Written by: Olivera Tolimir, Milica Bokšan
Do you know what is the first line that software developers learn to write?
It’s “Hello World”, or in Serbian – Zdravo, svete!
The fact that we, as humans, make machines write out “Hello” when testing software, tells a lot about the importance of the phrase. 🙂
Also, “Hello” is the first word we memorize when learning a new (human) language.
So, how to say hello in Serbian?
If you’ve ever learned Serbian, you probably know that Hello in Serbian is Ćao, Zdravo, or Dobar dan.
But let’s find out more ways to say it!
#1 Zdravo (Serbian for Hello)
Zdravo is a Serbian greeting that you can use in most situations. You can hear it literally everywhere. On the streets, in stores, at a coffe shop, etc.
It’s informal enough for acquaintances, and formal enough for older people.
The interesting fact is that Zdravo comes from the word Zdravlje which means “health”.
So, we basically wish another person to be healthy.
#2 Ćao (Serbian for Hi)
Another way to say Hi in Serbian is Ćao.
Ćao is informal and usually used between friends. It’s derived from the Italian ciao.
If you meet an acquaintance younger than you or of the same age as you, you will use this word to say Hi in Serbian.
#3 How to Say Formal Hello in Serbian: Dobar dan
Dobar dan means ‘Good day’ and is used in a formal way.
You should use Dobar dan when you see someone older than you or when you want to show respect. For example, Serbs use it to greet a professor or their friends’ parents.
It’s a polite way to say Hi in Serbian.
#4 How to Say Hello in the Morning in Serbian: Dobro jutro
Dobro jutro means ‘Good Morning’ in Serbian.
Serbs simply say Dobro jutro when they encounter someone in the morning.
You can use this greeting when you come to work and see your colleagues, or when you encounter someone on your way to the bakery for breakfast.
#5 How to Say Hello in the Evening in Serbian: Dobro veče
Just like Dobro jutro and Dobar dan, Dobro veče belongs to more formal forms of address.
It means ‘Good evening’. You can logically conclude when it should be used.
#6 Say Very Informal Hello in Serbian: De si
De si is actually an irregular expression derived from Gde si (= Where are you?).
This irregular expression is part of Serbian slang. Therefore, it is an informal address.
Serbs use it when they notice an acquaintance passing by and address him that way.
Fun fact: Don’t be surprised if you notice two passersby who address each other with De si and immediately pass each other instead of waiting for a response. De si in the Serbian language has become established as one of the ways of greeting, so the continuation of the conversation can be omitted.
#7 Say Hello in Serbian: Pozdrav
You can usually hear the Serbian word Pozdrav when two old acquaintances meet (for example on the street) and that’s how they address each other.
This is usually accompanied by a raised hand in greeting.
Pozdrav can also be used in the meaning of ‘Goodbye’.
Most Serbian emails end with Pozdrav or Srdačan pozdrav before adding the name of the sender.
In our previous post, you can learn how to say Goodbye in Serbian.
After these basic ways to say Hello in Serbian, here are some other greetings that Serbs use during holidays or at celebrations instead of saying “Hello’’.
#8 Serbian Christmas Greeting: Hristos se rodi!
We’ve already mentioned this one in our blog post about Christmas, but it won’t hurt to repeat it. Even Serbs sometimes make a mistake and use the Easter greeting for Christmas and vice versa.
This happens because these Serbian holiday greetings have the same beginning. So, in all the excitement and holiday spirit – mistakes happen.
Anyway, Hristos se rodi (= Christ is born) is the greeting we use for Christmas.
We use it instead of Zdravo or Dobar dan on Christmas Day.
When you hear Hristos se rodi, you answer Vaistinu se rodi! It means ‘He is indeed born’.
#9 Serbian Easter Greeting: Hristos vaskrse! / Hristos voskrese!
These are the two variations of the Easter greeting in Serbia. It means Christ has resurrected. To learn more about it, check out our blog post about Easter in Serbia!
Just like with the Christmas greeting, it means both Hello in Serbian and Happy Easter. And try not to mix those two up!
The answer to this Easter greeting in Serbian is Vaistinu vaskrse! / Voistinu voskrese!
Both versions are correct. It’s best to memorize one and always use it.
There are many incorrectly written variations, but don’t pay attention.
The incorrect variations occur because the phrase is written in archaic language, so it doesn’t come naturally for most people.
#10 Serbian Birthday Greeting: Srećan rođendan!
Serbs love celebrations, so don’t be surprised if you come to Serbia and get an invitation to a birthday party from a friend of your friend. 🙂
Instead of saying Hello you can say: Srećan rođendan! (= Happy birthday!).
#11 Serbian Slava Greeting: Srećna slava!
If you have any Serbian friends or relatives, or you simply learn about Serbian culture, you have heard of Serbian slava.
When you enter the house of the host, you should say: Srećna slava! or Srećna slava, domaćine!
Don’t be confused if your host hugs you and kisses you three times. Or at least he shakes your hand. This is a custom in Serbia.
#12 Serbian Celebration Greeting: Čestitamo!
The universal Serbian greeting for many celebrations is Čestitamo! (= Congratulations!).
We use it for:
- weddings
- baby comings
- graduations
When you arrive at some of these celebrations you don’t have to say: Zdravo! Čestitamo!, you can say Čestitamo! only and no one would think it’s impolite.
Bonus: Serbian Greeting For Toasts
Since we already mentioned Serbian celebrations, here’s something you must know!
Toasts have huge importance at almost every Serbian gathering.
So, when everyone raises their glasses, you should say:
Živeli!
Živeli means cheers in Serbian. The direct translation is more similar to ‘May we live long’. You can expect to hear it approximately 32428 times at a Serbian wedding, for example.
There’s even more ways to say Hello in Serbian in new and creative ways, so you can check our another blog post about Serbian greetings.
Let’s Sum Up!
Amazing! Since you come so far, you learned how you can say Hello in Serbian in 7 different ways and other important Serbian greetings.
If you plan your trip to Serbia, don’t hesitate to use them. Locals would be thrilled.
But, if a trip to Serbia is not an option for you right now, you can take a Serbian online course and practice Serbian with native speakers!
