Bosnian, also known as Bosniak or Bosnian Croatian Serbian (BCS), is one of the official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina. For English speakers, learning Bosnian can be a fascinating journey, especially when it comes to practical vocabulary that you can use in everyday situations. One such critical area is shopping and commerce. Whether you are traveling in Bosnia and Herzegovina, conducting business, or simply interested in expanding your linguistic skills, knowing how to navigate a marketplace can be incredibly beneficial.
In this article, we will delve into essential Bosnian words and phrases related to shopping and commerce. From basic terms for common products to useful phrases for negotiating prices, this guide aims to equip you with the vocabulary you need to shop confidently in a Bosnian-speaking environment.
Basic Shopping Vocabulary
Before diving into more complex phrases and terms, let’s start with some basic vocabulary that you’ll frequently encounter while shopping.
– **Trgovina** (store/shop)
– **Prodavnica** (store/shop)
– **Prodavač** (male shop assistant)
– **Prodavačica** (female shop assistant)
– **Kupac** (customer)
– **Cijena** (price)
– **Popust** (discount)
– **Račun** (receipt)
– **Novac** (money)
– **Gotovina** (cash)
– **Kartica** (card)
– **Bankomat** (ATM)
Common Products
Knowing the names of common products can make your shopping experience smoother. Here are some words you might find useful:
– **Hljeb** (bread)
– **Mlijeko** (milk)
– **Sir** (cheese)
– **Voće** (fruit)
– **Povrće** (vegetables)
– **Meso** (meat)
– **Riba** (fish)
– **Odjeća** (clothes)
– **Obuća** (shoes)
– **Namještaj** (furniture)
– **Knjiga** (book)
– **Igračka** (toy)
Useful Phrases for Shopping
Knowing individual words is helpful, but to fully navigate a shopping experience, you’ll need some phrases as well. Here are some essential phrases in Bosnian for different shopping scenarios.
Entering a Store
When you enter a store, it’s polite to greet the shop assistant. Here are some common greetings:
– **Dobar dan** (Good day)
– **Dobro jutro** (Good morning)
– **Dobro veče** (Good evening)
If you need help finding something, you can ask:
– **Izvinite, gdje mogu naći …?** (Excuse me, where can I find …?)
– **Tražim …** (I am looking for …)
Inquiring About Prices
To ask about prices, use the following phrases:
– **Koliko košta?** (How much does it cost?)
– **Koja je cijena ovoga?** (What is the price of this?)
– **Imate li popust?** (Do you have a discount?)
– **Mogu li dobiti račun?** (Can I get a receipt?)
Making a Purchase
When you’re ready to make a purchase, here are some phrases to help you:
– **Želim ovo kupiti.** (I want to buy this.)
– **Mogu li platiti karticom?** (Can I pay by card?)
– **Mogu li platiti gotovinom?** (Can I pay in cash?)
– **Imate li vrećicu?** (Do you have a bag?)
Negotiating Prices
In some markets, especially outdoor markets, you may have the opportunity to negotiate prices. Here are some useful phrases:
– **Može li biti jeftinije?** (Can it be cheaper?)
– **Koja je vaša najbolja cijena?** (What is your best price?)
– **To je preskupo za mene.** (That is too expensive for me.)
Shopping at Different Types of Stores
Different types of stores might require different vocabulary. Here are some specific terms for various types of shops you might encounter.
Grocery Store
In a grocery store, or **prodavnica** as it is called in Bosnian, you might need these terms:
– **Pekara** (bakery)
– **Mesnica** (butcher)
– **Ribarnica** (fish market)
– **Voćara** (fruit seller)
– **Povrćara** (vegetable seller)
Clothing Store
When shopping for clothes, these terms can be useful:
– **Haljina** (dress)
– **Majica** (shirt)
– **Pantalone** (pants)
– **Cipele** (shoes)
– **Kaput** (coat)
– **Veličina** (size)
– **Kabina za presvlačenje** (fitting room)
Pharmacy
If you need to visit a pharmacy, known as **apoteka** in Bosnian, here are some key terms:
– **Lijek** (medicine)
– **Recept** (prescription)
– **Bez recepta** (over the counter)
– **Tablete** (tablets)
– **Sirup** (syrup)
– **Krema** (cream)
Shopping Online
In today’s digital age, online shopping is also prevalent. Here are some phrases and terms that will help you navigate online shopping in Bosnian:
– **Online prodavnica** (online store)
– **Korpa** (cart)
– **Dodati u korpu** (add to cart)
– **Kupi sada** (buy now)
– **Besplatna dostava** (free shipping)
– **Povrat novca** (refund)
– **Politika povrata** (return policy)
– **Korisnička podrška** (customer support)
Handling Money
Understanding money-related terms is crucial when shopping. Here are some important words and phrases:
– **Novčanica** (banknote)
– **Kovanica** (coin)
– **Kreditna kartica** (credit card)
– **Debitna kartica** (debit card)
– **Transakcija** (transaction)
– **Provizija** (commission)
– **Mjenjačnica** (currency exchange)
Closing the Deal
Once you have selected your items and are ready to finalize your purchase, here are some phrases to close the deal:
– **Ukupno je …** (The total is …)
– **Evo vaš račun.** (Here is your receipt.)
– **Hvala vam na kupovini.** (Thank you for your purchase.)
– **Dođite nam opet.** (Come again.)
Conclusion
Shopping in a foreign country can be both an exciting and daunting experience. However, with the right vocabulary and phrases, you can navigate through stores and markets with confidence. This guide offers a comprehensive list of essential Bosnian words and phrases that will help you during your shopping and commerce activities.
Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you use these words and phrases, the more comfortable you will become with them. So, next time you find yourself in Bosnia and Herzegovina or any Bosnian-speaking community, don’t hesitate to put your new vocabulary to use. Happy shopping!
