Macedonian Language Guide
Everything an international student in North Macedonia needs from day one: from the alphabet to emergency phrases, from the student affairs office to renting a flat. Every entry shows the Macedonian sentence, its meaning and an approximate pronunciation. Copy a sentence and show it or send it as a message.
Good to know
What our students ask about most in their first months.
- You can learn Cyrillic in an evening
- Macedonian uses a 31-letter Cyrillic alphabet where each letter stands for one sound. Being able to read signs, bus lines and menus makes the first week much easier.
- Albanian is also official in Tetovo and Gostivar
- Albanian is an official language where many Albanians live. In Skopje's Old Bazaar and around Gostivar you will also meet shopkeepers who speak Turkish.
- Save the emergency numbers
- Police 192, fire 193, ambulance 194. The European 112 also works. Keep your address written in Latin letters on your phone.
- Bring a Macedonian speaker to official appointments
- Residence permits, bank accounts and rental contracts are usually prepared in Macedonian. Your advisor or the university's international office can help at these appointments.
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Alphabet and reading rules
Macedonian uses the Cyrillic alphabet and is written as it is pronounced. Once you know these letters you can read most signs.
Greetings and courtesy
Core phrases for any time of day. Use the formal 'Вие' form in official settings.
Phrases for when you don't understand
This is the most useful group. Learn these ten sentences and you can carry almost any conversation.
Introducing yourself
For first meetings and official offices.
Numbers, time and dates
The basic numbers you need to ask prices, book appointments and tell the time.
Student affairs and enrolment
Sentences for enrolment, fees, transcripts and paperwork.
Classes, exams and faculty
Campus communication, from finding a classroom to exam dates.
Finding housing
The questions you need most when viewing a rental. Prices are usually monthly, in euros or denars.
Residence permit and official procedures
Phrases for the foreigners' office and the notary. These usually require an appointment.
Banking and money
Opening an account, withdrawing cash and exchanging currency. The local currency is the denar (MKD).
Health, pharmacy and doctor
The most critical sentences for when you fall ill. Pharmacies are marked 'АПТЕКА'.
Emergencies
Emergency numbers in North Macedonia: police 192, fire 193, ambulance 194. Save these sentences on your phone.
Groceries and shopping
Phrases for the till and the market. 'Кеса' means bag and usually costs extra.
Restaurants and cafés
Cafés are the centre of student life. 'Кафуле' is a café, 'сметка' is the bill.
Transport and directions
Buses, taxis and directions. See the transport and taxi guides for more.
Phone, internet and post
Buying a SIM card, getting internet installed and tracking a parcel.
Making friends and small talk
For breaking the ice with classmates. Macedonians use the informal 'ти' with friends.
Thinking about studying in North Macedonia?
Let us clarify the university, programme and budget together. The first assessment is free.