Basic Words

1. Да

   Da

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Не

   Ne

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Молим вас

   Mo-lim vas

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

   Grammar Note

   "вас" is the polite plural you. With strangers say "молим вас", not "молим те".

4. Хвала

   Hva-la

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

5. Извините

   Iz-vi-ni-te

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

6. Жао ми је

   Ža-o mi je

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

7. У реду је

   U re-du je

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Не разумем

   Ne ra-zu-mem

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Разумем

   Ra-zu-mem

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Готово

    Go-to-vo

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Сачекајте, молим вас

    Sa-če-kaj-te, mo-lim vas

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Само тренутак

    Sa-mo tre-nu-tak

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Једна одрасла особа, молим

    Jed-na od-ras-la o-so-ba, mo-lim

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Немам резервацију

    Ne-mam re-zer-va-ci-ju

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

15. Имам резервацију

    I-mam re-zer-va-ci-ju

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Помозите ми, молим вас

    Po-mo-zi-te mi, mo-lim vas

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

17. Поновите, молим вас

    Po-no-vi-te, mo-lim vas

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Говорите спорије, молим вас

    Go-vo-ri-te spo-ri-je, mo-lim vas

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Говорим мало

    Go-vo-rim ma-lo

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

20. Говорите ли енглески?

    Go-vo-ri-te li en-gles-ki?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

21. Ово

    O-vo

    This (near me)

    Usage

    Show it while pointing at something in your hand — ordering off a menu or picking an item off a shelf

    Grammar Note

    Serbian demonstratives are three-way: ово (near me), то (near you), оно (far from both)

22. То

    To

    That (near you)

    Usage

    Points at something in the other person's reach — picking an item across a counter

    Grammar Note

    Neuter form; "то" also refers to the topic of conversation ("that matter")

23. Оно

    O-no

    That (over there)

    Usage

    Points at something further away — the back of a display case or a building across the street

    Grammar Note

    Neuter form, identical to the neuter personal pronoun "оно" (it)

24. Овде

    Ov-de

    Here

    Usage

    Marks where you are — a taxi drop-off point or a meeting spot

    Grammar Note

    Ekavian "овде"; the ijekavian (Croatian) form is "ovdje"

25. Ту

    Tu

    There (near you)

    Usage

    Marks a place near the person you are talking to

    Grammar Note

    Adverb; "ту" also means "on the spot" generally ("Ту сам" = I'm here)

26. Тамо

    Ta-mo

    Over there

    Usage

    Marks a distant place; show it while pointing

    Grammar Note

    Adverb; "Идите тамо" means go over there

27. Ја

    Ja

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at yourself with it — sorting out whose order it is or who is going

    Grammar Note

    Nominative; the accusative is "мене/ме" and the dative "мени/ми"

28. Ви

    Vi

    You (polite)

    Usage

    Points at the other person. Always use this polite form with someone you have just met

    Grammar Note

    The polite second person; "ти" is for friends and children. In writing, the polite "Ви" is capitalised

29. Заједно

    Za-jed-no

    Together

    Usage

    Signals that you are with someone, or that the bill goes together — seating and payment situations

    Grammar Note

    Adverb; at the till, "Заједно, молим" (all on one bill, please)

30. Одмах

    Od-mah

    Right now

    Usage

    Signals urgency — a medical situation or a connection you are about to miss

    Grammar Note

    Adverb; "Одмах се враћам" (back in a moment) also appears on shop doors

31. За једну особу

    Za jed-nu o-so-bu

    For one person

    Usage

    States the headcount for a table, a ticket, or a room

    Grammar Note

    "За" takes the accusative, so "особа" becomes "особу"

32. За две особе

    Za dve o-so-be

    For two people

    Usage

    States the headcount for a table, a ticket, or a room

    Grammar Note

    "Два/две" agrees in gender — "особа" is feminine, so "две"; numerals 2–4 take the singular genitive "особе"

33. За три особе

    Za tri o-so-be

    For three people

    Usage

    States the headcount for a table, a ticket, or a room

    Grammar Note

    "Три" does not inflect for gender; from five up the noun takes the plural genitive, "пет особа"

Browse all TravelPhrases languages