Do you know your rights?

Understanding Your Rights in Bulgarian (B2 Level)

This lesson focuses on important vocabulary and expressions related to legal rights, responsibilities, and everyday civic situations in Bulgaria. You will learn how to discuss your rights clearly and confidently, using precise Bulgarian terms that are essential for both formal and informal contexts.

Key Vocabulary and Phrases

• Право (Pravo) – right, law
• Свобода (Svoboda) – freedom
• Отговорност (Otgovornost) – responsibility
• Закон (Zakon) – law
• Гарантирам (Garantiram) – to guarantee
• Жалба (Zhalba) – complaint
• Защита (Zashtita) – protection
• Доказателство (Dokazatelstvo) – evidence

Lesson Highlights

The material addresses how to express rights and obligations, how to read and understand legal documents, and how to articulate complaints or defend oneself in different situations. For example, phrases like Имам право да... (I have the right to...) or Спазвам закона (I respect the law) are practiced to build confidence.

Grammatical and Cultural Notes

Unlike English, Bulgarian often uses cases and verb forms that convey subtle differences in meaning when discussing rights and laws. Also, Bulgarian nouns have gender, and this affects adjectives and past participles related to legal terminology. For example, жалба (complaint) is feminine, so the adjective would agree in gender. Bulgarian commonly uses reflexive verbs to express passive actions, which English typically omits or replaces with passive constructions.

Moreover, the concept of formal versus informal address is significant in Bulgarian, especially in legal or official contexts, so understanding when to use Вие versus ти is crucial. Expressions such as Имате право (You have the right) use the formal form respectful for official communication.

Useful Expressions to Remember

• Имам право да гласувам. – I have the right to vote.
• Трябва да спазваме законите. – We must obey the laws.
• Подавам жалба срещу несправедливо третиране. – I file a complaint against unfair treatment.
• Защитавам своите права. – I defend my rights.
• Това е гарантирано от конституцията. – This is guaranteed by the constitution.

These phrases and the vocabulary will allow you to participate in conversations about rights and duties confidently and accurately.