Today you learn the engine of Bulgarian sentences — the present tense. Two conjugation patterns cover the vast majority of all verbs you will ever use.
📅 Day 12⏳ ~60 minutes🎤 Audio on every section✅ Quiz at the end
🔊 Speed:
Section 1
The two conjugation groups — the engine of the language
Every Bulgarian verb in the present tense follows one of two patterns. Learn these endings once and they apply to hundreds of verbs.
Bulgarian verbs are divided into two groups based on the vowel in the 3rd-person singular (той/тя/то) form. Group 1 verbs end in -е in the той form (чете, пише, живее). Group 2 verbs end in -и in the той form (говори, работи, учи). Once you know which group a verb belongs to, you can conjugate it in all six forms automatically. Subject pronouns are usually dropped in Bulgarian — the verb ending carries all the information.
💡 The one trick to identify the group
Check the той/тя/то form: ends in -е → Group 1. Ends in -и → Group 2. When you learn any new verb, just memorise the аз and той forms — the rest follows automatically from the pattern below.
The complete ending patterns — with audio on every form
Group 1 — той ends in -е
аз-а / -я
четаcheta
ти-еш
четешchetesh
той/тя-е
четеchete
ние-ем
четемchetem
вие-ете
чететеchetete
те-ат
четатchetat
Group 2 — той ends in -и
аз-я
говоряgovorya
ти-иш
говоришgovorish
той/тя-и
говориgovori
ние-им
говоримgovorim
вие-ите
говоритеgovorite
те-ят
говорятgovoryat
Section 2
Key verbs — fully conjugated, every form with audio
The 10 most important verbs in Bulgarian. Click any form to hear it. Repeat until automatic.
These ten verbs appear in almost every conversation. Knowing them fully — not just the аз form — is what turns you from someone who knows Bulgarian into someone who can actually use it. Practice switching quickly between persons: "I speak", "she speaks", "we speak".
speak / talkGroup 2
азговоряgovorya
тиговоришgovorish
той/тяговориgovori
ниеговоримgovorim
виеговоритеgovorite
теговорятgovoryat
readGroup 1
азчетаcheta
тичетешchetesh
той/тячетеchete
ниечетемchetem
виечететеchetete
течетатchetat
workGroup 2
азработяrabotya
тиработишrabotish
той/тяработиraboti
ниеработимrabotim
виеработитеrabotite
теработятrabotyat
live / resideGroup 1
азживеяzhiveya
тиживеешzhivеesh
той/тяживееzhivee
ниеживеемzhiveem
виеживеетеzhiveete
теживеятzhiveyat
wantGroup 1
азискамiskam
тиискашiskash
той/тяискаiska
ниеискамеiskame
виеискатеiskate
теискатiskat
can / be ableGroup irregularIrregular
азмогаmoga
тиможешmozhesh
той/тяможеmozhe
ниеможемmozhem
виеможетеmozhete
темогатmogat
understandGroup 1
азразбирамrazbiram
тиразбирашrazbirash
той/тяразбираrazbira
ниеразбирамеrazbirame
виеразбиратеrazbirate
теразбиратrazbirat
writeGroup 1
азпишаpisha
типишешpishesh
той/тяпишеpishe
ниепишемpishem
виепишетеpishete
тепишатpishat
listen / hearGroup 1
азслушамslusham
тислушашslushash
той/тяслушаslusha
ниеслушамеslushame
виеслушатеslushate
теслушатslushat
eatGroup irregularIrregular
азямyam
тиядешyadesh
той/тяядеyade
ниеядемyadem
виеядетеyadete
теядатyadat
Section 3
Essential verb library — 30 verbs every learner needs
Click each verb to hear the аз form. Group numbers tell you how to conjugate the rest.
These 30 verbs cover the vocabulary of everyday Bulgarian life — movement, communication, daily actions, feelings, and errands. For each verb the аз (I) form is shown. To conjugate any of them fully, apply the Group 1 or Group 2 endings from Section 1.
Movement and travel
отивамotivamgo (on foot)Grp 1
идвамidvamcomeGrp 1
пътувамpatuvamtravelGrp 1
тръгвамtragvamset off / leaveGrp 1
пристигамpristigamarriveGrp 1
бягамbyagamrun / fleeGrp 1
ходяhodyawalk / go (regularly)Grp 2
Communication and mind
говоряgovoryaspeakGrp 2
казвамkazvamsay / tellGrp 1
питамpitamaskGrp 1
отговарямotgovaryamanswerGrp 1
знамznamknow (a fact)Grp 1
мисляmislyathinkGrp 2
помняpomnyarememberGrp 2
забравямzabravyamforgetGrp 1
Daily actions and feelings
ставамstavamget up / stand upGrp 1
лягамlyagamlie down / go to bedGrp 1
ямyameatGrp irregularIrregular
пияpiyadrinkGrp 1
спяspyasleepGrp 2
обичамobichamlove / likeGrp 1
харесвамharesvamlike / enjoyGrp 1
чакамchakamwaitGrp 1
Shopping, errands and work
купувамkupuvambuyGrp 1
продавамprodavamsellGrp 1
плащамplashtampayGrp 1
помагамpomagamhelpGrp 1
гледамgledamwatch / lookGrp 1
учаuchastudy / learnGrp 1
четаchetareadGrp 1
виждамvizhdamseeGrp 1
Section 4
The да construction — Bulgarian's equivalent of the infinitive
The single most important grammatical pattern in Bulgarian. Mastering this unlocks hundreds of expressions.
English uses "to + verb" (I want to go, I can speak). Bulgarian has no infinitive — instead it uses да + present tense conjugated to match the subject. This pattern appears after every modal, every expression of desire, ability, permission, and obligation. It is impossible to overstate how important this is.
💡 The да pattern — formula and examples
искам да +
Искам да ям.Iskam da yam.I want to eat.
искаш да +
Искаш да пиеш.Iskash da piesh.You want to drink.
мога да +
Мога да говоря български.Moga da govorya balgarski.I can speak Bulgarian.
не мога да +
Не мога да дойда.Ne moga da doyda.I cannot come.
трябва да +
Трябва да уча.Tryabva da ucha.I must study.
не трябва да +
Не трябва да бързаш.Ne tryabva da barzash.You must not rush.
обичам да +
Обичам да чета.Obicham da cheta.I love to read.
харесвам да +
Харесвам да слушам музика.Haresvam da slusham muzika.I like listening to music.
започвам да +
Започвам да разбирам.Zapochvam da razbiram.I am starting to understand.
опитвам се да +
Опитвам се да говоря.Opityam se da govorya.I am trying to speak.
💡 Key rule — the second verb agrees with the SUBJECT
When the same person is doing both actions, both verbs refer to the same subject: Искам да ям (I want to eat — both "I"). When different people are involved, each verb agrees with its own subject: Искам той да дойде (I want him to come — "I" for искам, "he" for дойде). At A1 level, focus on same-subject constructions first.
Section 5
A full day in Bulgarian — the daily routine
Time expressions, frequency adverbs, and present tense verbs all together.
One of the most natural ways to practise present-tense verbs is to describe your daily routine. Bulgarian uses the present tense for habitual actions (what you do every day) exactly as English does. Time expressions and frequency adverbs anchor every sentence naturally.
Frequency adverbs — how often?
100%винагиvinagialways
90%обикновеноobiknovenousually
70%честоchestooften
50%понякогаponyakogasometimes
10%рядкоryadkorarely
0%никогаnikoganever
A typical Bulgarian day — every line with audio
6:30
Ставам и отивам в банята.Stavam i otivam v banyata.I get up and go to the bathroom.
7:00
Закусвам — обикновено пия кафе и ям тост.Zakusvam — obiknoveno piya kafe i yam tost.I have breakfast — I usually drink coffee and eat toast.
7:30
Тръгвам за работа. Отивам с метрото.Tragvam za rabota. Otivam s metroto.I set off for work. I go by metro.
8:00
Пристигам в офиса и проверявам имейлите.Pristigam v ofisa i proveryavam imeylite.I arrive at the office and check my emails.
13:00
Ям обяд. Понякога отивам до кафенето.Yam obyad. Ponyakoga otivam do kafeneto.I eat lunch. Sometimes I go to the café.
17:30
Тръгвам от работа и отивам вкъщи.Tragvam ot rabota i otivam vkashti.I leave work and go home.
19:00
Вечерям с семейството. Понякога готвим заедно.Vecheryam s semeystvoto. Ponyakoga gotvim zaedno.I have dinner with the family. Sometimes we cook together.
20:00
Гледам телевизия или чета книга.Gledam televiziya ili cheta kniga.I watch television or read a book.
22:30
Лягам и заспивам бързо.Lyagam i zaspivam barzo.I go to bed and fall asleep quickly.
Frequency sentences — practice with adverbs
Винаги пия кафе сутринта.Vinagi piya kafe sutrintа.I always drink coffee in the morning.
Обикновено работя от девет до шест.Obiknoveno rabotya ot devet do shest.I usually work from nine to six.
Често слушам музика в колата.Chesto slusham muzika v kolata.I often listen to music in the car.
Понякога чета книги преди сън.Ponyakoga cheta knigi predi san.I sometimes read books before sleep.
Рядко ям бързо хранене.Ryadko yam barzo hranene.I rarely eat fast food.
Никога не закъснявам за работа.Nikoga ne zakasnyavam za rabota.I never arrive late to work.
Section 6
Real-world scenarios — verbs in action
Five complete role-plays with every verb from today. Every line has audio.
🏢 A day in the office
Работен ден в офиса
Daily routine verbs, мога/трябва, and the да construction in a work context. Notice how subject pronouns are often dropped.
Мария
Добро утро! Рано пристигаш днес.Dobro utro! Rano pristigash dnes.Good morning! You are arriving early today.
Иван
Да, трябва да завърша доклада до обяд. Работя по него от осем.Da, tryabva da zavarsha doklada do obyad. Rabotya po nego ot osem.Yes, I need to finish the report by midday. I have been working on it since eight.
Мария
Мога ли да помогна? Аз не работя по нищо важно сега.Moga li da pomogna? Az ne rabotya po nishto vazhno sega.Can I help? I am not working on anything important now.
Иван
Много благодаря! Можеш ли да проверяваш имейлите, докато аз пиша?Mnogo blagodarya! Mozhesh li da proveryavash imeylite, dokato az pisha?Thank you very much! Can you check the emails while I write?
Мария
Разбира се. Слушам те. Говориш ли с клиентите днес?Razbira se. Slusham te. Govorish li s klientite dnes?Of course. I am listening. Are you speaking with clients today?
Иван
Да, имам среща в три. Трябва да говоря с тях на английски — не разбират български.Da, imam sreshta v tri. Tryabva da govorya s tyah na angliyski — ne razbirat balgarski.Yes, I have a meeting at three. I need to speak with them in English — they do not understand Bulgarian.
☕ At the café — ordering and chatting
В кафенето
Iskam да + verb for ordering; everyday conversation with verbs of liking, doing, and daily habits.
Сервитьор
Добър ден! Какво желаете?Dobar den! Kakvo zhelaete?Good afternoon! What would you like?
Клиент
Искам да пия едно кафе, моля. И нещо да ям — имате ли сандвичи?Iskam da piya edno kafe, molya. I neshto da yam — imate li sandvichi?I would like to drink a coffee please. And something to eat — do you have sandwiches?
Сервитьор
Да, имаме. Какво обичате — с шунка или с кашкавал?Da, imame. Kakvo obichate — s shunka ili s kashkaval?Yes we do. What do you like — with ham or with cheese?
Клиент
Обичам и двете, но сега искам с кашкавал.Obicham i dvete, no sega iskam s kashkaval.I like both, but now I want cheese.
Сервитьор
Заповядайте. Работите ли наблизо?Zapovyadayte. Rabotite li nablizo?Here you are. Do you work nearby?
Клиент
Да, работя в офиса срещу. Идвам тук всеки ден — обичам кафето ви!Da, rabotya v ofisa sreshtu. Idvam tuk vseki den — obicham kafeto vi!Yes, I work in the office opposite. I come here every day — I love your coffee!
🌐 Language exchange — talking about learning
Езиков обмен
A rich context for mога/не мога, разбирам, говоря, уча — the most self-referential and therefore most memorable use of these verbs.
Виктория
Говориш ли български?Govorish li balgarski?Do you speak Bulgarian?
Том
Малко. Уча от три месеца. Разбирам повече, отколкото говоря.Malko. Ucha ot tri mesетsa. Razbiram poveche, otkolkoto govorya.A little. I have been studying for three months. I understand more than I speak.
Виктория
Слушаш ли много? Слушането помага много.Slushash li mnogo? Slushaneto pomaga mnogo.Do you listen a lot? Listening helps a lot.
Том
Да, слушам подкасти и гледам сериали. Но трябва да говоря повече.Da, slusham podkasti i gledam seriali. No tryabva da govorya poveche.Yes, I listen to podcasts and watch series. But I need to speak more.
Виктория
Мога да говоря с теб на български, ако ти говориш с мен на английски.Moga da govorya s teb na balgarski, ako ti govorish s men na angliyski.I can speak with you in Bulgarian if you speak with me in English.
Том
Перфектно! Опитвам се да говоря, но забравям думите. Трябва да уча повече!Perfektno! Opityam se da govorya, no zabravyam dumite. Tryabva da ucha poveche!Perfect! I try to speak but I forget the words. I need to study more!
💊 At the doctor — describing symptoms
При лекаря
Verbs of physical state and daily habits — a medical consultation needs them all.
Лекар
Здравейте. Какво ви притеснява?Zdraveyte. Kakvo vi pritesnуava?Hello. What is troubling you?
Пациент
Не спя добре от седмица. Лягам в единадесет, но не мога да заспя.Ne spya dobre ot sedmitsa. Lyagam v edinadeset, no ne moga da zasрya.I have not been sleeping well for a week. I go to bed at eleven but I cannot fall asleep.
Лекар
Какво правите преди сън? Гледате ли телефона?Kakvo pravite predi san? Gledате li telefona?What do you do before bed? Do you look at your phone?
Пациент
Да, гледам телефона и чета в леглото. Знам, не трябва.Da, gledam telefona i cheta v legloto. Znam, ne tryabva.Yes, I look at my phone and read in bed. I know, I should not.
Лекар
Ядете ли и пиете ли добре? Пиете ли достатъчно вода?Yadete li i piete li dobre? Piete li dostatachno voda?Do you eat and drink well? Do you drink enough water?
Пациент
Ям добре. Но пия много кафе — пет чаши на ден. Рядко пия вода.Yam dobre. No piya mnogo kafe — pet chashi na den. Ryadko piya voda.I eat well. But I drink a lot of coffee — five cups a day. I rarely drink water.
Лекар
Трябва да спирате кафето след три следобед и да пиете повече вода. Опитайте се да не гледате екрани преди сън.Tryabva da spirate kafeto sled tri sledobed i da piete poveche voda.You need to stop coffee after three in the afternoon and drink more water. Try not to look at screens before bed.
🚌 On the move — travel and directions
В движение
Movement verbs, мога, трябва and the да construction — everything needed to navigate Bulgarian cities and transport.
Турист
Извинете, мога ли да ви питам нещо?Izvinete, moga li da vi pitam neshto?Excuse me, can I ask you something?
Местен
Разбира се. Казвайте.Razbira se. Kazvаyte.Of course. Go ahead.
Турист
Трябва да отида до Централна гара. Мога ли да ходя пеша?Tryabva da otida do Tsentralna gara. Moga li da hodya pesha?I need to get to the Central Station. Can I walk?
Местен
Не, далеч е. Трябва да вземете метрото — отивате до спирка Сердика.Ne, dalech e. Tryabva da vzemete metroto — otivate do spirka Serdika.No, it is far. You need to take the metro — go to Serdika station.
Турист
Разбирам. В колко минути пристигам?Razbiram. V kolko minuti pristigam?I understand. In how many minutes will I arrive?
Местен
Пътувате около десет минути. Тръгвате от спирка НДК и слизате на третата спирка.Patuvate okolo deset minuti. Tragvate ot spirka NDK i slizate na tretata spirka.You travel about ten minutes. You leave from NDK station and get off at the third stop.
Турист
Много благодаря! Разбрах — слизам на третата спирка.Mnogo blagodarya! Razbrаh — slizam na tretata spirka.Thank you very much! I understand — I get off at the third stop.
Section 7
Writing task
✏️ Writing task — Day 12
Conjugate работя (to work) in all 6 persons, then do the same for чета (to read). How can you tell which group each belongs to?
Write your own daily routine in Bulgarian — at least 8 sentences with times and frequency adverbs.
Translate: "I can speak Bulgarian but I cannot write well yet. I need to practise every day."
Write 5 sentences using different verbs + да constructions (e.g. искам да..., мога да..., трябва да..., обичам да..., опитвам се да...).
What is the key difference between отивам and ходя? Both mean "go" — but when would you use each?
Show answers
1.работя/работиш/работи/работим/работите/работят (Group 2 — той ends in -и). чета/четеш/чете/четем/четете/четат (Group 1 — той ends in -е).
2. Free answer — model: Ставам в шест и половина. Обикновено пия кафе. Тръгвам за работа в осем. Работя от девет до пет. Ям обяд в единадесет. Пристигам вкъщи в шест. Гледам телевизия. Лягам в единадесет.
3.Мога да говоря български, но не мога да пиша добре още. Трябва да практикувам всеки ден.
4. Examples: Искам да спя. Мога да помогна. Трябва да платя. Обичам да чета. Опитвам се да разбирам.
5.Отивам = going somewhere on a specific occasion (I am going to the shop now). Ходя = habitual going, the activity of walking/going regularly (I go to the gym = Ходя на фитнес). Both translate as "go" in English but differ in aspect and habitual vs specific use.
💡 Tip: Conjugation becomes automatic only through production, not just recognition. Cover the right column of any verb table and force yourself to generate each form from memory. Ten minutes of this beats an hour of passive reading.
☕ Enjoying the course? It is completely free. If it is helping you, a coffee keeps the server running.