📝 Setting the scene
Formal Bulgarian is not only for exams. You need it for emails to institutions, residence questions, job applications, university paperwork, municipal requests, and communication with offices that expect polite written language. This lesson is about sounding competent, respectful, and clear in the kinds of situations foreigners in Bulgaria actually face.
Section 1
Formal vs informal — the key differences
Understanding register in Bulgarian.
| Feature | Informal | Formal | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Здравей, Петър. | Уважаеми господин Петров, | |
| Request | Искам информация. | Бих искал информация. | |
| You-form | ти, твоя | Вие, Вашият | |
| Closing | Чао. Поздрави. | С уважение. | |
| Style | Кратко и разговорно. | По-учтиво и по-структурирано. |
💡 Capitalised Вие — the mark of formal writing
In formal Bulgarian letters and emails, the second person singular and plural pronouns are capitalised: Вие, Вас, Ви, Вашият, Вашата. This is the written convention equivalent to using vous in French. It signals respect. Failing to capitalise these in a formal letter is considered impolite and unprofessional.
Section 2
Formal greetings and sign-offs
Opening and closing a formal letter correctly.
| Situation | Bulgarian | English | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named man | Уважаеми господин Петров, | Dear Mr Petrov, | |
| Named woman | Уважаема госпожо Иванова, | Dear Ms Ivanova, | |
| Unknown official name | Уважаеми господин директор, | Dear Director, | |
| Unknown recipient | До когото се отнася, | To whom it may concern, | |
| Standard sign-off | С уважение, | Yours sincerely / Respectfully, | |
| Alternative sign-off | С почит, | With respect, | |
| Service-minded close | Оставам на Ваше разположение. | I remain at your disposal. |
Section 3
Formal letter and email vocabulary
The words that elevate your register.
| Bulgarian | English | Use | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Пиша Ви относно... | I am writing to you regarding... | opening | |
| Бих искал да получа информация относно... | I would like to receive information regarding... | polite request | |
| Моля да имате предвид, че... | Please bear in mind that... | drawing attention | |
| В отговор на Вашето писмо от... | In response to your letter of... | reply opening | |
| Приложено изпращам... | Please find attached... | attachments | |
| При нужда от допълнителна информация... | If additional information is needed... | closing offer | |
| Оставам на Ваше разположение. | I remain at your disposal. | closing |
Section 4
Model formal letter — job application
A complete letter you can adapt.
Уважаеми господин Директор, Пиша Ви относно обявената позиция за счетоводител във Вашата компания, публикувана на уебсайта Ви на 5 март 2025 г. Желая да представя своята кандидатура за посочената позиция. Завършил съм висше образование по икономика в Софийския университет и притежавам петгодишен опит в областта на счетоводството в международни компании. Бих искал да подчертая, че владея английски и немски език на работно ниво и съм добре запознат с актуалното българско счетоводно законодателство. Приложено изпращам автобиография и препоръчително писмо от настоящия ми работодател. При нужда от допълнителна информация или интервю, моля да се свържете с мен. Оставам на Ваше разположение. С уважение, Иван Петров ivan.petrov@email.com | 0888 123 456
Uvazhaemi gospodin direktor, Pisha Vi otnosno obyavenata pozitsiya za schetovoditel vav Vashata kompaniya, publikuvana na uebsayta Vi na 5 mart 2025 g. Zhelaya da predstavya svoyata kandidatura za posochenata pozitsiya. Zavarshil sam visshe obrazovanie po ikonomika v Sofiyskiya universitet i pritezhavam petgodishen opit v oblastta na schetovodstvoto v mezhdunarodni kompanii. Bih iskal da podchertaya, che vladeya angliyski i nemski ezik na rabotno nivo i sam dobre zapoznat s aktualnoto balgarsko schetovodno zakonodatelstvo. Prilozheno izprashtam avtobiografiya i preporachitelno pismo ot nastoyashtiya mi rabotodatel. Pri nuzhda ot dopalnitelna informatsiya ili intervyu, molya da se svarzhete s men. Ostavam na Vashe razpolozhenie. S uvazhenie, Ivan Petrov
Dear Director, I am writing regarding the advertised position of accountant at your company, published on your website on 5 March 2025. I have the honour to present my application for the mentioned position. I completed higher education in economics at Sofia University and have five years of experience in accounting at international companies. I would like to emphasise that I speak English and German at working level and am well acquainted with current Bulgarian accounting legislation. Please find enclosed a CV and letter of recommendation from my current employer. Should you require further information or an interview, please do not hesitate to contact me. I remain at your disposal. Yours sincerely, Ivan Petrov
Section 5
Official documents — key vocabulary
The words you encounter in Bulgarian bureaucracy.
| Bulgarian | English | Use | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| молба | request / application | general official request | |
| заявление | formal application / statement | administrative procedure | |
| декларация | declaration | official statement | |
| удостоверение | certificate / attestation | official proof | |
| пълномощно | power of attorney | representation document | |
| подпис | signature | document completion | |
| печат | stamp / seal | institutional validation | |
| входящ номер | incoming reference number | administrative tracking | |
| служебна бележка | official note / work certificate | employment or school proof | |
| разрешение за пребиваване | residence permit | immigration and status |
Section 6
Writing task
✏️ Writing task — Day 43
- Write a formal email to a Bulgarian language school asking for information about their courses, prices and schedule.
- What are the key differences between informal and formal Bulgarian writing? Give three examples of informal phrases and their formal equivalents.
- Translate these formal phrases: (a) Пиша Ви относно... (b) Приложено изпращам... (c) Оставам на Ваше разположение.
- What is the significance of capitalising Вие in formal Bulgarian writing?
Show answers
1. Free answer — use Уважаеми/а... · Пиша Ви относно... · Бих искал/а да... · С уважение.
2. E.g. informal Здравей → formal Уважаеми; ти → Вие; Искам → Бих искал/а.
3. (a) I am writing to you regarding... (b) Please find enclosed... (c) I remain at your disposal.
4. Capitalised Вие signals formal respect — equivalent to vous in French. Failing to capitalise is considered impolite in official correspondence.
Day 43 Quiz
8 questions · score 6+ to mark day complete
Question 1 of 8
"Dear Mr Petrov" in formal Bulgarian:
Question 2 of 8
"Yours sincerely" in Bulgarian:
Question 3 of 8
"I am writing to you regarding..." in Bulgarian:
Question 4 of 8
Why is "Вие" capitalised in formal letters?
Question 5 of 8
"Please find enclosed" in Bulgarian:
Question 6 of 8
"To Whom It May Concern" in Bulgarian:
Question 7 of 8
"Residence permit" in Bulgarian:
Question 8 of 8
"I remain at your disposal" in Bulgarian:
Day 43 Recap
Review before Day 44. Every point builds on the last.
| Topic | Key point | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Formal greetings | Уважаеми господин / Уважаема госпожо / До когото се отнася | Use the right addressee formula |
| Capitalised Вие | Вие, Вас, Ви, Вашият — capitalised in formal writing | Key marker of respect |
| Opening phrases | Пиша Ви относно... · Бих искал да получа информация... | Useful for real emails |
| Closing phrases | Приложено изпращам... · Оставам на Ваше разположение. | Standard written closing style |
| Sign-offs | С уважение · С почит | Safe high-confidence choices |
| Documents | молба · заявление · удостоверение · пълномощно · разрешение за пребиваване | Core bureaucracy vocabulary |
| 🌎 Culture | Formal Bulgarian requires the full definite article (-ът/-ят), passive voice, and specific formulae — essential for residence permits and official business | С уважение (Yours faithfully) closes every formal letter |