Useful Macedonian Phrases: Essential Travel Phrasebook

You do not need to speak fluent Macedonian to make your trip through North Macedonia easier.

A few words such as Здраво – Zdravo – Hello, Благодарам – Blagodaram – Thank you and Сметката, ве молам – Smetkata, ve molam – The bill, please can already make everyday interactions much smoother.

Macedonian is the official language throughout North Macedonia and is written using the Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet.

The alphabet contains 31 letters and was codified in its modern standard form in 1945.

It can look intimidating if you normally use the Latin alphabet, but Macedonian spelling is relatively phonetic. Once you recognize a small group of unfamiliar Cyrillic letters, street signs, menus and place names become much easier to decode.

At MacedoniaTOP, we recommend learning around 15–20 high-value phrases rather than trying to memorize an entire grammar book before your holiday.

This travel phrasebook gives you the most useful Macedonian expressions for greetings, restaurants, transport, shopping, hotels, emergencies and everyday conversations, together with simple Latin transliterations for pronunciation.

20 Macedonian Phrases Every Traveler Should Know

English	Macedonian	Say it like
Hello	Здраво	Zdravo
Good day	Добар ден	Dobar den
Thank you	Благодарам	Blagodaram
Thanks	Фала	Fala
Please	Ве молам	Ve molam
You’re welcome	Нема за што	Nema za shto
Excuse me / Sorry	Извинете	Izvinete
Yes	Да	Da
No	Не	Ne
I don’t understand	Не разбирам	Ne razbiram
Do you speak English?	Зборувате ли англиски?	Zboruvate li angliski?
Where is…?	Каде е…?	Kade e…?
Where is the toilet?	Каде е тоалетот?	Kade e toaletot?
How much is this?	Колку чини ова?	Kolku chini ova?
The bill, please	Сметката, ве молам	Smetkata, ve molam
Can I pay by card?	Може ли да платам со картичка?	Mozhe li da platam so kartichka?
Cheers!	На здравје!	Na zdravje!
Help!	Помош!	Pomosh!
I need a doctor	Ми треба лекар	Mi treba lekar
Goodbye	Довидување	Doviduvanje

First: Don’t Be Afraid of Macedonian Cyrillic

Macedonian uses a 31-letter Cyrillic alphabet.

Many letters are immediately recognizable:

А, Е, К, М, О, Т.

A few others need practice.

Useful Cyrillic Letters for Travelers

Letter	Approximate sound	Example
Ј	y	Јас – Jas
Ж	zh	може – mozhe
Ш	sh	што – shto
Ч	ch	чини – chini
Џ	dzh / English j-like sound	џем – dzhem
Ц	ts	центар – centar
Х	h / kh	храна – hrana
Љ	soft lj	љубов – ljubov
Њ	soft nj	коњ – konj
Ќ	soft ky / kj	куќа – kukja
Ѓ	soft gy / gj	луѓе – lugje

Useful Macedonian Greetings

Hello

Здраво – Zdravo

This is the easiest everyday greeting.

It works particularly well with:

Good Day

Добар ден – Dobar den

This is the safest polite greeting when speaking to someone you do not know.

Use it in:

Good Morning

Добро утро – Dobro utro

Good Evening

Добровечер – Dobrovecher

Good Night

Добра ноќ – Dobra nokj

Goodbye

Довидување – Doviduvanje

This is the normal polite goodbye.

Bye

Чао – Chao

Very common in informal conversation.

See You

Се гледаме – Se gledame

How Are You?

Informal

Како си? – Kako si?

Use this with one person you know or in a casual setting.

Formal or Plural

Како сте? – Kako ste?

I’m Good, Thank You

Добро сум, благодарам – Dobro sum, blagodaram.

Please, Thank You & Everyday Courtesy

Please

Ве молам – Ve molam

This is the best general phrase for travelers.

You can place it after a request:

Сметката, ве молам – The bill, please.

Informal Please

Те молам – Te molam

This is used when addressing one person informally.

Thank You

Благодарам – Blagodaram

Thanks

Фала – Fala

This shorter form is extremely common in everyday conversation.

Thank You Very Much

Многу благодарам – Mnogu blagodaram

You’re Welcome

Нема за што – Nema za shto

This is the useful response to someone thanking you.

Excuse Me / Sorry

Извинете – Izvinete

Extremely useful when:

No Problem

Нема проблем – Nema problem

Yes, No & Other Tiny Words

English	Macedonian	Pronunciation
Yes	Да	Da
No	Не	Ne
Maybe	Можеби	Mozhebi
OK / Alright	Во ред	Vo red
I know	Знам	Znam
I don’t know	Не знам	Ne znam
Here	Тука	Tuka
There	Таму	Tamu

Introducing Yourself

My Name Is…

Јас се викам… – Jas se vikam…

I Am…

Јас сум… – Jas sum…

What’s Your Name? – Informal

Како се викаш? – Kako se vikash?

What’s Your Name? – Formal

Како се викате? – Kako se vikate?

Where Are You From? – Informal

Од каде си? – Od kade si?

Where Are You From? – Formal

Од каде сте? – Od kade ste?

I’m From…

Јас сум од… – Jas sum od…

Nice to Meet You

Мило ми е – Milo mi e

Formal vs Informal Macedonian

Macedonian distinguishes between informal and polite/plural forms.

Informal	Formal / plural
Како си?	Како сте?
Како се викаш?	Како се викате?
Од каде си?	Од каде сте?
Те молам	Ве молам

As a traveler, using the polite form with a stranger is always a safe starting point.

When You Don’t Speak Macedonian

Do You Speak English?

Зборувате ли англиски? – Zboruvate li angliski?

I Don’t Understand

Не разбирам – Ne razbiram

Please Repeat

Повторете, ве молам – Povtorete, ve molam

Please Speak More Slowly

Зборувајте побавно, ве молам – Zboruvajte pobavno, ve molam

What Does This Mean?

Што значи ова? – Shto znachi ova?

How Do You Say This in Macedonian?

Како се вели ова на македонски? – Kako se veli ova na makedonski?

I Speak a Little Macedonian

Зборувам малку македонски – Zboruvam malku makedonski

Useful Phrases for Directions

Where Is…?

Каде е…? – Kade e…?

Where Is the Toilet?

Каде е тоалетот? – Kade e toaletot?

Where Is the Bus Station?

Каде е автобуската станица? – Kade e avtobuskata stanica?

Where Is the Train Station?

Каде е железничката станица? – Kade e zheleznichkata stanica?

Where Is the Centre?

Каде е центарот? – Kade e centarot?

Is It Far?

Далеку ли е? – Daleku li e?

Direction Words

English	Macedonian	Say it like
Left	Лево	Levo
Right	Десно	Desno
Straight	Право	Pravo
Up	Горе	Gore
Down	Долу	Dolu
Near	Блиску	Blisku
Far	Далеку	Daleku

Transport Phrases

Can You Call a Taxi?

Може ли да повикате такси? – Mozhe li da povikate taksi?

To Skopje, Please

До Скопје, ве молам – Do Skopje, ve molam

To Ohrid, Please

До Охрид, ве молам – Do Ohrid, ve molam

One Ticket, Please

Еден билет, ве молам – Eden bilet, ve molam

Two Tickets, Please

Два билети, ве молам – Dva bileti, ve molam

When Does the Bus Leave?

Кога тргнува автобусот? – Koga trgnuva avtobusot?

Where Does the Bus Leave From?

Од каде тргнува автобусот? – Od kade trgnuva avtobusot?

Words You Will See on Signs

Cyrillic sign	Meaning
Влез	Entrance
Излез	Exit
Отворено	Open
Затворено	Closed
Забрането	Prohibited
Центар	Centre
Автобуска станица	Bus station
Железничка станица	Railway station
Аптека	Pharmacy
Болница	Hospital
Полиција	Police
Музеј	Museum
Црква	Church
Манастир	Monastery
Плажа	Beach
Работно време	Opening / working hours

Macedonian Phrases for Restaurants & Cafés

This is where a few Macedonian words become especially useful.

A Table for One, Please

Маса за еден, ве молам – Masa za eden, ve molam

A Table for Two, Please

Маса за двајца, ве молам – Masa za dvajca, ve molam

The Menu, Please

Менито, ве молам – Menito, ve molam

Water, Please

Вода, ве молам – Voda, ve molam

One Coffee, Please

Едно кафе, ве молам – Edno kafe, ve molam

What Do You Recommend?

Што препорачувате? – Shto preporachuvate?

It’s Delicious

Многу е вкусно – Mnogu e vkusno

Enjoy Your Meal

Пријатно! – Prijatno!

You will often hear this around the table.

Cheers!

На здравје! – Na zdravje!

The Bill, Please

Сметката, ве молам – Smetkata, ve molam

Can I Pay by Card?

Може ли да платам со картичка? – Mozhe li da platam so kartichka?

Food Restrictions & Allergies

I Don’t Eat Meat

Не јадам месо – Ne jadam meso

I’m Vegetarian – Male Speaker

Вегетаријанец сум – Vegetarijanec sum

I’m Vegetarian – Female Speaker

Вегетаријанка сум – Vegetarijanka sum

Without Pork, Please

Без свинско, ве молам – Bez svinsko, ve molam

Is It Spicy?

Дали е луто? – Dali e luto?

I Have an Allergy

Имам алергија – Imam alergija

I Am Allergic to…

Имам алергија на… – Imam alergija na…

Discover Macedonian Food in Skopje

A food-focused experience can be a fun way to hear everyday Macedonian while trying dishes and markets with local context.

See our Where to Eat in Skopje Guide.

Shopping Phrases

How Much Is This?

Колку чини ова? – Kolku chini ova?

How Much?

Колку чини? – Kolku chini?

That’s Very Expensive

Многу е скапо – Mnogu e skapo

Do You Have Change?

Имате ли кусур? – Imate li kusur?

Can I Pay by Card?

Може ли да платам со картичка? – Mozhe li da platam so kartichka?

A Receipt, Please

Фискална сметка, ве молам – Fiskalna smetka, ve molam

Read our Shopping in Skopje Guide.

Hotel & Accommodation Phrases

I Have a Reservation

Имам резервација – Imam rezervacija

What’s the Wi-Fi Password?

Која е лозинката за Wi-Fi? – Koja e lozinkata za Wi-Fi?

Where Is My Room?

Каде е мојата соба? – Kade e mojata soba?

Can You Help Me?

Можете ли да ми помогнете? – Mozhete li da mi pomognete?

I Need a Taxi

Ми треба такси – Mi treba taksi

Can I Leave My Luggage Here?

Може ли да го оставам багажот тука? – Mozhe li da go ostavam bagazhot tuka?

Emergency Macedonian Phrases

Help!

Помош! – Pomosh!

It’s an Emergency

Итно е – Itno e

I Need a Doctor

Ми треба лекар – Mi treba lekar

Where Is the Nearest Hospital?

Каде е најблиската болница? – Kade e najbliskata bolnica?

Where Is the Nearest Pharmacy?

Каде е најблиската аптека? – Kade e najbliskata apteka?

I Need the Police

Ми треба полиција – Mi treba policija

Call the Police!

Повикајте полиција! – Povikajte policija!

I Have an Allergy

Имам алергија – Imam alergija

I Am Lost

Се изгубив – Se izgubiv

Numbers in Macedonian

Number	Macedonian	Say it like
0	нула	nula
1	еден	eden
2	два	dva
3	три	tri
4	четири	chetiri
5	пет	pet
6	шест	shest
7	седум	sedum
8	осум	osum
9	девет	devet
10	десет	deset
11	единаесет	edinaeset
12	дванаесет	dvanaeset
20	дваесет	dvaeset
50	педесет	pedeset
100	сто	sto
1,000	илјада	iljada

Useful Time Words

English	Macedonian	Pronunciation
Today	Денес	Denes
Tomorrow	Утре	Utre
Yesterday	Вчера	Vchera
Now	Сега	Sega
Later	Подоцна	Podocna
Morning	Утро	Utro
Evening	Вечер	Vecher

Days of the Week

English	Macedonian	Pronunciation
Monday	Понеделник	Ponedelnik
Tuesday	Вторник	Vtornik
Wednesday	Среда	Sreda
Thursday	Четврток	Chetvrtok
Friday	Петок	Petok
Saturday	Сабота	Sabota
Sunday	Недела	Nedela

Useful Toasts & Celebrations

Cheers / To Your Health

На здравје! – Na zdravje!

Happy Birthday

Среќен роденден! – Srekjen rodenden!

Happy New Year

Среќна Нова Година! – Srekjna Nova Godina!

Merry Christmas

Среќен Божиќ! – Srekjen Bozhikj!

Congratulations

Честитки! – Chestitki!

I Love You

Те сакам – Te sakam

A Few Everyday Words You Will Hear

Ajde – Ајде

Ајде – Ajde is extremely common across everyday conversation.

Depending on context, it can mean something like:

Fala – Фала

A very common informal “thanks”.

Nema Problem – Нема проблем

Exactly what it looks like:

No problem.

Macedonian Language & Dialects

Macedonian belongs to the South Slavic group of languages.

The modern standard language was codified in 1945 and is written with the Macedonian Cyrillic alphabet.

The linguistic basis of Standard Macedonian is associated mainly with the central dialects within the western Macedonian dialect area, traditionally represented approximately by the Prilep–Bitola–Kičevo–Veles region.

That does not mean everyone across North Macedonia speaks identically.

You will hear regional pronunciation and vocabulary differences in places such as:

As a visitor, use Standard Macedonian phrases and do not worry about copying a local dialect.

What Other Languages Will Travelers Hear?

North Macedonia is multilingual.

Besides Macedonian, you will frequently hear Albanian, particularly in parts of western and northern North Macedonia and in many official contexts.

You may also encounter speakers of:

English is commonly used in hotels, hostels, tours and many restaurants in major tourist destinations, particularly among younger people.

Do You Need Macedonian to Visit North Macedonia?

No.

You can travel through Skopje, Ohrid and other major destinations using English for most tourism situations.

But using even one or two Macedonian phrases changes the tone of an interaction.

Try entering a bakery with:

“Dobar den.”

Point to what you want and add:

“Ve molam.”

Then finish with:

“Blagodaram.”

That is already enough Macedonian for a successful transaction.

Practice while Exploring Skopje

A walking tour can also help you connect place names, historical terminology and the Cyrillic alphabet with the city around you.

See our Complete Skopje Travel Guide.

How to Learn More Macedonian

If your trip inspires you to continue learning, there are several better options than relying on the largest mainstream language apps.

Duolingo

Duolingo currently does not offer a Macedonian course.

If you see old recommendations telling you to learn Macedonian there, check again before creating an account specifically for that purpose.

Macedonian: A Course for Beginning and Intermediate Students

The well-established textbook by Christina E. Kramer and Liljana Mitkovska provides a structured introduction to:

It is substantially more useful for serious study than memorizing isolated phrases.

Language Classes

Macedonian-language schools and tutors offer both:

Listen to Macedonian

Use:

Even if you understand very little at first, listening helps you become familiar with rhythm and pronunciation.

Read Cyrillic Every Day

During your trip, try reading:

Within a few days, Cyrillic will usually feel much less intimidating.

Quick Screenshot Phrase List

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say hello in Macedonian?

Здраво – Zdravo.

For a more polite greeting, use Добар ден – Dobar den.

How do you say thank you in Macedonian?

Благодарам – Blagodaram.

You will also frequently hear the informal Фала – Fala.

How do you say please?

Ве молам – Ve molam.

How do you say you’re welcome?

Нема за што – Nema za shto.

What does Povelete mean?

Повелете – Povelete is used politely for expressions such as “here you go”, “please”, “come in” or “go ahead”, depending on context.

How do you say excuse me?

Извинете – Izvinete.

How do you say goodbye?

Довидување – Doviduvanje.

Informally, Чао – Chao is also common.

How do you ask if someone speaks English?

Зборувате ли англиски? – Zboruvate li angliski?

How do you say I don’t understand?

Не разбирам – Ne razbiram.

How do you ask where the toilet is?

Каде е тоалетот? – Kade e toaletot?

How do you ask for the bill?

Сметката, ве молам – Smetkata, ve molam.

How do you ask if you can pay by card?

Може ли да платам со картичка? – Mozhe li da platam so kartichka?

How do you say cheers?

На здравје! – Na zdravje!

How do you say help?

Помош! – Pomosh!

How do you say I need a doctor?

Ми треба лекар – Mi treba lekar.

What is the emergency number in North Macedonia?

Call 112.

How do you ask for the nearest hospital?

Каде е најблиската болница? – Kade e najbliskata bolnica?

Does Macedonian use Cyrillic?

Yes. Standard Macedonian uses a 31-letter Cyrillic alphabet.

When was the modern Macedonian alphabet codified?

The modern standard alphabet and orthography were codified in 1945.

Is Macedonian difficult to read?

The alphabet is unfamiliar to many visitors, but Macedonian spelling is comparatively phonetic. Learning around ten unfamiliar Cyrillic letters gives you a surprisingly strong start.

Is Macedonian the official language of North Macedonia?

Yes. Macedonian written in Cyrillic is the official language throughout North Macedonia and in its international relations.

Is it called North Macedonian?

No. The official language is called the Macedonian language.

Is Macedonian similar to Bulgarian or Serbian?

Macedonian belongs to the South Slavic language group and shares features and vocabulary with neighbouring South Slavic languages, while having its own standardized grammar, vocabulary and alphabet.

Do people speak English in North Macedonia?

English is widely useful in major tourism destinations, particularly in hotels, hostels, restaurants, tours and among many younger residents.

Do I need to speak Macedonian to visit?

No. But learning even a few greetings and courtesy phrases is useful and appreciated.

Does Duolingo teach Macedonian?

No. Duolingo currently does not offer a Macedonian-language course.

What is a good resource for learning Macedonian?

Macedonian: A Course for Beginning and Intermediate Students by Christina E. Kramer and Liljana Mitkovska is one established structured resource.

Continue Planning Your North Macedonia Trip

Final Tip: Speak Even If It Isn’t Perfect

You do not need perfect pronunciation.

You do not need to understand Macedonian grammar.

And you certainly do not need to memorize all 31 Cyrillic letters before arriving.

Start with:

Здраво – Zdravo.

Add:

Ве молам – Ve molam.

Finish with:

Благодарам – Blagodaram.

Then learn:

Каде е…? – Kade e…? – Where is…?

and:

Сметката, ве молам – Smetkata, ve molam – The bill, please.

Those few expressions will already cover greetings, cafés, shops, hotels, directions and everyday interactions.

And every time you read another Cyrillic sign correctly, the language becomes a little less unfamiliar.