бе́бе
bébeneuter
The Bulgarian word for baby is бе́бе (bébe). Wiktionary also lists пелена́че (pelenáče) and кърма́че (kărmáče).
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Bulgarian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| бе́бе | bébe | neuter |
| пелена́че | pelenáče | neuter |
| кърма́че | kărmáče | neuter |
| сука́лче | sukálče | neuter |
All forms of the word refer to a very young human being.
What does it mean word for word?
The term кърма́че is derived from the word for breast, referring to a child that is still breastfeeding.
Which one should you use?
бе́бе is the general term for a baby. пелена́че refers more specifically to a swaddled baby or a very small infant, often used in an affectionate or descriptive manner. кърма́че is a more formal term used to describe a nursling or a suckling. сука́лче is another way to refer to a suckling.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because бе́бе is a neuter noun, you add the suffix –то to create the definite article, as seen in бе́бето (the baby).
How do you pronounce it?
bébe
Did you know?
- In old Bulgarian folk beliefs, a baby was sometimes called by a temporary 'protective name' to trick evil spirits into thinking the child was not precious.
- The word бе́бе is a loanword that entered Bulgarian from French, mirroring the global spread of the word 'bébé'.
- When referring to a baby's first teeth, Bulgarians use the phrase реже зъби, which literally translates to 'cutting teeth'.
Examples in context
- Моля, внимавайте, има бебе в количката.Please be careful, there's a baby in the stroller.
- Поздравления за вашето прекрасно бебе.Congratulations on your beautiful baby.
- Радвам се да срещна вашето малко дете.I'm delighted to meet your little child.
- Какво прави това сладко бебче?What is this sweet baby doing?
- Дойди тук, бебче, те чака татко.Come here, baby, daddy is waiting for you.
- Аз обичам моето малко детенце най-много на света.I love my little baby the most in the world.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
