Some linguistics consider that around 3000 Turkish words in Serbian are actively used. We call them turcizmi.
Like many other Balkan languages (like North Macedonian or Albanian), the Serbian language has been deeply influenced by the Turkish language.
The Ottoman Turks conquered the territories in the Balkans and ruled from the 15th to the early 20th century.
One consequence of these conquests was the inevitable mixing of languages, which is why we have so many loanwords.
Let’s see which Turkish words are still used in Serbia every day.
#1 Turkish words in Serbian: Kafa (Kahve)
In Serbia, everything starts with a coffee. Many Serbs can’t imagine starting their day without a cup of this tasty drink.
Also, many don’t know that the Serbian word kafa actually comes from the Turkish language!
Keep reading, and soon you will find out what the difference is between Turkish and Serbian coffee.
#2 Turkish words in Serbian: Rakija (Raky)
On the one hand, we can say that the word rakija comes from the Turkish word ‘raki’.
On the other hand, we can say that it is actually derived from the arab word aräq which means sweat, or the liquid made of evaporation.
However, Serbs are so proud of Rakija that they would hardly admit that this word comes from any other language than Serbian. And also, we drink it in a slightly different way.
But, hey, aren’t these words rather different than Rakija? I think that they are. 😉
#3 Turkish words in Serbian: Čaj (Çay)
Čaj means ‘tea’ in English.
While Serbs always choose coffee, Turks are famous for drinking tea at any time of the day.
If you read our blog post about 9 things typical for Serbs, you could find out the Serbian attitude towards tea.
#4 Turkish words in Serbian: Sarma (Sarmak)
One of the favorite Serbian national dishes, sarma, owes its name to the Turkish verb sarmak, which means to wrap something up.
So, before Serbs lose their minds thinking that sarma is a Turkish dish, we must explain that Turkish sarma, or ‘dolma,’ is made of grape leaves stuffed with rice and other vegetables.
Serbian sarma is made of sour cabbage leaves filled with minced pork meat, rice, dry meat and a sauce called zaprška. So, when Turks try Serbian sarma they get surprised because they expect a different dish.
More Turkish words in Serbian for favorite food
Plenty of tasty Serbian foods actually have Turkish names.
For example:
#5 Meze (Meze)
Meze is a Turkish word that means appetizer in general. Meze in Serbian is an appetizer consisting of dry meat and different kinds of cheese.
#6 Čorba (Çorba)
Čorba is a kind of creamy soup that can be made of different ingredients, mostly meat and vegetables.
When you come to Serbia, you must try teleća čorba (= veal soup), pileća čorba (chicken soup) and/or riblja čorba (fish soup).
#7 Kajmak (Kaymak)
Derived from the Turkish word that means ‘melting’, kajmak signifies one of the most loved dishes (or maybe it’s better to call it dip).
Kajmak is a dairy product often made from cow or goat milk. It goes amazingly with meze or ćevapi!
#8 Kajgana (Kaygana)
Kajgana is a dish made of stirred eggs, and it is one of the most popular breakfast dishes in Serbia.
#9 Đuveč (Güveç)
‘Güveç’ means clay pot, but in Serbia (and the Balkans), it actually signifies a dish made of meat and vegetables such as tomato, paprika, carrots, and onions with rice.
#10 Turkish words in Serbian: Džezva (Cezve)
Džezva is a small pot with a long handgrip used to make domaća kafa or Turkish coffee.
There are some slight differences in preparation and serving between Turkish and Serbian coffee. When it comes to Turkish coffee, boiled water should be poured over the coffee, while for domaća kafa you should let water boil first, then add the coffee and bring it back to boil again.
#11 Turkish words in Serbian: Kaldrma (Kaldırım)
Kaldrma, meaning cobblestone, is the name for streets paved with stone. In the past, when there were no other materials, stone was used to make streets passable.
In Serbia, you can still see these kinds of streets and one of the most famous ones is the bohemian quarter Skadarlija in Belgrade. While many streets with kaldrma are reconstructed, in Skadarlija it is left on purpose as a kind of monument.
#12 Turkish words in Serbian: Komšija (Komşu)
Komšija means neigbour in English. Besides, it is a name for a person who lives near you. It is not strange that when you enter a Serbian small store or even a huge supermarket, you are called komšija or komšinica (for women) by the cashier or other workers.
It’s a Serbian-friendly manner to address someone. The original Serbian word is sused and it is also quite used.
#13 Turkish words in Serbian: Sat (Saat)
Sat means clock in English.
In Serbian, sat can also stand for ručni sat (= a hand watch) or zidni sat (= a clock). Another Serbian synonym for a clock is časovnik but it is rarely used.
We also use the word sat or sati (plural) to talk about hours.
For example:
Vidimo se u 7 sati. (= See you at 7 o’clock.)
#14 Turkish words in Serbian: Đubre (Gübre)
Đubre in Serbian can mean garbage or trash, or it can be used as a swear word to offend someone.
For example:
Molim te, baci to đubre u kantu. (= Please, throw that trash in the bin.)
Or:
On je takvo đubre! (= He is such a scumbag.)
#15 Turkish words in Serbian: Avlija (avlu)
‘Avlu’ in Turkish means yard, and in Serbian, it has a similar meaning as a place where most family activities take place. In Balkan culture, avlija is a symbol of togetherness; it’s a place where people spend time together chatting.
In everyday life, avlija is not as used as before. We use more dvorište instead. However, you can hear it in some folk Serbian songs such as Avlije, avlije. Also, there is a famous book by Ivo Andrić, called Prokleta avlija (“The Damned Yard”).
However, in everyday life, avlija is not as used as before. We use more dvorište instead.
Rich in its diversity, Serbian language has a really interesting vocabulary. If you want to master it and become confident when speaking Serbian, we think that the right solution for you is to start with Serbian private lessons!
