Learning a new language can be a daunting but immensely rewarding experience. One of the most practical and commonly used aspects of any language is making plans. Whether you’re arranging to meet friends, setting up a work meeting, or planning a family gathering, knowing how to make plans in a foreign language can significantly enhance your communication skills. In this article, we’ll delve into the various expressions you can use to make plans in Bosnian. Bosnian is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and it is mutually intelligible with Croatian and Serbian. This makes learning it particularly useful if you plan on traveling to or interacting with people from the Balkans.
Basic Phrases for Making Plans
Before diving into more complex structures, let’s start with some basic phrases you can use to make plans in Bosnian. These phrases will help you to set up a meeting or event with ease.
Hoćemo li se naći? – Shall we meet?
Kada možemo da se nađemo? – When can we meet?
Gde ćemo se naći? – Where will we meet?
Mogu li doći kod tebe? – Can I come over to your place?
Hajdemo na kafu! – Let’s go for a coffee!
Da li ti odgovara? – Does that work for you?
These phrases are straightforward and can be used in a variety of settings.
Specifying Time and Date
Once you’ve established that you want to meet, the next step is to specify a time and date. Here are some useful expressions for doing just that:
Kada? – When?
U koliko sati? – At what time?
U ponedeljak. – On Monday.
U petak uveče. – On Friday evening.
Sutra. – Tomorrow.
Danas popodne. – This afternoon.
U tri sata. – At three o’clock.
U pola četiri. – At half-past three.
Za vikend. – Over the weekend.
Za dva dana. – In two days.
Knowing how to specify the time and date will make your plans more concrete and less likely to be misunderstood.
Confirming Plans
After suggesting a time and date, it’s essential to confirm the plans to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Here are some ways to confirm plans in Bosnian:
Jel’ to odgovara? – Does that work?
Odlično, vidimo se tada. – Great, see you then.
Dogovoreno! – Agreed!
Potvrđujem. – I confirm.
Da li si siguran/sigurna? – Are you sure?
Vidimo se u subotu. – See you on Saturday.
Hoćemo li se videti u petak? – Shall we meet on Friday?
Confirming your plans ensures that there is no confusion and that everyone knows exactly when and where to meet.
Changing Plans
Sometimes, despite our best efforts, plans need to change. Here are some useful phrases for altering plans in Bosnian:
Moram da promenim planove. – I need to change plans.
Nažalost, ne mogu tada. – Unfortunately, I can’t make it then.
Možemo li to pomeriti? – Can we move that?
Da li možeš u drugo vreme? – Can you do another time?
Hajde da se nađemo kasnije. – Let’s meet later.
Možemo li se videti u ponedeljak umesto u subotu? – Can we meet on Monday instead of Saturday?
Changing plans can be tricky, but being polite and clear can help you navigate these situations smoothly.
Inviting Someone
Inviting someone to join you can be a great way to practice your Bosnian and make new friends. Here are some phrases for extending an invitation:
Želiš li da dođeš? – Do you want to come?
Hajde da idemo zajedno. – Let’s go together.
Hoćeš li mi se pridružiti? – Will you join me?
Voleo/volela bih da dođeš. – I would love for you to come.
Imam zabavu u subotu, hoćeš li doći? – I have a party on Saturday, will you come?
Slobodno dođi sa prijateljem/prijateljicom. – Feel free to bring a friend.
Inviting someone can sometimes feel daunting, but these phrases will help you extend a warm and friendly invitation.
Accepting an Invitation
When you receive an invitation, it’s essential to know how to accept it politely. Here are some phrases for accepting an invitation in Bosnian:
Rado ću doći. – I’d love to come.
Hvala na pozivu! – Thank you for the invitation!
Jedva čekam! – I can’t wait!
Dogovoreno, vidimo se tada. – Agreed, see you then.
Biće mi zadovoljstvo. – It will be my pleasure.
Dolazim! – I’m coming!
Accepting an invitation graciously shows your appreciation and enthusiasm.
Declining an Invitation
On the other hand, sometimes you may need to decline an invitation. Here are some phrases for doing so politely:
Nažalost, ne mogu doći. – Unfortunately, I can’t come.
Žao mi je, ali imam druge planove. – I’m sorry, but I have other plans.
Nažalost, zauzet/zauzeta sam. – Unfortunately, I’m busy.
Hvala na pozivu, ali moram da odbijem. – Thank you for the invitation, but I have to decline.
Možemo li to odložiti za neki drugi put? – Can we postpone it for another time?
Nadam se da ćemo se videti drugi put. – I hope we can meet another time.
Declining an invitation can be tricky, but doing so politely will ensure that you maintain good relationships.
Making Plans for Different Occasions
Different occasions call for different expressions. Here are some phrases tailored for various events:
Poslovni sastanak: – Business meeting:
– Hoćemo li se naći u kancelariji? – Shall we meet at the office?
– Kada vam odgovara za sastanak? – When is convenient for you for the meeting?
Porodično okupljanje: – Family gathering:
– Kada se svi možemo okupiti? – When can we all get together?
– Hoćemo li se naći kod bake? – Shall we meet at grandma’s?
Izlazak s prijateljima: – Outing with friends:
– Hoćemo li ići u bioskop? – Shall we go to the cinema?
– Gde ćemo izaći večeras? – Where shall we go out tonight?
Sportski događaj: – Sporting event:
– Hoćemo li gledati utakmicu zajedno? – Shall we watch the match together?
– Gde ćemo se naći pre utakmice? – Where shall we meet before the match?
Tailoring your expressions to the occasion will make your conversations more relevant and engaging.
Common Vocabulary
Here are some commonly used words and phrases that will come in handy when making plans in Bosnian:
Naći se – to meet
Planirati – to plan
Vreme – time
Datum – date
Dan – day
Veče – evening
Jutro – morning
Popodne – afternoon
Vikend – weekend
Sastanak – meeting
Dogovor – agreement
Otkazati – to cancel
Pomeriti – to move (reschedule)
Pridružiti se – to join
Poziv – invitation
Having a good grasp of these words will help you build more complex sentences and communicate more effectively.
Practice Makes Perfect
As with any language skill, practice is key. Try to use these expressions in real-life situations whenever possible. If you have Bosnian-speaking friends, practice making plans with them. If not, consider joining a language exchange group or finding a language partner online.
Here are some practical tips for practicing:
1. **Role-Playing**: Engage in role-playing exercises where you and a partner take turns making and changing plans. This will help you become more comfortable with the vocabulary and sentence structures.
2. **Flashcards**: Create flashcards with the phrases and their English translations. Review these regularly to reinforce your memory.
3. **Language Apps**: Use language learning apps that offer Bosnian courses. These often include practical exercises for making plans.
4. **Writing Practice**: Write out dialogues or journal entries where you plan your day or week in Bosnian. This will help you practice writing and reinforce your learning.
5. **Listening Practice**: Listen to Bosnian conversations, podcasts, or watch Bosnian TV shows and movies. Pay attention to how native speakers make plans and try to mimic their expressions.
In conclusion, making plans is an essential part of daily life and being able to do so in Bosnian will greatly enhance your communication skills. By learning and practicing these expressions, you will become more confident and capable in your interactions. Happy learning!
