Ways to say it
| Bosnian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| zabava | Latin, feminine | |
| žur | Latin, masculine | |
| sedeljka | Latin, feminine | |
| žurka | /ʒûrka/ | Latin, feminine |
| večerinka | Latin, feminine |
The terms used for 'party' range from low-key social gatherings to large celebrations. For a casual get-together centered around sitting and talking, use sedeljka. If the gathering is specifically a small social event held in the evening, večerinka is appropriate. For more general or celebratory contexts, you might use verbs like slaviti or proslaviti, which mean 'to celebrate at a party'.
Which one should you use?
zabava is the most common and neutral term for a party or celebration. žurka is a colloquial term frequently used by younger people, while žur is a shortened slang version of žurka used to mean a 'bash'. sedeljka differs by implying a low-key gathering for sitting and talking, and večerinka specifically denotes an evening party.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal settings, you can use Slavlje to describe a festivity or Proslava to refer to a commemoration or celebration. If you are referring to a formal party as an event, the word Događaj can be used. In neutral, everyday situations, zabava is the standard choice. For informal or colloquial speech, especially among youth, use žurka or the slang žur.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine noun zabava becomes zabave in its plural form, and the feminine noun žurka becomes žurke in its plural form.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'party' for both a social event and a political group, in Bosnian you must use partija for the latter to avoid confusion.
- The word zabava comes from the root zabaviti, which means 'to amuse' or 'to distract'. Historically, a party was seen as a way to distract the mind from work or worries.
- A sedeljka is rooted in the word sedeti, meaning 'to sit'. It describes a specific cultural tradition of gathering specifically to sit and converse, often for hours.
Examples in context
- Jeste li primili pozivnicu za slavlje sutra?Have you received the invitation for the party tomorrow?
- Hej, dolaziš li na žurku večeras?Hey, are you coming to the party tonight?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “party” translations and entries zabava, žurka, večerinka, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
