Perceptions and actions

Understanding "Perceptions and Actions" in Bulgarian (B1 Level)

This lesson explores how to express perceptions and subsequent actions in Bulgarian, helping learners to describe what they sense, understand, or observe and then communicate intentions or reactions clearly. It's essential for improving everyday conversation skills and making descriptions more vivid and precise.

Key Vocabulary: Perception Verbs

• Виждам (vizhdam) – I see
• Чувам (chuvam) – I hear
• Усещам (useshtam) – I feel (sensory perception)
• Забелязвам (zabelyazvam) – I notice
• Разбирам (razbiram) – I understand

Describing Actions Resulting from Perceptions

After perceiving something, it's common to describe what actions one takes. Bulgarian structures often use conjunctions or clauses introduced by verbs in different tenses to indicate cause and effect.

• Example: Видях дъжда и взех чадър. – I saw the rain and took an umbrella.
• Example: Чух шума, затова отидох да проверя. – I heard the noise, so I went to check.

Useful Expressions and Connectors

• Затова – therefore, so
• След като – after
• Понеже – because
• В резултат на – as a result of

Comparing Bulgarian and English Expression of Perception and Action

While English often uses separate clauses joined by conjunctions like "because," "so," or "after," Bulgarian frequently uses similar conjunctions but may also use verb aspects to indicate the sequence and completion of actions. For example, Bulgarian verbs have imperfective and perfective aspects that convey whether an action is ongoing or completed, which does not have a direct one-to-one equivalent in English.

Additionally, some Bulgarian perception verbs encompass nuances that require more words in English. For example, усещам can mean "I feel" in a tactile or intuitive sense, not just emotional feelings.

Practical Phrases

• Видях го да влиза. – I saw him entering.
• Чух викове и се уплаших. – I heard screams and got scared.
• Усещам, че нещо не е наред. – I feel that something is wrong.
• Забелязах нова кола пред къщата. – I noticed a new car in front of the house.