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On Day 14 — the last content day before your A1 checkpoint — you learn the vocabulary of urban life: where things are, how to get there, and how to describe your neighbourhood.
📅 Day 14⏳ ~60 minutes🎤 Audio on every section✅ Quiz at the end
🔊 Speed:
🏙️ Setting the scene — finding your way in a Bulgarian city
You step out of Sofia Central Station and need to find your hotel. A passerby explains: "Хотелът е зад парка, пред музея" (The hotel is behind the park, in front of the museum). You need the pharmacy, the metro station, and a good restaurant — all before dinner. Bulgarian cities are surprisingly walkable, and locals are famously willing to help with directions. But you need the place names, the prepositions, and enough direction vocabulary to follow what they tell you. That's exactly what today covers — 30 essential places, 9 location prepositions, and the transport words that connect them all.
Section 1
Places in a Bulgarian city — 30 locations with definite forms
Every place shown with its definite article form — because that is what you actually say in sentences.
You will not just say магазин — you will say в магазина, до болницата, на гарата. The definite article is attached to the end of the word and changes by gender. Learning each place with its definite form from the start saves weeks of confusion later. Gender labels: M masculine · F feminine · N neuter.
Essential services
💊
аптекаaptekapharmacy / chemist
Fаптекатаaptekata
🏥
болницаbolnitsahospital
Fболницатаbolnitsata
🏠
лекарски кабинетlekarski kabinetdoctor's office
Mлекарския кабинетlekarskiya kabinet
🏠
банкаbankabank
Fбанкатаbankata
💌
пощаposhtapost office
Fпощатаposhtata
🔌
полицияpolitsiyapolice station
Fполициятаpolitsiyata
🏭
посолствоposolstvoembassy
Nпосолствотоposolstvoto
👦
общинатаobshtinatatown hall / municipality
Fобщинатаobshtinata
Food, shopping and accommodation
🏪
магазинmagazinshop / store
Mмагазинаmagazina
🛒
супермаркетsupermarketsupermarket
Mсупермаркетаsupermarketa
🍍
пазарpazarmarket
Mпазараpazara
🍽
ресторантrestorantrestaurant
Mресторантаrestoranta
☕
кафенеkafenecafé
Nкафенетоkafeneto
🏢
хотелhotelhotel
Mхотелаhotela
🏞
хостелhostelhostel
Mхостелаhostela
Transport hubs
🚌
гараgaratrain station
Fгаратаgarata
✈
летищеletishteairport
Nлетищетоletisheto
🚊
метроmetrometro / underground
Nметротоmetroto
🚋
автобусна спиркаavtobusna spirkabus stop
Fавтобусната спиркаavtobusna spirka
🚕
автогараavtogarabus station
Fавтогаратаavtogarata
Education and culture
🏫
университетuniversitetuniversity
Mуниверситетаuniversiteta
🏫
училищеuchilishteschool
Nучилищетоuchilisheto
📚
библиотекаbibliotekalibrary
Fбиблиотекатаbibliotekata
🏭
музейmuzeymuseum
Mмузеяmuzeya
🎪
театърteatartheatre
Mтеатъраteatara
🎬
киноkinocinema
Nкинотоkinoto
🏭
изложбаizhlozhbaexhibition / gallery
Fизложбатаizhlozhbata
Outdoors and religion
🌲
паркparkpark
Mпаркаparka
🏖
планинаplaninamountain
Fпланинатаplaninata
🏖
плажplazhbeach
Mплажаplazha
⛪
църкваtsarkvachurch
Fцъркватаtsarkvata
🕌
джамияdzhamiyamosque
Fджамиятаdzhamiyata
⛨
синагогаsinagogasynagogue
Fсинагогатаsinagogata
🌍 Bulgarian cities — more walkable than you'd expect
Bulgarian city centres are compact and pedestrian-friendly. Sofia's main sights, shops, and restaurants sit within a 20-minute walk of each other along boulevards like Витошка (Vitosha Boulevard) — the main pedestrian shopping street. Plovdiv's ancient Old Town is entirely car-free. Even smaller cities like Veliko Tarnovo and Burgas have walkable centres with clear signage. Public transport is cheap and reliable in bigger cities: Sofia's metro costs about a euro per ride and covers most of the city. When in doubt, ask any local — Bulgarians are genuinely happy to help with directions, often walking you partway to your destination.
Section 2
Definite articles on places — the rule you cannot skip
Bulgarian attaches the definite article to the end of the noun. The form depends on gender.
In English the definite article is always "the" and it comes before the noun. In Bulgarian it is a suffix — it attaches to the end of the word — and its form changes depending on grammatical gender. You use the definite form whenever you are talking about a specific, known place: "go to the station", "opposite the hotel". Since most sentences about places use the definite form, this table is essential.
Gender
Indefinite
Definite (the...)
Rule
Example sentence
Masculine
хотел, магазин, парк
хотелът / хотела
-ът (subject) / -а (other)
в хотела, до парка
Feminine
банка, гара, поща
банката
always -та
в банката, на гарата
Neuter
кафене, метро, кино
кафенето
always -то
в кафенето, в киното
💡 Practical shortcut — just learn -а, -та, -то
For everyday speech, use the -а form for masculine (not the -ът subject form): в хотела, до магазина, пред парка. Feminine always takes -та: банката, гарата, пощата. Neuter always takes -то: кафенето, метрото, киното. These three endings cover 95% of what you need.
Places in definite form — with audio on every one
в хотелаv hotelain the hotel
на гаратаna garataat the station
до банкатаdo bankatanext to the bank
в аптекатаv aptekatain the pharmacy
пред музеяpred muzeyain front of the museum
срещу кафенетоsreshtu kafenetoopposite the café
зад театъраzad teatarabehind the theatre
между пощата и библиотекатаmezhdu poshtata i bibliotekatabetween the post office and the library
Section 3
The nine prepositions of location — each with an example
Where things are in relation to each other. Click the preposition to hear it, then click the example.
These nine prepositions cover everything you need to describe where things are. The trickiest pair for English speakers is в vs на — both can translate as "at" in English, but Bulgarian uses them differently depending on whether you are inside something or at a surface/hub.
вvin / inside
в магазинаv magazinain the shop
наnaon / at
на гаратаna garataat the station
доdonext to / by
до банкатаdo bankatanext to the bank
срещуsreshtuopposite
срещу хотелаsreshtu hotelaopposite the hotel
задzadbehind
зад сградатаzad sgradatabehind the building
предpredin front of
пред театъраpred teatarain front of the theatre
междуmezhdubetween
между кафенето и банкатаmezhdu kafeneto i bankatabetween the café and the bank
надnadabove / over
над насnad nasabove us
подpodunder / below
под мостаpod mostaunder the bridge
💡 В vs На — the most important distinction
В = physically inside an enclosed space: в хотела, в болницата, в България, в стаята. На = at a location (especially transport hubs, open areas, street addresses): на гарата, на летището, на пазара, на улица Витоша. Rule of thumb: if you can be inside it, use в. If it is a hub, a surface, or an address, use на.
Section 4
Getting around — transport vocabulary
Every vehicle plus the preposition you use with it — and the key phrases for getting from A to B.
🚌
автобусavtobusbusс автобус
🚊
метроmetrometroс метрото
🚋
трамвайtramvaytramс трамвая
🚕
тролейtroleytrolleybusс тролея
🚆
таксиtaksitaxiс такси
🚉
влакvlaktrainс влак
🏎
колаkolacarс кола
🚴
велосипедvelosipedbicycleс велосипед
🚶
пешаpeshaon footпеша (no с)
💡 С + vehicle — the preposition for transport
С (with) is the preposition used with all transport: с автобус, с метрото, с влак, с такси, с кола. The exception is пеша (on foot) — this stands alone with no preposition. Note that метро and трамвай take the definite form in everyday speech: с метрото, с трамвая, while автобус and влак often go without: с автобус, с влак.
Essential transport phrases
С какво да отида до гаратаS kakvo da otida do garataHow do I get to the station
Качете се на автобус номер осемKachete se na avtobus nomer osemGet on bus number eight
Слезте на следващата спиркаSlezte na sledvashtata spirkaGet off at the next stop
Колко спирки до центъраKolko spirki do tsentaraHow many stops to the centre
Трябва ли да сменя линиятаTryabva li da smenya liniyataDo I need to change lines
Кога пристига следващият автобусKoga pristiga sledvashtiyat avtobusWhen does the next bus arrive
Един билет до центъраEdin bilet do tsentaraOne ticket to the centre
Section 5
Giving and understanding directions
Every direction command plus landmark phrases — the full toolkit for navigating a Bulgarian city.
Bulgarian directions use the formal imperative (the -те form), because you are typically asking a stranger. These are commands, but polite ones — the -те ending signals respect. Learn these as set phrases: you will hear them and need to say them.
⇧
Вървете направоVarvete napravoGo straight ahead
⇦
Завийте влявоZaviyte vlyavoTurn left
⇨
Завийте вдясноZaviyte vdyasnoTurn right
🚶
Пресечете улицатаPresechete ulitsataCross the street
📍
Минете покрайMinete pokrayGo past / pass by
🏞
Ще видите от дясната странаShte vidite ot dyasnata stranaYou will see it on the right
🏞
Ще видите от лявата странаShte vidite ot lyavata stranaYou will see it on the left
⛔
Спрете пред светофараSprete pred svetofaraStop at the traffic lights
🚌
На следващото кръстовищеNa sledvashtoto krastovishteAt the next crossroads
🕐
Около пет минути пешаOkolo pet minuti peshaAbout five minutes on foot
🕑
Около десет минути с метротоOkolo deset minuti s metrotoAbout ten minutes by metro
➡
Вземете първата улица вдясноVzemete parvata ulitsa vdyasnoTake the first street on the right
Asking for and giving directions — useful phrases
Извинете — търся болницатаIzvinete — tarsya bolnitsataExcuse me — I am looking for the hospital
Далеч ли еDalech li eIs it far
Не — близо еNe — blizo eNo — it is nearby
Можете ли да ми покажете на картатаMozhete li da mi pokazhete na kartataCan you show me on the map
Изгубих се — не намирам хотелаIzgubih se — ne namiram hotelaI got lost — I cannot find the hotel
Вървете до края на улицатаVarvete do kraya na ulitsataWalk to the end of the street
Ще го видите от лявата странаShte go vidite ot lyavata stranaYou will see it on the left side
Намерих гоNamirih goI found it
Section 6
Real-world scenarios — navigating Bulgaria
Five complete conversations using places, prepositions, transport and directions. Every line has audio.
🚶 Asking directions on the street
Питане за посока
A classic directions exchange — the most useful thing you can do in a new city. Notice the definite article forms and the prepositions working together.
Турист
Извинете — търся пощата. Далеч ли еIzvinete — tarsya poshtata. Dalech li eExcuse me — I am looking for the post office. Is it far
Местен
Не, близо е. Вървете направо по тази улица до светофара.Ne, blizo e. Varvete napravo po tazi ulitsa do svetofara.No, it is nearby. Go straight along this street to the traffic lights.
Турист
На светофара ли завивамNa svetofara li zavivamDo I turn at the traffic lights
Местен
Да — завийте вдясно. Пощата е третата сграда вляво, между банката и аптеката.Da — zaviyte vdyasno. Poshtata e tretata sgrada vlyavo, mezhdu bankata i aptekata.Yes — turn right. The post office is the third building on the left, between the bank and the pharmacy.
Турист
Срещу хотела ли еSreshtu hotela li eIs it opposite the hotel
Местен
Точно така. Около пет минути пеша — не е далеч.Tochno taka. Okolo pet minuti pesha — ne e dalech.Exactly right. About five minutes on foot — it is not far.
Турист
Много благодаря. Намерих го.Mnogo blagodarya. Namirih go.Thank you very much. I found it.
🏴 Getting lost — finding your hotel
Изгубен в града
Negation meets location vocabulary — a very real scenario for any traveller arriving in an unfamiliar city at night.
Гост
Извинете — изгубих се. Не намирам хотела си.Izvinete — izgubih se. Ne namiram hotela si.Excuse me — I got lost. I cannot find my hotel.
Местна
Кой хотел търситеKoy hotel tarsiteWhich hotel are you looking for
Гост
Хотел Централ — на улица Раковски. Знаете ли гоHotel Tsentral — na ulitsa Rakovski. Znaete li goHotel Central — on Rakovski Street. Do you know it
Местна
Да, познавам го. Не сте далеч — сте на грешната улица. Трябва да се върнете назад.Da, poznavam go. Ne ste dalech — ste na greshnata ulitsa. Tryabva da se varnete nazad.Yes, I know it. You are not far — you are on the wrong street. You need to go back.
Гост
Можете ли да ми покажете на картатаMozhete li da mi pokazhete na kartataCan you show me on the map
Местна
Разбира се. Ето тук сте сега. Хотелът е тук — зад парка, пред музея.Razbira se. Eto tuk ste sega. Hotelat e tuk — zad parka, pred muzeya.Of course. Here is where you are now. The hotel is here — behind the park, in front of the museum.
🚊 Navigating the metro
В метрото
Transport vocabulary, с + vehicle, stop counting, and the line-change question — everything for Sofia's metro.
Пътник
Извинете — с метрото ли отива до летищетоIzvinete — s metroto li otiva do letishetoExcuse me — does the metro go to the airport
Служител
Да, директно. Вземете линия две — посока летище.Da, direktno. Vzemete liniya dve — posoka letishte.Yes, directly. Take line two — direction airport.
Пътник
Трябва ли да сменям на някъдеTryabva li da smenyam na nyakadeDo I need to change anywhere
Служител
Не — директно от Сердика до летището. Шест спирки.Ne — direktno ot Serdika do letisheto. Shest spirki.No — direct from Serdika to the airport. Six stops.
Пътник
Колко минутиKolko minutiHow many minutes
Служител
Около дванадесет минути. Слезте на крайната спирка — Летище София.Okolo dvanadeset minuti. Slezte na kraynata spirka — Letishte Sofiya.About twelve minutes. Get off at the last stop — Sofia Airport.
🚨 Finding emergency services
Спешна помощ
Knowing how to find a hospital, pharmacy or police station quickly could matter in a real emergency. Practise this scenario until it feels automatic.
Турист
Помогнете ми — трябва ми аптека. Много ме боли главата.Pomognete mi — tryabva mi apteka. Mnogo me boli glavata.Please help me — I need a pharmacy. I have a very bad headache.
Местен
Аптеката е тук до ъгъла — след магазина вдясно. Отворена е до девет.Aptekata e tuk do agala — sled magazina vdyasno. Otvorena e do devet.The pharmacy is right here at the corner — after the shop on the right. It is open until nine.
Турист
А ако е затворена — има ли болница наблизоA ako e zatvorena — ima li bolnitsa nablizoAnd if it is closed — is there a hospital nearby
Местен
Да — болницата е на метро Младост, три спирки от тук. Или обадете се на линейка — сто и пет.Da — bolnitsata e na metro Mladost, tri spirki ot tuk. Ili obadete se na lineyka — sto i pet.Yes — the hospital is at Mladost metro, three stops from here. Or call an ambulance — one hundred and five.
Турист
Благодаря — ще отида до аптеката.Blagodarya — shte otida do aptekata.Thank you — I will go to the pharmacy.
🏭 Tourist at the museum — exploring the city
Туристът в музея
Prepositions of location and transport combine in a natural tourist conversation — everything you need to plan a day out in Sofia.
Турист
Добро утро — колко струва билет за музеяDobro utro — kolko struva bilet za muzeyaGood morning — how much is a ticket for the museum
Касиер
Десет евро за пълен билет, пет за студенти. Имате ли студентска картаDeset evro za palen bilet, pet za studenti. Imate li studentska kartaTen euros for full price, five for students. Do you have a student card
Турист
Нямам карта. Един пълен билет. Има ли ресторант в музеяNyamam karta. Edin palen bilet. Ima li restorant v muzeyaI do not have a card. One full ticket. Is there a restaurant in the museum
Касиер
Да — кафенето е на втория етаж, зад постоянната изложба.Da — kafeneto e na vtoriya etazh, zad postoyannata izhlozhba.Yes — the café is on the second floor, behind the permanent exhibition.
Турист
А театърът до музея — далеч ли е пешаA teatarat do muzeya — dalech li e peshaAnd the theatre next to the museum — is it far on foot
Касиер
Не — пред музея завийте вляво. Театърът е срещу парка, до хотела. Пет минути.Ne — pred muzeya zaviyte vlyavo. Teatarat e sreshtu parka, do hotela. Pet minuti.No — in front of the museum turn left. The theatre is opposite the park, next to the hotel. Five minutes.
Section 7
Writing task
✏️ Writing task — Day 14
Write the definite form of: банка, хотел, кафене, аптека, музей, гара. (Apply the -та / -а / -то rules.)
What is the difference between в and на with places? Give two examples of each.
Write directions from a hotel to a nearby café using at least five direction phrases from today.
Translate: "The museum is between the park and the theatre, opposite the metro station. It is about ten minutes on foot."
Write a short dialogue (4 lines) where someone asks how to get to the airport and you tell them to take the metro — three stops, get off at the last stop.
2.В = inside: в хотела, в болницата. На = at a hub/surface: на гарата, на летището.
3. Free answer — model: Излезте от хотела. Завийте вдясно. Вървете направо. Пресечете улицата. Кафенето е от лявата страна до парка.
4.Музеят е между парка и театъра, срещу метростанцията. Около десет минути пеша.
5. Free answer — model: — С какво да отида до летището? — Вземете метрото. Три спирки. — Трябва ли да сменям? — Не. Слезте на крайната спирка.
💡 Tip: Pick three places from today and write them in sentences using different prepositions — в, до, срещу, зад, пред. Forcing yourself to use each preposition with a real place locks in the pattern far faster than just reading the table.
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