A1.1: Greetings and Farewells

Поздрави и сбогувания

This A1 lesson covers basic Bulgarian greetings and farewells such as "Здрасти" (Hi), "Как си денес?" (How are you today?), and polite expressions including "Моля, задайте въпрос още веднъж" (Please, ask the question again). Learn key phrases for daily interactions to build your conversational skills.

Exercises

These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.

Exercise 1: Reorder sentences

Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.

Show answers
1.
си | днес? | как | Здравей,
Здравей, как си днес?
(Hello, how are you today?)
2.
моля? | да | ли | повториш, | Може
Може ли да повториш, моля?
(Can I ask you something, please?)
3.
видим | се | Чао, | утре! | ще
Чао, ще се видим утре!
(Well, let's see!)
4.
казахте. | не | какво | разбрах | Извинете,
Извинете, не разбрах какво казахте.
(Please, don't describe how you feel.)
5.
времето при | вас? | Добър ден, | как е
Добър ден, как е времето при вас?
(Good day, what time is it for you?)
6.
разбира | се. | Благодаря,
Благодаря, разбира се.
(Flag bearer, get ready.)

Exercise 2: Match a word

Instruction: Match the translations

Здрасти, как си днес? (Hello, how are you today?)
Моля, повтори, моля. (My dear, second, my.)
Хареса ми да се запознаем. (I wish to apologize.)
До утре, приятен ден! (By tomorrow, a sunny day!)

Exercise 3: Cluster the words

Instruction: Divide the words into two categories according to their technical meaning and usage in conversation.

Поздрави

Сбогувания

Упражнение 4: Conversation exercise

Инструкция:

  1. Използвайте правилното поздравление във всяка ситуация и започнете кратък разговор. (Use the correct greeting in each situation and start a small talk.)

Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes

Example phrases:

Добро утро!

Good morning!

Добър следобед!

Good afternoon!

Добър вечер!

Good evening!

Как си?

How are you?

Добре. А ти?

Fine. And you?

Ще се видим по-късно!

See you later!

Извинете, може ли да повторите, моля?

Sorry, can you repeat, please?

Не разбирам.

I don’t understand.

Може ли да ми го изпееш по букви?

Could you spell that?

Приятно ми е да се запознаем.

Nice to meet you.

...

Exercise 5: Dialogue Cards

Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.

Exercise 6: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Здравейте! Аз ___ Мария.

(Hello! I ___ Mary.)

2. Как ___ казвате?

(How ___ are you?)

3. Аз не ___ разбирам, моля повторете.

(I do not ___ understand, please repeat.)

4. Довиждане! ___ ден!

(Goodbye! ___ a nice day!)

Exercise 7: Invitation and agreements for a work meeting

Instruction:

Аз (Казвам - сегашно време) "Здравейте" на колегите си всяка сутрин. Те (Отговарям - сегашно време) с усмивка и (Споделям - сегашно време) как е миналата вечер. Веднъж Аз (Питам - минало свършено време) един нов колега: "Как се казваш?" Той ми (Казвам - минало свършено време) , че се казва Петър и (Работя - сегашно време) тук от месец.


From the verb "To call" college students everywhere. They answer with a smile and state what the evening meal is. Then from the verb form one new college student asks: "What is your name?" That is my name , who named Peter and works here with me.

Verb Tables

Казвам - To call

Сегашно време

  • Аз казвам
  • Ти казваш
  • Той/Тя казва
  • Ние казваме
  • Вие казвате
  • Те казват

Отговарям - To answer

Сегашно време

  • Аз отговарям
  • Ти отговаряш
  • Той/Тя отговаря
  • Ние отговаряме
  • Вие отговаряте
  • Те отговарят

Споделям - To state

Сегашно време

  • Аз споделям
  • Ти споделяш
  • Той/Тя споделя
  • Ние споделяме
  • Вие споделяте
  • Те споделят

Питам - To name

Минало свършено време

  • Аз питах
  • Ти питаше
  • Той/Тя питаше
  • Ние питахме
  • Вие питахте
  • Те питаха

Казвам - To call

Минало свършено време

  • Аз казах
  • Ти каза
  • Той/Тя каза
  • Ние казахме
  • Вие казахте
  • Те казаха

Работя - To work

Сегашно време

  • Аз работя
  • Ти работиш
  • Той/Тя работи
  • Ние работим
  • Вие работите
  • Те работят

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Welcome to the "Greetings and Farewells" Lesson

This lesson is designed for A1-level learners beginning their journey in Bulgarian. It focuses on everyday expressions used to greet people, ask about their well-being, and say goodbye in various polite and friendly ways.

Key Expressions and Phrases

You'll learn essential phrases such as "Здраствуйте, как сте днес?" (Hello, how are you today?) and "Може ли да поговорите, моля?" (May I speak with you, please?). These are foundational expressions for initiating conversations politely and respectfully.

Other useful phrases include farewells like "Довиждане и хубав ден!" (Goodbye and have a nice day!) and casual greetings such as "Как се казвате?" (What is your name?). The lesson also covers responses to these greetings and polite inquiries about a person's well-being.

Verb Usage in Greetings

An important part of this lesson is understanding the use of the verb съм (to be) in greetings and questions. For example, phrases like "Аз съм Иван." (I am Ivan.) or questions like "Как сте?" (How are you?) are common and essential.

You'll notice the verb conjugates differently depending on the subject, and practicing this will help you form correct, natural sentences. Examples covered include:

  • "Здрасти! Аз съм Иван."
  • "Как сте? Аз съм добре, благодаря."
  • "От къде сте? Аз съм от България."
  • "Приятно ми е да се запознаем!"

Phrase Pairing for Fluid Conversation

The lesson also helps you connect half-sentences to form full, meaningful expressions in Bulgarian, such as:

  • "Здравей, как си днес?" – A friendly, informal greeting.
  • "Извинете, може да поговорите?" – A polite way to ask if you can talk.
  • "Трябва да си ходя вече." – A phrase to express that you need to leave.
  • "Приятен вечер, до утре!" – A farewell wishing a pleasant evening until tomorrow.

Differences Between English and Bulgarian Greetings

Unlike English, Bulgarian uses formal and informal forms in greetings and farewells, which depend on the social context and the person you are addressing. For instance, "Как сте?" is formal (using plural or polite form), while "Как си?" is informal (singular familiar).

Additionally, Bulgarian includes the verb съм (to be) explicitly in sentences like "Аз съм Иван" versus English "I am Ivan," though this is a similarity, the conjugation forms must always match the subject in Bulgarian.

Common polite expressions often include извинете (excuse me) when asking for attention, which reflects cultural politeness.

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