Greetings
Добър ден / Dobar den
DOH-bar den
Good day — the standard polite greeting. 'Здравей / Zdravey' is the informal one.
Daily life
ЕГН / ЛНЧ
eh-geh-en / el-en-cheh
The personal identification number. Bulgarians have an EGN; foreign residents are issued an LNCh. Every counter, bank and clinic asks for it.
Единно разрешение
eh-DEEN-no raz-reh-SHEH-nee-eh
The single residence and work permit — one application, one document, covering both the right to live here and the right to work.
Лична карта
LEECH-na KAR-ta
Identity card. Foreign residents get a residence card that serves the same purpose and must be carried.
Инверсия
in-VER-see-ya
Temperature inversion — the winter phenomenon that traps polluted air in the Sofia valley for days at a time. Locals track it; you should too.
Culture
Витоша
VEE-to-sha
The 2,290-metre mountain on the city's southern edge, reachable by city bus. Skiing, hiking and a summit that is technically inside the municipality.
Food
Ракия / Rakia
ra-KEE-ya
Fruit brandy, drunk before a meal with shopska salad rather than after it. The order matters and Bulgarians will correct you.
Шопска салата
SHOP-ska sa-LA-ta
Tomato, cucumber, pepper and grated white cheese — the national salad, and the standard opening to any meal with rakia.
Social
Да / Не
da / neh
Yes and no — but Bulgarians traditionally shake the head for yes and nod for no. It is receding among younger people and still catches everyone out.
Мерси / Благодаря
mer-SEE / bla-go-da-RYA
Thanks. 'Mersi' is borrowed from French and is what people actually say; 'blagodarya' is the formal one.
Emergency
112 / 150 / 160 / 166
—
112 for any emergency. Bulgaria also keeps 150 for ambulance, 160 for fire and 166 for police as direct lines.
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