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Welcome to A2. Food vocabulary is among the most useful Bulgarian you will ever learn — essential for shopping, restaurants, markets and everyday conversation.
📅 Day 16⏳ ~60 minutes🎤 Audio on every section✅ Quiz at the end
🔊 Speed:
🏆
You have completed A1 — welcome to A2Tap to see your progress and what comes next
Progress
15Days completed
1000+Words introduced
7Grammar rules mastered
A1CEFR level reached
In 15 days you have learned the entire Cyrillic alphabet, the verb to be, present-tense conjugation for two verb groups, noun gender and definite articles, adjective agreement, numbers to 1,000, time, days and months, 30+ city locations, prepositions, negation, question words — and passed an A1 mock test. That is a genuine foundation. A2 (Days 16–35) takes everything you know and adds past tense, future tense, restaurant and shopping language, travel vocabulary, and the grammar patterns tested directly in the Bulgarian citizenship exam. You are on track. Keep going.
🍽️ Setting the scene — eating your way through Bulgaria
Food is central to Bulgarian life in a way that surprises most newcomers. Markets overflow with tomatoes that actually taste like tomatoes. Every grandmother has a баница recipe she insists is the best. A simple lunch of шопска салата, кебапче, and a cold бира costs a fraction of what you'd pay in Western Europe — and tastes better. You'll need food vocabulary from your first day: at the market, at a restaurant, ordering coffee, buying баница from a street bakery. Today gives you everything from vegetables to ракия, with five complete restaurant dialogues to practise.
Section 1
Vegetables & fruit — market essentials
Every item with individual audio — tap any word to hear it. These appear in every shop, market and recipe.
Bulgaria has outstanding fresh produce — especially tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. These words will come up at the пазар (market), in the supermarket, and in every cooking conversation.
Vegetables — зеленчуци
🍅
доматdomattomatothe shopska staple
🥑
краставицаkrastavitsacucumberin every salad
🥔
картофkartofpotatoпържени картофи = chips
🥥
лукlukonionM gender
🧄
чесънchesungarlicused in most dishes
🥕
морковmorkovcarrotM gender
🥦
зелеzelecabbageN gender — used in сарми
🥠
спанакspanakspinachM gender
🥐
чушкаchushkapepperF — red or green
🤧
патладжанpatladzhanaubergineM — in мусака
🥦
гъбиgabimushroomsPl — in гювеч
🥦
тикваtikvacourgette / pumpkinF — summer staple
Fruit — плодове
🍎
ябълкаyabalkaappleF gender
🍌
крушаkrushapearF gender
🍊
портокалportokalorangeM gender
🍋
лимонlimonlemonM — for drinks
🍇
гроздеgrozdegrapesN — for wine too
🍑
прасковаpraskovapeachF — summer fruit
🍒
черешаchereshacherryF gender
🍉
диняdinyawatermelonF — summer staple
🍓
ягодаyagodastrawberryF gender
🍍
сливаslivaplumF — used for ракия
🎤 All vegetables and fruit — play all
Section 2
Meat, dairy & staples
Supermarket and butcher vocabulary — with individual audio on every word.
Meat — месо
🥩
месоmesomeat (general)N gender
🦅
пилешкоpileshkochicken meatN — most popular
🐄
телешкоteleshkobeefN gender
🐷
свинскоsvinskoporkN gender
🐟
агнешкоagneshkolambN — Easter favourite
🐟
рибаribafishF gender
🦔
наденицаnadenitsasausageF gender
🥗
каймаkaymaminced meatF — in кебапче
Dairy & eggs — млечни продукти
🥛
млякоmlyakomilkN — staple
🧀
сиренеsirenewhite brined cheeseN — the national cheese
🧀
кашкавалkashkavalyellow cheeseM gender
🥛
маслоmaslobutterN — also means oil
🥛
кисело млякоkiselo mlyakoBulgarian yoghurtN — a daily staple
Сирене is white, brined and crumbly — similar to feta but distinctly Bulgarian, made from sheep or cow milk. It goes on everything: salads, баница, grilled dishes, toast. Кашкавал is yellow and semi-hard — the Bulgarian equivalent of Gouda or cheddar, used for grilling and sandwiches. When a menu says "с кашкавал" (with кашкавал), it means a melted yellow cheese topping.
💡 Кисело мляко — not just yoghurt
Bulgarian yoghurt is made using a specific bacterial culture (Lactobacillus bulgaricus) that was discovered in Bulgaria and named after the country. It is thicker, tangier and more nutritious than most Western yoghurts. It appears at breakfast, as a soup base (таратор), as a sauce (with кебапче), and drunk as a cold drink mixed with water — called айран.
Section 3
Drinks — напитки
What to order, what to ask for — every drink with individual audio.
💧
водаvodawater
💧
минерална водаmineralna vodamineral water
☕
кафеkafecoffee
☕
еспресоespresoespresso
☕
капучиноkapuchinocappuccino
🍵
чайchaytea
🆕
сокsokjuice
🆕
портокалов сокportokalov sokorange juice
🍺
бираbirabeer
🍷
виноvinowine
🍷
червено виноcherveno vinored wine
🍷
бяло виноbyalo vinowhite wine
🍷
розеrozerosé wine
🥂
ракияrakiyaBulgarian brandy
🥛
айранayranyoghurt drink
🆕
лимонадаlimonadalemonade
🎤 Drinks — play all
🥂 Ракия — the national spirit
Ракия is a fruit brandy distilled from plums (сливова ракия), grapes (гроздова ракия) or other fruits. It is the national drink — offered at celebrations, business meetings, and family gatherings. Always drunk at room temperature, never cold. The correct toast is Наздраве! (To health!). Refusing a host's ракия is considered impolite — a small sip is the social minimum.
Section 4
Classic Bulgarian dishes
Ten dishes you will see on every menu — with what is in them and how to order each one.
These dishes define Bulgarian cuisine. If you can name them, describe them briefly, and order them correctly, you will impress every Bulgarian you meet.
🏪
баницаbanitsa
Breakfast filo pastryFilo pastry layered with eggs and сирене, baked until golden. The national breakfast — eaten hot from the bakery every morning.
🥦
шопска салатаshopska salata
The national saladTomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onion — topped with freshly grated сирене. Named after the Shopi people of the Sofia region.
🍲
тараторtarator
Cold cucumber soupCold soup of yoghurt, cucumber, garlic, dill and walnuts. Served in summer — refreshing and intensely flavoured.
🍲
боб чорбаbob chorba
Bean soupThe everyday Bulgarian soup — white beans simmered with onion, pepper, tomato and herbs. Found in every home and restaurant.
🥩
кебапчеkebapche
Grilled minced meat rollSeasoned minced pork or pork-beef mix formed into a cylinder and grilled. Served with chips, сирене and a side salad.
🥩
кюфтеkyufte
Grilled meat pattySame mixture as кебапче but shaped into a flattened patty. Described as a Bulgarian burger without the bun.
🥕
мусакаmusaka
Potato bakeLayers of minced meat and sliced potato baked with a yoghurt-egg topping. Different from Greek moussaka — no aubergine, no bechamel.
🥦
сармиsarmi
Stuffed leavesCabbage or vine leaves filled with rice and minced meat, simmered in tomato sauce. A celebration and Christmas dish.
🍳
гювечgyuvech
Clay pot stewMixed vegetables and meat slow-baked in a clay pot (гювеч). Richer in summer when courgette, pepper and tomato are at their best.
🍞
мекицаmekitsa
Fried doughDeep-fried dough served with сирене and honey, or jam. Traditional Bulgarian breakfast — heavier than баница.
🎤 All Bulgarian dishes — play all
Section 5
Ordering phrases & restaurant language
Every phrase you need from sitting down to paying the bill.
Restaurants in Bulgaria are very accommodating to learners — staff are delighted when a foreigner tries Bulgarian. These phrases will take you through an entire restaurant visit.
Arriving and ordering
Маса за двама, моля.Masa za dvama, molya.A table for two, please.
Менюто, моля.Menyuto, molya.The menu, please.
Готови ли сте да поръчатеGotovi li ste da poruchateAre you ready to order?
Ще взема...Shte vzema...I will have... (standard ordering phrase)
Бих желал/а...Bih zhelal/a...I would like... (more formal)
Какво препоръчватеKakvo preporachvateWhat do you recommend?
Какво е в ястиетоKakvo e v yastiyetoWhat is in the dish?
Без месо, моля.Bez meso, molya.Without meat, please.
Алергичен/а съм към...Alergichen/a sam kam...I am allergic to...
During the meal and paying
Приятен апетит!Priyaten apetit!Enjoy your meal!
Наздраве!Nazdrave!Cheers! / To health!
Много е вкусно.Mnogo e vkusno.It is very tasty.
Може ли още хлябMozhe li oshte hlyabCould we have more bread?
Сметката, моля.Smetkata, molya.The bill, please.
Заедно или разделноZaedno ili razdelnoTogether or separate?
Вземете ресто.Vzemete resto.Keep the change.
Имате ли вегетарианско менюImate li vegetariansko menyuDo you have a vegetarian menu?
Section 6
Real-world scenarios — five complete conversations
Every line with individual audio. Read aloud first, then press play to check.
🍽 At the restaurant — ordering dinner
Поръчка в ресторант
Гост
Добър вечер! Имате ли маса за двамаDobar vecher Imate li masa za dvamaGood evening! Do you have a table for two?
Сервитьор
Разбира се. Заповядайте — ето вашата маса. Менюто.Razbira se. Zapovyadayte — eto vashata masa. Menyuto.Of course. Please — here is your table. The menu.
Гост
Благодаря. Какво препоръчвате днесBlagodarya. Kakvo preporachvate dnesThank you. What do you recommend today?
Сервитьор
Шопската салата е много свежа, a кебапчетата са прясно направени.Shopskata salata e mnogo svezha, a kebapcheta sa pryasno napraveni.The shopska salad is very fresh, and the kebapche are freshly made.
Гост
Ще взема шопска салата и кебапче с гарнитура. И едно бяло вино.Shte vzema shopska salata i kebapche s garnitura. I edno byalo vino.I will have the shopska salad and a kebapche with a side dish. And a white wine.
Сервитьор
Каква гарнитура желаете — пържени картофи или оризKakva garnitura zhelaete — parzeni kartofi ili orizWhat side would you like — chips or rice?
Добро утро! Колко струват тези доматиDobro utro Kolko struvat tezi domatiGood morning! How much are these tomatoes?
Продавач
Добро утро. Два евро за килограм. Много са сладки — прясно от нивата.Dobro utro. Dva evro za kilogram. Mnogo sa sladki — pryasno ot nivata.Good morning. Two euros a kilo. Very sweet — fresh from the field.
Купувач
Дайте ми един килограм домати и половин килограм краставици.Dayte mi edin kilogram domati i polovin kilogram krastavitsi.Give me a kilo of tomatoes and half a kilo of cucumbers.
Продавач
Заповядайте. Искате ли и чушки? Днес са много свежи.Zapovyadayte. Iskate li i chushki Dnes sa mnogo svezhi.Here you are. Would you like peppers too? They are very fresh today.
Купувач
Да, дайте ми и половин килограм червени чушки. Колко е всичкоDa, dayte mi i polovin kilogram cherveni chushki. Kolko e vsichkoYes, give me half a kilo of red peppers too. How much is everything?
Продавач
Четири евро и петдесет цента общо.Chetiri evro i petdesset tsenta obshto.Four euros fifty in total.
Купувач
Ето пет евро. Много благодаря.Eto pet evro. Mnogo blagodarya.Here is five euros. Thank you very much.
Продавач
Заповядайте ресто — петдесет цента. Приятен ден!Zapovyadayte resto — petdesset tsenta. Priyaten den!Here is your change — fifty cents. Have a nice day!
☕ At the coffee shop — morning order
В кафенето
Барман
Добро утро! Какво ще обичатеDobro utro Kakvo shte obichateGood morning! What would you like?
Клиент
Едно еспресо и едно капучино, моля. И две баници.Edno espreso i edno kapuchino, molya. I dve banitsi.One espresso and one cappuccino, please. And two баница pastries.
Барман
Студено или топло капучиноStudeno ili toplo kapuchinoCold or hot cappuccino?
Клиент
Топло, моля. И малко мляко за кафето.Toplo, molya. I malko mlyako za kafeto.Hot please. And a little milk for the coffee.
Барман
Заповядайте. Баниците са пресни — тъкмо излязоха от фурната.Zapovyadayte. Banitsite sa presni — takmo ilyazoha ot furnata.Here you are. The banitsa are fresh — just out of the oven.
Клиент
Много е вкусно! Колко дължимMnogo e vkusno Kolko dalzhimVery tasty! How much do we owe?
Барман
Шест евро и двадесет цента.Shest evro i dvadesset tsenta.Six euros and twenty cents.
🥦 Ordering as a vegetarian
Вегетарианско меню
Гост
Имате ли вегетарианско меню, моляImate li vegetariansko menyu, molyaDo you have a vegetarian menu, please?
Сервитьор
Да, имаме. Шопска салата, таратор, гювеч без месо и омлет.Da, imame. Shopska salata, tarator, gyuvech bez meso i omlet.Yes, we do. Shopska salad, tarator, vegetable gyuvech and omelette.
Гост
Гювечът без месо — какво има в негоGyuvechat bez meso — kakvo ima v negoThe vegetable gyuvech — what is in it?
Сервитьор
Тиква, домати, чушки, патладжан, лук и чесън. Изпечен в глинена тенджера.Tikva, domati, chushki, patladzhan, luk i chesun. Izpechen v glinena tendzera.Courgette, tomatoes, peppers, aubergine, onion and garlic. Baked in a clay pot.
Гост
Звучи добре. Ще взема таратор и гювеч без месо. Студена вода, моля.Zvuchi dobre. Shte vzema tarator i gyuvech bez meso. Studena voda, molya.Sounds good. I will have the tarator and the vegetable gyuvech. Cold water please.
Сервитьор
Алергични ли сте към нещо? Ястията съдържат млечни продукти.Alergichni li ste kam neshto Yastiyata sadardzhat mlechni produkti.Are you allergic to anything? The dishes contain dairy products.
Гост
Не, млечните продукти са добре. Благодаря, че попитахте.Ne, mlechnite produkti sa dobre. Blagodarya, che popitahte.No, dairy is fine. Thank you for asking.
🍾 Family celebration — toasts and paying
Семейно тържество
Дядо
Наздраве! За здравето на цялото семейство!Nazdrave Za zdraveto na tsyaloto semeystvoCheers! To the health of the whole family!
Всички
Наздраве! Всичко хубаво и много щастие!Nazdrave Vsichko hubavo i mnogo shtastieCheers! All the best and much happiness!
Домакин
Ракията е домашна — от нашите сливи. Пийте малко.Rakiyata e domashna — ot nashite slivi. Piyte malko.The rakiya is home-made — from our plums. Have a little.
Гост
Много е вкусна. Какво е в мусаката — вкусът е страхотен.Mnogo e vkusna. Kakvo e v musakata — vkusat e strahoten.It is very good. What is in the moussaka — the taste is amazing.
Домакин
Телешко с картофи и кисело мляко отгоре. Рецептата е от баба ми.Teleshko s kartofi i kiselo mlyako otgore. Retseptata e ot baba mi.Beef with potatoes and yoghurt on top. The recipe is from my grandmother.
Гост
Сметката, моля — ние плащаме всичко днес.Smetkata, molya — nie plashame vsichko dnes.The bill please — we are paying for everything today.
Домакин
Не, не — вие сте гости. Следващия път вие плащате.Ne, ne — vie ste gosti. Sledvashtiya pat vie plashate.No no — you are guests. Next time you pay.
Section 7
Writing task
✏️ Writing task — Day 16
Write a shopping list in Bulgarian for: bread, milk, cheese (white), tomatoes, apples, chicken, rice, water, butter, eggs.
Describe шопска салата in Bulgarian using at least three ingredient words from today.
Translate: "I would like the bean soup and a glass of red wine, please. How much is everything?"
What is the difference between сирене and кашкавал? Write one sentence in Bulgarian using each.
Write a short 4-line ordering dialogue — you arrive at a restaurant and order a dish and a drink.
This is a beta course — some modules need more work. If you spot an error, your feedback helps improve it for everyone. The course is free, with no ads.