Bosnian Abroad

Level 6

Bosnian abroad often mixes in words from the country where people live.

How It Works

Bosnian is spoken in many places. Many families live in Germany, Austria, Sweden, Slovenia, Turkey and the United States, and the language there picks up words from the local language.

  • In a German-speaking home you may hear termin for an appointment, a word people also use in Bosnia: Sutra imam termin kod ljekara.
  • Work happens in the local language, so words like arbajt (work, from German Arbeit) come into talk about daily life: Komšija ide na arbajt u šest.
  • Words from Turkish, like hajde, are often used in Bosnia too.

Mixing words is called code-switching, and it is normal. The grammar stays Bosnian: the new words sit in Bosnian sentences, and they often take Bosnian endings.

The Bosnian taught here is the common standard. If a relative uses a different word, both are fine. When you write a letter or an exam, use the standard word.

Examples (4)

  1. Sutra imam termin kod ljekara.

    Tomorrow I have an appointment with the doctor.

    Termin comes from German and is also used in Bosnia.

  2. Komšija ide na arbajt u šest.

    The neighbour goes to work at six.

    Arbajt comes from German Arbeit.

  3. Hajde, idemo na kafu poslije škole.

    Come on, let us go for coffee after school.

    Hajde comes from Turkish and is common in Bosnia.

  4. Kod kuće pričamo bosanski.

    At home we speak Bosnian.

    Bosnian stays the language of the family.

How It Connects

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Bosnian AbroadLevel 6

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Bosnian abroad.

Words in This Pattern

ljekartermin