends and cousins you will hear ćao, which works for both hello and bye. With an older relative or someone you do not know, use the time of day instead: dobro jutro in the morning, dobar dan through the afternoon, and dobro veče in the evening.
Every way to say hello
| Audio | Bosnian | English |
|---|---|---|
| zdravo | hello / hi | |
| ćao | hi / bye (casual) | |
| dobro jutro | good morning | |
| dobar dan | good day / good afternoon | |
| dobro veče | good evening | |
| halo | hello (on the phone) | |
| dobro došli | welcome |
What comes right after hello
A greeting is almost never the whole conversation. Next comes kako si? (how are you?), and with an older person or a group, kako ste?. The easy answer is dobro sam, I'm good. On the phone, Bosnians open with halo.
| Audio | Bosnian | English |
|---|---|---|
| kako si? | how are you? | |
| kako ste? | how are you? (formal) | |
| dobro sam | I'm good / I'm well | |
| šta ima? | what's up? | |
| nema ništa | not much / nothing new |
Which one to use with your nana
Use the time-of-day greeting, then ask how she is: kako si, nano? The nano at the end is how you call out to your nana in Bosnian. It is the same word, changed slightly for talking directly to her. She will notice.
Keep going
Next, learn how are you and goodbye. Or browse all Bosnian phrases.
Questions
What is the most common way to say hello in Bosnian?
Zdravo. It is neutral and works with anyone, any time of day.
Is ćao Bosnian?
Yes. Ćao came from Italian ciao and is used casually in Bosnia for both hello and goodbye, mostly with friends and family your age.
How do you say good morning in Bosnian?
Dobro jutro. Bosnians use it until about 10 or 11 in the morning, then switch to dobar dan.