The head nod thing (read this first)
In Bulgaria, shaking your head side to side means YES, and nodding up and down means NO. It’s the exact opposite of what you’re used to, and yes, it applies in shops, taxis and the university. Locals used to foreigners will often switch to “your” system, which makes it even more confusing. When it matters, just say the word: da (yes) or ne (no).
Cyrillic in 10 minutes
Bulgarian uses the Cyrillic alphabet — Bulgaria is actually where it comes from, and locals are proud of it. You don’t need to learn it all, but recognizing a few letters unlocks most signs:
| You see | It sounds like | Example on signs |
|---|---|---|
| А, Е, К, М, О, Т | same as English | МАРКЕТ = market |
| В | V | ВХОД = entrance (vhod) |
| Н | N | НЕ = no |
| Р | R | РЕСТОРАНТ = restaurant |
| С | S | СОФИЯ = Sofia |
| У | OO | УНИВЕРСИТЕТ = university |
| П | P | ПЛЕВЕН = Pleven |
| Л | L | ЛЕКАР = doctor |
| И | EE | ИЗХОД = exit (izhod) |
| Б | B | БОЛНИЦА = hospital |
| Г | G | ГАРА = train station |
| Д | D | ДА = yes |
| Ж | ZH (like “pleasure”) | ЖЕНИ = women, МЪЖЕ = men (on toilets!) |
| Ч | CH | ЧАЙ = tea |
| Ш | SH | ШКОЛА = school |
| Я | YA | БАНЯ = bath |
Google Translate’s camera mode handles the rest.
Survival phrases
| English | Bulgarian | Say it like |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Здравейте | zdra-VEY-te |
| Hi (casual) | Здрасти | ZDRAS-ti |
| Good morning | Добро утро | do-BRO OO-tro |
| Thank you | Благодаря | bla-go-da-RYA |
| Thanks (easy mode) | Мерси | mer-SEE |
| Please / You’re welcome | Моля | MO-lya |
| Yes / No | Да / Не | da / ne |
| Excuse me / Sorry | Извинете | iz-vi-NE-te |
| How much is it? | Колко струва? | KOL-ko STROO-va |
| The bill, please | Сметката, моля | SMET-ka-ta MO-lya |
| Do you speak English? | Говорите ли английски? | go-VO-ri-te li an-GLIY-ski |
| I don’t understand | Не разбирам | ne raz-BEE-ram |
| I’m a student | Аз съм студент | az sum stu-DENT |
| Where is…? | Къде е…? | ku-DE e |
| I need a doctor | Имам нужда от лекар | EE-mam NUZH-da ot LE-kar |
| Help! | Помощ! | PO-mosht |
| Cheers! | Наздраве! | na-ZDRA-ve |
“Мерси” (merci) is completely normal Bulgarian for thanks — easiest win in the language.
Culture do’s & don’ts
- Do say hello entering small shops and elevators — it’s expected politeness.
- Do take off your shoes when visiting a Bulgarian home; you’ll usually be offered slippers.
- Do accept food/rakia offers at least symbolically — refusing everything reads as cold.
- Don’t call it “Eastern Europe” in a dismissive way; Bulgarians are (rightly) proud of their history — this is the country that gave the world Cyrillic.
- Don’t be surprised by direct questions — “How much is your rent?” is normal small talk, not rudeness.
- Tipping: round up or ~10% in restaurants and taxis. Not obligatory, always appreciated.
- Naming days (imen den) matter almost like birthdays — if a Bulgarian friend has one, congratulate them (Chestit imen den!).
Useful apps
- Google Translate — download Bulgarian offline; camera mode reads menus and signs.
- Google Maps works well in Pleven for walking and driving.
Learn five phrases from the table, use “мерси” everywhere, and remember the reversed nod — that’s 80% of what you need for a great first month.