There are many French words in Serbian language. Even Serbs can be unaware that these words come from the French language, and they use them in everyday communication!
That’s because these French words have undergone some changes. They have become adapted to the Serbian language, which means that they can sound different from the original word or be written differently.
Not just that, but the word bižuterija is of French origin, but in Serbian, we will change it according to Serbian cases, just as we change Serbian words!
Before we see which French words are the most used in the Serbian language, let’s examine a few facts about them!
A Few Facts About French Words in Serbian
French words in the Serbian language even have their own name: they are called galicizmi. The present-day area of France was called Galija in ancient times, hence the name.
Most French words became part of the Serbian language when Dositej Obradović translated the French work The Adventures of Telemachus, Son of Ulysses, in the 18th century.
Many Serbian writers also wrote in French. Some of them are Đura Jakšić and Laza Kostić.
The French language and culture, in general, left their mark on the 20th century. In the world as well as in Serbia, knowing French was considered a characteristic of highly educated people.
And now, finally, the words!
#1 French words in Serbian: Boem (fr. bohème)
In English, this word is ‘bohemian’. It describes a person who lives unconventionally and freely. That could be, for example, some artists.
This French word is used in Serbian to describe any person who lives hedonistically and enjoys food, drink, and music. It is important to mention that boem has its profession. It was usually a name for writers, singers, and other artistic people who lived this kind of life.
In the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, there’s a bohemian quarter called Skadarlija. It is a small street full of old kafanas with domestic cuisine including wines and rakija. At night, in every kafana you can hear tamburaši.
Source: Wikipedia; Author: Thruserbia
Back in the day, the crème de la crème (oh, French again) of Serbian society loved to spend their days at Skadarlija.
#2 French words in Serbian: Buket (fr. bouquet)
Serbs use word Buket for a bouquet of flowers. When they enter the Cvećara (= Flower shop), they will say:
– Treba mi buket ruža. (= I need a bouquet of roses.)
In Serbia, people often bring flowers as gifts on almost any occasion, including birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and others.
#3 French words in Serbian: Beletristika (fr. belles lettres)
Beletristika is the French equivalent of the English word ‘fiction’.
In Serbia, we call beletristika all novels, fictional stories, poems and other pieces of written art that don’t belong to some professional or scientific literature.
In our previous post you can find a list of the most famous Serbian writers whose works belong to the genre of beletristika.
#4 French words in Serbian: Deža vu or Deža vi (fr. le déjà-vu)
This French phrase is widely popular in Serbian as well as in the English language.
It describes that (potentially) fake feeling that we have already seen or heard something. In addition to this French phrase, in Serbia, we can also say već viđeno (= already seen).
#5 French words in Serbian: Garsonjera (fr. garçonnière)
The Serbian word garsonjera refers to a small apartment or studio, often used by a single person.
In French, this term originally referred to a bachelor’s apartment or a small apartment for a young man.
Today, garsonjere are very popular in Serbian society, especially in bigger cities such as Belgrade. Many people move from rural areas in search of jobs and choose these small apartments because of the small space and lower costs.
#6 French words in Serbian: Žanr (fr. genre)
We previously mentioned the word ‘genre’. It is also one of the most used French words in Serbian.
As you see from the subheading, we pronounce it and write it like this: žanr. (You probably already know that we pronounce all words just as we write them.)
We use it to determine the genre of books, movies and songs.
#7 French words in Serbian: Žurka (from fr. jour)
Žurka means ‘party’ in English. Before nightouts became popular, there were popular žurke, and even before them were žurovi (sg. žur).
However, the origin of the word is French and in the 1930s parties in Belgrade were popular and fashionable. The main source of music was the gramophone. Collecting records was a very popular hobby.
When CD players were invented they replaced gramophones and the word žur became part of the history as well as these old record players.
#8 French words in Serbian: Kabina (fr. cabine)
Kabina is a word that can have many purposes in the Serbian language.
It can refer to:
- a changing room in a fashion store where you can see how clothes fit you
- a cabin on a ship like a room for a sleepover
- a cockpit on a plane where pilots sit and aviate
- a place for showering, called tuš kabina in Serbian
- a booth for making a telephone call (which isn’t in use anymore since everyone uses mobile phones)
#9 French words in Serbian: Parfem (fr. parfum)
The Serbian word for perfume, parfem is borrowed directly from the French word ‘parfum’.
Having in mind that France has a long history as a leader in the perfume industry, it’s no surprise that this word has been adopted worldwide.
France has always been a synonym for fashion and luxury, including perfumes as well.
#10 French words in Serbian: Šef (fr. chef)
The word šef meaning ‘boss’ or ‘supervisor’ comes from the French ‘chef’.
This term is widely used in both formal and informal settings. Šef can be associated with leadership in the workplace and then it refers to someone superior to other employees. In Serbian, it can also be used in culinary contexts, where ‘chef‘ specifically refers to the head of a kitchen (šef kuhinje).
Some people in Serbia even use this word in a funny context when someone acts bossy, so they will say something like:
– Kako ti kažeš, šefe! (= As you say, chef/chief/boss.)
Of course, there are many more French words that found their purpose in Serbian, such as: ruž (fr. rouge) meaning lipstick, masaža (fr. massage), revolucionar (fr. révolutionnaire), liker (fr. liqueur), kavaljer (fr. cavalier), etc.
Would you love to learn more about the diversity of Serbian vocabulary and start speaking Serbian confidently? You just need to schedule online Serbian lessons and you will enjoy learning Serbian!
