zdravo, zovem se
The English phrase 'hi, my name is' is translated into Bosnian as zdravo, zovem se.
This phrase is a friendly greeting used when introducing yourself to someone for the first time. It consists of the greeting Zdravo, which means 'hi' or 'hello' and the phrase zovem se, which means 'my name is'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase zovem se literally means 'I call myself'.
Which one should you use?
While English uses the possessive construction 'my name is', Bosnian uses the reflexive verb construction zovem se.
How does it change in a sentence?
The expression ja se zovem can also be used to mean 'my name is'.
Did you know?
- While zdravo is common, people in Bosnia and Herzegovina often use ćao for informal greetings, which is a loanword from the Italian 'ciao'.
- The greeting zdravo is actually a wish for someone to be 'healthy' or 'sane'. It shares the same linguistic root as the adjective zdrav, meaning 'healthy'.
- The Bosnian language is part of a dialect continuum, meaning zovem se is understood and used almost identically in Serbian and Croatian.
Examples in context
- Dobar dan, zovem se Marko.Good day, my name is Marko.
- Zdravo, zovem se Mirza.Hi, my name is Mirza.
- Zdravo, zovem se Marko.Hi, my name is Marko.
- Zdravo, zovem se Ana.Hi, my name is Ana.
- Zdravo, zovem se Marko i drago mi je.Hi, my name is Marko and nice to meet you.
Example conversation
Amar and Amra meet for the first time at a social gathering.
- AmarZdravo, zovem se Amar.Hi, my name is Amar.
- AmraZdravo, ja sam Amra. Drago mi je.Hi, I am Amra. Nice to meet you.
- AmarI meni je drago, Amra.Nice to meet you too, Amra.
- AmraOdakle si, Amar?Where are you from, Amar?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries se, zdravo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
