Most Common Phrases in Serbian

Choosing between the familiar and the polite form

Laku noć is the standard way to say goodnight. The adjective laku appears in the accusative because the full historical idea is similar to wishing someone a peaceful night. Add lepo spavaj when addressing one person informally, lepo spavajte for formal or plural address, and slatki snovi for “sweet dreams”. Intonation makes these short phrases sound warm rather than mechanical.

Nearly every common phrase in Serbian comes in two versions, and picking the wrong one is the mistake foreigners notice too late. Lepo spavaj is for a friend or a child; Lepo spavajte is for your neighbour, your teacher or a group. Learn both together, as a pair, rather than learning one and hoping it fits everywhere.

Everyday phrases in Latin and Cyrillic

These are exactly the phrases you will see written on shop signs, in text messages and on greeting cards — which means you will meet them in both alphabets. Laku noć without the ć is a different word entirely. Read the Cyrillic column aloud as well; short familiar phrases are the easiest place to get comfortable with the script.

Practising the phrases in context

Say each phrase twice, once to an imaginary friend and once to an imaginary stranger, changing the ending accordingly. Then think of three real people in your life and decide which form each of them would get. That decision, made in advance, is what stops you hesitating in the moment.

Formal or informal?

Translate these phrases into Serbian in both scripts, and for each one write whether you chose the familiar or the polite form, and why.

1. Goodnight!
2. Sleep well!
3. Sleep well! — formal or plural
4. Sweet dreams!
5. We will talk tomorrow.

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