Driving in Bulgaria can be an adventure - scenic mountain roads, charming villages, and the occasional unexpected detour. Knowing a few key phrases in Bulgarian can make your journey smoother, whether you’re asking for directions, filling up on petrol, or dealing with a flat tyre. Here’s your cheat sheet for navigating Bulgaria’s roads with confidence.
Basic Driving and Navigation Phrases
- Къде е…? (Kŭde e…?) – Where is…?
- Колко далеч е…? (Kolko dalech e…?) – How far is…?
- Къде е най-близката бензиностанция? (Kŭde e nay-blizkata benzinostantsiya?) – Where is the nearest petrol station?
- Има ли тук паркинг? (Ima li tuk parking?) – Is there parking here?
- Колко време отнема да стигна до…? (Kolko vreme otnema da stigna do…?) – How long does it take to get to…?
At the Petrol Station
Бензин (Benzin)
[bɛnˈzin]“Petrol”
The word for petrol in Bulgarian. Diesel is called 'дизел' (dizel).
- Искам да заредя колата. (Iskam da zaredya kolata.) – I’d like to fill up the car.
- 20 литра бензин, моля. (Dvadeset litra benzin, molya.) – 20 litres of petrol, please.
- Къде е тоалетната? (Kŭde e toaletnata?) – Where is the toilet?
Dealing with Car Trouble
If your car breaks down, call 112 for emergency assistance. The phrase 'Имам проблем с колата' (Imam problem s kolata) means 'I have a problem with my car.'
- Колата ми не запалва. (Kolata mi ne zapalva.) – My car won’t start.
- Имам спукана гума. (Imam spukana guma.) – I have a flat tyre.
- Може ли да ми помогнете? (Mozhe li da mi pomognete?) – Can you help me?
Road Signs and Warnings
| Bulgarian | English |
|---|---|
| Завой (Zavoy) | Curve ahead |
| Строителни работи (Stroitelni raboti) | Roadworks |
| Бъди внимателен! (Bŭdi vnimatelen!) | Be careful! |
For more useful Bulgarian phrases, check out our guide on Bulgarian shopping phrases or essential phrases for Balkan cuisine.
