LOANWORDS IN BULGARIAN

SPEAK AROUND THE WORLD IN BULGARIAN

Bulgarian, as a South Slavic language, shares deep lexical and grammatical ties with other Slavic languages such as Russian, Ukrainian, Serbian, Croatian, Slovak, Slovene, Czech, and Polish. Speakers of these tongues will immediately recognize a substantial portion of Bulgarian vocabulary, roots, and structures, often understanding 30–50% of the language at first exposure. 

Romance language speakers like those from Romanian, Italian, French, Spanish, and Portuguese backgrounds will also notice familiar words, especially in formal, religious, or administrative registers, due to shared Latin roots and historical French influence during the 19th century.

Balkan neighbors like Albanian and Greek, though not Slavic, share numerous regionalisms and cultural borrowings with Bulgarian, particularly in daily vocabulary and cuisine. Turkic language speakers such as Turkish, Uzbek, Kazakh, and Azerbaijani may spot many loanwords inherited from centuries of Ottoman rule, ranging from food and household items to military and governance terms. For Semitic and Indo-Iranian language speakers—Modern Hebrew (Ivrit), Arabic, Persian (Farsi), Dari, Hindi, and Urdu—religious, scholarly, and cultural vocabulary may occasionally overlap through shared historical contact or via Turkish mediation.

Germanic language speakers including German, Dutch, English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Afrikaans will be familiar with internationalisms—modern words in science, business, and technology that have entered Bulgarian from Western Europe or globally. Learners from Finno-Ugric languages such as Hungarian, Finnish, and Estonian may not share roots but will encounter recognizable pan-European loanwords, especially in education and media.

South and Southeast Asian languages like Bengali, Sinhala, Thai, Malay, and Indonesian offer fewer direct connections, but their speakers may find globalized loanwords and concepts familiar in modern Bulgarian usage. From the Far East, speakers of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Mongolian, and Vietnamese may not find cognates but will recognize shared international terms, especially in pop culture, technology, and academia.

Depending on one’s mother tongue, learners already understand anywhere from 5% to 40% of Bulgarian vocabulary, making the language far more approachable than it first appears.

Make Bulgarian your own, one borrowed word at a time!

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Bulgarian, we recommend that you download the Complete Bulgarian Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient digital format to carry with you anywhere you go as well as additional contents: over 15000 Vocabulary Words and Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't in any other textbook so you can amaze your Bulgarian friends thanks to your knowledge of their country and history.

With the Complete Bulgarian Master Course you will also get hours of Audio Dialogues and Exercises to Practice your Bulgarian language skills. Start speaking today!

Russian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Throughout the 19th and especially the 20th century, Bulgarian absorbed a number of Russian loanwords, particularly during periods of close political, educational, and ideological ties with Russia and later the Soviet Union. These words entered the language through military cooperation, literature, politics, science, and everyday life, often replacing older Bulgarian terms or introducing new concepts. While some of these Russianisms have become fully naturalized, others still carry a slightly foreign resonance or are associated with specific historical periods.

влак train
комбайн combine harvester
параграф paragraph
товарищ comrade
пушилка smoke cloud
лагер camp
стахановец model worker
колхоз collective farm
спутник satellite
авангард vanguard
щаб military headquarters
утечка leak
лукаш handkerchief
дача country house
перестройка restructuring
гражданин citizen
кремъл Kremlin
милция militia
пропаганда propaganda
челник forehead lamp
пленум plenary session
началник chief
урок lesson
плакат poster
губерния province
инженер engineer
съвет council
матрос sailor
кулак rich peasant
проект project
работник worker
група group
комитет committee
партия party (political)
секретар secretary
норма quota
бюлетин bulletin
революция revolution
интервенция intervention
труд labor
пролетариат proletariat
дисциплина discipline
активист activist
бригада brigade
комсомол Communist Youth League
репортаж report (journalistic)
изложба exhibition
радио radio
телевизор television set
информация information

Ukrainian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Bulgarian has also incorporated a number of loanwords from Ukrainian, though less extensively than from Russian. These borrowings often came through cultural exchanges, migration, and the shared Orthodox and Slavic heritage. Some words entered via Ukrainian refugees and settlers, especially in the 19th and early 20th centuries, while others came through literature, trade, or political contacts. These words tend to appear in dialects or specific historical contexts but remain a testament to the interconnectedness of the Slavic world.

борш borsch (beet soup)
гайдук rebel fighter
гопак Hopak dance
жупа district
кум godfather (in religious or familial sense)
кума godmother
літопис chronicle
мазепинец Mazepa supporter
плахта traditional skirt
ракия fruit brandy
самар pack saddle
сирник cheesecake
тремпел clothes hanger
шинок tavern
чумак salt trader or ox-cart driver
шевченковщина Shevchenko-style nationalism or worldview
вишивка embroidery
хата cottage
бандура bandura (Ukrainian musical instrument)
гривна Ukrainian currency or traditional necklace
паляниця round bread loaf
запорожец Cossack from Zaporizhzhia or a car brand
рушник embroidered ritual towel
козак Cossack
сало pork fat
колядка Christmas carol
співанка folk song
кобзар bard (especially in Shevchenko tradition)
гетьман Hetman (military leader)
дніпро Dnipro (river)
луганец person from Luhansk
криївка hideout (especially partisan or underground)
вертеп nativity scene or folk puppet theater
булба potato (in dialectal or humorous use)
чарка small shot glass
гопник slang for a petty thug or low-level delinquent

German Loanwords in Bulgarian

Bulgarian has borrowed many words from German, especially during the 19th and 20th centuries when German was a major language of science, engineering, military affairs, and academia in Europe. Many Germanisms entered Bulgarian through education, technology, trade, and cultural influence, particularly during the interwar period and through Austro-Hungarian and Prussian contacts. These loanwords are often related to military, technical, culinary, and administrative contexts, and many are still in active use today.

бетон concrete
вагон railroad car
бурса trade school or stock exchange
щемпе stamp (rubber or ink)
техникум technical school
абитуриент high school graduate
барабан drum
гащеризон overalls
геврек bagel or pretzel-like bread
захарин saccharin (artificial sweetener)
кафе coffee
кирка pickaxe
кошмар nightmare
майстор master craftsman
маршрут route
механик mechanic
мотор motor
обер waiter (old-fashioned)
пломба dental filling or seal
пункт checkpoint or station
раницa backpack
рецензия review or critique
сватба wedding
струг lathe
ферма farm
фланец flange (mechanical rim)
фойерверк fireworks
фритюрник deep fryer
шприц syringe
щанд display booth or stand
щепсел electrical plug
щора window blind
щрайхмашина typewriter
юнкер cadet or military student
щрудел strudel (pastry)
цайтнот time pressure (from chess)
циментов cement-related
циркуляр circular saw or bulletin
шлосер metalworker or locksmith
херц hertz (frequency unit)
бушон fuse (electric)
тротинетка scooter
щурм assault or storm (military)
командировка business trip
куфар suitcase
щуцер nozzle or connector
зингер sewing machine (brand turned generic)

Japanese Loanwords in Bulgarian

Japanese loanwords in Bulgarian are relatively few and often reflect modern cultural, technological, or culinary imports. Most of them have entered Bulgarian in recent decades, especially through popular culture, cuisine, martial arts, and consumer products. These words typically retain their exotic feel and are often associated with Japanese identity or lifestyle.

аниме anime (Japanese animated films or series)
караоке karaoke
суши sushi
самурай samurai
гейша geisha
кунфу kung fu (often used interchangeably, though technically Chinese)
дзюдо judo
карате karate
мanga manga (Japanese comics)
кимоно kimono
катана katana (Japanese sword)
шакираки shakuhachi (bamboo flute, rarely used)
шогун shogun (military ruler)
цунами tsunami (seismic sea wave)
харакири harakiri (ritual suicide)
нимоно nimono (stewed food, rarely used outside culinary contexts)
япония Japan
японец Japanese man
японка Japanese woman
робот robot (originally Czech, but popularized via Japan in modern tech culture)
покемон Pokémon (franchise name)
Nintendo Nintendo (brand name, often used generically for game consoles)
бенто bento (Japanese boxed meal)
онсен onsen (hot spring bath, known among travelers)
каваи kawaii (cute – used in youth slang, rarely and informally)
ренгоку Rengoku (anime/manga character name, sometimes slang for burning passion)
татами tatami (woven straw mat used in traditional Japanese interiors)
будо budo (martial way, umbrella term for Japanese martial arts)
сенсей sensei (teacher, especially in martial arts or spiritual contexts)
доджо dojo (training hall for martial arts)

Albanian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Albanian loanwords in Bulgarian are relatively rare but do exist, especially in regions near the western border or among historical populations where cultural and linguistic contact occurred. Most of these words reflect Balkan realities: shepherding, family structures, traditional clothing, and food. The influence is generally stronger in dialectal Bulgarian, especially in the southwest and among groups like the Gorani or Torlak speakers.

чипур tuft of hair or grass
баша father or leader (from Albanian “baba” or “basha”)
арнаутин Albanian person (archaic, from “Arnaut” – Ottoman Turkish from Albanian origin)
кутия box (possibly from Albanian “kutí”, though also present via Greek/Turkish)
кеф pleasure or mood (from Albanian “qejf”, itself from Arabic through Turkish)
берат official document or license (Ottoman-era term from Albanian use)
душман enemy (shared across Balkans, possibly from Albanian “dushman”)
чалма turban (from Albanian “çallmë”, possibly via Turkish)
шиптар slur for Albanian (derogatory, from “Shqiptar” – the Albanian word for themselves)
сандък chest or trunk (also from Turkish/Albanian overlap, “sandëk”)
фис clan (from Albanian “fis”)
носач porter or carrier (may reflect Balkan occupational terms from Albanian usage)
бучим to bellow or roar (possibly from Albanian dialects, though debated)
кушия horse race (Balkan-wide word from Albanian “kushtrim” or festive shout)

Italian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Italian loanwords in Bulgarian reflect centuries of cultural exchange, especially through the Renaissance, the Catholic Church, music, fashion, trade, and modern technical and artistic vocabulary. Many of these words entered via French or directly from Italian, especially during the 18th to 20th centuries. They are often associated with the arts, architecture, food, governance, and style.

балкон balcony
ария aria (melodic solo in opera)
кафе coffee
лазарет quarantine station or infirmary
мадона Madonna (used in religious or poetic context)
пиаца public square (from “piazza”)
пица pizza
паста pasta
опера opera
солфеж solfège (music training method)
вила villa or country house
мандолина mandolin (musical instrument)
фреска fresco (wall painting technique)
фасада facade (building front)
фиеста feast or festival (also from Spanish, but popularized via Italian culture)
дуомо cathedral (from “duomo”)
кантата cantata (vocal composition)
бригада brigade (also via French, but strong Italian military use)
мода fashion
фантазия fantasy or imagination
кастрация castration
ресторант restaurant (from “ristorante”)
маскара mascara or rogue
джентълмен gentleman (used with Italian pronunciation from past pop culture)
комедия comedy
драма drama
мотив motif or motive
панорама panorama or wide view
банджо banjo (from musical borrowing streams including Italian)
сопрано soprano voice
тенор tenor voice
вино wine (shared Latin origin, but reinforced through Italian use)
венециански Venetian (used in art and architecture references)

Armenian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Armenian loanwords in Bulgarian are quite limited but not entirely absent. They reflect centuries of contact between Bulgarians and the Armenian diaspora, particularly in urban trade centers like Plovdiv, Sofia, and Ruse, where Armenian communities settled during the Ottoman period. The influence is seen mainly in terms related to crafts, food, kinship, and daily life. Many of these words came through Ottoman Turkish, where Armenian terms had already been absorbed, while others came through direct community contact.

маамул filled pastry or cookie (from Armenian “maamul” via Levantine usage)
ашуре sweet wheat pudding (shared across Armenians, Turks, and Greeks – possibly from Armenian “anoushabour”)
суджук dried sausage (from Armenian “suǰux”)
бастурма cured meat (from Armenian “pastirma”)
черкезка a type of robe or traditional dress (also found in Armenian-speaking communities)
аджар spicy paste or condiment (possibly from Armenian “ajika” or similar roots)
апа older sister or respectful woman (used in Armenian and Turkish, found in dialects)
керван caravan (possibly via Armenian into Ottoman Turkish)
ханам lady or wife (from Armenian “ханум”, also widespread in Persianate cultures)
занг bell (from Armenian “զանգ” [zang], meaning “bell” or “ring”)
чорап sock (found in Armenian as “չորափ” [čorap], shared with Turkish)
джезве coffee pot (may also derive from Armenian “ջազվե” [ǰazve], though also claimed by Arabic and Turkish)
кахка ring-shaped pastry (used in Armenian kitchens; dialectal in Bulgarian regions)
кешкек ceremonial wheat stew (from Armenian “keşkek”)

Estonian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Estonian loanwords in Bulgarian are extremely rare due to limited historical, geographical, and cultural contact between the two nations. However, in the modern era—especially through the European Union, technology, and international culture—a few Estonian-origin terms or proper names have entered Bulgarian discourse. Most are not deeply integrated into everyday language and usually appear in specialized contexts such as politics, media, or pop culture.

There are no widely accepted native Estonian words that have entered standard Bulgarian vocabulary as stable loanwords. However, here are a few terms that occasionally appear in Bulgarian when referring to Estonian-specific phenomena or cultural elements:

киликин kilikin (traditional Estonian children’s game, mentioned in ethnographic texts)
рафи rafi (Estonian-style coffee drink with cream and vanilla, known in Baltic cafés)
виру Viru (name of a historical Estonian region or hotel, used in cultural references)
калев Kalev (mythic Estonian hero, appears in literary discussions)
кихну Kihnu (island name, associated with UNESCO cultural heritage)
рагу ragu (Estonian-style stew, although this overlaps with other cuisines)
естофен Estophone (rare academic term for Estonian speakers)

Georgian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Georgian loanwords in Bulgarian are rare but not entirely absent, primarily due to historical interactions within the Ottoman Empire, Eastern Orthodoxy, and shared military and political ties over centuries. Most Georgian-origin words in Bulgarian came through indirect routes—especially via Turkish or Russian—and are more likely to appear in regional dialects, historical texts, or cultural contexts involving cuisine, religion, or traditional customs.

чурчхела churchkhela (Georgian nut and grape must confection)
сациви satsivi (cold walnut sauce used in Georgian cuisine)
хинкали khinkali (Georgian meat dumplings)
лобио lobio (Georgian bean stew)
мцвади mtsvadi (Georgian grilled meat skewers)
грузия Georgia (country name – from Russian “Gruziya,” originally based on Persianized forms of “Gurj”)
грузинец Georgian man
грузинка Georgian woman
пури puri (Georgian word for bread, especially round or oven-baked loaves)
аджика adjika (spicy condiment from Georgian-Abkhazian tradition)
шоти shoti (traditional canoe-shaped bread)
квеври qvevri (large clay vessel used for Georgian winemaking)
тамада tamada (toastmaster at a Georgian feast)

Uzbek Loanwords in Bulgarian

Uzbek loanwords in Bulgarian are exceptionally rare due to limited direct historical contact between Bulgarians and Uzbeks. However, during the Ottoman Empire and later the Soviet period, some Central Asian terms—especially Turkic words—entered Bulgarian, sometimes indirectly via Turkish, Persian, Arabic, or Russian. A few of these can be traced to Uzbek or broadly Turkic roots, especially in food, clothing, and nomadic traditions.

пилаф pilaf (rice dish; from Uzbek “palov”)
юрт yurt (nomadic tent dwelling; from Uzbek “yurt” meaning homeland or camp)
кумис fermented mare’s milk (from Uzbek “qimiz”)
сарай palace or large house (from Uzbek “saroy,” originally Persian “sarāy”)
халва halva (sweet dessert; known in Uzbek as “halva”)
базар market (used in Uzbek as “bozor”)
араба cart or wagon (from Uzbek “arava”)
тюфек rifle or musket (possibly from Turkic-Uzbek “tüfäk,” influenced by Ottoman Turkish)
калпак traditional hat (from Uzbek “qalpoq”)
бахшиши tip or gift (from Uzbek “baxshish” via Persian and Turkish)

Swahili Loanwords in Bulgarian

Swahili loanwords in Bulgarian are exceedingly rare, as there has been very limited historical or cultural contact between Bulgarian-speaking populations and the Swahili-speaking regions of East Africa. However, in the context of globalization, intercultural exchange, African studies, tourism, and media, a few Swahili terms have entered international discourse and are sometimes used or recognized in Bulgarian—usually in academic, cultural, or journalistic contexts rather than as fully integrated vocabulary.

джамбо hello (from Swahili “jambo” – often used in tourist contexts)
сафари journey or expedition (from Swahili “safari,” meaning travel)
куфия traditional scarf (from Swahili “kofia” meaning cap or headwear, also via Arabic)
мангу mango (from Swahili “maembe,” but the term “mango” globally has Indian and African roots, and overlaps linguistically)
свахили Swahili (language and culture term itself, e.g., “суахили език” = Swahili language)
савана savannah (from Swahili “savanna” via Spanish – widely used in geographic terms)
мбао wood or timber (used in ethnographic texts about East African building or trade)
ухуру freedom (from Swahili “uhuru,” used symbolically in African liberation contexts)
шензени chimpanzees (from Swahili “sokwe” or “sokwe mtu,” sometimes used in scientific literature)
бонго brains, intellect (in slang, “bongo” in Tanzania can also refer to the city of Dar es Salaam)
маасаи Maasai (ethnic group name shared across Swahili and international use)
нгуо clothes (used in ethnographic contexts – from Swahili “nguo”)
ндугу brother/comrade (from Swahili “ndugu” – sometimes cited in political or cultural references)
тумани fog (from Swahili “tuvani,” rarely used outside poetic translations)
харамбе working together/community effort (from Swahili “harambee” – cited in development studies or cultural events)

Kazakh Loanwords in Bulgarian

Kazakh loanwords in Bulgarian are extremely limited and rarely used in daily language. Most words of Kazakh origin found in Bulgarian appear in specific contexts—mainly through academic discourse, cultural programs, Central Asian cuisine, or Soviet-era political and historical studies. Like other Turkic languages, Kazakh shares a number of root words with Turkish and Uzbek, some of which have indirectly entered Bulgarian via Ottoman Turkish. However, direct borrowing from Kazakh into Bulgarian remains marginal.

юрта yurt (traditional nomadic tent; from Kazakh “киіз үй” [kiyiz üi], though the word “yurt” has broader Turkic spread)
кумис fermented mare’s milk (from Kazakh “қымыз” [qymyz])
акын folk poet or bard (from Kazakh “ақын” [aqyn])
домбра two-stringed Kazakh instrument (from Kazakh “домбыра” [dombıra])
жайлау summer pasture (from Kazakh “жайлау” [zhailau]) – appears in ethnographic or geographical texts
толкум movement or wave (from Kazakh “толқын” [tolqyn], used poetically or symbolically in translation)
хан khan or ruler (from Kazakh “хан” – of Mongol-Turkic origin, shared with many languages)
шапан traditional cloak or robe (from Kazakh “шапан” [shapan])
ас feast, commemorative meal (from Kazakh “ас” – mentioned in cultural contexts)
бешбармак Kazakh national dish with noodles and meat (from Kazakh “бешбармақ” – literally “five fingers”)
ноғай Nogai (ethnic group related to Kazakhs – appears in historical discussions)
алаша woven carpet or mat (from Kazakh “алаша”) – seen in artisan contexts
тюльпан tulip (while this came through Turkish and Russian, the tulip holds special cultural meaning in Kazakh and is sometimes referenced symbolically)
алтын gold (from Kazakh “алтын” – used in names or poetic references)

Serbian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Serbian has contributed a number of loanwords to Bulgarian, especially through geographical proximity, shared Slavic heritage, and centuries of interaction in the Balkans. While both languages are South Slavic and mutually intelligible to a degree, there are still distinctive Serbianisms that entered Bulgarian through dialectal contact, media, popular culture, and regional slang. These borrowings are most noticeable in western Bulgarian dialects and informal registers.

чичко uncle (from Serbian “чича,” informal/loving term for an older man)
кеф pleasure, mood (via Serbian “кеф” from Turkish/Arabic “kaif,” but reinforced through Serbian slang)
кефа in a good mood (used in Bulgarian slang, influenced by Serbian expressions)
дупе buttocks (from Serbian “дупе,” common in slang)
зеза to tease or joke (from Serbian “зезати” – Bulgarian slang “зeзя”)
мала babe, girl (from Serbian “мала” – diminutive of “girl,” used in Bulgarian youth slang)
бате bro or big brother (from Serbian “бата,” informal address)
лажеш you’re lying (from Serbian “лажеш” – often quoted or borrowed for emphasis)
јебига / ебати damn / fck it (strong slang, used in Bulgarian with Serbianized effect)*
фраер show-off guy or wannabe (from Serbian “фрајер” – itself from German “Freier”)
лопов thief (from Serbian “лопов” – though Bulgarian has “крадец,” this is used in dialects/slang)
бабаит tough guy or thug (used in both Serbian and Bulgarian, of Ottoman origin)
јуриш charge, assault (military – from Serbian usage)
теревенка chat, friendly talk (Serbian “теревенка,” dialectal and informal in Bulgarian)
пич dude, guy (from Serbian “пич,” used commonly in slang in Bulgarian)
пичка vulgar term for female genitals (from Serbian – highly offensive in both languages)
ракија rakija (fruit brandy – common Balkan word, with strong Serbian association)
ајде let’s go / come on (from Serbian “ајде” – now widespread in informal Bulgarian)
много ми е филм I’m overthinking it / it’s too much drama (idiom influenced by Serbian speech)
брате brother / bro (from Serbian “брате” – common in informal speech in Bulgaria)

French Loanwords in Bulgarian

French has had a significant influence on Bulgarian, especially from the 19th to the early 20th century, when French was the dominant language of diplomacy, culture, fashion, and intellectual life across Europe. Many French words entered Bulgarian directly or via intermediaries such as Russian or German. These borrowings are widespread in areas like politics, education, cuisine, fashion, and the arts, and many are fully integrated into everyday Bulgarian vocabulary.

адрес address
актьор actor
аромат aroma
балет ballet
баналност banality
билет ticket
бюро desk or office
галерия gallery
грим makeup
деликатес delicacy
дебат debate
жанр genre
жест gesture
журналист journalist
кафе coffee
колаж collage
комбинация combination
конференция conference
куверт place setting or cover charge (restaurant)
манер manner
модел model
мода fashion
мотив motive or motif
музей museum
плато platter (culinary)
премиера premiere (first showing)
ремарка remark or annotation
резюме summary or résumé
ресторант restaurant
роли roles (theatrical or social)
салон salon or parlor
сцена scene or stage
серия series
суфле soufflé
театър theatre
тоалет toilet or outfit (context-dependent)
тур tour
фасада façade
филм film
фойе foyer or lobby
формулар form (document)
фраза phrase
хотел hotel
шанс chance or opportunity
шарм charm
шик chic
шофьор driver
щора window blind (from French “store”)

Polish Loanwords in Bulgarian

Polish loanwords in Bulgarian are relatively few, but they do exist—especially due to shared Slavic roots, 19th-century cultural exchange, military cooperation, and modern EU-era contacts. Some Polish words have entered Bulgarian directly through literature, political ideas, and migration, while others came via Russian or German. Their influence is most notable in intellectual, military, culinary, and colloquial contexts.

шляхта nobility (from Polish “szlachta” – medieval Polish aristocracy)
панове gentlemen (from Polish “panowie” – plural of “pan”)
пани lady, madam (from Polish “pani” – polite address for a woman)
запека́нка open-faced baked sandwich (Polish street food “zapiekanka” – known in culinary contexts)
киселец sorrel (from Polish “szczaw” – via dialects, though similar in other Slavic tongues)
щрудел strudel (from German via Polish “struedel” – in culinary context)
шаблон template or stencil (from Polish “szablon” – also used in technical language)
гужва crowd or traffic jam (from Polish “guzwa,” used in slang/dialect)
пижама pajamas (via Polish “piżama,” from French originally)
маншет cuff (from Polish “mankiet,” via French “manchette”)
цесар guinea fowl (from Polish “cesarka” – dialectal use in rural areas)
маджар Hungarian (from Polish “Madziar” – used historically)
картопли potatoes (Polish “kartofle” – now dated or dialectal in Bulgarian)
фазан pheasant (from Polish “bażant,” via German/French, used in hunting contexts)

Finnish Loanwords in Bulgarian

Finnish loanwords in Bulgarian are extremely rare due to the linguistic distance between the Finno-Ugric and Slavic language families and limited historical contact. However, in modern times—especially since Finland’s rise in global innovation, design, education, and pop culture—some Finnish terms have entered Bulgarian, usually through international media, tourism, or academic discourse. These words are typically proper names, brand terms, or culturally specific concepts.

сауна sauna (from Finnish “sauna” – now fully adopted worldwide and common in Bulgarian)
сисиу sisu (from Finnish “sisu” – meaning grit, resilience, inner strength; used in philosophical and motivational contexts)
Ювяскюля Jyväskylä (city in Finland, appears in academic or geographical texts)
кими Kimi (popular Finnish first name, e.g., Kimi Räikkönen – appears in sports and pop culture)
лурду lörtsy (Finnish street food pastry – sometimes referenced in food blogs)
ревонлуота Revontulet (Northern Lights, literally “fox’s fires” – used poetically in tourism materials)
Муми Moomin (from Finnish “Muumi” – famous children’s characters, known in Bulgarian through translations)
пуукко puukko (traditional Finnish knife – known among survivalist or craft communities)
тансуйт tanssit (dances, sometimes referenced in folk festival contexts)
сампо Sampo (mythical object from the Finnish “Kalevala” – appears in literary discussions)

Only сауна has become a fully naturalized loanword in everyday Bulgarian speech. Most other Finnish words remain exotic and context-bound, usually appearing in articles about Finland, education, culture, sports, or folklore.

Hungarian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Hungarian has contributed a small but notable number of loanwords to Bulgarian, mainly through centuries of contact in the Carpathian Basin, Habsburg influence, and regional trade, particularly in northwestern Bulgaria. These borrowings often relate to food, social roles, military terms, and everyday life. Many of them entered Bulgarian via Romanian, German, or Serbian, making it difficult to trace a direct path—but their Hungarian origin is generally accepted by linguists.

хусар hussar (light cavalry soldier; from Hungarian “huszár”)
гюлаш goulash (meat stew; from Hungarian “gulyás”)
барабан drum (from Hungarian “dob” or related forms via Ottoman or Slavic intermediaries)
чардаш csárdás (Hungarian folk dance; from Hungarian “csárdás”)
паприкаш paprikash (stew with paprika; from Hungarian “paprikás”)
паланка fortified settlement or small town (from Hungarian “palánkvár” – palisade fortress)
кутия box (possibly from Hungarian “kútia,” though this overlaps with Greek and Turkish sources)
шпиц tip or point (from Hungarian “spicc,” also via German)
пушка gun or rifle (from Hungarian “puska” – possibly via Ottoman Turkish)
майка mother (though Slavic, some dialectal uses of “májka” show Hungarian influence in intonation or form)
лента ribbon or tape (from Hungarian “szalag,” through German or Serbian)
сабя sabre (sword; from Hungarian “szablya”)
токай Tokay wine (from Hungarian “Tokaji” – regional wine famous across Europe)
шаблон template or stencil (from Hungarian “sablon,” via French and German)
щрудел strudel (via Hungarian “rétes” – borrowed through German culinary terms)

Norwegian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Norwegian loanwords in Bulgarian are extremely rare due to the limited historical, geographical, and linguistic contact between the two countries. Norwegian is a North Germanic language, while Bulgarian is a South Slavic one, and the paths for direct borrowing have been minimal. However, with globalization, cultural exchange, and increasing interest in Scandinavian society, a handful of Norwegian words or culturally significant terms have begun to appear in Bulgarian, typically in the context of media, tourism, literature, or specialized discourse.

фьорд fjord (from Norwegian “fjord” – narrow sea inlet between cliffs, common in geography and tourism)
ски ski (from Norwegian “ski” – used internationally and fully integrated into Bulgarian)
трол troll (from Norwegian “troll” – mythological creature, now used in fantasy and internet contexts)
лосос salmon (from Norwegian “laks” – though the word in Bulgarian “сьомга” is from a different root, culinary texts may mention the Norwegian type)
лутефиск lutefisk (traditional Norwegian dried fish dish – sometimes referenced in Nordic culinary contexts)
норвежки пуловер Norwegian sweater (patterned wool sweaters from Norway – a cultural export known in fashion contexts)
фрильуфтслив friluftsliv (literally “open-air life” – Norwegian concept of nature-connected lifestyle, cited in wellness and cultural texts)
остфйорд Ostfjord (place names or regional foods may be mentioned in niche tourism or culinary content)
шакълтон Shackleton (not Norwegian but often mentioned alongside Norwegian explorers like Amundsen in Bulgarian texts about polar history)
амундсен Amundsen (famous Norwegian explorer – appears in history and science literature)

Swedish Loanwords in Bulgarian

Although Bulgarian and Swedish come from different language families—Slavic and Germanic—the increasing exposure to Swedish culture, lifestyle, and brands in recent decades has led to a modest number of Swedish loanwords in Bulgarian. These borrowings often reflect cultural concepts, products, and lifestyle trends unique to Sweden.

лагом just the right amount (Swedish concept of balance and moderation)
хюга hygge (cozy lifestyle, often borrowed through Scandinavian cultural influence)
ИКЕА IKEA (famous Swedish furniture and home goods company)
абба ABBA (name of the iconic Swedish pop group)
шведска маса buffet (literally "Swedish table", a style of serving food)
швед Swede (person from Sweden)
шведски Swedish (language or adjective of origin)
сауна sauna (although originally Finnish, spread through Nordic influence including Swedish)
люсекаот Lussekatt (saffron bun eaten during St. Lucia's Day)
волво Volvo (Swedish automobile brand)

Danish Loanwords in Bulgarian

Although Bulgarian and Danish belong to different branches of the Indo-European language family—Slavic and Germanic, respectively—some Danish words have found their way into Bulgarian, especially through maritime trade, modern pop culture, and Scandinavian design influence. These loanwords are relatively rare but showcase the dynamic nature of language contact in the globalized world.

лагом just the right amount (concept of balance from Swedish/Danish culture)
сканди Scandi, Scandinavian (shortened adjective from Scandinavian)
фьорд fjord (narrow sea inlet between cliffs)
лего LEGO (brand of building blocks originally from Denmark)
викинг Viking (Norse seafarer from the early medieval period)
смуоребрьод smørrebrød (traditional Danish open-faced sandwich)
хюге hygge (coziness and comfortable conviviality concept)
кьобенхавн Copenhagen (capital city of Denmark, sometimes adapted phonetically)
датчанин Dane (person from Denmark)
датски Danish (adjective for language or origin)

Romanian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Romanian has had a notable influence on Bulgarian vocabulary, especially in northern and northwestern Bulgaria where historical and geographical proximity fostered bilingualism, trade, and cultural exchange. Many Romanian loanwords entered Bulgarian through direct contact, particularly between the 18th and 20th centuries, and are most often found in everyday life, agriculture, food, clothing, and regional slang. Some are dialectal, while others are widely used or fully integrated into standard Bulgarian.

чушка pepper (from Romanian “ciuşcă” – a type of hot pepper)
мамалига cornmeal porridge or polenta (from Romanian “mămăligă”)
чорба soup or broth (from Romanian “ciorbă” – sour soup)
пояс belt or sash (from Romanian “poias” or “pâuș” – via Slavic roots as well)
шапка hat (from Romanian “şapcă” – via Slavic or Hungarian influence)
брашно flour (from Romanian “brăşu” or via older Latin roots)
мангал Balkan grill or brazier (from Romanian “mangal” – charcoal, itself of Turkish origin)
калай tin (from Romanian “cositor” or via Ottoman Turkish “kalay”)
копанар tinker, metalworker (from Romanian “copanari” – itinerant craftsmen)
вуйчо uncle (from Romanian “unchiu” – Bulgarian dialect word, differs from standard “чичо”)
женичер matchmaker (from Romanian “jenicer” – also seen in dialects)
кърлеж tick (parasite; from Romanian “cârlig” – hook, metaphorically transferred)
балкан mountain (from Romanian “Balcani” – also via Turkish and Slavic use)
прах powder or dust (used in both languages; lexical reinforcement between Romanian “praf” and Bulgarian “прах”)
плешив bald (from Romanian “pleşuv” – similar Slavic roots as well)
кукуруз corn (from Romanian “cucuruz” – regional)
кантар scale, weighing device (from Romanian “cântar” – from Latin “quantarium”)

Persian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Persian (Farsi) has had a deep and lasting influence on Bulgarian vocabulary, especially through Ottoman Turkish. During centuries of Ottoman rule in Bulgaria (14th–19th century), many Persian words entered Bulgarian indirectly, carried by Turkish as the administrative and cultural language of the empire. These loanwords are often found in areas such as government, trade, architecture, clothing, military, and everyday life.

дюшек mattress (from Persian “تشک” [tošak] via Turkish “döşek”)
килим carpet (from Persian “گلیم” [gilim])
баджанак co-brother-in-law (from Persian “باجناق” [bājanāq], through Turkish)
сандък chest or box (from Persian “صندوق” [sandūq])
чаршаф sheet or cover (from Persian “چادر شب” [čādor-e šab], via Turkish “çarşaf”)
бахур incense (from Persian “بخور” [bukhūr])
пехливан wrestler (from Persian “پهلوان” [pahlavān], a hero or strongman)
хазна treasury (from Persian “خزانه” [xazāneh], via Turkish)
дюлгер builder or carpenter (from Persian “درگر” [dūlgar], through Ottoman Turkish)
зарзават vegetables (from Persian “سبزی‌جات” [sabzijāt], via Turkish “zırzavat”)
чорап sock (from Persian “جوراب” [jurāb])
диван sofa or council (from Persian “دیوان” [divān])
мекемме court or judiciary (from Persian “محکمه” [maḥkameh], via Turkish)
бостан melon field or garden (from Persian “بوستان” [būstān])
тъпан drum (from Persian “طبل” [tabl], also Arabic origin)
кафене coffeehouse (from Persian “قهوه‌خانه” [qahveh-xāneh], via Turkish)
сарай palace or mansion (from Persian “سرای” [sarāy])
кеф pleasure or mood (from Persian “کیف” [kaif], through Turkish)
чалма turban (from Persian “چَرمَه” [čalma])
гюл rose (from Persian “گل” [gol])

Arabic Loanwords in Bulgarian

Arabic has had a significant impact on Bulgarian vocabulary, mostly through Ottoman Turkish. During the nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule in the Balkans, a vast number of Arabic-origin words entered Bulgarian indirectly, particularly in fields like religion, administration, trade, science, daily life, and food. Many of these borrowings are fully integrated into modern Bulgarian, especially in dialects or historical vocabulary, and are no longer perceived as foreign.

абдал dervish, eccentric person (from Arabic “عبدال” [‘abdāl], via Turkish)
ахмак fool, idiot (from Arabic “أحمق” [ʾaḥmaq])
балама naïve person, simpleton (from Arabic “بالِغ” [bāligh] via Turkish)
бахур incense (from Arabic “بخور” [bukhūr])
везир vizier, minister (from Arabic “وزير” [wazīr])
газета newspaper (ultimately from Arabic “غزاة” [ghazāt] – warriors, via Italian “gazzetta” – indirect path)
дюкян shop or store (from Arabic “دكان” [dukkān])
езда riding (from Arabic “زاد” [zāda] – provision, movement, via Turkish)
имам imam, Muslim prayer leader (from Arabic “إمام” [imām])
кади Islamic judge (from Arabic “قاضي” [qāḍī])
кахве coffee (from Arabic “قهوة” [qahwa])
кесия pouch or small bag (from Arabic “كيس” [kīs])
механа tavern (from Arabic “مكان” [makān] – place, via Turkish)
награда reward, prize (from Arabic “أجر” [ajr] via Turkish “ödül” and related expressions)
рафт shelf (from Arabic “رف” [raff])
сабля sabre (from Arabic “صَفْر” [ṣafīr] or similar roots for cutting/weapons)
сандък chest, trunk (from Arabic “صندوق” [ṣundūq])
тефтер notebook, ledger (from Arabic “دفتر” [daftar])
хаджия pilgrim (from Arabic “حاجّ” [ḥājj], via Turkish “hacı”)
харч provisions, food supply (from Arabic “خرج” [kharaǧ] – expense, tax)
чалма turban (from Arabic “عمامة” [ʿimāma], via Turkish “çalma”)
шайка gang or crew (from Arabic “شيخ” [shaykh], evolving via Turkish)
ябанджия foreigner, outsider (from Arabic “أجنبي” [ajnabī], via Turkish “yabancı”)

Portuguese Loanwords in Bulgarian

Portuguese has had only a minor direct influence on Bulgarian vocabulary. However, a few Portuguese-origin words have entered Bulgarian, typically through indirect channels such as Spanish, French, English, or international trade and exploration. These loanwords are often related to navigation, food, colonial products, music, or globalized cultural items. Most are not immediately recognizable as Portuguese in origin because they’ve passed through other languages before arriving in Bulgarian.

фламинго flamingo (from Portuguese “flamingo,” originally from Spanish, related to the bird's red color)
мандарина mandarin orange (from Portuguese “mandarim,” ultimately from Chinese; entered Bulgarian through trade routes)
какао cocoa (from Portuguese “cacau,” from indigenous Mesoamerican languages – spread by Portuguese and Spanish traders)
маракуя passion fruit (from Portuguese “maracujá,” from Tupi-Guarani origin)
батат sweet potato (from Portuguese “batata,” originally from Taíno or Quechua – spread via Portuguese trade)
бригада brigade (from Portuguese “brigada,” also influenced by French and Spanish military terms)
цунгуаня a type of dried fruit or tropical product (rare dialectal use, from Portuguese colonial vocabulary)
ферия carnival or fair (from Portuguese “feira” – also Spanish influence, used in poetic or festive contexts)
амбразура embrasure (military or architectural opening; from Portuguese “embrasura,” via French)
барок baroque (from Portuguese “barroco,” meaning irregular pearl, adopted via French and Italian)

Spanish Loanwords in Bulgarian

Spanish has contributed a modest number of loanwords to Bulgarian, primarily through cultural, literary, and modern media channels rather than direct historical contact. Most Spanish words in Bulgarian are internationalisms that entered the language through French, English, or global pop culture. In recent decades, the popularity of Spanish music, cinema, dance, and cuisine has increased the presence of Spanish terms in everyday Bulgarian speech, especially among younger generations and in urban areas.

ранчо ranch (from Spanish “rancho” – rural farmstead)
сиеста afternoon nap (from Spanish “siesta” – rest after lunch)
манана tomorrow (from Spanish “mañana” – used humorously in Bulgarian to suggest laziness or procrastination)
гитара guitar (from Spanish “guitarra” – widespread international term)
салса salsa (from Spanish “salsa” – music, dance, and sauce)
самбреро sombrero (from Spanish “sombrero” – traditional wide-brimmed hat)
серенада serenade (from Spanish “serenata” – musical performance for a loved one)
тореадор bullfighter (from Spanish “toreador” – appears in literature and metaphorically)
каравела caravel (from Spanish “carabela” – historic sailing ship)
фиеста party or festival (from Spanish “fiesta” – used in festive or promotional contexts)
кармен Carmen (from the famous Spanish opera and name – symbolic cultural reference)
дон Don (Spanish honorific title – used in stylized literary contexts or humorously)
мулат mulatto (from Spanish “mulato” – dated, used in historical and anthropological texts)
гвакамоле guacamole (from Spanish via Nahuatl – avocado-based dish)
чурос churros (fried dough pastry – entered through Spanish and Latin American cuisine)
паеля paella (from Spanish “paella” – Valencian rice dish)
бандолеро bandit or outlaw (from Spanish “bandolero” – appears in literature and media)
латино Latino (from “Latinoamericano” – refers to Latin American music and culture)
мадрид Madrid (capital of Spain – used metaphorically or politically in some Bulgarian texts)

Chinese Loanwords in Bulgarian

Loanwords from Chinese into Bulgarian are extremely rare due to the vast linguistic, geographic, and historical distance between the two languages. However, a few Chinese-origin terms have made their way into Bulgarian, primarily in recent decades through international trade, cuisine, martial arts, and cultural exchange. These words often entered Bulgarian indirectly—via English, Russian, or other intermediary languages—and are usually tied to Chinese culture, food, philosophy, and modern pop culture.

чай tea (from Chinese “茶” [chá] – one of the most widespread Chinese loanwords globally, entered Bulgarian via Russian or Turkish)
тофу tofu (from Chinese “豆腐” [dòufu] – soy product, widely used in Asian cuisine)
гунг-фу kung fu (from Chinese “功夫” [gōngfū] – martial arts or discipline, used in sports and cinema contexts)
тай-чи tai chi (from Chinese “太极” [tàijí] – internal martial art, used in health and wellness circles)
чакра chakra (via Sanskrit, but entered modern discourse often via Chinese martial arts and wellness terms – used in alternative medicine contexts)
панда panda (from Chinese “熊猫” [xióngmāo], entered globally through English and Russian)
маоизъм Maoism (from “Мао Цзедун” [Mao Zedong] – political ideology, appears in political and historical texts)
дзи qi or chi (from Chinese “气” [qì] – life energy, used in martial arts and traditional medicine)
чунцин Chongqing (city in China – sometimes mentioned in trade or culinary contexts)
дракон dragon (from Chinese mythology, though the Bulgarian “дракон” is originally from Greek, modern Chinese influence reinforced the symbolic figure)
дам сум dim sum (from Cantonese “點心” [diǎnxīn] – traditional Chinese small plates)
уок wok (from Cantonese “鑊” [wok] – cooking pan, common in Asian cuisine references)

Korean Loanwords in Bulgarian

Korean loanwords in Bulgarian are very limited, as the two countries have had minimal direct linguistic interaction. However, in the 21st century, the global spread of Korean pop culture (known as the Korean Wave or Hallyu)—including K-pop, K-dramas, Korean cuisine, and fashion—has introduced some Korean-origin words into Bulgarian, mostly used in urban, youth, and cultural contexts.

кимчи kimchi (from Korean “김치” [gimchi] – spicy fermented cabbage, widely known food item)
корѐска драма Korean drama (from Korean TV culture – “드라마” [deurama] from English “drama”)
К-поп K-pop (short for Korean pop music – from Korean “케이팝” [keipap], global music genre)
бибимбап bibimbap (from Korean “비빔밥” – mixed rice with vegetables and egg, known in Korean cuisine)
булгоги bulgogi (from Korean “불고기” – marinated grilled beef)
ханбок hanbok (from Korean “한복” – traditional Korean clothing)
нораебанг karaoke room (from Korean “노래방” – singing room; occasionally mentioned in cultural writing)
седжонг Sejong (from King Sejong the Great – cultural and historical reference in education or linguistics)
таекондо taekwondo (from Korean “태권도” – martial art, internationally recognized and used in Bulgarian sports)
оппа oppa (from Korean “오빠” – older brother or affectionate term for a male, often used in fan contexts)
унаги unagi (not Korean but sometimes confused with Korean food – care needed with culinary terms)
айдъл idol (from Korean pop term “아이돌” [aidol] – widely used in K-pop fandom circles)

Thai Loanwords in Bulgarian

Thai loanwords in Bulgarian are extremely rare and mostly limited to modern cultural, culinary, and tourist-related contexts. There has never been significant historical interaction between Bulgaria and Thailand, so any Thai-origin words in Bulgarian have arrived through globalization, primarily via English or international cuisine.

тай Thai (from Thai “ไทย” – referring to the people, language, or culture of Thailand)
пад тай pad thai (from Thai “ผัดไทย” – stir-fried noodle dish, commonly seen on menus and food blogs)
тайландско къри Thai curry (from Thai “แกง” [kaeng] – spicy curry; known through dishes like green and red curry)
том ям tom yum (from Thai “ต้มยำ” – hot and sour soup with shrimp or other seafood)
том ка tom kha (from Thai “ต้มข่า” – coconut milk soup with galangal)
муай тай muay thai (from Thai “มวยไทย” – Thai boxing; widely practiced martial art in Bulgaria and globally)
ват wat (from Thai “วัด” – Buddhist temple; sometimes used in travel writing)
санук sanuk (from Thai “สนุก” – concept of fun/enjoyment; rarely used but cited in cultural articles)
лонган longan (from Thai “ลำไย” – tropical fruit, seen in specialty food markets)
дуриан durian (from Thai “ทุเรียน” – spiky tropical fruit, shared across Southeast Asia)

Vietnamese Loanwords in Bulgarian

Vietnamese loanwords in Bulgarian are extremely rare due to limited historical and linguistic interaction between the two countries. However, during the socialist era—particularly in the 1970s and 1980s—Vietnamese workers and students lived and worked in Bulgaria as part of bilateral agreements between the two communist governments. This led to occasional cultural exchanges, but few Vietnamese-origin words entered the Bulgarian language in any stable way.

In modern times, globalization, Vietnamese cuisine, and pop culture have brought a small number of Vietnamese terms into Bulgarian, usually through English, French, or international food culture. Most are confined to culinary or niche cultural contexts.

фо pho (from Vietnamese phở – noodle soup, known in Bulgarian restaurant menus and food culture)
бан ми banh mi (from Vietnamese bánh mì – sandwich with meat and pickled vegetables in a baguette)
нук мам nuoc mam (from Vietnamese nước mắm – fish sauce, used in Southeast Asian cooking)
ао дай ao dai (from Vietnamese áo dài – traditional Vietnamese dress, mentioned in cultural contexts)
тетуан Tet holiday (from Vietnamese Tết Nguyên Đán – Lunar New Year, known in Vietnamese diaspora events)
вьетконг Viet Cong (from Việt Cộng – historical reference in political or historical contexts)
саигон Saigon (former name of Ho Chi Minh City – used in culinary or travel contexts)
хо ши мин Ho Chi Minh (Vietnamese leader – appears in political or historical texts)

Czech Loanwords in Bulgarian

Czech has contributed a small number of loanwords to Bulgarian, primarily through cultural and political contact in the 19th and 20th centuries. During the Bulgarian National Revival and the early post-Ottoman period, many Czech intellectuals, teachers, and engineers came to Bulgaria to help build institutions, schools, and infrastructure. This Czech-Bulgarian collaboration left traces in education, science, and technical vocabulary. Most Czech-origin words in Bulgarian entered through formal or intellectual contexts, often alongside German or Russian influence.

робот robot (from Czech “robot” – coined by Karel Čapek’s brother Josef, meaning forced labor)
пианист pianist (from Czech “pianista” – although also shared with German and French, popularized via Czech music schools)
кнедли knedlíky or dumplings (from Czech “knedlíky” – a Central European dish, known in culinary contexts)
пивовар brewer (from Czech “pivovar” – also exists as a term for a brewery)
часовникар watchmaker (from Czech “hodinář” – this and similar professional terms were spread by Czech artisans in Bulgaria)
жакет jacket (from Czech “žaket” – a type of formal men’s jacket, also through French and German)
копринен silken (partly reinforced by Czech industrial textile terminology during early 20th-century exchanges)
станция station (from Czech “stanice” – similar to Polish and Russian forms, often used in railway contexts)
трамвай tram (from Czech “tramvaj” – itself derived from English but mediated via Czech or German usage in Central Europe)

Dutch Loanwords in Bulgarian

Dutch loanwords in Bulgarian are very few and primarily entered the language through indirect channels—especially via German, French, or English. There has been little direct historical contact between Bulgaria and the Netherlands, so most Dutch-origin words in Bulgarian are related to trade, seafaring, textiles, art, and modern global culture. Some terms became widespread internationalisms, often losing their Dutch identity along the way.

авангард avant-garde (from Dutch “avant-garde” via French; refers to experimental art and culture)
бренд brand (from Dutch “brand” meaning ‘fire, mark’, now global marketing term used in Bulgarian business language)
шхуна schooner (from Dutch “schoener” – a type of sailing ship, known through nautical terminology)
яхта yacht (from Dutch “jacht” meaning ‘hunt’ – entered via English and became common in maritime language)
трепел treacle, syrup (from Dutch “stroop” – some dialectal and culinary use, but very rare)
бургия drill bit (from Dutch “boor” or “boorijzer” – possibly entered via German or Turkish craft vocabulary)
канелка faucet, tap (from Dutch “kraan” – via German “Kran”, known in plumbing terminology)
буренце small barrel (from Dutch “buur” or “vat” – via German and trade vocabulary)
клинкер clinker brick (from Dutch “klinker” – used in construction for hard-fired bricks)
помпа pump (from Dutch “pomp” – used in mechanics and everyday vocabulary)

Indonesian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Loanwords from Indonesian into Bulgarian are extremely rare due to the limited historical, cultural, and linguistic contact between the two nations. However, a few Indonesian-origin words have reached Bulgarian indirectly, mainly via English or Dutch, and they usually refer to food, plants, or cultural items that became internationally known through colonial or global trade routes.

батик batik (from Indonesian batik – traditional wax-resist textile art, known in fashion and design contexts)
амок amok (from Indonesian amuk – furious rage; “run amok” is an idiom used in English and borrowed into Bulgarian as “амок”)
орангутан orangutan (from Indonesian orang utan – “forest person,” used in zoological terms)
сатай satay (from Indonesian sate – grilled meat skewers; known in culinary contexts in cities)
гамелан gamelan (from Indonesian gamelan – traditional ensemble music, occasionally referenced in music studies)
рангутан variant spelling of orangutan; used in older zoological references
гингер ginger (though the Bulgarian “джинджифил” comes from Greek, the global popularization of Southeast Asian cuisine may reinforce its cultural association with Indonesian cooking)
папуа Papua (from “Papua” in Indonesian geography, used in maps and geopolitics – though not uniquely Indonesian in origin)

Greek Loanwords in Bulgarian

Greek has had a profound and lasting influence on Bulgarian vocabulary across many centuries. This influence began during the Byzantine Empire and continued through religious, administrative, cultural, and scholarly contact. Greek words entered Bulgarian both directly and indirectly—through the Eastern Orthodox Church, medieval texts, the Ottoman period, and Balkan multilingualism. Many Greek loanwords are so deeply integrated that they are no longer felt as foreign by native speakers.

Here is a list of Greek loanwords in Bulgarian with their English meanings:

ангел angel (from Greek “ἄγγελος” – messenger)
икона icon (from Greek “εἰκών” – image)
патриарх patriarch (from Greek “πατριάρχης” – head of church or family)
архиепископ archbishop (from Greek “ἀρχιεπίσκοπος” – senior bishop)
храм temple or church (from Greek “χραμύς” – sacred building)
философия philosophy (from Greek “φιλοσοφία” – love of wisdom)
демокрация democracy (from Greek “δημοκρατία” – rule of the people)
математика mathematics (from Greek “μαθηματικά” – knowledge, learning)
театър theatre (from Greek “θέατρον” – place for viewing)
музика music (from Greek “μουσική” – art of the Muses)
история history (from Greek “ἱστορία” – inquiry, knowledge through investigation)
география geography (from Greek “γεωγραφία” – earth writing)
алфа alpha (from Greek “ἄλφα” – the first letter of the alphabet)
църква church (from Greek “κυριακή” – the Lord’s, through Slavic adaptation)
кандидат candidate (from Greek “κανδιδάτος”, via Latin, meaning clothed in white, metaphor for seeking office)
гимназия high school, gymnasium (from Greek “γυμνάσιον” – training place)
академия academy (from Greek “Ἀκαδημία” – Plato’s school of philosophy)
кафене coffee house (from Greek “καφενεῖον” – also via Turkish)
метафора metaphor (from Greek “μεταφορά” – transfer, change of meaning)
сценарий script, scenario (from Greek “σκηνή” – stage)
проблем problem (from Greek “πρόβλημα” – something put forward)
психология psychology (from Greek “ψυχή” – soul, and “λόγος” – study)
диалект dialect (from Greek “διάλεκτος” – discourse, regional speech)
критика criticism (from Greek “κριτική” – the art of judgment)
симфония symphony (from Greek “συμφωνία” – sounding together)

Turkish Loanwords in Bulgarian

Turkish has had a profound and widespread influence on the Bulgarian language, especially in everyday vocabulary, food, clothing, household items, and informal speech. This influence is largely due to the nearly five centuries of Ottoman rule over Bulgarian lands (1396–1878). Thousands of Turkish loanwords were absorbed into Bulgarian during this period, many of which are still actively used today—particularly in regional dialects and colloquial speech.

Here is a list of common Turkish loanwords in Bulgarian with their English meanings:

чорап sock (from Turkish “çorap”)
чешма fountain or water tap (from Turkish “çeşme”)
килѝм rug, carpet (from Turkish “kilim”)
манджа stew or cooked dish (from Turkish “manca”)
бакал grocer (from Turkish “bakkal”)
кеф pleasure, good mood (from Turkish “keyif”)
апартамент apartment (from Turkish “apartman,” itself borrowed from French)
зян loss or damage (from Turkish “ziyan”)
чаршаф bed sheet (from Turkish “çarşaf”)
дюлѐр drawer or chest of drawers (from Turkish “döşeme” or “dölyer” – unclear dialectal path)
комшия neighbor (from Turkish “komşu”)
бай Mr., respectful male title (from Turkish “bay”)
ефенди gentleman, master (from Turkish “efendi”)
ракия rakia, local fruit brandy (from Turkish “rakı”)
боза fermented drink made from grains (from Turkish “boza”)
тепсия metal tray or baking dish (from Turkish “tepsi”)
гювеч stew or clay pot (from Turkish “güveç”)
баклава baklava (from Turkish “baklava”)
сарма stuffed cabbage or vine leaves (from Turkish “sarma”)
кюфте meatball (from Turkish “köfte”)
чушки peppers (Turkish “çuşka” – though shared regionally)
серсем idiot, fool (from Turkish “sersem”)
маруля lettuce (from Turkish “marul”)
гюл rose (from Turkish “gül”)

Hindi / Urdu Loanwords in Bulgarian

Hindi and Bulgarian come from different linguistic families but a small number of Hindi-origin words have found their way into Bulgarian, mostly through indirect routes such as English, Turkish, or Persian. These words often relate to exotic goods, food, culture, or colonial-era items that traveled from South Asia to Europe and eventually entered Bulgarian vocabulary. Below is a short selection of such loanwords that originated in or passed through Hindi.

джунгла jungle
хинди Hindi
пижама pajamas
шахмат chess
бунт revolt
базар market
сапун soap
пънч punch (drink)
бенгалски Bengali
кари curry
мандарин mandarin (orange)
сахар sugar
чадър umbrella
тали thali (platter)
гуру guru

Afrikaans Loanwords in Bulgarian

A handful of Afrikaans-origin words have entered Bulgarian vocabulary, typically through English. These loanwords often reflect South African cultural, military, and natural elements, especially from the colonial and post-colonial period. Their presence in Bulgarian illustrates how even regional languages can influence global speech through commerce, history, and international media.

бургер burgher (citizen of Dutch descent)
африканер Afrikaner (white South African of Dutch origin)
командо commando (military unit or special forces)
трекинг trekking (long journey, originally from Boer migrations)
лагер lager (camp, especially military or detention camp)
копи kopje (small hill or rocky outcrop in African terrain)
ройбос rooibos (herbal tea from South Africa)
краал kraal (enclosure or village of huts)
велд veld (open grassland in southern Africa)
бунту buntu (spirit of community; sometimes borrowed via Ubuntu concept)

Hebrew Loanwords in Bulgarian

Hebrew and Bulgarian are from entirely different language families. However a number of Hebrew-origin words have entered Bulgarian, mostly through religious, liturgical, and biblical channels, often passing through Greek, Latin, or Church Slavonic before settling in modern usage. Many of these words relate to religion, morality, and cultural traditions, especially within the Judeo-Christian heritage.

сабат Sabbath
амин amen
алилуя hallelujah
рабин rabbi
манна manna
месия messiah
сатана Satan
евреин Jew
адонай Adonai (Lord)
талмуд Talmud
синагога synagogue
тетрарх tetrarch (from ancient Judea, via Greek and Latin)
пасха Passover / Easter (via Greek “Pascha”)
херувим cherub
серафим seraph

Mongolian Loanwords in Bulgarian

Loanwords from Mongolian into Bulgarian are rare, but a few have survived, mostly through Turkic and Russian mediation, dating back to the Mongol invasions of Eastern Europe in the 13th century and the subsequent contact between the Bulgarian lands and the Golden Horde. These words often relate to military, administrative, and social structures, and while their Mongolian origin is sometimes obscured, linguistic studies trace them back to Mongolic roots.

хан khan (ruler)
юрт yurt (nomadic tent)
ногаи Nogai (tribe or ethnic group name)
тумен tumen (military unit of ten thousand)
орда horde (camp, later used for ‘army’ or ‘chaos’)
курган kurgan (burial mound)
кашка helmet (archaic military term)
багатур baghatur (warrior, hero)
шаман shaman (spiritual healer or medium)

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE

If you are serious about learning Bulgarian, we recommend that you download the Complete Bulgarian Master Course.

You will receive all the information available on the website in a convenient digital format to carry with you anywhere you go as well as additional contents: over 15000 Vocabulary Words and Phrases, in-depth explanations and exercises for all Grammar Rules, exclusive articles with Cultural Insights that you won't in any other textbook so you can amaze your Bulgarian friends thanks to your knowledge of their country and history.

With the Complete Bulgarian Master Course you will also get hours of Audio Dialogues and Exercises to Practice your Bulgarian language skills. Start speaking today!