Serbian Greetings – Complete Guide for Beginners

If you are learning Serbian or planning to live, work, or travel in Serbia, Serbian greetings are the very first thing you should master. Using the right greeting at the right time helps you sound natural and make a great first impression.

In this guide, you will learn:

• basic Serbian greetings

• formal and informal greetings in Serbian

• how to say “hello” and “goodbye” in Serbian

• common mistakes learners make

This article is perfect for beginners learning Serbian, as well as anyone who wants to sound more confident in everyday conversations.

Common Serbian Greetings

1. Zdravo

Zdravo is the most common and versatile greeting in Serbian.

✔ used in informal situations
✔ means both “hello” and “goodbye”
✔ used with friends, family, and colleagues

Example:

Zdravo! Kako si?
(Hi! How are you?)

2. Ćao

Ćao is very popular, especially among younger people.

✔ informal greeting
✔ used when arriving and leaving
✔ similar to Italian “ciao”

Example:

Ćao! Vidimo se kasnije.
(Bye! See you later.)

Formal Greetings in Serbian

If you are learning Serbian for work or formal situations, these greetings are essential.

3. Dobar dan

Dobar dan is the most common formal greeting.

✔ used from morning until early evening
✔ appropriate for work, shops, and institutions

Example:

Dobar dan, izvolite.
(Good afternoon, how can I help you?)

4. Dobro jutro

Used in the morning, usually until 11 or 12 o’clock.

Example:

Dobro jutro! Kako ste danas?
(Good morning! How are you today?)

5. Dobro veče

Used in the evening.

Example:

Dobro veče i dobrodošli.
(Good evening and welcome.)

How to Say “Goodbye” in Serbian

6. Doviđenja

The safest and most neutral way to say goodbye.

✔ formal and polite
✔ suitable for all situations

7. Vidimo se

An informal phrase meaning that you expect to see the person again.

Example:

Vidimo se sutra!
(See you tomorrow!)

8. Laku noć

Used when someone is going to sleep or when saying goodbye late in the evening.

Common Mistakes Learners Make

❌ Using “ćao” in very formal situations
❌ Mixing up “dobar dan” and “dobro veče”
❌ Being too formal with friends

Learning the correct greetings helps you sound natural and confident in Serbian.

Why Learn Serbian Greetings with a Teacher?

Even though greetings seem simple, context, intonation, and culture matter a lot. In Serbian language lessons, you learn:

• when to use each greeting

• how to adapt to different situations

• how to sound natural, not like a textbook

If you want to learn Serbian online, individually or in small groups, guidance from an experienced teacher makes all the difference.

Conclusion

Serbian greetings are the first step toward successful communication. Once you master expressions like zdravo, dobar dan, and doviđenja, you will feel much more confident in everyday situations.

If you want to continue learning and make fast progress, visit AzbukaHub – an online Serbian language school and start your learning journey today.