Macedonian, a South Slavic language, is the official language of North Macedonia. It’s closely related to Bulgarian and Serbian and is written in the Cyrillic script. Learning Macedonian can significantly enhance your experience in the region, allowing for deeper cultural understanding and communication. This lesson covers essential conversational phrases and questions in Macedonian, including transliterations for pronunciation help, to navigate various social interactions.

Greetings

• Hello/Hi – “Здраво” (Zdravo)
• Good morning – “Добро утро” (Dobro utro)
• Good afternoon – “Добар ден” (Dobar den)
• Good evening – “Добра вечер” (Dobra vecher)
• Goodbye – “Довидување” (Doviduvanje)

Introducing Yourself or Others

• My name is [name]. – “Јас се викам [name].” (Jas se vikam [name].)
• This is [name]. – “Ова е [name].” (Ova e [name].)
• I am from [country]. – “Јас сум од [country].” (Jas sum od [country].)
• I live in [city/place]. – “Живеам во [city/place].” (Zhiveam vo [city/place].)

Asking for Directions or People

• Where is the [place]? – “Каде е [place]?” (Kade e [place]?)
• How do I get to [place]? – “Како да стигнам до [place]?” (Kako da stignam do [place]?)
• Is this the way to [place]? – “Дали ова е патот за [place]?” (Dali ova e patot za [place]?)
• Can you show me on the map? – “Можете ли да ми покажете на картата?” (Mozhete li da mi pokazhete na kartata?)

Solving a Misunderstanding

• Sorry, I don’t understand. – “Извинете, не разбирам.” (Izvinete, ne razbiram.)
• Can you please repeat that? – “Можете ли да го повторите тоа?” (Mozhete li da go povtorite toa?)
• I mean… – “Јас мислам…” (Jas mislam…)
• What does [word] mean? – “Што значи [word]?” (Shto znachi [word]?)

Farewell Expressions

• See you later – “Ќе се видиме подоцна” (Kje se vidime podocna)
• Take care – “Чувај се” (Chuvaj se)
• Have a good day – “Имај добар ден” (Imaj dobar den)

Travel and Dining

• I would like to book a room. – “Сакам да резервирам соба.” (Sakam da rezerviram soba.)
• Can I see the menu, please? – “Можам ли да го видам менито, ве молам?” (Mozham li da go vidam menito, ve molam?)
• I am vegetarian. – “Јас сум вегетаријанец.” (Jas sum vegetarijanec.)
• The bill, please. – “Сметката, ве молам.” (Smetkata, ve molam.)

Shopping

• How much does this cost? – “Колку чини ова?” (Kolku chini ova?)
• Do you have this in another size? – “Имате ли го ова во друга големина?” (Imate li go ova vo druga golemina?)
• I’m just looking, thanks. – “Само гледам, благодарам.” (Samo gledam, blagodaram.)
• Can I pay by card? – “Можам ли да платам со картичка?” (Mozham li da platam so kartichka?)

Dating and Love

• You look beautiful. (to a woman) / You look handsome. (to a man) – “Изгледаш убаво.” (Izgledash ubavo) / “Изгледаш убав.” (Izgledash ubav)
• I miss you. – “Ми недостигаш.” (Mi nedostigash.)
• I love you. – “Те сакам.” (Te sakam.)
• Would you like to go out with me? – “Сакаш ли да излезеш со мене?” (Sakash li da izlezesh so mene?)

Emergencies

• Help! – “Помош!” (Pomosh!)
• Call the police! – “Повикајте полиција!” (Povikajte policija!)
• I need a doctor. – “Ми треба доктор.” (Mi treba doktor.)
• Where is the nearest hospital? – “Каде е најблиската болница?” (Kade e najbliskata bolnica?)

These phrases offer a solid foundation for basic communication in Macedonian. Practice speaking and listening regularly, engage with Macedonian media, and don’t hesitate to converse with native speakers. Remember, language learning is a journey—embrace mistakes as learning opportunities and continue to explore the rich linguistic and cultural nuances of Macedonian.