Café & Drinks

1. Једну ракију, молим

   JED-nu RA-ki-ju, MO-lim

   One rakija, please

   Usage

   Used to order rakija, Serbia's national brandy, at a bar or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Ракија" is feminine, so the accusative "ракију" is used when ordering. "Домаћа ракија" (homemade) is prized

2. Једно пиво, молим

   JED-no PI-vo, MO-lim

   One beer, please

   Usage

   Used to order beer (e.g. Lav, Jelen) at a Serbian bar

   Grammar Note

   "Пиво" is a neuter noun. Popular Serbian beer brands include Јелен (Jelen) and Лав (Lav)

3. Да ли имате домаћу лозовачу?

   Da li I-ma-te do-MA-ću lo-ZO-va-ču?

   Do you have homemade grape brandy?

   Usage

   Used to ask about лозовача (grape rakija) — a traditional Serbian spirit

   Grammar Note

   Types of rakija include šljivovica (plum), lozovača (grape), kajsijevača (apricot), and others

4. Кафу са млеком, молим

   KA-fu sa MLE-kom, MO-lim

   Coffee with milk, please

   Usage

   Serbian coffee is Turkish style; use this to request milk

   Grammar Note

   "Са + instrumental" means "with." For black coffee say "без млека" (without milk)

5. Флашу воде, молим

   FLA-šu VO-de, MO-lim

   A bottle of water, please

   Usage

   Used to order a bottle of water at a restaurant or café

   Grammar Note

   "Флаша воде" uses genitive for "bottle of water." Tap water is drinkable in Serbia but bottled is common

6. Да ли имате безалкохолна пића?

   Da li I-ma-te bez-al-ko-HOL-na PI-ća?

   Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?

   Usage

   Used to ask about soft drinks when you do not drink alcohol

   Grammar Note

   "Пиће" (drink) is neuter; its plural is "пића." The adjective "безалкохолна" agrees in gender and number

7. Један сок од јабуке, молим

   JE-dan SOK od JA-bu-ke, MO-lim

   One apple juice, please

   Usage

   Basic phrase for ordering juice at a café or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   "Od + genitive" indicates material/origin. "Сок од наранџе" (orange juice), "сок од малине" (raspberry) follow the same form

8. Дајте нам карту пића

   DAJ-te nam KAR-tu PI-ća

   Please bring us the drinks menu

   Usage

   Used to request a drinks menu at a restaurant or bar

   Grammar Note

   "Карта" (map/menu) is feminine. Its accusative form "карту" functions as the direct object

9. Живели!

   ŽI-ve-li!

   Cheers!

   Usage

   Standard toast when drinking. Always maintain eye contact — bad luck otherwise in Serbia

   Grammar Note

   "Живели" is the plural l-participle of "живети" (to live), used as a wish ("may you live"). In Serbia, avoiding eye contact during a toast is said to bring 7 years of bad luck

10. Још једну, молим

    JOŠ JED-nu, MO-lim

    One more, please

    Usage

    Used to order another round at a bar or restaurant

    Grammar Note

    "Још + numeral + noun accusative" for additional orders. For neuter nouns (beer) say "Још једно"

11. Негазирана вода

    Ne-ga-zi-ra-na vo-da

    Still mineral water

    Usage

    Asking for plain "вода" in Serbia can get you sparkling water. Point at this for still; the fizzy kind is "газирана вода" or "кисела вода"

    Grammar Note

    "Негазирана" negates "газирана" (carbonated). "Кисела вода" literally means sour water but denotes sparkling mineral water

12. Без леда

    Bez le-da

    No ice

    Usage

    Declines ice when ordering — useful if you are avoiding stomach trouble or simply dislike cold drinks

    Grammar Note

    "Без" takes the genitive, so "лед" becomes "леда"; with ice is "са ледом" (instrumental)

13. Топла вода

    To-pla vo-da

    Hot water

    Usage

    Ask for hot water for formula or instant food; boiling water is "врела вода"

    Grammar Note

    "Топла" is the feminine of "топао" (warm); "врућа вода" implies water too hot to drink

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