A waiter may offer "кафенце"
instead of "кафе"
, "водичка"
instead of "вода"
, or "хлебче"
instead of "хляб"
. It doesn't always mean a smaller portion — it can simply sound warmer and friendlier. "Една минутка!"
means "just a moment!". With children and loved ones, diminutives are everywhere.
Explore Bulgaria
Diminutives: little and sweet
Bulgarians love diminutives — words made "small and sweet" with endings like "-че"
, "-ка"
, "-ичка"
.
History of Bulgaria
An illustrated history of Bulgaria
Explore Bulgaria
Good evening or good night?
"Лека нощ"
(literally "light night") is only for saying goodbye late in the evening or before bed — never as a greeting.
Chestito! — congratulations
"Честито!"
is the all-purpose "congratulations!"
Exactly!
When you fully agree, say "Точно така!"
(exactly!) or "Така е"
(that's true).