Meeting the Neighbors

Здравейте!

Zdraveyte!

Hello!

First words on the landing or at the door — polite form for someone you don't know yet.

Приятно ми е!

Priyatno mi e!

Nice to meet you!

The standard line as you shake hands — warm and expected at a first meeting.

Казвам се Иван.

Kazvam se Ivan.

My name is Ivan.

Drop in your own name — the moment you put a name to the new face on the floor.

Тъкмо се нанесох.

Takmo se nanesoh.

I just moved in.

Explains why they haven't seen you before — the natural icebreaker for a first hello.

Аз съм новият съсед.

Az sam noviyat sased.

I'm the new neighbor.

Says it in one line if you're a man; women say the feminine form in the variation.

На кой етаж живеете?

Na koy etazh zhiveete?

Which floor do you live on?

Places your neighbor in the building — a friendly, low-stakes thing to ask.

Живея на третия етаж.

Zhiveya na tretiya etazh.

I live on the third floor.

Your half of the exchange — swap in whichever floor is yours.

Ако ви трябва нещо, кажете.

Ako vi tryabva neshto, kazhete.

If you need anything, let me know.

The warm offer that turns a stranger into a neighbor — still polite with 'ви'.

Може ли да помогна с нещо?

Mozhe li da pomogna s neshto?

Can I help with something?

Offered when you catch them carrying shopping or moving something heavy.

Може ли да си разменим телефоните?

Mozhe li da si razmenim telefonite?

Can we exchange phone numbers?

The practical next step — useful for parcels, building issues, or a locked-out day.

Ето моя номер.

Eto moya nomer.

Here's my number.

As you hand over your number or show it on the screen.

Как беше името ви?

Kak beshe imeto vi?

What was your name again?

Names slip away fast at a first meeting — this asks for it back without any awkwardness.

По-бавно, моля.

Po-bavno, molya.

Slower, please.

A chatty neighbor gets going and you fall behind — this keeps you in the conversation.

Не разбирам.

Ne razbiram.

I don't understand.

For the moment the small talk goes past you entirely.

Вие ли сте новите?

Vie li ste novite?

Are you the new ones?

Something you hear — the opening line when a neighbour catches you on the stairs for the first time. It sounds blunt in English but it is friendly curiosity, not a challenge.

Добре дошли в блока!

Dobre doshli v bloka!

Welcome to the block!

Something you hear once they work out you have moved in — answer with 'Благодаря' and your name.

Нанесохме се миналата седмица.

Nanesohme se minalata sedmitsa.

We moved in last week.

Your half of that first exchange when a whole household has moved in, not just you.

Аз живея точно над вас.

Az zhiveya tochno nad vas.

I live right above you.

Something you hear — how a neighbour places themselves for you, and a warning that they will hear your furniture moving.

Ако имате нужда от нещо, кажете.

Ako imate nuzhda ot neshto, kazhete.

If you need anything, just say.

Something you hear at the end of a first meeting. It is a real offer in a Bulgarian block, not just politeness — the reply is 'Благодаря, много мило.'

От кой апартамент сте?

Ot koy apartament ste?

Which flat are you from?

Something you hear — flat number places you faster than your name does, and it is the question the block manager asks first.

В дванайсети апартамент съм, на четвъртия етаж.

V dvanayseti apartament sam, na chetvartiya etazh.

I'm in flat twelve, on the fourth floor.

Your answer to that — swap in your own number. Giving the floor as well saves a second question.

Вие от кой вход сте?

Vie ot koy vhod ste?

Which entrance are you in?

One panel block often has several separate entrances with their own stairwells, fees and manager — so this is a real question, not small talk.

Аз съм от втория вход.

Az sam ot vtoriya vhod.

I'm in the second entrance.

Said in the yard or at the bins when someone from another stairwell is working out who you are.

Вие чужденци ли сте?

Vie chuzhdentsi li ste?

Are you foreigners?

Something you hear the moment your accent shows. It is asked openly and without edge — take it as interest.

Отдавна ли сте в България?

Otdavna li ste v Balgariya?

Have you been in Bulgaria long?

Something you hear in almost every first conversation in the stairwell — the polite way of asking how settled you are.

Как се озовахте в България?

Kak se ozovahte v Balgariya?

How did you end up in Bulgaria?

Something you hear once the chat warms up. Colloquial and slightly amused — the neighbour genuinely wants the story.

Дойдохме преди два месеца.

Doydohme predi dva mesetsa.

We came two months ago.

The short answer while you are both still holding shopping bags on the landing.

Работя дистанционно, затова сме тук.

Rabotya distantsionno, zatova sme tuk.

I work remotely, that's why we're here.

The explanation most expats give a neighbour who is puzzled that you are home all day.

Браво, говорите български!

Bravo, govorite balgarski!

Well done, you speak Bulgarian!

Something you hear after two correct words. It is genuine warmth — accept it with 'Благодаря' rather than protesting.

Още се уча, но се старая.

Oshte se ucha, no se staraya.

I'm still learning, but I'm trying.

The honest, well-liked answer to that praise — it buys you patience for the rest of the conversation.

Говорете ми на български, така се уча.

Govorete mi na balgarski, taka se ucha.

Speak Bulgarian to me, that's how I learn.

Said to the neighbour who switches to English to help you — this keeps the stairwell as practice ground and neighbours respect it.

Съжалявам, за това ще ми трябва английски.

Sazhalyavam, za tova shte mi tryabva angliyski.

Sorry, I'll need English for this one.

The one and only fallback in this scenario, and only after you have visibly tried in Bulgarian — a plumbing fault or a legal document, not a greeting.

Извинявайте, не ви чух добре — може ли пак?

Izvinyavayte, ne vi chuh dobre — mozhe li pak?

Sorry, I didn't hear you properly — can you say it again?

Stairwells echo and the lift is loud; this blames the acoustics rather than your Bulgarian, which is exactly how a neighbour will read it.

Ще може ли да ми вземете колета, ако ме няма?

Shte mozhe li da mi vzemete koleta, ako me nyama?

Could you take in my parcel if I'm not home?

Something you hear — couriers deliver during working hours, so neighbours take in each other's parcels constantly.

Разбира се, ще го взема.

Razbira se, shte go vzema.

Of course, I'll take it.

Say yes fast — taking in one parcel does more for you in the block than any introduction.

Оставиха ми колет за вас.

Ostaviha mi kolet za vas.

They left a parcel for you with me.

Something you hear when a neighbour rings your bell holding your delivery — the same favour coming back.

Ако дойде куриер за мен, ще може ли да го вземете?

Ako doyde kurier za men, shte mozhe li da go vzemete?

If a courier comes for me, could you take it?

Asked the evening before a delivery you know you will miss.

Може ли да полеете цветята, докато ни няма?

Mozhe li da poleete tsvetyata, dokato ni nyama?

Could you water the plants while we're away?

The classic holiday favour, asked a few days before you travel — usually paired with handing over a spare key.

Няма проблем, ще го направя.

Nyama problem, shte go napravya.

No problem, I'll do it.

Something you hear when a neighbour agrees to a favour — brisk agreement, no fuss about it.

Имате ли бормашина да ми услужите?

Imate li bormashina da mi usluzhite?

Do you have a drill you could lend me?

The 'да ми услужите' wording is how Bulgarians ask to borrow a tool — softer and more neighbourly than 'да ми заемете'.

Вземете я, няма да ми трябва скоро.

Vzemete ya, nyama da mi tryabva skoro.

Take it, I won't need it any time soon.

Something you hear — a neighbour handing over a tool and waving off any hurry to return it.

Ето, връщам ви я. Много благодаря.

Eto, vrashtam vi ya. Mnogo blagodarya.

Here, I'm returning it. Thank you very much.

Bring it back sooner than promised — in a block, borrowing well is how trust is built.

Може ли да ми сипеш малко сол?

Mozhe li da mi sipesh malko sol?

Can you give me a bit of salt?

The 'ти' version, for a neighbour your own age you are already on first-name terms with. Say the same thing on 'вие' as 'Може ли да ми сипете малко сол?' if you have not made the switch yet.

Аз съм домоуправителят на входа.

Az sam domoupravitelyat na vhoda.

I'm the block manager for this entrance.

Something you hear within your first fortnight. The домоуправител is an unpaid resident elected by the others, so treat them as a neighbour with a clipboard, not an official.

Кой е домоуправител на нашия вход?

Koy e domoupravitel na nashiya vhod?

Who is the block manager for our entrance?

The single most useful question for a new tenant — that person controls fees, keys, repairs and the meeting.

Колко е входната такса на месец?

Kolko e vhodnata taksa na mesets?

How much is the entrance fee per month?

Ask early — the входна такса covers cleaning, lift power and stairwell lighting, and arrears get read out at the meeting.

Таксата е дванайсет евро на месец.

Taksata e dvanayset evro na mesets.

The fee is twelve euros a month.

Something you hear in reply. Since the euro changeover in January 2026 the fee is quoted in евро, and it is usually collected in cash at the door.

На кого да плащам таксата?

Na kogo da plashtam taksata?

Who do I pay the fee to?

Some entrances collect door to door, some use a bank transfer, some use a cashbox — ask rather than assume.

Ще мина да събера таксата в събота.

Shte mina da sabera taksata v sabota.

I'll come round to collect the fee on Saturday.

Something you hear from the block manager — have the cash ready, they will not want to come twice.

В четвъртък има общо събрание, в шест часа долу.

V chetvartak ima obshto sabranie, v shest chasa dolu.

There's a residents' meeting on Thursday at six, downstairs.

Something you hear, or read on a paper taped inside the entrance door. The общо събрание votes on money that you will then be asked to pay.

Ще дойда, ако успея.

Shte doyda, ako uspeya.

I'll come if I can.

The honest non-committal answer — but going once early earns you a lot of goodwill on the floor.

Какво решихте на събранието?

Kakvo reshihte na sabranieto?

What did you decide at the meeting?

Asked of a neighbour the next morning when you missed it and a new charge is coming.

Решихме да сменим вратата на входа.

Reshihme da smenim vratata na vhoda.

We decided to replace the entrance door.

Something you hear as the answer — shared works like the door, the roof or the lift are split between all the flats.

Тази седмица е ваш ред за чистене.

Tazi sedmitsa e vash red za chistene.

This week it's your turn to clean.

Something you hear, or find written on a card slipped under your door. Missing your week is noticed by everyone on the stairs.

Кога ми е редът за стълбището?

Koga mi e redat za stalbishteto?

When is my turn for the stairs?

Ask this before anyone has to tell you — it signals you intend to pull your weight in the entrance.

Плащаме ли на чистачка, или чистим сами?

Plashtame li na chistachka, ili chistim sami?

Do we pay a cleaner, or do we clean ourselves?

Entrances split into these two systems, and the answer decides whether your fee is higher or your Saturday is busier.

След десет вечерта трябва да е тихо.

Sled deset vecherta tryabva da e tiho.

After ten at night it has to be quiet.

Something you hear early on. Night quiet is a legal rule, not a house preference, and neighbours will invoke it.

От два до четири е следобедната почивка.

Ot dva do chetiri e sledobednata pochivka.

Two to four is the afternoon rest period.

Something you hear that surprises most newcomers — the early-afternoon quiet period is respected in blocks, especially where older people live.

Има ли часове за тишина в блока?

Ima li chasove za tishina v bloka?

Are there quiet hours in the block?

Worth asking on day one, before you run the washing machine at midnight.

Извинявайте, но снощи беше доста шумно.

Izvinyavayte, no snoshti beshe dosta shumno.

Sorry, but it was quite loud last night.

Opening a complaint with 'извинявайте' and stating the fact keeps it from becoming a feud on your own landing.

Може ли малко по-тихо вечер?

Mozhe li malko po-tiho vecher?

Could you keep it a bit quieter in the evening?

The gentle ask that follows — a request rather than an accusation, and it usually works the first time.

Правим ремонт, ще има шум две седмици.

Pravim remont, shte ima shum dve sedmitsi.

We're renovating, there'll be noise for two weeks.

Something you hear from a neighbour giving fair warning before the drilling starts. Ремонт in a panel block is heard through the whole column of flats.

Утре ще пробиваме, извинявайте предварително.

Utre shte probivame, izvinyavayte predvaritelno.

We'll be drilling tomorrow, sorry in advance.

Say this at every door on your landing before workmen arrive — it converts a grievance into an accepted inconvenience.

Колко време ще продължи ремонтът?

Kolko vreme shte prodalzhi remontat?

How long will the renovation last?

Asked of the neighbour whose flat has been shaking your ceiling for a fortnight.

Извинявайте за шума снощи, имахме гости.

Izvinyavayte za shuma snoshti, imahme gosti.

Sorry about the noise last night, we had guests.

Say it the next morning before anyone complains — apologising first is what keeps a block relationship intact.

Няма да се повтаря, обещавам.

Nyama da se povtarya, obeshtavam.

It won't happen again, I promise.

The closing line of that apology, said at the door and then actually kept.

В събота ще имаме гости — ако стане шумно, кажете.

V sabota shte imame gosti — ako stane shumno, kazhete.

We're having guests on Saturday — if it gets loud, tell us.

Warning the floor in advance and inviting them to knock. Almost nobody then knocks.

Няма проблем, не се притеснявайте.

Nyama problem, ne se pritesnyavayte.

It's fine, don't worry about it.

Something you hear in reply to your apology — the matter is closed, do not keep apologising.

Асансьорът пак се повреди.

Asansyorat pak se povredi.

The lift has broken down again.

Something you hear at the foot of the stairs, usually with a sigh. The 'пак' is doing a lot of work.

На кого да се обадим за асансьора?

Na kogo da se obadim za asansyora?

Who do we call about the lift?

Lift maintenance is on a contract the entrance pays for — the block manager holds the number.

Утре идват да го оправят.

Utre idvat da go opravyat.

They're coming to fix it tomorrow.

Something you hear as reassurance — plan on carrying the shopping up today anyway.

Това място е на съседа от втория етаж.

Tova myasto e na saseda ot vtoriya etazh.

That spot belongs to the neighbour on the second floor.

Something you hear the first time you park in the yard. The spots are not legally assigned, but they are absolutely assigned in practice.

Има ли къде да паркирам пред блока?

Ima li kade da parkiram pred bloka?

Is there anywhere to park in front of the block?

Ask a neighbour before you choose a spot — it is far cheaper than finding out afterwards.

Извинявайте, блокирах ли ви? Веднага местя колата.

Izvinyavayte, blokirah li vi? Vednaga mestya kolata.

Sorry, did I block you in? I'll move the car right away.

The line that defuses the knock on your door at seven in the morning — move first, discuss never.

Кучето ви лае ли, като ви няма?

Kucheto vi lae li, kato vi nyama?

Does your dog bark when you're out?

Something you hear — a polite early warning that it does, and that they can hear it through the wall.

Кучето е кротко, не се притеснявайте.

Kucheto e krotko, ne se pritesnyavayte.

The dog is gentle, don't worry.

Said in the lift when a neighbour flinches — 'кротко' is the word Bulgarians use for a calm animal.

Децата ви може да играят с моите на двора.

Detsata vi mozhe da igrayat s moite na dvora.

Your kids can play with mine in the yard.

Something you hear from a parent on your floor. Block yards are where families actually get to know each other — say yes.

Заповядайте на кафе!

Zapovyadayte na kafe!

Come in for a coffee!

Something you hear at the door, often the very first time you speak properly. It is a genuine invitation for right now, not a vague someday.

Само за малко, благодаря.

Samo za malko, blagodarya.

Just for a minute, thank you.

Accepting while setting a limit — it lets you say yes without losing an hour, and nobody is offended.

Направих баница, вземете си парче.

Napravih banitsa, vzemete si parche.

I made banitsa, take a piece.

Something you hear when a neighbour appears at your door with a plate. Refusing outright reads as a rejection of the person.

Много благодаря, не трябваше!

Mnogo blagodarya, ne tryabvashe!

Thank you so much, you shouldn't have!

The expected response to food or a small gift — warm protest, then accept it anyway.

Много благодаря, но точно сега бързам.

Mnogo blagodarya, no tochno sega barzam.

Thank you very much, but I'm in a rush right now.

How to decline coffee without insult — give a reason that is about the clock, not about them, and it lands fine.

Връщам ви чинията, беше много вкусно.

Vrashtam vi chiniyata, beshe mnogo vkusno.

I'm returning your dish, it was delicious.

Never return the plate empty if you can help it — put something on it, even biscuits. Returning it at all is the minimum.

Хайде да си говорим на ти.

Hayde da si govorim na ti.

Let's switch to 'ti'.

Something you hear, and the standard way the switch is proposed. Convention is that the older person or the woman offers it first — as the newcomer, wait to be offered rather than offering.

Разбира се, така е по-лесно.

Razbira se, taka e po-lesno.

Of course, it's easier that way.

Accept immediately and then actually use 'ти' from the next sentence on — sliding back into 'вие' undoes the offer.

Може ли да минем на ти?

Mozhe li da minem na ti?

Can we switch to 'ti'?

Safe to propose only to a neighbour roughly your own age or younger, and only after several friendly meetings. Never to the older neighbours on the ground floor.

Защо на вие? Хайде на ти.

Zashto na vie? Hayde na ti.

Why so formal? Let's use 'ti'.

Something you hear from a peer who finds your 'вие' stiff. Take it as friendliness and switch on the spot.

Викай ми лельо Ваня.

Vikay mi lelyo Vanya.

Call me Aunt Vanya.

Something you hear from an older woman in the entrance. 'Лельо' plus her first name is affectionate, not rude, and note she moves you to 'ти' while you may still owe her the respect of 'вие' — follow her lead exactly.

Добро утро! На работа ли?

Dobro utro! Na rabota li?

Good morning! Off to work?

The whole daily exchange on the stairs at eight in the morning — a greeting plus one obvious question is all that is expected.

Как е, съседе?

Kak e, sasede?

How's it going, neighbour?

Something you hear in passing once you are on 'ти'. 'Съседе' is the vocative said to a man; to a woman it is 'съседке'.

Карам я някак, а вие?

Karam ya nyakak, a vie?

Getting by, and you?

The everyday Bulgarian answer — mildly resigned rather than cheerful, which is the register neighbours expect.

Честит имен ден!

Chestit imen den!

Happy name day!

Name days matter as much as birthdays here. If a neighbour is called Иван, greet them on the sixth of January and they will remember it.

Весели празници на цялото семейство!

Veseli praznitsi na tsyaloto semeystvo!

Happy holidays to the whole family!

Said in the lift in the days before Christmas or Easter — including the family is the part that makes it warm.

Хайде, лек ден!

Hayde, lek den!

Right then, have a good day!

How a stairwell conversation is actually ended — 'хайде' signals you are moving off, without cutting anyone short.