Language/Bulgarian/Vocabulary/Idiomatic-Expressions
Hi Bulgarian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will focus on Bulgarian idiomatic expressions. These are expressions that may not make sense when translated word-for-word, but they are commonly used in conversations. Knowing idiomatic expressions will improve your understanding of Bulgarian and also help you speak more like a native.
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Countries Dyrzhavi Държави & Introducing yourself.
Animals[edit | edit source]
Animals play an important role in Bulgarian idiomatic expressions. These expressions use animals to describe human behavior or situations.
| Bulgarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| като крава на ново място | kato krava na novo mяsto | like a cow in a new place |
| подслон на мухи | podslon na muhi | a shelter for flies |
| кучешки живот | kucheshki zhivot | a dog's life |
| заяц на слънце | zayats na slance | a rabbit in the sunshine |
- Person 1: Ще тръгвам за работа преди решението на задачите. (I will leave for work before finishing the tasks.)
- Person 2: Не мога да живея с такъв колега. Той работи като крава на ново място. (I cannot work with such a colleague. He works like a cow in a new place.)
In the above conversation, Person 1 uses a normal sentence, but Person 2 uses an idiomatic expression "като крава на ново място" to describe the colleague's work behavior. The expression means that the colleague is slow and unproductive.
Food and drink[edit | edit source]
Food and drink are part of Bulgarian culture, so no wonder they also appear in idiomatic expressions!
| Bulgarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| имаш българско масло | imash balgarsko maslo | you have Bulgarian butter |
| не е за горчиво мляко | ne e za gorchivo mlyako | it's not for bitter milk |
| не е мляко от неговата крава | ne e mlyako ot negovata krava | it's not milk from his cow |
| бяга като кокошка без глава | byaga kato kokoshka bez glava | he runs like a headless chicken |
- Person 1: Мисля да готвя пилешко. (I am thinking of cooking chicken.)
- Person 2: Не мога да ям такова ястие. Не е за горчиво мляко. (I cannot eat such dish. It's not for bitter milk.)
In the above conversation, Person 1 uses a normal sentence about cooking, but Person 2 uses an idiomatic expression "не е за горчиво мляко" to mean that the food is not his taste.
Time[edit | edit source]
Time is money, but in Bulgaria, there are idiomatic expressions involving time and not related to money.
| Bulgarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| намигване на око | nami gvane na oko | a blink of an eye |
| заедно с маслото на слънцето | zaedno s masloto na slantseto | together with the sun's butter |
| три пъти на ден надясно | tri pati na den nadyasno | three times a day to the right |
| за две минути до дванадесет | za dve minuti do dvanadeset | two minutes until twelve |
- Person 1: Колко време ти е нужно за подготовка? (How much time do you need for preparation?)
- Person 2: Е, за две минути до дванадесет. (Well, two minutes until twelve.)
In the above conversation, Person 2 answers using the idiomatic expression "за две минути до дванадесет" which means that they need very little time for preparation.
Colors[edit | edit source]
Colors can also be used in Bulgarian idiomatic expressions.
| Bulgarian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| червено слънце | cher veno slantse | a red sun |
| бела като мляко | bela kato mlyako | white as milk |
| зелен на завист | zelen na zavist | green of envy |
| синьо птиче | sinio ptiche | a blue bird |
- Person 1: Какво споделяш с приятелите си постоянно? (What do you share constantly with your friends?)
- Person 2: Никога не говоря за лични проблеми. Всичко е червено слънце за мен. (I never talk about personal problems. Everything is a red sun for me.)
In the above conversation, Person 2 uses the idiomatic expression "червено слънце" which means that everything is good, pleasant or easy.
To improve your Bulgarian Vocabulary, you can also use the Polyglot Club website. Find native speakers and ask them any questions!
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- How to say Good Bye?
- Locations
- House
- Sports and Games
- Languages Ezici Езици
- Countries and Continents
- Food
- Family
- Transportation
- Vegetables
Sources[edit | edit source]
- Bulgarian Vocabulary - Idiomatic expressions
- 10 Bulgarian Idioms That Can't Be Translated into English
- Bulgarian Proverbs and Sayings to Ponder Today