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17 topics 170 ready phrases 4 practical tips

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.

No phrase matches your search. Try another word.

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.

10 sentences
Ж ж
Pronunciation J (jandarma'daki j)
The letter Ж is the 'zh' sound, like 's' in 'measure'.
Ш ш
Pronunciation Ş
The letter Ш is the 'sh' sound.
Ч ч
Pronunciation Ç
The letter Ч is the 'ch' sound.
Ц ц
Pronunciation Ts
The letter Ц is the 'ts' sound.
Ѕ ѕ
Pronunciation Dz
The letter Ѕ is the 'dz' sound.
Ј ј
Pronunciation Y
The letter Ј is the 'y' sound.
Љ љ
Pronunciation Ly
The letter Љ is a soft 'l'.
Њ њ
Pronunciation Ny
The letter Њ is a soft 'n'.
Ќ ќ / Ѓ ѓ
Pronunciation Ky / Gy
Ќ and Ѓ are soft k and g sounds.
Х х
Pronunciation H
The letter Х is the 'h' sound.

Greetings and courtesy

Core phrases for any time of day. Use the formal 'Вие' form in official settings.

12 sentences
Здраво!
Pronunciation Zdravo!
Hi! (informal)
Добро утро!
Pronunciation Dobro utro!
Good morning!
Добар ден!
Pronunciation Dobar den!
Good day!
Добро вечер!
Pronunciation Dobro vecher!
Good evening!
Како сте?
Pronunciation Kako ste?
How are you?
Добро сум, благодарам.
Pronunciation Dobro sum, blagodaram.
I am fine, thank you.
Ве молам.
Pronunciation Ve molam.
Please. / You're welcome.
Благодарам многу.
Pronunciation Blagodaram mnogu.
Thank you very much.
Извинете.
Pronunciation Izvinete.
Excuse me. / Sorry.
Нема проблем.
Pronunciation Nema problem.
No problem.
До гледање!
Pronunciation Do gledanye!
Goodbye!
Пријатно!
Pronunciation Priyatno!
Have a nice day!

Phrases for when you don't understand

This is the most useful group. Learn these ten sentences and you can carry almost any conversation.

10 sentences
Не разбирам.
Pronunciation Ne razbiram.
I don't understand.
Не зборувам македонски.
Pronunciation Ne zboruvam makedonski.
I don't speak Macedonian.
Зборувате ли англиски?
Pronunciation Zboruvate li angliski?
Do you speak English?
Зборувате ли турски?
Pronunciation Zboruvate li turski?
Do you speak Turkish?
Може ли да повторите?
Pronunciation Mozhe li da povtorite?
Could you repeat that?
Може ли побавно, ве молам?
Pronunciation Mozhe li pobavno, ve molam?
More slowly, please?
Може ли да напишете тоа?
Pronunciation Mozhe li da napishete toa?
Could you write that down?
Што значи ова?
Pronunciation Shto znachi ova?
What does this mean?
Како се вели ова на македонски?
Pronunciation Kako se veli ova na makedonski?
How do you say this in Macedonian?
Момент, ќе преведам на телефон.
Pronunciation Moment, kye prevedam na telefon.
One moment, I'll translate on my phone.

Introducing yourself

For first meetings and official offices.

8 sentences
Здраво, јас сум студент од Турција.
Pronunciation Zdravo, yas sum student od Turtsiya.
Hello, I am a student from Türkiye.
Јас се викам ...
Pronunciation Yas se vikam ...
My name is ...
Студирам на универзитет во Скопје.
Pronunciation Studiram na universitet vo Skopye.
I study at a university in Skopje.
Јас сум на прва година.
Pronunciation Yas sum na prva godina.
I am a first-year student.
Живеам во Скопје од септември.
Pronunciation Zhiveam vo Skopye od septemvri.
I have lived in Skopje since September.
Може ли да ми помогнете?
Pronunciation Mozhe li da mi pomognete?
Could you help me?
Ова е мојот пасош.
Pronunciation Ova e moyot pasosh.
This is my passport.
Ова е мојата студентска легитимација.
Pronunciation Ova e moyata studentska legitimatsiya.
This is my student ID.

Numbers, time and dates

The basic numbers you need to ask prices, book appointments and tell the time.

9 sentences
еден, два, три, четири, пет
Pronunciation eden, dva, tri, chetiri, pet
one, two, three, four, five
шест, седум, осум, девет, десет
Pronunciation shest, sedum, osum, devet, deset
six, seven, eight, nine, ten
двесте, петстотини, илјада
Pronunciation dveste, petstotini, ilyada
two hundred, five hundred, one thousand
Колку е часот?
Pronunciation Kolku e chasot?
What time is it?
Во колку часот отворате?
Pronunciation Vo kolku chasot otvorate?
What time do you open?
Утре во десет часот.
Pronunciation Utre vo deset chasot.
Tomorrow at ten o'clock.
денес, утре, вчера
Pronunciation denes, utre, vchera
today, tomorrow, yesterday
понеделник, петок, недела
Pronunciation ponedelnik, petok, nedela
Monday, Friday, Sunday
Кој датум е денес?
Pronunciation Koy datum e denes?
What is today's date?

Student affairs and enrolment

Sentences for enrolment, fees, transcripts and paperwork.

10 sentences
Каде е студентската служба?
Pronunciation Kade e studentskata sluzhba?
Where is the student affairs office?
Каде е канцеларијата за странски студенти?
Pronunciation Kade e kantselariyata za stranski studenti?
Where is the international students office?
Сакам да се запишам на семестар.
Pronunciation Sakam da se zapisham na semestar.
I would like to enrol for the semester.
Кои документи ми се потребни?
Pronunciation Koi dokumenti mi se potrebni?
Which documents do I need?
Ми треба потврда дека сум редовен студент.
Pronunciation Mi treba potvrda deka sum redoven student.
I need a certificate of enrolment.
Ми треба уверение за положени испити.
Pronunciation Mi treba uverenie za polozheni ispiti.
I need a transcript of records.
Кога е рокот за уплата?
Pronunciation Koga e rokot za uplata?
When is the payment deadline?
Дали може да платам на рати?
Pronunciation Dali mozhe da platam na rati?
Can I pay in instalments?
Ја изгубив студентската легитимација.
Pronunciation Ya izgubiv studentskata legitimatsiya.
I lost my student card.
Кога можам да дојдам повторно?
Pronunciation Koga mozham da doydam povtorno?
When can I come again?

Classes, exams and faculty

Campus communication, from finding a classroom to exam dates.

10 sentences
Каде е предавалната број три?
Pronunciation Kade e predavalnata broy tri?
Where is lecture hall number three?
Кога почнува предавањето?
Pronunciation Koga pochnuva predavanyeto?
When does the lecture start?
Кој е распоредот за овој семестар?
Pronunciation Koy e rasporedot za ovoj semestar?
What is the timetable for this semester?
Кога е испитот?
Pronunciation Koga e ispitot?
When is the exam?
Дали испитот е писмен или устен?
Pronunciation Dali ispitot e pismen ili usten?
Is the exam written or oral?
Го положив испитот.
Pronunciation Go polozhiv ispitot.
I passed the exam.
Може ли да го полагам испитот повторно?
Pronunciation Mozhe li da go polagam ispitot povtorno?
Can I retake the exam?
Кога се консултациите со професорот?
Pronunciation Koga se konsultatsiite so profesorot?
When are the professor's office hours?
Каде е библиотеката?
Pronunciation Kade e bibliotekata?
Where is the library?
Дали има WiFi лозинка?
Pronunciation Dali ima WiFi lozinka?
Is there a WiFi password?

Finding housing

The questions you need most when viewing a rental. Prices are usually monthly, in euros or denars.

10 sentences
Барам стан под кирија.
Pronunciation Baram stan pod kiriya.
I am looking for a flat to rent.
Колку е киријата месечно?
Pronunciation Kolku e kiriyata mesechno?
How much is the rent per month?
Дали режиите се вклучени?
Pronunciation Dali rezhiite se vklucheni?
Are the utilities included?
Колку изнесува депозитот?
Pronunciation Kolku iznesuva depozitot?
How much is the deposit?
Дали станот е наместен?
Pronunciation Dali stanot e namesten?
Is the flat furnished?
Има ли греење и клима?
Pronunciation Ima li greenye i klima?
Is there heating and air conditioning?
Може ли да го видам станот?
Pronunciation Mozhe li da go vidam stanot?
May I see the flat?
Колку е далеку од универзитетот?
Pronunciation Kolku e daleku od universitetot?
How far is it from the university?
Дали може договор на една година?
Pronunciation Dali mozhe dogovor na edna godina?
Can we sign a one-year contract?
Ми треба договор за престој.
Pronunciation Mi treba dogovor za prestoy.
I need the contract for my residence permit.

Residence permit and official procedures

Phrases for the foreigners' office and the notary. These usually require an appointment.

10 sentences
Каде се поднесува барање за дозвола за престој?
Pronunciation Kade se podnesuva baranye za dozvola za prestoy?
Where do I submit a residence permit application?
Имам закажано термин.
Pronunciation Imam zakazhano termin.
I have an appointment.
Сакам да закажам термин.
Pronunciation Sakam da zakazham termin.
I would like to book an appointment.
Ова е мојата потврда од универзитетот.
Pronunciation Ova e moyata potvrda od universitetot.
This is my certificate from the university.
Ми треба заверка кај нотар.
Pronunciation Mi treba zaverka kay notar.
I need a notary certification.
Ми треба превод на македонски.
Pronunciation Mi treba prevod na makedonski.
I need a translation into Macedonian.
Колку долго трае постапката?
Pronunciation Kolku dolgo trae postapkata?
How long does the procedure take?
Кога ќе биде готово?
Pronunciation Koga kye bide gotovo?
When will it be ready?
Колку чини таксата?
Pronunciation Kolku chini taksata?
How much is the fee?
Ми недостасува еден документ.
Pronunciation Mi nedostasuva eden dokument.
I am missing one document.

Banking and money

Opening an account, withdrawing cash and exchanging currency. The local currency is the denar (MKD).

9 sentences
Сакам да отворам студентска сметка.
Pronunciation Sakam da otvoram studentska smetka.
I would like to open a student account.
Кои документи се потребни за сметка?
Pronunciation Koi dokumenti se potrebni za smetka?
Which documents do I need for an account?
Каде има банкомат?
Pronunciation Kade ima bankomat?
Where is there an ATM?
Сакам да сменам евра во денари.
Pronunciation Sakam da smenam evra vo denari.
I want to exchange euros into denars.
Колку е курсот денес?
Pronunciation Kolku e kursot denes?
What is today's exchange rate?
Има ли провизија?
Pronunciation Ima li proviziya?
Is there a commission?
Може ли да платам со картичка?
Pronunciation Mozhe li da platam so kartichka?
Can I pay by card?
Картичката не функционира.
Pronunciation Kartichkata ne funktsionira.
The card is not working.
Сакам да испратам пари во Турција.
Pronunciation Sakam da ispratam pari vo Turtsiya.
I want to send money to Türkiye.

Health, pharmacy and doctor

The most critical sentences for when you fall ill. Pharmacies are marked 'АПТЕКА'.

11 sentences
Не се чувствувам добро.
Pronunciation Ne se chuvstvuvam dobro.
I do not feel well.
Ме боли глава.
Pronunciation Me boli glava.
I have a headache.
Ме боли стомак.
Pronunciation Me boli stomak.
I have a stomach ache.
Ме боли грлото.
Pronunciation Me boli grloto.
I have a sore throat.
Имам температура.
Pronunciation Imam temperatura.
I have a fever.
Каде е најблиската аптека?
Pronunciation Kade e naybliskata apteka?
Where is the nearest pharmacy?
Дали имате нешто против болка?
Pronunciation Dali imate neshto protiv bolka?
Do you have something for pain?
Алергичен сум на пеницилин.
Pronunciation Alergichen sum na penitsilin.
I am allergic to penicillin.
Ми треба лекар.
Pronunciation Mi treba lekar.
I need a doctor.
Имам студентско здравствено осигурување.
Pronunciation Imam studentsko zdravstveno osiguruvanye.
I have student health insurance.
Дали ова лекарство е на рецепт?
Pronunciation Dali ova lekarstvo e na retsept?
Is this medicine prescription-only?

Emergencies

Emergency numbers in North Macedonia: police 192, fire 193, ambulance 194. Save these sentences on your phone.

9 sentences
Помош!
Pronunciation Pomosh!
Help!
Викнете брза помош!
Pronunciation Viknete brza pomosh!
Call an ambulance!
Викнете полиција!
Pronunciation Viknete politsiya!
Call the police!
Имаше несреќа.
Pronunciation Imashe nesrekya.
There has been an accident.
Ми ја украдоа чантата.
Pronunciation Mi ya ukradoa chantata.
My bag was stolen.
Го изгубив пасошот.
Pronunciation Go izgubiv pasoshot.
I lost my passport.
Јас сум странски студент, ве молам помогнете ми.
Pronunciation Yas sum stranski student, ve molam pomognete mi.
I am an international student, please help me.
Може ли да се јавам на амбасадата?
Pronunciation Mozhe li da se yavam na ambasadata?
May I call my embassy?
Мојата адреса е ...
Pronunciation Moyata adresa e ...
My address is ...

Groceries and shopping

Phrases for the till and the market. 'Кеса' means bag and usually costs extra.

11 sentences
Колку чини ова?
Pronunciation Kolku chini ova?
How much does this cost?
Дали имате ...?
Pronunciation Dali imate ...?
Do you have ...?
Каде е млекото?
Pronunciation Kade e mlekoto?
Where is the milk?
Половина кило, ве молам.
Pronunciation Polovina kilo, ve molam.
Half a kilo, please.
Само ова, благодарам.
Pronunciation Samo ova, blagodaram.
Just this, thank you.
Може ли кеса?
Pronunciation Mozhe li kesa?
Could I have a bag?
Плаќам со картичка.
Pronunciation Plakyam so kartichka.
I am paying by card.
Плаќам во готово.
Pronunciation Plakyam vo gotovo.
I am paying in cash.
Може ли сметка, ве молам?
Pronunciation Mozhe li smetka, ve molam?
May I have the receipt, please?
Ова е расипано.
Pronunciation Ova e rasipano.
This is spoiled.
Дали има попуст?
Pronunciation Dali ima popust?
Is there a discount?

Restaurants and cafés

Cafés are the centre of student life. 'Кафуле' is a café, 'сметка' is the bill.

11 sentences
Маса за двајца, ве молам.
Pronunciation Masa za dvaytsa, ve molam.
A table for two, please.
Може ли менито?
Pronunciation Mozhe li menito?
Could I see the menu?
Едно кафе, ве молам.
Pronunciation Edno kafe, ve molam.
One coffee, please.
Една вода без гас.
Pronunciation Edna voda bez gas.
One still water.
Што препорачувате?
Pronunciation Shto preporachuvate?
What do you recommend?
Јас не јадам свинско месо.
Pronunciation Yas ne yadam svinsko meso.
I do not eat pork.
Дали ова содржи свинско?
Pronunciation Dali ova sodrzhi svinsko?
Does this contain pork?
Имате ли вегетаријанска храна?
Pronunciation Imate li vegetariyanska hrana?
Do you have vegetarian food?
Сметката, ве молам.
Pronunciation Smetkata, ve molam.
The bill, please.
Може ли за понесување?
Pronunciation Mozhe li za ponesuvanye?
Can I get it to take away?
Беше многу вкусно.
Pronunciation Beshe mnogu vkusno.
It was very tasty.

Transport and directions

Buses, taxis and directions. See the transport and taxi guides for more.

11 sentences
Каде е автобуската станица?
Pronunciation Kade e avtobuskata stanitsa?
Where is the bus stop?
Кој автобус оди до центар?
Pronunciation Koy avtobus odi do tsentar?
Which bus goes to the centre?
Колку чини билетот?
Pronunciation Kolku chini biletot?
How much is the ticket?
Дали овој автобус оди до универзитетот?
Pronunciation Dali ovoj avtobus odi do universitetot?
Does this bus go to the university?
Ве молам, кажете ми кога да слезам.
Pronunciation Ve molam, kazhete mi koga da slezam.
Please tell me when to get off.
Може ли такси до оваа адреса?
Pronunciation Mozhe li taksi do ova adresa?
Can I get a taxi to this address?
Вклучете го таксиметарот, ве молам.
Pronunciation Vklyuchete go taksimetarot, ve molam.
Please turn on the meter.
Свртете лево / десно.
Pronunciation Svrtete levo / desno.
Turn left / right.
Право напред.
Pronunciation Pravo napred.
Straight ahead.
Тука е добро, ви благодарам.
Pronunciation Tuka e dobro, vi blagodaram.
Here is fine, thank you.
Колку долго трае патувањето?
Pronunciation Kolku dolgo trae patuvanyeto?
How long does the journey take?

Phone, internet and post

Buying a SIM card, getting internet installed and tracking a parcel.

9 sentences
Сакам да купам СИМ картичка.
Pronunciation Sakam da kupam SIM kartichka.
I want to buy a SIM card.
Која е најевтината тарифа со интернет?
Pronunciation Koya e nayevtinata tarifa so internet?
Which is the cheapest plan with internet?
Колку гигабајти добивам?
Pronunciation Kolku gigabayti dobivam?
How many gigabytes do I get?
Сакам да ја дополнам сметката.
Pronunciation Sakam da ya dopolnam smetkata.
I want to top up my balance.
Немам интернет дома.
Pronunciation Nemam internet doma.
I have no internet at home.
Каде е поштата?
Pronunciation Kade e poshtata?
Where is the post office?
Имам пратка за подигање.
Pronunciation Imam pratka za podiganye.
I have a parcel to collect.
Сакам да испратам пакет во Турција.
Pronunciation Sakam da ispratam paket vo Turtsiya.
I want to send a parcel to Türkiye.
Колку чини испораката?
Pronunciation Kolku chini isporakata?
How much is the delivery?

Making friends and small talk

For breaking the ice with classmates. Macedonians use the informal 'ти' with friends.

10 sentences
Како се викаш?
Pronunciation Kako se vikash?
What is your name?
Од каде си?
Pronunciation Od kade si?
Where are you from?
Што студираш?
Pronunciation Shto studirash?
What do you study?
Може ли да седнам тука?
Pronunciation Mozhe li da sednam tuka?
May I sit here?
Сакаш ли да одиме на кафе?
Pronunciation Sakash li da odime na kafe?
Would you like to get a coffee?
Може ли твојот број?
Pronunciation Mozhe li tvoyot broy?
Could I have your number?
Што правиш викендов?
Pronunciation Shto pravish vikendov?
What are you doing this weekend?
Ми беше мило!
Pronunciation Mi beshe milo!
Nice to meet you!
Се гледаме утре.
Pronunciation Se gledame utre.
See you tomorrow.
Многу ми се допаѓа Скопје.
Pronunciation Mnogu mi se dopagya Skopye.
I really like Skopje.

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