23.11.2020
Travel is one of the best ways to discover other places and cultures. It’s near impossible to beat first-hand experiences and connections. It is getting up close and personal that often makes a trip so memorable. But sometimes, there is a language barrier that makes it difficult to connect—let alone order food or find your way.
In Montenegro, the official national language is Montenegrin. It is a Serbo-Croatian language adopted in 2007. There are also recognized minority languages: Albanian, Bosnian, and Croatian. Due to Montenegro’s history and geographic location, there are also a notable number of Italian speakers.
Even with this wealth of national tongues, English is widely spoken — especially in major cities and known tourist destinations. The rapid growth of tourism has brought about a rise in English-speaking locals.
Though visitors can get by on English, learning a few Montenegrin phrases is sure to help you get the information you need. More importantly, a Montenegrin phrase or two can go a long way in terms of connecting with locals and getting a taste of Montenegrin culture.
Here are some important phrases to learn for your visit!
1. Hello and Goodbye
Hello is zdravo (pronounced zhdrahvo).
Goodbye is do vijenja (pronounced doveejehñah).
2. Yes and No
Yes is da (pronounced dah).
No is ne (pronounced neh).
3. Please and Thank You
Please is molim (pronounced moleem).
Thanks is hvala (pronounced hvahlah).
Thank you is hvala vam (pronounced hvahlah vahm).
Thank you very much is hvala lepo (pronounced hvahlah lehpo).
4. Good morning / afternoon / evening.
Good morning is dobro jutro (pronounced dobro yootro).
Good afternoon is dobar dan (pronounced dobahr dahn).
Good evening is dobro veče (pronounced dobahr veche).
5. Introductions
“What is your name?” is Kako se zovete (pronounced kahko seh zovehteh).
“My name is…” is zovem se… (pronounced zovehm seh).
“How are you?” is Kako si? (pronounced kahko sih) informally or Kako ste? (pronounced kahko steh) formally.
“I am fine thanks, and you?” is Dobro hvala, a vi/ti? (pronounced dobro hvahla, ah vee/tee).
6. Do you speak English?
Govorite li engleski? (prronounced govoreeteh lee ehngleshskee).
7. I understand / don’t understand.
Razumem / ne razumem (pronounced rahzoomehm / neh rahzoomehm).
8. Where is…
Gde je… (pronounced gd-yeh yeh…)
9. How much does it cost?
Koliko kosta? (pronounced kohleeko koshta).
10. Water please! / A beer please! / Cheers!
Jedno pivo molim (pronounced jednoh peevoh moleem).
Voda molim (pronounced vodah moleem).
Zivjeli (pronounced zheev-yay-lee).
We encourage you to learn and use these phrases during your visit — we guarantee you’ll get some warm smiles and greetings in exchange!
