When you meet someone in the evening, say "Добър вечер!"
. Fun fact: "вечер"
is feminine, yet the greeting keeps the old form "добър"
. Children hear "Лека нощ, сладки сънища!"
(good night, sweet dreams). In the morning, "Добро утро!"
works until about 10–11 o'clock.
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.
History of Bulgaria
An illustrated history of Bulgaria
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Chestito! — congratulations
"Честито!"
is the all-purpose "congratulations!"
Exactly!
When you fully agree, say "Точно така!"
(exactly!) or "Така е"
(that's true).
Bate and kaka
"Бате"
originally means "big brother", but it's also a friendly way to address any man a bit older than you — a taxi driver, a neighbour, a stranger in the street: "Бате, къде е спирката?"
(mate, where's the stop?).