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Sveti Tryphon Zarezan, also known as St. Trifon Zarezan or St. Trifon’s Day, is held in celebration of Saint Trifon, the patron saint of wine. In honor of St. Trifon, Bulgarians celebrate this folk holiday by holding the Trifon Zarezan Festival, which we’ll learn more about below.

By delving into this fun, festive, and merry holiday, you’re also peeling away at the layers of Bulgarian culture. And learning about any country’s culture is vital in language-learning!

Here at BulgarianPod101.com, we hope that you enjoy getting to know Bulgaria and gain valuable insight! So let’s get started.

1. What is Bulgarian Sveti Tryphon Zarezan?
Trifon Zarezan is also called Vine-Growers’ Day. It’s an unofficial or folk holiday celebrated in honor of Saint Trifon. Other popular names for the feast are Zarezanov Den and Trifon Drunkard.

Saint Trifon himself was a healer and became a saint martyr. He came from a region in Asia Minor, considered to be the land where vines and “wine,” or vinoto, originated. Saint Trifon is considered a patron of vines (or the patron saint of wine) and Trifon’s Day is honored as Vine-Growers’ Day.

2. When is St. Trifon Zarezan?

Some people celebrate this day on February 1, though wineries tend to celebrate on the traditional date of February 14 (yes, the same day that Valentine’s Day is celebrated!).

3. Reading Practice: How is it Celebrated?

How do Bulgarians celebrate the Trifon Zarezan Festival? Read the Bulgarian text below to find out! (You can find the English translation below it.)
—–
Трифоновден се празнува по стар стил на 14-ти февруари, заедно с модерния празник на Свети Валентин. Но традицията повелява на този ден хората с имена, произхождащи от името Трифон да празнуват имен ден. Например това са Тричка, Тичо, Радка, Рачо и други. Трифон Зарезан обаче е основно празник на лозарите, градинарите и кръчмарите.
На този ден обикновено се приготвя варена кокшка и се омесва хляб - обикновено под формата на пита. Лозарите взимат от месото и питата и заедно с бъклица вино отиват на лозето. Там извършват ритуала по зарязването на лозите. След като отрязват по три пръчки, те се прекръстват и поливат лозите с виното.
На ритуала се избира цар на лозята и се закичва с венец от лозови пръчки. Всички се отпрявят заедно към града. Там биват посрещнати с вино, от което отпиват, а остатъкът се плисва върху царя за берекет.
—–
Trifon’s Day is celebrated according to the old style on February 14, together with the modern Saint Valentine’s Day. But tradition demands that on this day the people with names deriving from the name Trifon celebrate a name-day. These names include Trichka, Ticho, Radka, Racho, and others. However, Trifon Zarezan is mainly a feast of vine growers, gardeners, and tavern-keepers.

“Usually,” or obiknoveno, for St. Tryphon’s Day, Bulgarians boil a chicken and ensure that bread is kneaded—generally a flat loaf. The vine growers take some of the meat and bread, as well as a vessel of wine, and go to the vines, where they “perform,” or izvarshvat, the vine-pruning ritual. After cutting three sticks they “cross themselves,” or se prekrastvat, and “water,” or polivat, the vines with the wine.

The “King of the Vines” is elected during the ritual, and is then decorated with a wreath made of vine sticks. All of the people “head,”or otpravyat se, to town, where they are welcomed with wine. They drink the wine and what’s left is “splashed” or se plisva, onto the king for a rich crop.

1- Side Note on Celebrations

As Bulgarians Празнувам (praznuvam) or “celebrate” St. Tryphon, you can expect for things to get Шумен (shumen) or “noisy.” As you can imagine, on this day of festivity, drinking, and Веселба (veselba) or “merriment,” experiencing a Махмурлук (mahmurluk) or “hangover,” afterward is quite a possibility if you Прекалявам (prekalyavam) or “overdo” it. So have fun, but don’t get too crazy.

4. Additional Information: Patron Saint of Wine (or Vines)

But why exactly is St. Trifon considered the patron saint of vines? What earned him this title, and what other title is he known by?

The legend states that when he used to prune his vineyard, he accidentally cut off the top of his nose. On the icons he is depicted sometimes with a vine-pruning knife or a sickle, and sometimes with a falcon sitting on his hand. According to this tradition, he is also considered patron of the falconers.

5. Must-Know Vocab

Here are some words you should know for St. Trifon’s Day. Be sure to study these to increase your Bulgarian vocabulary and better understand this fun Bulgarian folk holiday!

• Мавруд (mavrud) — Mavrud (Bulgarian grapes)
• Лозар (lozar) — winegrower
• лозарска ножица (lozarska nozhitsa) — pruning shears
• Лозе (loze) — vineyard
• Махмурлук (mahmurluk) — hangover
• Мъченик (machenik) — martyr
• Веселба (veselba) — merriment
• Шумен (shumen) — noisy
• Празнувам (praznuvam) — celebrate
• Прекалявам (prekalyavam) — overdo
• Суеверие (sueverie) — superstition
• варя кокошка (varya kokoshka) — boil a hen
• Пирувам (piruvam) — feast
• Езически (ezicheski) — pagan
• Реколта (rekolta) — crop
• Трифоновден (Trifonovden) — St. Trifon’s Day

To hear the pronunciation of each St. Trifan’s Day word, be sure to check out our relevant vocabulary list, where you’ll find an audio alongside each word.

Conclusion

Now you know about the Bulgarian holiday of St. Trifon’s Day. What do you think about this holiday? Is there a similar one in your home country? Let us know in the comments!

To learn more about the Bulgarian culture and language, visit our website at BulgarianPod101.com! We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and even an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow students. Download our MyTeacher app to take advantage of a one-on-one learning experience with your own personal Bulgarian teacher!

Until next time, keep practicing your vocabulary and stay tuned for more Bulgarian holiday posts. We wish you well as you continue in your Bulgarian studies!

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Bulgarian could be just what you need to find it.

Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Bulgarian partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At BulgarianPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Bulgarian lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available to make Bulgarian dating easy for you.

Table of Contents

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date
2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date
3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
4. Bulgarian Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day
5. Bulgarian Quotes about Love
6. Marriage Proposal Lines
7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines
8. Will Falling in Love Help You Learn Bulgarian Faster?

Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date

So, you have met your Bulgarian love interest. Congratulations! Who knows where this could take you…?! However, the two of you have just met and you’re not ready to say the Bulgarian word for love just yet. Great, it is better to get to know him/her first. Wow your prospective love by using these Bulgarian date phrases to set up a spectacular first date.

Would you like to go out to dinner with me?

• Би ли искала да излезеш на вечеря с мен?
• Bi li iskala da izlezesh na vecherya s men?

The important question! In most cultures, this phrase indicates: ‘I’m romantically interested in you’. Flirting in Bulgarian is no different, so don’t take your date to Mcdonald’s!

Are you free this weekend?

• Свободна ли си през този уикенд?
• Svobodna li si prez tozi uikend?

This is a preamble to asking your love interest on a date. If you get an immediate ‘Yes’, that’s good news!

Would you like to hang out with me?

• Ще искаш ли да излезем заедно?
• Shte iskash li da izlezem zaedno?

You like her/him, but you’re not sure if there’s chemistry. Ask them to hang out first to see if a dinner date is next.

What time shall we meet tomorrow?

• По кое време да се срещнем утре?
• Po koe vreme da se sreshtnem utre?

Set a time, and be sure to arrive early! Nothing spoils a potential relationship more than a tardy date.

Where shall we meet?

• Къде да се срещнем?
• Kade da se sreshtnem?

You can ask this, but also suggest a place.

You look great.

• Изглеждаш страхотно.
• Izglezhdash strahotno.

A wonderful ice breaker! This phrase will help them relax a bit - they probably took great care to look their best just for you.

You are so cute.

• Много си сладка.
• Mnogo si sladka.

If the two of you are getting on really well, this is a fun, flirtatious phrase to use.

What do you think of this place?

• Как ти се струва това място?
• Kak ti se struva tova myasto?

This another good conversation starter. Show off your Bulgarian language skills!

Can I see you again?

• Може ли да те видя отново?
• Mozhe li da te vidya otnovo?

So the date went really well - don’t waste time! Make sure you will see each other again.

Shall we go somewhere else?

• Да отидем ли някъде другаде?
• Da otidem li nyakade drugade?

If the place you meet at is not great, you can suggest going elsewhere. It is also a good question to follow the previous one. Variety is the spice of life!

I know a good place.

• Знам едно добро място.
• Znam edno dobro myasto.

Use this with the previous question. However, don’t say if you don’t know a good place!

I will drive you home.

• Ще те закарам до вас.
• Shte te zakaram do vas.

If your date doesn’t have transport, this is a polite, considerate offer. However, don’t be offended if she/he turns you down on the first date. Especially a woman might not feel comfortable letting you drive her home when the two of you are still basically strangers.

That was a great evening.

• Това беше страхотна вечер.
• Tova beshe strahotna vecher.

This is a good phrase to end the evening with.

When can I see you again?

• Кога ще мога да те видя отново?
• Koga shte moga da te vidya otnovo?

If he/she replied ‘Yes’ to ‘Can I see you again?’, this is the next important question.

I’ll call you.

• Ще ти се обадя.
• Shte ti se obadya.

Say this only if you really mean to do it. In many cultures, this could imply that you’re keeping the proverbial backdoor open.

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2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date

You learned all the Bulgarian phrases to make a date - congratulations! Now you have to decide where to meet, which can be tricky. Discuss these options with your lover to gauge whether you like the same things. Check out romantic date ideas in Bulgarian below!

museum

• музей
• muzey

If you’re looking for unique date ideas that are fun but won’t break the bank, museums are the perfect spot! You won’t be running out of things to say in the conversations.

candlelit dinner

• вечеря на свещи
• vecherya na sveshti

A candlelit dinner is perhaps best to reserve for when the relationship is getting serious. It’s very intimate, and says: “Romance!” It’s a fantastic choice if you’re sure you and your date are in love with each other!

go to the zoo

• отидете в зоологическата градина
• otidete v zoologicheskata gradina

This is a good choice for shy lovers who want to get the conversation going. Just make sure your date likes zoos, as some people dislike them. Maybe not for the first date, but this is also a great choice if your lover has children - you’ll win his/her adoration for inviting them along!

go for a long walk

• отидете на дълга разходка
• otidete na dalga razhodka

Need to talk about serious stuff, or just want to relax with your date? Walking together is soothing, and a habit you can keep up together always! Just make sure it’s a beautiful walk that’s not too strenuous.

go to the opera

• отидете на опера
• otidete na opera

This type of date should only be attempted if both of you love the opera. It can be a special treat, followed by a candlelit dinner!

go to the aquarium

• отидете в аквариума
• otidete v akvariuma

Going to the aquarium is another good idea if you need topics for conversation, or if you need to impress your lover’s kids! Make sure your date doesn’t have a problem with aquariums.

walk on the beach

• разходка по плажа
• razhodka po plazha

This can be a very romantic stroll, especially at night! The sea is often associated with romance and beauty.

have a picnic

• направете си пикник
• napravete si piknik

If you and your date need to get more comfortable together, this can be a fantastic date. Spending time in nature is soothing and calms the nerves.

cook a meal together

• сгответе нещо заедно
• sgotvete neshto zaedno

If you want to get an idea of your date’s true character in one go, this is an excellent date! You will quickly see if the two of you can work together in a confined space. If it works, it will be fantastic for the relationship and create a sense of intimacy. If not, you will probably part ways!

have dinner and see a movie

• отидете на вечеря и след това на кино
• otidete na vecherya i sled tova na kino

This is traditional date choice works perfectly well. Just make sure you and your date like the same kind of movies!

3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary

Expressing your feelings honestly is very important in any relationship all year round. Yet, on Valentine’s Day you really want to shine. Impress your lover this Valentine’s with your excellent vocabulary, and make his/her day! We teach you, in fun, effective ways, the meanings of the words and how to pronounce them. You can also copy the characters and learn how to write ‘I love you’ in Bulgarian - think how impressed your date will be!

4. Bulgarian Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day

So, you now have the basic Valentine’s Day vocabulary under your belt. Well done! But, do you know how to say ‘I love you’ in Bulgarian yet? Or perhaps you are still only friends. So, do you know how to say ‘I like you’ or ‘I have a crush on you’ in Bulgarian? No? Don’t worry, here are all the love phrases you need to bowl over your Bulgarian love on this special day!

You mean so much to me.

• Ти значиш толкова много за мен.
• Ti znachish tolkova mnogo za men.

This is a beautiful expression of gratitude that will enhance any relationship! It makes the receiver feel appreciated and their efforts recognized.

Will you be my Valentine?

• Ще бъдеш ли моята валентинка?
• Shte badesh li moyata valentinka?

With these words, you are taking your relationship to the next level! Or, if you have been a couple for a while, it shows that you still feel the romance. So, go for it!

You’re so beautiful.

• Ти си толкова красива.
• Ti si tolkova krasiva.

If you don’t know how to say ‘You’re pretty’ in Bulgarian, this is a good substitute, gentlemen!

I think of you as more than a friend.

• Мисля за теб като нещо повече от приятел.
• Mislya za teb kato neshto poveche ot priyatel.

Say this if you are not yet sure that your romantic feelings are reciprocated. It is also a safe go-to if you’re unsure about the Bulgarian dating culture.

A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.

• Сто сърца биха били твърде малко, за да поберат цялата любов, която изпитвам към теб.
• Sto sartsa biha bili tvarde malko, za da poberat tsyalata lyubov, koyato izpitvam kam teb.

You romantic you…! When your heart overflows with love, this would be the best phrase to use.

Love is just love. It can never be explained.

• Любовта е просто любов. Тя никога не може да бъде обяснена.
• Lyubovta e prosto lyubov. Tya nikoga ne mozhe da bade obyasnena.

If you fell in love unexpectedly or inexplicably, this one’s for you.

You’re so handsome.

• Ти си толкова привлекателен.
• Ti si tolkova privlekatelen.

Ladies, this phrase lets your Bulgarian love know how much you appreciate his looks! Don’t be shy to use it; men like compliments too.

I’ve got a crush on you.

• Падам си по теб.
• Padam si po teb.

If you like someone, but you’re unsure about starting a relationship, it would be prudent to say this. It simply means that you like someone very, very much and think they’re amazing.

You make me want to be a better man.

• Ти ме караш да искам да бъда по-добър човек.
• Ti me karash da iskam da bada po-dobar chovek.

Gentlemen, don’t claim this phrase as your own! It hails from the movie ‘As Good as it Gets’, but it is sure to make your Bulgarian girlfriend feel very special. Let her know that she inspires you!

Let all that you do be done in love.

• Нека всичко, което правиш, да бъде правено с любов.
• Neka vsichko, koeto pravish, da bade praveno s lyubov.

We hope.

You are my sunshine, my love.

• Ти си моето слънце, моята любов.
• Ti si moeto slantse, moyata lyubov.

A compliment that lets your lover know they bring a special quality to your life. Really nice!

Words can’t describe my love for you.

• С думи не може да се опише любовта ми към теб.
• S dumi ne mozhe da se opishe lyubovta mi kam teb.

Better say this when you’re feeling serious about the relationship! It means that your feelings are very intense.

We were meant to be together.

• Писано е да бъдем заедно.
• Pisano e da badem zaedno.

This is a loving affirmation that shows you see a future together, and that you feel a special bond with your partner.

If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.

• Ако си мислите за някого, докато четете това, значи вие определено сте влюбени.
• Ako si mislite za nyakogo, dokato chetete tova, znachi vie opredeleno ste vlyubeni.

Here’s something fun to tease your lover with. And hope he/she was thinking of you!

I love you.

• Обичам те.
• Obicham te.

Saying ‘I love you’ in Bulgarian carries the same weight as in all languages. Use this only if you’re sure and sincere about your feelings for your partner/friend.

5. Bulgarian Quotes about Love

You’re a love champ! You and your Bulgarian lover are getting along fantastically, your dates are awesome, your Valentine’s Day together was spectacular, and you’re very much in love. Good for you! Here are some beautiful phrases of endearment in Bulgarian that will remind him/her who is in your thoughts all the time.

6. Marriage Proposal Lines

Wow. Your Bulgarian lover is indeed the love of your life - congratulations! And may only happiness follow the two of you! In most traditions, the man asks the woman to marry; this is also the Bulgarian custom. Here are a few sincere and romantic lines that will help you to ask your lady-love for her hand in marriage.

7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines

Instead of moving towards marriage or a long-term relationship, you find that the spark is not there for you. That is a pity! But even though breaking up is never easy, continuing a bad or unfulfilling relationship would be even harder. Remember to be kind to the person you are going to say goodbye to; respect and sensitivity cost nothing. Here are some phrases to help you break up gently.

8. Will Falling in Love help you Learn Bulgarian faster?

Most people will agree that the above statement is a no-brainer - of course it will! Your body will be flooded with feel-good hormones, which are superb motivators for anything. BulgarianPod101 is one of the best portals to help help make this a reality, so don’t hesitate to enroll now! Let’s quickly look at the reasons why falling in love will speed up your learning of the Bulgarian language.

Three Reasons Why Having a Lover will Help you Learn Bulgarian Faster!

1- Being in a love relationship with your Bulgarian speaking partner will immerse you in the culture
BulgarianPod101 uses immersive methods and tools to teach you Bulgarian, but having a relationship with a native speaker will be a very valuable addition to your learning experience! You will gain exposure to their world, realtime and vividly, which will make the language come alive even more for you. The experience is likely to expand your world-view, which should motivate you to learn Bulgarian even faster.

2- Having your Bulgarian romantic partner will mean more opportunity to practice speaking
Nothing beats continuous practice when learning a new language. Your partner will probably be very willing to assist you in this, as your enhanced Bulgarian language skills will enhance the relationship. Communication is, after all, one of the most important pillars of a good partnership. Also, you will get to impress your lover with the knowledge gained through your studies - a win/win situation!

3- A supportive Bulgarian lover is likely to make a gentle, patient teacher and study aid!
With his/her heart filled with love and goodwill for you, your Bulgarian partner is likely to patiently and gently correct your mistakes when you speak. This goes not only for grammar, but also for accent and meaning. With his/her help, you could sound like a native in no time!

Three Reasons Why BulgarianPod101 helps you learn Bulgarian Even Faster when you’re In Love

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1- All the Resources and Materials Will Help Both of You
Falling in love with a man or woman speaking Bulgarian is an opportunity for both of you to learn a new language! For this reason, every lesson, transcript, vocabulary list, and resource at BulgarianPod101 is translated into both English and Bulgarian. So, while your partner can help you learn Bulgarian faster, you can potentially also help him/her learn and master English!

2- Lessons Are Designed to Help You Understand and Engage with Bulgarian Culture
At BulgarianPod101, our focus is to help our students learn practical vocabulary and phrases used by everyday people in Bulgaria. This means that, from your very first lesson, you can apply what you learn immediately! So, when your Bulgarian partner wants to go out to a restaurant, play Pokemon Go, or attend just about any social function, you have the vocabulary and phrases necessary to have a great time!

3- Access to Special Resources Dedicated to Romantic Bulgarian Phrases
You now have access to BulgarianPod101’s specially-developed sections and tools to teach you love words, phrases, and cultural insights to help you find and attract your Bulgarian soul mate. A personal tutor will assist you to master these brilliantly - remember to invite him/her to your wedding!

Can You Really Learn Bulgarian Alone?

Learning a language on your own or without traditional classroom instruction may seem quite daunting at first. What if you run into questions? How do you stay motivated and on track to achieving goals?

Don’t worry, not only is it possible to learn Bulgarian or any language without traditional classroom instruction: BulgarianPod101 has created the world’s most advanced and extensive online language learning system. Not only is BulgarianPod101 specifically designed to help you with learning a language on your own, it’s actually faster, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom options!

Let’s look at some of the benefits of learning Bulgarian or any language alone.

Also, don’t forget to download your free cheat sheet - How to Improve Your Language Skills too!

3 Reasons to Learn a Language Alone

1. Learn at Your Own Pace and On Your Schedule

In today’s fast-paced world, there just isn’t time for traditional classroom instruction. Between getting to class and studying on some professor or teacher’s schedule, traditional classroom learning is simply impossible to fit in. But when you learn Bulgarian alone, you can study in bed if you like and whenever suits your schedule best, making it far easier to actually reach your goal of learning and mastering the language.

2. Learning a Language on Your Own Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Speaking in front of a class, pop quizzes, and tests are just a few of the stressors you will encounter when you learn a language in a traditional classroom setting. Specifically, these are external stressors that often derail most people’s dream of learning a new language. But when you learn Bulgarian alone, there are no external stressors. Without the external stress and anxiety, it becomes much easier and more exciting to study Bulgarian and reach your very own goals—all on your own!

3. Learning Bulgarian Alone Helps Improve Cognitive Function and Overall Success

Learning a language on your own is indeed more challenging in some ways than being taught in a traditional classroom setting. In fact, while classroom instruction requires more rote memorization and following instructions, studying a language on your own requires more problem-solving and higher cognitive function to self-teach lessons and hit goals. So while it’s more challenging and requires higher levels of cognition, teaching yourself a language pays dividends throughout life by better preparing you for social/work opportunities that arise.

How to Learn a Language on Your Own with BulgarianPod101

1. Access to the World’s Largest Collection of Bulgarian Audio & Video Lessons

The best way to learn a language on your own is to study from native speaking instructors. Ideally, you want audio and/or video lessons that teach vocabulary, grammar, and provide actual Bulgarian conversations and dialogue to help you with pronunciation. BulgarianPod101 has hundreds of hours of HD audio and video lessons created by real Bulgarian instructors and every lesson is presented by professional Bulgarian actors for perfect pronunciation. Plus, all lessons can be accessed 24/7 via any mobile device with Internet access. And, if you download the PDF versions of each lesson, you can even study without Internet access once the lesson is stored on your device!

2. “Learning Paths” with Bulgarian Courses Based Upon Your Exact Needs & Goals

Although BulgarianPod101 has more than thousands of video and audio lessons, you need not review each and every one to learn the language. In fact, BulgarianPod101 has developed a feature called “Learning Paths”. You simply tell us your goals and we will identify the best courses and study plan to help you reach them in the shortest time possible. So even though you are technically learning a language on your own, our team is always here to help and make sure you reach your goals FAST!

3. Advanced Learning Tools Reduce Learning Time and Boost Retention

When you have the right tools and Bulgarian learning resources, it’s actually easy to teach yourself a language! In the past 10+ years, BulgarianPod101 has developed, tested, and refined more than 20 advanced learning tools to boost retention and reduce learning time, including:

• Spaced Repetition Flashcards
• Line-by-Line Dialogue Breakdown
• Review Quizzes
• Voice Recording Tools to Help Perfect Pronunciation
• Teacher Feedback and Comments for Each Lesson
• Bulgarian Dictionary with Pronunciation
• Free PDF Cheat Sheets
• And Much More!

Armed with our growing collection of advanced learning tools, it’s truly a breeze to learn Bulgarian alone and reach your goals!

Conclusion

Learning a language on your own is not only possible, it’s actually easier and more beneficial for you than traditional classroom instruction. In fact, when you learn Bulgarian on your own you can study at your own pace, eliminate stress, and actually increase cognitive function.

BulgarianPod101 is the world’s most advanced online language learning system and a great resource to help you teach yourself a new language. With the world’s largest collection of HD audio and video lessons, more than 20 advanced learning tools, and customized “Learning Paths”, BulgarianPod101 makes learning a new language easier, more convenient, and less expensive than traditional classroom instruction.

And the best part is: With BulgarianPod101, you can study in bed, your car, or wherever you have a few spare minutes of time. Create your Free Lifetime Account now and get a FREE ebook to help “kickstart” your dream of learning a language on your own below!

Yes, even beginners can quickly learn conversational Bulgarian well enough to carry on real conversations with native speakers. Of course, beginners won’t be able to carry a conversation the same way they could in their native language. But, just knowing a few tips like which questions to ask to keep a conversation going are all you need to speak and interact with real native speakers! But before we get to specific suggestions, let’s first take a closer look at how having real Bulgarian conversations is so vital to your mastery of the language.

Learning to Carry a Conversation is Vital to Mastery of Any Language

Communicating with other people is the very point of language and conversation is almost second nature in our native tongue. For beginners or anyone learning a new language, conversations aren’t easy at all and even simple Bulgarian greetings can be intimidating and awkward.

However, there are 3 vital reasons why you should learn conversational Bulgarian as quickly as possible:

• Avoid Awkward Silences: Nothing kills a conversation faster than long periods of awkward silence, so you need practice and specific strategies to avoid them.
• Improve the Flow of Conversation to Make a Better Impression: When you know what to say to keep a conversation going, communication becomes much easier and you make a better impression on your listener.
• Master the Language Faster: Nothing will help you learn to speak Bulgarian faster and truly master the language than having real conversations with native speakers. Conversations quickly expose you to slang, cultural expressions, and vocabulary that force you to absorb and assimilate information faster than any educational setting—and that’s a great thing!

But how can you possibly have real conversations with real Bulgarian people if you are just starting out?

3 Conversation Strategies for Beginners

1. Ask Questions to Keep a Conversation Going

For beginners and even more advanced speakers, the key is to learn to ask questions to keep a conversation going. Of course, they can’t be just random questions or else you may confuse the listener. But, by memorizing a few key questions and the appropriate time to use them, you can easily carry a conversation with minimal vocabulary or experience. And remember, the more Bulgarian conversations you have, the quicker you will learn and master the language!

2. Learn Core Vocabulary Terms as Quickly as Possible

You don’t need to memorize 10,000’s of words to learn conversational Bulgarian. In fact, with just a couple hundred Bulgarian words you could have a very basic Bulgarian conversation. And by learning maybe 1,000-2,000 words, you could carry a conversation with a native speaker about current events, ordering in restaurants, and even getting directions.

3. Study Videos or Audio Lessons that You Can Play and Replay Again and Again

If you want to know how to carry a conversation in Bulgarian, then you need exposure to native speakers—and the more the better. Ideally, studying video or audio lessons is ideal because they provide contextualized learning in your native language and you can play them again and again until mastery.

BulgarianPod101 Makes it Easier and More Convenient Than Ever to Learn Conversational Bulgarian

For more than 10 years, BulgarianPod101 has been helping students learn to speak Bulgarian by creating the world’s most advanced online language learning system. Here are just a few of the specific features that will help you learn conversational Bulgarian fast using our proven system:

• The Largest Collection of HD Video & Audio Lessons from Real Bulgarian Instructors: BulgarianPod101 instructors have created hundreds of video and audio lessons that you can play again and again. And the best part is: They don’t just teach you Bulgarian vocabulary and grammar, they are designed to help you learn to speak Bulgarian and teach you practical everyday topics like shopping, ordering, etc!
• Pronunciation Tools: Use this feature to record and compare yourself with native speakers to quickly improve your pronunciation and fluency!
• 2000 Common Bulgarian Words: Also known as our Core List, these 2,000 words are all you need to learn to speak fluently and carry a conversation with a native speaker!

In all, more than 20 advanced learning tools help you quickly build vocabulary and learn how to carry a conversation with native speakers—starting with your very first lesson.

Conclusion

Although it may seem intimidating for a beginner, the truth is that it is very easy to learn conversational Bulgarian. By learning a few core vocabulary terms and which questions to ask to keep a conversation going, just a little practice and exposure to real Bulgarian conversations or lessons is all it really takes. BulgarianPod101 has created the world’s largest online collection of video and audio lessons by real instructors plus loads of advanced tools to help you learn to speak Bulgarian and carry a conversation quickly.

Act now and we’ll also include a list of the most commonly used questions to keep a conversation going so you can literally get started immediately!

Today, classrooms are no longer the only or even best place to learn a new language like Bulgarian. More and more people are finding that they can easily learn a language just about anywhere they have a few minutes of spare time, including their daily commute to work. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American spends over 50 minutes a day commuting to and from work, or over 300 hours a year.

Rethinking Your Daily Commute to Work

But rather than simply sitting in traffic and wasting the time, you can instead use your daily commute to literally learn Bulgarian in just a few short months! BulgarianPod101 has developed specialized learning tools that you can use on your commute to work (and home again) to master the language in your spare time. Keep reading to learn how to get your free audiobook to use on your next commute so you can see for yourself how easy it is to transform “dead time” into realizing your dream of learning a new language!

But before we look at how to transform your commute home into a mini-classroom, let’s take a closer look at 4 reasons why traditional classroom settings just aren’t the best option for most people in today’s fast-paced world.

• Difficulty Getting to and From Class
• Learning on Someone Else’s Schedule
• Very Expensive and May Cost $1,000’s to Complete
• Can Take Years to Finally Complete Classes and Learn the Language

The simple truth is that traditional classroom instruction is simply not a viable option for most people in today’s very fast-paced, time-starved world. Now let’s examine how you can learn a language faster, more easily, and at far less expense than traditional classes—all during your commute to work and back home again!

3 Reasons Your Daily Commute Can Help You Master a Language

1. The Average Commute Time is More than 300 Hours Per Year

Between the commute to work and getting back home again, over 6 hours a week is completely wasted and not helping you reach any goals or objectives. But thanks to online language learning platforms with audiobooks and other resources that you can access during your commute, you can easily transform wasted time into tangible progress towards learning a new language. With over 300 hours available annually, your daily commute could provide you with enough time to literally master a new language each and every year!

2. Increase Your Earning Potential While Commuting to Work

How would you like to transform all those spare commuting hours each week into more money for a new car, house, or even a dream vacation? According to research, someone making $30,000 per year can boost their annual income by $600 or more per year by learning a second language. Added up over the course of a lifetime, you can boost your total earnings by $70,000 or more while achieving your dream of learning a new language during your daily commute!

How? From work-at-home translation jobs to working overseas, there are many ways to leverage your second language into more money in your bank account! So instead of wasting your precious time, you can make your commute more productive and profitable and the more languages you learn, the higher your income potential.

3. Repetition is Key to Mastering a New Language

Not sure if it’s practical to learn another language while commuting to and from work each day? Well not only is it possible—learning in your car on the way to and from work each day can actually help you learn and master Bulgarian or any language much faster! The simple truth is that repetition is absolutely vital to truly internalizing and mastering any language. So, if you listen to audiobooks or even audio lessons on your commute to work and then repeat the same lesson on your commute home, the information is more likely to be “locked-in” to your long-term memory!

5 Ways BulgarianPod101 Makes It Easy to Learn a Language On Your Commute

BulgarianPod101 has been helping people just like yourself learn and master Bulgarian in the comfort of their home, during their daily commute, or any place they have a few minutes of spare time. Here are five features provided by BulgarianPod101 that make it easy to learn a new language while commuting to and from work:

1. The Largest Collection of Audio Lessons on Planet by Native Speaking Instructors
Every single week, BulgarianPod101 creates new audio lessons by native speaking instructors. All lessons are short, to the point, and guaranteed to improve your mastery of Bulgarian.

2. Word of the Day
Simply exposing yourself to new information and vocabulary terms helps increase your fluency and mastery of Bulgarian. So every single day, BulgarianPod101 adds a new Word of the Day for you to learn and memorize during your commute.

3. Daily Dose Mini-Lessons
Have a short commute to work but still want to make progress towards learning and mastering Bulgarian? Not a problem! Our Daily Dose Mini-Lessons are 1-minute or less and designed to improve your grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.

4. All Content Available on a Convenient Mobile App
You don’t need a PC or tablet to learn Bulgarian during your daily commute. At BulgarianPod101, all of our lessons, tools, and resources are available 24/7 via our Mobile App. That means you can access all of our audio lessons and other tools during your commute to work or any time you have a few spare moments!

5. Audiobooks and Other Supplemental Resources
In addition to the world’s largest online collection of HD audio lessons, BulgarianPod101 has also created several audiobooks to enhance your understanding and make it more convenient than ever to learn a language during your commute!

Conclusion

The average commute time of most Americans is over 300 hours each year and it’s the perfect opportunity to learn and master a new language. In fact, you can use the “dead time” during your daily commute to learn a new language and potentially boost your lifetime earnings by up to $70,000 or more! Whatever your motivation, BulgarianPod101 has the tools and resources necessary to help you learn a new language each year during your commute to and from work. Act now and we’ll even provide you with a free audiobook to try out on your next commute!

So, you’re heading for Bulgaria to travel or work. Awesome! You’re in for an amazing adventure! It’s a beautiful country, steeped in a rich culture that may be very unlike your own.

However, showing respect to the locals is a big deal in every country around the world. A respectful manner and attitude could open doors for you that would otherwise remain mystifyingly closed. Aside from just knowing ‘Thank you’ in Bulgarian, greeting someone correctly in Bulgarian could incline a local to treat you more favorably than otherwise! So, the clever thing to do would be to learn Bulgarian greetings before you embark on your journey. Bulgarian greetings are different from other languages and probably not what you’d expect. But if learning how to say ‘Hello!’ in Bulgarian in easy and fun ways is important to you, you’ve come to the right place at BulgarianPod101.

1. Must-Know Bulgarian Greetings

Start straight away with this greeting lesson. It’s short, but it packs a punch!

This short, but powerful lesson teaches you the basic ways to greet someone correctly in Bulgarian! At BulgarianPod101, you will be taught the correct pronunciation and intonation, as well as the correct times to greet in Bulgarian. And you will have fun!

The focus of this lesson is Greetings in Bulgarian

Topic 1: How to say “Hello”

Sentence from the lesson:

Здрасти
Zdrasti!
“Hello (Informal)”

Здрасти means “Hi,” or “Hello.” We should only use this greeting with friends or relatives. There is another informal way to say “Hello” - Здравей! It has the same meaning as Здрасти and is used when we speak with only one person. The formal way to greet people is Добър ден! Literally, Добър ден means “Good day”; so as a rule we can use Добър ден only during the daytime—from morning until evening. During the evening, we say: Добър вечер!
Вечер is Bulgarian for “Evening,” so Добър вечер means “Good evening.” During the morning we say: Добро утро!
Утро is Bulgarian for “Morning.” Добро утро, Добър ден and Добър вечер are used when we meet someone, but when we leave, we use another word.

For Example:

Добър ден! Добър вечер! Добро утро!
Dobyr den! Dobyr vecher! Dobro utro!
“Good day,” “Good evening,” “Good morning”

Topic 2: Greetings—”good-bye”

Sentence from the lesson:

До скоро!
Dovijdane!
“Goodbye (informal, formal)”

In Bulgarian we have an expression До скоро! meaning “See you soon” that can be considered both formal and informal. In a formal situation, Bulgarian people use Довиждане! Довиждане which means “Good-bye.”

Language Tip!

Bulgarian uses a lot of words borrowed from other languages, and we also have one for “Goodbye.” Ciao! Just like Italian. This is actually the phrase you will hear the most in Bulgaria. Friends often say it to each other when leaving. Try to say it yourself to your Bulgarian friends! Ciao!

2. Common Ways to Say Hello in Bulgarian

Standing at the airport in a foreign country for the first time can be a somewhat scary experience for anyone, especially if you need assistance. However, don’t worry - at BulgarianPod101 we teach you how to quickly get a local’s attention with friendly, correct Bulgarian greetings! You are more likely to get helped this way.

Here is our Bulgarian greetings list of all the general ways to address a person upon meeting. It is tailored for formal and informal situations.

1- Good morning.

Добро утро.
Dobro utro.

‘Good morning’ in Bulgarian is acceptable any time between approximately 5:30am and 12:00pm, when the day is still young. And smile - it’s the universal ice-breaker!

2- Good evening

Добър вечер.
Dobyr vecher.

This greeting is one you would use casually when night begins to fall. Address your friends, close family or close acquaintances, and those who are not your superiors, with this phrase.

3- How are you?

Как сте?
Kak ste?

Show your friendly interest in another person’s well-being by asking this question. This is the casual greeting form that you would use with your friends and family. For the sake of the friendship, it would be good to listen carefully to the answer! It shows caring and selflessness on your part.

4- How have you been?

Как си напоследък?
Kak si naposledak?

This is a good question to ask someone you have not seen for a while. The inference is that some catching-up is needed!

5- What’s up?

Какво става?
Kakvo stava?

An universally informal and energetic way to greet your friends or equals! Literally, it means ‘What’s going on in your life?’, yet often no answer is expected. It’s just a greeting! Crazy, right?!

6- Long time no see.

Отдавна не сме се виждали.
Otdavna ne sme se vizhdali.

This phrase means is another greeting comment that means “I have not seen you for a while!” Often, no response is expected, except to reciprocate.

7- Hey!

Хей!
Hey!

This is a friendly exclamation to greet your friends or equals with. Reserve its use more for people you see regularly!

8- Good afternoon.

Добър ден.
Dobyr den.

‘Good afternoon’ in Bulgarian is an informal greeting and is used during the second part of the day. The appropriate period falls, in most cultures, from 12:00am till sunset.

9- How’s it going?

Как върви?
Kak varvi?

This greeting phrase basically means the same as ‘How are things progressing?’, ‘How are things going in your life?’ or even ‘What’s up?’ Depending on the friendship, a lengthy answer is not always expected.

10- It’s nice to see you again.

Радвам се отново да те видя.
Radvam se otnovo da te vidya.

This friendly, welcoming phrase is best used after greeting someone you have not seen for a while. If you mean it, you will make the person feel special! This is a good thing to say to make someone feel welcome in Bulgarian.

11- How’s everything?

Как вървят нещата?
Kak varvyat neshtata?

This is a variation of ‘How’s it going?’ Use casually with your equals or close acquaintances.

12- How’s your day?

Как върви деня ти?
Kak varvi denya ti?

Ask this when you’re speaking to your Bulgarian friend during the day. It’s a friendly phrase to start a conversation with.

13- Yo!

Ехо!
Eho!

Yo! is English slang and a universal greeting popular among young men of most nationalities. Rather don’t answer the phone with this, unless you know your caller well!

14- Hello!

Здравей!
Zdravey!

Suitable for use in most settings, situations and persons, this is an important Bulgarian greeting to know. Be sure to master this word first at BulgarianPod101!

15- It’s nice to meet you.

Приятно ми е да те видя.
Priyatno mi e da te vidya.

When meeting someone for the first time, this is a polite and friendly way to welcome them. It means you are happy to make their acquaintance.

3. Why Should You Choose BulgarianPod101 To Learn How To Greet In Bulgarian?

Online learning systems abound, and it’s not easy to know which one will suit your needs best. This means you have to be careful and select a system with a good reputation, and that has proven longevity. BulgarianPod101, which is part of InnovativeLearning.com, ticks all the boxes! With millions of lesson downloads and over a decade of teaching, we can say with confidence that this is one of the best language learning systems on the web. Why is it such an excellent system? Let us count the ways…

1- Video Presentations with Native Speakers

Friendly native Bulgarian speakers guide you step-by-step through the process of learning vocabulary, phrases and much more. They demonstrate correct pronunciation and emphasis of the words, so as to ensure that you speak like a native when you’re done! Watching the enthusiastic tutors makes not only for a pleasant and more personal experience - it also allows you to copy mouth and lip movements. It’s like learning from your own Bulgarian friend in your own home!

2- Superb Flexibility with 24/7 Access to Learning Material - Anywhere and on Any Device connected to the Internet!

PC, Android, iPhone, iPad, laptop, even TV - whatever device you prefer! Go online with our FREE app to do your lessons, no matter where you are or which device you are using. All you need is a good internet connection to log on and learn to speak Bulgarian at your own pace, in your own place!

3- Pronunciation Tool Ensures You Really Speak Bulgarian!

In any language, correct pronunciation is often crucial. The nuances in language require this, or you could find yourself saying things you don’t mean. You will find our Pronunciation Tool invaluable to wrap your mouth around the correct way to greet in Bulgarian!

4- Our Content is Always New and Dynamic

Every week, new audio and video lessons are uploaded, so as to keep our promise that learning Bulgarian with BulgarianPod101 is always fun and exciting! In addition, you will get access to bonus material and basic Bulgarian phrases. These are a fantastic way to build your comprehension and speaking skills!

5- Need to Fast Track your Learning? We Have the Solution!

Most learning activities are more fun when you’re not doing them alone. For this reason we developed Premium PLUS, which gives you a personal tutor - 24/7! Also, this way you’re likely to learn to speak Bulgarian much faster!

So, if our lively Bulgarian blog is not enough for you, just upgrade to Premium PLUS to get your very own teacher. Personalised goals and lessons based on your needs, assessment of your progress, non-stop feedback and many other super features makes this a very attractive option.

Say ‘Hello’ to a wonderful, exciting way to learn another language, and learn how to say ‘Hello’ in Bulgarian in no time! You will be very happy you did!

Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar.

However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day around the world!

Table of Contents

1. Top One Million Words You Need to Know for April Fools’ Day
2. Bulgarian Phrases You Can Use on April Fools’ Day
3. Some of the Coolest April Fools’ Pranks To Play on Anybody
4. How Can BulgarianPod101 Make Your April Fools’ Day Special?
5. Top 1000 Most Useful Phrases in Bulgarian - Testing New Technology

1. Top One Million Words You Need to Know for April Fools’ Day

Do you want to know how to say April Fools’ Day in Bulgarian? Well, there are millions of ways and words, but here are the top one million Bulgarian words you really need to know! Simply click this link. Here are some of them you will find useful:

1. joke - шегувам се - sheguvam se
2. funny - смешен - smeshen
3. surprise - изненадвам - iznenadvam
4. sneaky - подъл - podal
5. prankster - калпазанин - kalpazanin
6. prank - лудория - ludoriya
7. lie - лъжа - lazha
8. humor - хумор - humor
9. fool - глупак - glupak
10. deceptive - лъжлив - lazhliv
11. April 1st - Първи април - Pyrvi april
12. play a joke - правя номер - pravya nomer

2. Bulgarian Phrases You Can Use on April Fools’ Day

Don’t limit yourself to practical jokes - use these April Fools’ phrases in Bulgarian to prank your favorite Bulgarianfriend or colleague!

1. I learned Bulgarian in 1 month.
   • Научих български за 1 месец.
   • Nauchih balgarski za 1 mesets.
2. All classes for today got canceled.
   • Всички учебни часове за днес са отменени.
   • Vsichki uchebni chasove za dnes sa otmeneni.
3. I’m sorry, but I’ve just broken your favorite pair of glasses.
   • Съжалявам, но без да искам току-що счупих любимите ти очила.
   • Sazhalyavam, no bez da iskam toku-shto schupih lyubimite ti ochila.
4. Someone has just hit your car.
   • Някой току-що удари колата ти.
   • Nyakoy toku-shto udari kolata ti.
5. I’m getting married.
   • Ще се женя.
   • Shte se zhenya.
6. You won a free ticket.
   • Спечелихте безплатен билет.
   • Spechelihte bezplaten bilet.
7. I saw your car being towed.
   • Видях да вдигат колата ти.
   • Vidyah da vdigat kolata ti.
8. They’re giving away free gift cards in front of the building.
   • На входа раздават безплатни ваучери за подарък.
   • Na vhoda razdavat bezplatni vaucheri za podarak.
9. A handsome guy is waiting for you outside.
   • Отпред те чака един привлекателен господин.
   • Otpred te chaka edin privlekatelen gospodin.
10. A beautiful lady asked me to give this phone number to you.
    • Една красива дама ме помоли да ти дам този телефонен номер.
    • Edna krasiva dama me pomoli da ti dam tozi telefonen nomer.
11. Can you come downstairs? I have something special for you.
    • Можеш ли да слезеш долу? Имам нещо специално за теб.
    • Mozhesh li da slezesh dolu? Imam neshto spetsialno za teb.
12. Thank you for your love letter this morning. I never could have guessed your feelings.
    • Благодаря ти за твоето любовно писмо тази сутрин. Никога не бих се досетила за чувствата ти.
    • Blagodarya ti za tvoeto lyubovno pismo tazi sutrin. Nikoga ne bih se dosetila za chuvstvata ti.

Choose your victims carefully, though; the idea is to get them to laugh with you, not to hurt their feelings or humiliate them in front of others. Be extra careful if you choose to play a prank on your boss - you don’t want to antagonize them with an inappropriate joke.

3. Some of the Coolest April Fools’ Pranks To Play on Anybody

Right, now that you know the top million April Fools’ words in Bulgarian, let’s look at some super pranks and tricks to play on friends, colleagues and family. Some April Fools ideas never grow old, while new ones are born every year.

Never joke in such a way that it hurts anyone, or humiliates them badly in front of others - the idea is for everybody to laugh and enjoy the fun! Respect is still key, no matter what day of the year it is.

1- Infestation

This trick is so simple, yet so creepy, it’s almost unbelievable. Take black paper, cut out the silhouette of a giant cockroach, a spider or another insect, and stick it inside the lampshade of a table lamp. When the lamp is switched on, it will look like a monstrous insect is sitting inside the lampshade. Or, get a whole lot of realistic-looking plastic insects, and spread them over a colleague’s desk and chair, or, at home, over the kids’ beds etc. Creep-factor: stellar.

2- Which One Doesn’t Fit?

Put the photo of a celebrity or a notorious politician in a frame, and take it to work on April Fools’ Day. Hang the photo on the staff picture wall, and wait. You’ll be surprised how long it can take for people to notice that one picture doesn’t fit.

3- Something Weird in the Restroom

At work, replace the air freshener in the restroom with something noxious like insect killer, oven cleaner or your own odious mixture in a spray bottle. Be sure to cover the bottle’s body so no one suspects a swap.

Or paint a bar of soap with clear nail polish, and leave it at the hand wash basin. It will not lather.

Or, if your workplace’s restroom has partitioned toilets with short doors, arrange jeans or trousers and shoes on all but one of the toilet covers, so it looks like every stall is occupied. Now wait for complaints, and see how long it takes for someone to figure out the April Fools’ Day prank. You’ll probably wish you had a camera inside the restroom. But, unless you don’t mind getting fired, don’t put your own recording device in there!

4- Call Me Funny

Prepare and print out a few posters with the following instructions: Lion Roar Challenge! Call this number - 123-456-7890 - and leave your best lion’s roar as voicemail! Best roarer will be announced April 10 in the cafeteria. Prize: $100. (Lion’s roar is just an example; you can use any animal call, or even a movie character’s unique sound, such as Chewbacca from Star Wars. The weirder, the funnier. Obviously!) Put the posters up in the office where most of the staff is likely to see them. Now wait for the owner of the number to visit you with murderous intent. Have a conciliatory gift ready that’s not a prank.

5- Minty Cookies

This is another simple but hugely effective prank - simply separate iced cookies, scrape off the icing, and replace it with toothpaste. Serve during lunch or tea break at work, or put in your family’s lunch boxes. Be sure to take photos of your victim’s faces when they first bite into your April Fools’ cookies.

6- Wild Shopping

At your local grocer, place a realistic-looking plastic snake or spider among the fresh vegetables. Now wait around the corner for the first yell.

7- The Oldest Trick in the Book

Don’t forget probably the oldest, yet very effective April Fools’ joke in the book - smearing hand cream or Vaseline on a door handle that most staff, family or friends are likely to use. Yuck to the max!

8- Sneeze On Me

Another golden oldie is also gross, yet harmless and utterly satisfying as a prank. Fill a small spray bottle that you can easily conceal with water. Walk past a friend, colleague or one of your kids, and fake a sneeze while simultaneously spraying them with a bit of water. Expect to be called a totally disgusting person. Add a drop of lovely smelling essential oil to the water for extra confusion.

9- Word Play Repairs

Put a fresh leek in the hand wash basin at home or work, and then tell your housemates or colleagues this: “There’s a huge leak in the restroom/bathroom basin, it’s really serious. Please can someone go have a look?!” Expect exasperation and smiles all around. Note that this prank is only likely to work where people understand English well.

10- Scary Face

Print out a very scary face on an A4 sheet of paper, and place it in a colleague’s, or one of your kid’s drawers, so it’s the first thing they see when they open the drawer. You may not be very popular for a while.

11- Wake Up To Madness

Put foamy shaving cream, or real whipped cream on your hand, and wake your kid up by tickling their nose with it. As long as they get the joke, this could be a wonderful and fun way to start April Fools’ Day.

12- Computer Prank

This one’s fabulous, if you have a bit of time to fiddle with a colleague, friend or your kid’s computer. It is most effective on a computer where most of the icons they use are on the desktop background itself (as opposed to on the bottom task bar).

Take and save a screenshot of their desktop with the icons. Set this screenshot as their background image. Now delete all the working icons. When they return to their computer, wait for the curses when no amount of clicking on the icons works.

13- Monster Under the Cup

This one will also work well anywhere people meet. Take a paper cup, and write the following on it in black pen: “Danger! Don’t lift, big spider underneath.” Place it upside-down on prominent flat surface, such as a kitchen counter, a colleague’s desk or a restaurant table. Expect some truly interesting responses.

14- Prank Door

Write in large letters on a large and noticeable piece of paper: PUSH. Tape this notice on a door that should be pulled to open, and watch the hilarious struggle of those clever souls who actually read signs.

4. How Can BulgarianPod101 Make Your April Fools’ Day Special?

If you happen to visit Bulgaria, or if you work for any Bulgarian company, knowing the above Bulgarian prankster phrases can really lighten up your day. Showing you have a sense of humor can go a long way to cement good relationships in any situation. These phrases are at your disposal for free, as well as are these 100 core Bulgarian words, which you will learn how to pronounce perfectly.

Also, don’t stop at learning April Fools’ phrases in Bulgarian - bone up your Bulgarian language skills with these FREE key phrases. Yes, BulgarianPod101 doesn’t joke when it comes to effective, fun and easy learning.

Now, as a bonus, test our super-learning technology, and learn the Top 1000 most useful phrases in Bulgarian below! But that’s not all. Read on to learn how you can be eligible for large enrollment discounts at BulgarianPod101.

5. Top 1000 Most Useful Phrases in Bulgarian - testing new technology

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Learn all the Bulgarian New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join BulgarianPod101 for a special Bulgarian New Year celebration!

Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March - December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.

So, how do you say Happy New Year in Bulgarian? Let a native teach you! At BulgarianPod101, you will learn how to correctly greet your friends over New Year, and wish them well with these Bulgarian New Year wishes!

Table of Contents

1. How to Celebrate New Year in Bulgaria
2. Must-Know Bulgarian Words & Phrases for the New Year!
3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions in Bulgarian
4. Inspirational New Year Quotes
5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes
6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages
7. How BulgarianPod101 Can Help You Learn Bulgarian

But let’s start with some vocabulary for Bulgarian New Year celebrations, very handy for conversations.

1. How to Celebrate New Year in Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, like most places around the world, “New Year’s Day” or Nova godina, represents a new start and a cause for grand celebration. Whether at their homes or at a raucous party, Bulgarians ring in the New Year by eating well, drinking abundantly, and watching the spectacular fireworks.

Now before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question?

Why do Bulgarians tap each other’s back with “decorated cornel branches,” or survachka, during the New Year’s ritual known as survakane?

If you don’t already know, keep reading! The answer will be revealed at the end!

The New Year’s celebration begins on the eve of the last day of the year, December 31. Parties and gatherings take place in the “central city square” or ploshtad in cities across Bulgaria. Heading to bigger cities, like Plovdiv, Varna, or the capital Sofia, is a popular way to celebrate. However, Bulgarians most often welcome the New Year at “home,” or vkashti. For many Bulgarians, New Year’s represents a time for family and tradition. Food is an important part of this tradition.

The most typical food for the holiday is the “New Year pastry with lucky charms” - banitsa s kasmeti. According to the tradition, small objects symbolizing health and longevity are placed inside the banitsa. For example, the cornel twig with buds on it symbolizes health and longevity.

Instead of charms, however, it’s becoming more and more popular to make banitsa with wishes written on little pieces of paper, pinned on the pastry. The hosts get to choose what wishes are written down, so, usually, they end up being playful jokes, rather than heart-felt desires. People drink plenty of fruit brandy known as rakia and toast to the health of their friends and family, and wish for a prosperous New Year.

As they celebrate, families gather together to listen to the New Year’s speech given by the President known as the novogodishnata rech na Prezidenta. Then, just before midnight, they “count down,” or otbroyavat, the last seconds of the old year.

Happy New Year!

Щастлива Нова Година!
Shtastliva Nova Godina!

2. Must-Know Bulgarian Words & Phrases for the New Year!

1- Year

година
godina

This is pretty self-explanatory. Most countries follow a Gregorian calendar, which has approximately 365 days in a year, while in some cultures, other year designations are also honored. Therefore, New Year’s day in Bulgaria could fall on a different day than in your country. When do you celebrate New Year?

2- Midnight

полунощ
polunosht

The point in time when a day ends and a new one starts. Many New Year celebrants prefer to stay awake till midnight, and greet the new annum as it breaks with fanfare and fireworks!

3- New Year’s Day

Нова Година
Nova Godina

In most countries, the new year is celebrated for one whole day. On the Gregorian calendar, this falls on January 1st. On this day, different cultures engage in festive activities, like parties, parades, big meals with families and many more.

4- Party

парти
parti

A party is most people’s favorite way to end the old year, and charge festively into the new one! We celebrate all we accomplished in the old year, and joyfully anticipate what lies ahead.

5- Dancing

танцуване
tantsuvane

Usually, when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year officially begins, people break out in dance! It is a jolly way to express a celebratory mood with good expectations for the year ahead. Also, perhaps, that the old year with its problems has finally passed! Dance parties are also a popular way to spend New Year’s Eve in many places.

6- Champagne

шампанско
shampansko

Originating in France, champagne is a bubbly, alcoholic drink that is often used to toast something or someone during celebrations.

7- Fireworks

фойерверк
foyerverk

These are explosives that cause spectacular effects when ignited. They are popular for announcing the start of the new year with loud noises and colorful displays! In some countries, fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits. In others, the use of fireworks is forbidden in urban areas due to their harmful effect on pets. Most animals’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans’, so this noisy display can be very frightful and traumatising to them.

8- Countdown

отброяване
otbroyavane

This countdown refers to New Year celebrants counting the seconds, usually backward, till midnight, when New Year starts - a great group activity that doesn’t scare animals, and involves a lot of joyful shouting when the clock strikes midnight!

9- New Year’s Holiday

Новогодишни празници
Novogodishni praznitsi

In many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday - to recuperate from the party the previous night, perhaps! Families also like to meet on this day to enjoy a meal and spend time together.

10- Confetti

конфети
konfeti

In most Western countries, confetti is traditionally associated with weddings, but often it is used as a party decoration. Some prefer to throw it in the air at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

11- New Year’s Eve

Новогодишна нощ
Novogodishna nosht

This is the evening before New Year breaks at midnight! Often, friends and family meet for a party or meal the evening before, sometimes engaging in year-end rituals. How are you planning to give your New Year greetings in 2018?

12- Toast

тост
tost

A toast is a type of group-salutation that involves raising your glass to drink with others in honor of something or someone. A toast to the new year is definitely in order!

13- Resolution

решение
reshenie

Those goals or intentions you hope to, but seldom keep in the new year! Many people consider the start of a new year to be the opportune time for making changes or plans. Resolutions are those intentions to change, or the plans. It’s best to keep your resolutions realistic so as not to disappoint yourself!

14- Parade

парадно шествие
paradno shestvie

New Year celebrations are a huge deal in some countries! Parades are held in the streets, often to celebratory music, with colorful costumes and lots of dancing. Parades are like marches, only less formal and way more fun. At BulgarianPod101, you can engage in forums with natives who can tell you what Bulgarian New Year celebrations are like!

3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions

So, you learned the Bulgarian word for ‘resolution’. Fabulous! Resolutions are those goals and intentions that we hope to manifest in the year that lies ahead. The beginning of a new year serves as a good marker in time to formalise these. Some like to do it in writing, others only hold these resolutions in their hearts. Here are our Top 10 New Year’s resolutions at BulgarianPod101 - what are yours?

Learn these phrases and impress your Bulgarian friends with your vocabulary.

1- Read more

Четете повече
Chetete poveche

Reading is a fantastic skill that everyone can benefit from. You’re a business person? Apparently, successful business men and women read up to 60 books a year. This probably excludes fiction, so better scan your library or Amazon for the top business reads if you plan to follow in the footsteps of the successful! Otherwise, why not make it your resolution to read more Bulgarian in the new year? You will be surprised by how much this will improve your Bulgarian language skills!

2- Spend more time with family

Прекарвайте повече време със семейството си.
Prekarvaite poveche vreme sas semeistvoto si.

Former US President George Bush’s wife, Barbara Bush, was quoted as having said this: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” This is very true! Relationships are often what gives life meaning, so this is a worthy resolution for any year.

3- Lose weight

Намалете теглото си.
Namalete tegloto si.

Hands up, how many of you made this new year’s resolution last year too…?! This is a notoriously difficult goal to keep, as it takes a lot of self discipline not to eat unhealthily. Good luck with this one, and avoid unhealthy fad diets!

4- Save money

Спестявайте пари.
Spestyavayte pari.

Another common and difficult resolution! However, no one has ever been sorry when they saved towards reaching a goal. Make it your resolution to save money to upgrade your subscription to BulgarianPod101’s Premium PLUS option in the new year - it will be money well spent!

5- Quit smoking

Откажете се от тютюнопушенето.
Otkajete se ot tyutyunopusheneto.

This is a resolution that you should definitely keep, or your body could punish you severely later! Smoking is a harmful habit with many hazardous effects on your health. Do everything in your power to make this resolution come true in the new year, as your health is your most precious asset.

6- Learn something new

Учете нови неща.
Uchete novi nesta.

Science has proven that learning new skills can help keep brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay! It can even slow down the progression of the disease. So, keep your brain healthy by learning to speak a new language, studying towards a qualification, learning how to sew, or how to play chess - no matter how old you are, the possibilities are infinite!

7- Drink less

Пийте по-малко.
Piite po-malko.

This is another health resolution that is good to heed any time of the year. Excessive drinking is associated with many diseases, and its effect can be very detrimental to good relationships too. Alcohol is a poison and harmful for the body in large quantities!

8- Exercise regularly

Правете редовно упражнения.
Pravete redovno uprajnenia.

This resolution goes hand-in-hand with ‘Lose weight’! An inactive body is an unhealthy and often overweight one, so give this resolution priority in the new year.

9- Eat healthy

Хранете се здравословно.
Hranete se zdravoslovno.

If you stick with this resolution, you will lose weight and feel better in general. It is a very worthy goal to have!

10- Study Bulgarian with BulgarianPod101

Учете български език с BulgarianPod101.com.
Uchete balgarski ezik s BulgarianPod101.com.

Of course! You can only benefit from learning Bulgarian, especially with us! Learning how to speak Bulgarian can keep your brain healthy, it can widen your circle of friends, and improve your chances to land a dream job anywhere in the world. BulgarianPod101 makes it easy and enjoyable for you to stick to this resolution.

4. Inspirational New Year Quotes

Everyone knows that it is sometimes very hard to stick to resolutions, and not only over New Year. The reasons for this vary from person to person, but all of us need inspiration every now and then! A good way to remain motivated is to keep inspirational quotes near as reminders that it’s up to us to reach our goals.

Click here for quotes that will also work well in a card for a special Bulgarian new year greeting!

Make decorative notes of these in Bulgarian, and keep them close! Perhaps you could stick them above your bathroom mirror, or on your study’s wall. This way you not only get to read Bulgarian incidentally, but also remain inspired to reach your goals! Imagine feeling like giving up on a goal, but reading this quote when you go to the bathroom: “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” What a positive affirmation!

5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes

Still undecided whether you should enroll with BulgarianPod101 to learn a new language? There’s no time like the present to decide! Let the following Language Learning Quotes inspire you with their wisdom.

Click here to read the most inspirational Language Learning Quotes!

As legendary President Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So, learning how to say Happy New Year in Bulgarian could well be a way into someone special’s heart for you! Let this year be the one where you to learn how to say Happy New Year, and much more, in Bulgarian - it could open many and unexpected doors for you.

6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages

Here’s a lovely bonus for you! Why stop with Bulgarian - learn how to say Happy New Year in 31 other languages too! Watch this video and learn how to pronounce these New Year’s wishes like a native in under two minutes.

7. Why Enrolling with BulgarianPod101 Would Be the Perfect New Year’s Gift to Yourself!

If you are unsure how to celebrate the New Year, why not give yourself a huge gift, and enroll to learn Bulgarian! With more than 12 years of experience behind us, we know that BulgarianPod101 would be the perfect fit for you. There are so many reasons for this!

• Custom-tailored Learning Paths: Start learning Bulgarian at the level that you are. We have numerous Learning Pathways, and we tailor them just for you based on your goals and interests! What a boon!
• Marked Progress and Fresh Learning Material Every Week: We make new lessons available every week, with an option to track your progress. Topics are culturally appropriate and useful, such as “Learning how to deliver negative answers politely to a business partner.” Our aim is to equip you with Bulgarian that makes sense!
• Multiple Learning Tools: Learn in fun, easy ways with resources such 1,000+ video and audio lessons, flashcards, detailed PDF downloads, and mobile apps suitable for multiple devices!
• Fast Track Learning Option: If you’re serious about fast-tracking your learning, Premium Plus would be the perfect way to go! Enjoy perks such as personalised lessons with ongoing guidance from your own, native-speaking teacher, and one-on-one learning on your mobile app! You will not be alone in your learning. Weekly assignments with non-stop feedback, answers and corrections will ensure speedy progress.
• Fun and Easy: Keeping the lessons fun and easy-to-learn is our aim, so you will stay motivated by your progress!

There’s no reason not to go big in 2018 by learning Bulgarian with BulgarianPod101. Just imagine how the world can open up for you!

Do you know any ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Bulgarian? BulgarianPod101 brings you easy-to-learn translations and the correct pronunciation of Bulgarian Christmas phrases!

Christmas is the annual commemorative festival of Christ’s birth in the Western Christian Church. It takes place on December 25th and is usually celebrated with much food and fanfare! However, not all cultures celebrate Christmas. In some countries, Christmas is not even a public holiday! However, many countries have adapted Christmas and its religious meaning to tally with their own beliefs, or simply in acknowledgment of the festival’s importance to other cultures. If you want to impress native Bulgarian speakers with culturally-appropriate Christmas phrases and vocabulary, BulgarianPod101 will teach you the most important ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Bulgarian!

Table of Contents

1. How to Celebrate Christmas in Bulgaria
2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes
3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary
4. Twelve Days of Christmas
5. Top 10 Christmas Characters
6. How BulgarianPod101 Can Help You

1. How to Celebrate Christmas in Bulgaria

“Christmas Eve” or Badni vecher in Bulgarian and “Christmas” or Koleda are holidays popular throughout the world. In Bulgaria, they are “family holidays,” or semeyni praznitsi, and are among the most important Christian holidays of the year. For this reason, Bulgarians celebrate the holiday for three consecutive days—from December 25 to December 27. On these days, everyone spends time with their nearest and dearest, and there are many special dishes and rituals for these holidays.

Now, before we get into more detail, I’ve got a trivia question for you-

What does the word Badni literally mean and why is Badni vecher a strange name for “Christmas Eve”?

If you don’t already know, keep reading! The answer will be revealed at the end!

The holiday called Badni vecher is an Orthodox Christian holiday with many traditional practices. On this day, an abundant feast is prepared but all meals must be meatless. The main dishes usually includes beans or bob, vine or cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, or in Bulgarian sarmi, boiled wheat or zhito, pumpkin pastry, or tikvenik, and dried fruit compote, or in Bulgarian oshav. There will also be fruits, garlic, walnuts, and honey. There must be an odd number of dishes. The most important element is the ceremonial bread. Each member of the family receives a piece of it. In this bread there are lucky charms, and the main one is a coin which brings health and good luck to the person who gets it.

On Christmas Eve, there are lots of folk enchantments and predictions. For example, everyone picks a walnut from those on the table, breaks it open, and, if the walnut is light-colored, it means good luck. At midnight, Christmas comes and, according to the tradition, the koledari will stop by. This is a group of young men led by an older man who go from house to house, dressed in traditional Bulgarian folk costumes. They sing ritual songs and wish happiness to the family, blessing the home at the end.
There is a belief that wishes come true on Christmas.

According to Christianity, Christmas is the day of Christ’s birth—the day when the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was born. That is why this day is also the Name Day or Imen den of everyone named “God’s Gift” or in Bulgarian Bozhidar, “Joyful,” or Hristo, “Glorious,” or in Bulgarian Radoslav, “God is with us” or Emanuil, and other derivative names.

On December 27, St. Stefan’s Day is celebrated, and the people with this name celebrate their Name Day. On these holidays, people go to the church in order to attend the solemn liturgical services.

At home, Bulgarians celebrate a lot like people in other countries around the world—with a Christmas tree, decorations, and, of course, with “Santa Claus” or in Bulgarian Dyado Koleda. During socialist rule, the “Santa Claus” was called “Grandfather Frost” or in Bulgarian Dyado Mraz and he brought presents on New Year’s Day instead of Christmas. However, it has always been a tradition for Dyado Koleda to pay visits to schools and kindergartens.

Now it’s time to answer our quiz question-

Do you know where the name Badni vecher for “Christmas Eve” comes from and what the word badni means?

According to tradition, a special log called badnik is blessed and set alight in the fireplace. The name badni comes from that. The meaning of the word itself is related to another word—badnina which has the meaning of “faith in the future.”

2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes for the Holiday Season

1- Merry Christmas!

Весела Коледа!
Vesela Koleda!

Do you know how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Bulgarian? Learn here how to pronounce it perfectly! ‘Merry’ means to be joyful, to celebrate and generally be in good spirits. So, with this phrase you are wishing someone a joyful, celebratory remembrance of Christ’s birth!

2- Happy Kwanzaa!

Весела Куанза!
Vesela Kuanza!

Surprise your African-American, or West African native friends with this phrase over the Christmas holidays! Kwanzaa is a seven-day, non-religious celebration, starting on Dec 26th each year. It has its roots in African American modern history, and many people celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas!

3- Have a happy New Year!

Щастлива Нова Година!
Shtastliva Nova Godina!

In countries where Christmas is not officially celebrated, but a Gregorian calendar is observed, this would be a friendly festive-season wish over New Year.

4- Happy Hanukkah!

Честита Ханука!
Chestita Hanuka!

Hanukkah is the beautiful Hebrew festival over November or December each year. It is also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated to commemorate the Jewish freedom of religion.

5- Have a great winter vacation!

Да си изкарате страхотно зимната почивка!
Da si izkarate strahotno zimnata pochivka!

This is a good phrase to keep handy if someone doesn’t observe any religious festival over the Christmas holidays! However, this will only be applicable in the Northern hemisphere, where it is winter over Christmas.

6- See you next year!

Ще се видим догодина!
Shte se vidim dogodina!

Going away on holiday over Christmas season, or saying goodbye to someone about to leave on vacation? This would be a good way to say goodbye to your friends and family.

7- Warm wishes!

С най-топли пожелания!
S nay-topli pozhelaniya!

An informal, friendly phrase to write in Bulgarian Christmas cards, especially for secular friends who prefer to observe Christmas celebrations without the religious symbolism. It conveys the warmth of friendship and friendly wishes associated with this time of year.

8- Happy holidays!

Весели празници!
Veseli praznitsi!

If you forget how to say ‘Merry Christmas!’ in Bulgarian, this is a safe, generic phrase to use instead.

9- Enjoy the holidays!

Насладете се на празниците!
Nasladete se na praznitsite!

After saying ‘Merry Christmas’ in Bulgarian, this would be a good phrase with which to wish Christmas holiday-goers well! It is also good to use for secular friends who don’t celebrate Christmas but take a holiday at this time of the year.

10- Best wishes for the New Year!

С най-сърдечни пожелания за Новата година!
S nay-sardechni pozhelaniya za Novata godina!

This is another way of wishing someone well in the New Year if they observe a Gregorian calendar. New Year’s day would then fall on January 1st.

3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary

Christmas is associated with many traditions and religious symbols in multiple countries across the world. It originated centuries ago in the West with the birth of Christianity, and the celebrations are often embedded with rich cultural significance. So, by now you know how to say Merry Christmas in Bulgarian! Next, learn pertinent vocabulary and phrases pertaining to Christmas, as well as how to pronounce them correctly. At BulgarianPod101, we make sure you sound like a native speaker!

1- Christmas

Рождество Христово
Rozhdestvo Hristovo

This is the Bulgarian word for ‘Christmas’. Most happy Christmas wishes in Bulgarian will include this word!

2- Snow

сняг
snyag

In most Northern-hemisphere countries, Christmas is synonymous with snow, and for Christmas, the snowman is often dressed as Santa Claus.

3- Snowflake

снежинка
snezhinka

Snowflakes collectively make up snow. A single snowflake is small, white, light like a feather and icy cold! When put under a microscope, the snowflake reveals itself to have the most beautiful, symmetrical patterns. These patterns have become popular Christmas decorations, especially in Western countries.

4- Snowman

снежен човек
snezhen chovek

As you guessed - a snowman is only possible to build if it is snowing! What a fun way to spend Christmas day outside.

5- Turkey

пуйка
puyka

Roast turkey is the traditional main dish on thousands of lunch tables on Christmas day, mainly in Western countries. What is your favorite Christmas dish?

6- Wreath

венец
venets

Another traditional Western decoration for Christmas, the wreath is an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring. Many families like to hang a Christmas wreath outside on their houses’ front doors.

7- Reindeer

северен елен
severen elen

Reindeer are the animals commonly fabled to pull Santa Claus’ sled across the sky! Western Christmas folklore tells of Father Christmas or Santa Claus doing the rounds with his sled, carrying Christmas presents for children, and dropping them into houses through the chimney. But who is Santa Claus?

8- Santa Claus

Дядо Коледа
Dyado Koleda

Santa Claus is a legendary and jolly figure originating in the Western Christian culture. He is known by many names, but is traditionally depicted as a rotund man wearing a red costume with a pointy hat, and sporting a long, snow-white beard!

9- Elf

елф
elf

An elf is a supernatural creature of folklore with pointy ears, a dainty, humanoid body and a capricious nature. Elves are said to help Santa Claus distribute presents to children over Christmas!

10- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Рудолф - еленът с червения нос
Rudolf - elenat s cherveniya nos

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ is a Christmas song based on an American children’s story book with the same name. Rudolph is one of Santa’s reindeer. The song became more famous than the book, and can still be heard playing in many shopping malls over Christmas time across the globe!

11- North Pole

Северен полюс
Severen polyus

The cold North Pole is where Santa Claus is reputed to live with his reindeer!

12- Sled

шейна
sheyna

A sled is a non-motorised land vehicle used to travel over snow in countries where it snows a lot, and is usually pulled by animals such as horses, dogs or reindeer. This one obviously refers to Santa’s sled! Another word for sled is sleigh or sledge.

13- Present

подарък
podarak

Gift or present giving is synonymous with Christmas Eve and the greatest source of joy for children over this festive time! This tradition signifies that Christ’s birth was a gift to mankind, but not all people who hand out presents over Christmas observe the religious meaning.

14- Bell

звънец
zvanets

On Christmas Day, or Christmas Eve, many religious celebrants enjoy going to church for a special sermon and Christmas rituals. The start of the sermon is often announced with bells or a bell, if the church has one. For this reason, the sound of ringing bells is often associated with Christmas Day.

15- Chimney

комин
komin

The chimney is the entrance Santa Claus uses to deliver children’s presents on Christmas Day, according to folklore! Wonder how the chubby man and his elves stay clean…?!

16- Fireplace

камина
kamina

In most countries where it snows, Christmas is synonymous with a fire or burning embers in houses’ fireplaces. Families huddle around its warmth while opening Christmas presents. Also, this is where Santa Claus is reputed to pop out after his journey down the chimney!

17- Christmas Day

Рождество Христово
Rozhdestvo Hristovo

This is the official day of commemorative celebration of Christ’s birth, and falls each year on December 25.

18- Decoration

украса
ukrasa

Decorations are the colourful trinkets and posters that make their appearance in shops and homes during the Christmas holiday season in many countries! They give the places a celebratory atmosphere in anticipation of the big Christmas celebration. Typical Christmas decorations include colorful photographs and posters, strings of lights, figurines of Santa Claus and the nativity scene, poinsettia flowers, snowflakes and many more.

19- Stocking

чорап
chorap

According to legend, Santa Claus places children’s presents in a red stocking hanging over the fireplace. This has also become a popular decoration, signifying Christmas.

20- Holly

бодлива зеленика
bodliva zelenika

Holly is a shrub native to the UK, and parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It is characterised by glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries. Ironically, its significance for Christmas relates to Christ’s crucifixion and suffering rather than his birth. However, the leaves’ distinctive shape and image have become popular Christmas decorations.

21- Gingerbread house

натруфена къща
natrufena kashta

According to legend, the gingerbread house synonymous with Christmas is related to Christ’s birth place, Bethlehem. Bethlehem literally means ‘House of Bread’. Over centuries, it has become a popular treat over Christmas time in many non-religious households as well.

22- Candy cane

захарно чадърче
zaharno chadarche

According to folklore, Christmas candy canes made their appearance first in Germany in the 16th century. A choir master gave children the candy canes to suck on in church in order to keep them quiet during the Christmas sermon! Apparently, the candy is shaped like a cane in remembrance of the shepherds who were the first to visit the baby Jesus. Today, like gingerbread houses, they are still a popular sweet over the festive season!

23- Mistletoe

имел
imel

Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on certain trees. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the mistletoe has magical powers, and could protect a household from evil if hung above a door during December. The belief didn’t last but the habit did, and the mistletoe is another popular Christmas decoration!

4. Twelve Days of Christmas

Wow, you’re doing extremely well! You know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Bulgarian, and you learned pertinent vocabulary too! The Twelve Days of Christmas is not very well known in modern times, so, you’re on your way to becoming an expert in Christmas traditions and rituals. Well done!

The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a traditional festive period of 12 days dedicated to celebrate the nativity of Christ. Christmas Day is, for many who observe Twelvetide, the first day of this period.

‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is also a popular Christmas song about a series of gifts given on each day of Twelvetide. According to experts, these gifts were created as a coded reference to important symbols in the Christian church. Here is a list of those gifts mentioned in the song! Do you recognise them?

5. Top 10 Christmas Characters in American Culture

This is fantastic, you know how to explain almost everything about Christmas in Bulgarian! However, do you know the most popular Christmas characters in American culture? Your knowledge will not be complete without this list.

6. BulgarianPod101 Is One Of The Best Online Language Schools Available!

We don’t just say this - we can prove it! Geared to your personal needs and goals, we have several learning paths from which to choose. From Bulgarian for Absolute Beginners to Advanced Bulgarian, lessons are designed to meet you where you are, and increase your language abilities in fun, easy and interactive lessons! Mastering a new language has never been this easy or enjoyable.

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So, this Christmas, why don’t you give yourself a present and enroll in BulgarianPod101? Or give an enrollment as a present to a loved one. It will be a gift with benefits for a whole lifetime, not just over Christmas!

In most cultures, it is custom to express gratitude in some way or another. The dictionary defines gratitude as follows: it is “the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”. Giving a sincere, thankful response to someone’s actions or words is often the ‘glue’ that keeps relationships together. This is true in most societies! Doing so in a foreign country also shows your respect and appreciation for the culture. Words have great power - use these ones sincerely and often!

Table of Contents

1. 12 Ways to say ‘Thank you’ in Bulgarian
2. Video Lesson: Learn to Say ‘Thank You’ in 3 Minutes
3. Infographic & Audio Lesson: Survival Phrases - Thank You
4. Video Lesson: ‘Thank You’ in 31 Languages
5. How BulgarianPod101 Can Help You

So, how do you say ‘Thank you’ in Bulgarian? You can learn easily! Below, BulgarianPod101 brings you perfect translations and pronunciation as you learn the most common ways Bulgarian speakers say ‘Thanks’ in various situations.

1. 12 Ways to say ‘Thank you’ in Bulgarian

1- Thank you.

Благодаря!
Blagodarya!

The magical words that can bring a smile to any face. For one day, truly mean it whenever you say these words, and see how this lifts your spirit too!

2- That’s very kind of you.

Това е много мило от ваша страна.
Tova e mnogo milo ot vasha strana.

This phrase is appropriate when someone clearly goes out of their way to give good service, or to offer you a kindness.

3- Thanks for your kind words!

Благодарим ви за милите думи!
Blagodarim vi za milite dumi!

Someone paid you a compliment and made you feel good? That is kind of him/her, so express your gratitude!

4- Thank you for coming today.

Благодаря ви, че дойдохте днес.
Blagodarya vi, che doydohte dnes.

This welcoming phrase should be part of your arsenal if you’re conducting more formal meetings with Bulgarian speakers. If you’re hosting a party, this is also a good phrase when you greet your Bulgarian guests!

5- Thank you for your consideration.

Благодаря за вниманието, което отделяте.
Blagodarya za vnimanieto, koeto otdelyate.

This is a more formal, almost solemn way to thank someone for their thoughtfulness and sensitivity towards you. It is also suitable to use when a native speaker has to consider something you submit, like a job application, a project or a proposal. You are thanking them, in essence, for time and effort they are about to, or have spent on your submission.

6- Thanks a lot!

Благодаря много!
Blagodarya mnogo!

This means the same as ‘Thank you’, but with energy and enthusiasm added! It means almost the same as ‘thank you so much’ in Bulgarian. Use this in an informal setting with your Bulgarian friends or teachers.

7- Teachers like you are not easy to find.

Трудно е да се намерят учители като вас.
Trudno e da se nameryat uchiteli kato vas.

Some phrases are compliments, which express gratitude by inference. This is one of them. If you’re particularly impressed with your BulgarianPod101 teacher, this is an excellent phrase to memorize!

8- Thank you for spending time with us.

Благодарим ви, че ни отделихте от времето си.
Blagodarim vi, che ni otdelihte ot vremeto si.

Any host at a gathering with Bulgarian speakers, such as a meeting or a party, should have this under his/her belt! Use it when you’re saying goodbye or busy closing a meeting. It could also be another lovely way to thank your Bulgarian language teacher for her time.

9- Thank you for being patient and helping me improve.

Благодаря ви за търпението и за това, че ми помагате да се развивам.
Blagodarya vi za tarpenieto i za tova, che mi pomagate da se razvivam.

This phrase is another sure way to melt any formal or informal Bulgarian teacher’s heart! Teaching is not easy, and often a lot of patience is required from the teacher. Thank him/her for it! It’s also a good phrase to use if you work in Bulgaria, and want to thank your trainer or employer. You will go a long way towards making yourself a popular employee - gratitude is the most attractive trait in any person!

10- You’re the best teacher ever!

Вие сте най-добрият учител на света.
Vie ste nay-dobriyat uchitel na sveta.

This is also an enthusiastic way to thank your teacher by means of a compliment. It could just make their day!

11- Thank you for the gift.

Благодаря ви за подаръка. Благодаря ви за подаръка.
Blagodarya vi za podaraka.

This is a good phrase to remember when you’re the lucky recipient of a gift. Show your respect and gratitude with these words.

12- I have learned so much thanks to you.

Научих толкова много, благодарение на вас.
Nauchih tolkova mnogo, blagodarenie na vas.

What a wonderful compliment to give a good teacher! It means they have succeeded in their goal, and you’re thankful for it.

2. Video Lesson: Learn to Say ‘Thank You’ in 3 Minutes

Wherever your destination maybe, manners are a must! And in this respect, Bulgaria is no different.

1- благодаря. Blagodaria
In Bulgarian, “thank you” is blagodaria” (благодаря). This compound word is made up of two parts. The first, blago (благо), means “prosperity” or “well-being”. This is followed by daria (даря), which in Bulgarian means, “to give a gift”. This phrase is neither too formal nor too informal and will be your safe bet in situations where you are not to sure what way of saying “thank you” would be most appropriate.

2- мерси. Merci
In Bulgarian, the casual way of expressing gratitude, for example, “thanks” is merci (мерси). Yes, that’s right! It is similar to French and this is exactly where this word was borrowed from. Keep in mind that the original French pronunciation has mutated and Bulgarians say it with the hard Slavic r. This expression might come in handy among friends and in other casual situations, for example, when collecting your change from the cashier at a supermarket or when picking up your mail at the post office. A word of caution: a limited number of Bulgarians still consider merci (мерси) a foreign word which shouldn’t be used as there are enough “pure” Bulgarian expressions available. Also, to be on the safe side, make sure you use the higher-level expression blagodaria (благодаря) when dealing with officials in a formal context.

3- благодаря ви много. Blagodaria Vi Mnogo
For very special occasions when someone goes above and beyond the call of being kind, when someone is extremely generous, or for any other time you’re extremely grateful, use the following phrase to express deep gratitude: blagodaria vi mnogo (благодаря ви много). The first word blagodaria(благодаря), as we already know means “to give prosperity”. The second, vi (Ви), is the polite second person plural of the English “you”. If the person you are thanking is a friend, you can switch to a deeper level of closeness by using ti (ти), the second person singular equivalent of the English “you”. Then the whole phrase becomes blagodaria ti mnogo (благодаря ти много). The last word in our expression is mnogo (много), which in Bulgarian is “much”. To recap, the formal version of the phrase is blagodaria vi mnogo (благодаря ви много) while the version we use with friends is blagodaria ti mnogo (благодаря ти много).

Cultural Insights

Quick Tip 1
What to do when someone thanks you in Bulgarian using one of the phrases we just learned? Very easy: just say molyah/mo-lyah/ (моля) which literally means “please” but has the effect of “you are welcome.”

Quick Tip 2
As we saw in the case of merci (мерси), Bulgarian has borrowed words from many European languages like French, German, Italian, and English. Their original pronunciation, however, was “Bulgarianized.” Hence, if you want to be understood in Bulgaria, make sure that you know how to say those foreign words with Bulgarian accent.

On the run to Bulgaria? Wait! You can’t go without some basic language phrases under your belt! Especially if you’re heading to meet your prospective employer! Either in person or online, knowing how to say ‘Thank you’ in the Bulgarian language will only improve their impression of you! BulgarianPod101 saves you time with this short lesson that nevertheless packs a punch. Learn to say ‘Thank you’ in Bulgarian in no time!

3. Audio Lesson: Survival Phrases - Thank You

Perhaps you think it’s unimportant that you don’t know what ‘Thank you’ is in Bulgarian, or that it’s too difficult a language to learn. Yet, as a traveler or visitor, you will be surprised at how far you can go using a little bit of Bulgarian in Bulgaria!

Click Here to Listen to the Free Audio Lesson!

At BulgarianPod101, we offer you a few ways of saying ‘Thank you’ in Bulgarian that you have no excuse not knowing, as they’re so simple and easy to learn. The lesson is geared to aid your ‘survival’ in formal and informal situations in Bulgaria, so don’t wait! You will never have to google ‘How do you say thanks in Bulgarian’ again…!

4. ‘Thank You’ in 31 Languages

For the global traveler in a hurry, here are 31 ways to say ‘Thank you’! These are the first words you need to learn in any foreign language - it is sure to smooth your way with native speakers by showing your gratitude for services rendered, and your respect for their culture! Learn and know how to correctly say ‘Thank you’ in 31 different languages in this short video.

5. Why would BulgarianPod101 be the perfect choice to learn Bulgarian?

However, you need not stop at ‘Thank you’ in Bulgarian - why not learn to speak the language?! You have absolutely nothing to lose. Research has shown that learning a new language increases intelligence and combats brain-aging. Also, the ability to communicate with native speakers in their own language is an instant way to make friends and win respect! Or imagine you know how to write ‘Thank you’ to that special Bulgarian friend after a date…he/she will be so impressed!

BulgarianPod101 Has Special Lessons, Tools and Resources to Teach You How to Say Thank You and Other Key Phrases

With more than a decade of experience behind us, we have taught thousands of satisfied users to speak foreign languages. How do we do this? First, we take the pain out of learning! At BulgarianPod101, students are assisted as they master vocabulary, pronunciation, and conversation through state-of-the-art and fun online learning methods. A library replete with learning resources allows for you to learn at your own pace and in your own space! Resources include thousands of video and audio recordings, downloadable PDF lessons and plenty of learning apps for your mobile devices. Each month, we add benefits with FREE bonuses and gifts to improve your experience.

We accommodate all levels and types of learners, from Absolute Beginner to Advanced, and BulgarianPod101 is free for anyone to sign up. However, you can choose to fast track your fluency with lesson customization and increased interactive learning and practicing. Upgrade to Premium, or Premium PLUS to enhance your experience and greatly expedite your learning. With this type of assistance, and pleasurable effort on your part, you will speak Bulgarian in a very short period of time!

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Best of all is that you’re never alone! We believe that practice is the holy grail of learning any new language, and we gear our courses to ensure lots of it. Enroll with us, and you gain immediate access to our lively forum where we meet and greet, and discuss your burning questions. Our certified teachers are friendly and helpful, and you are very likely to practice your first ‘Thanks!’ in Bulgarian on him/her, AND mean it! Hurry up, and sign up now - you will thank us for it.