Bulgarian 60-by-60
Module 9 – Media and Culture
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Module 9 – Media and Culture
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This module takes you deeper into the Bulgarian world. You'll learn how to discuss the news, talk about books, understand unique national customs and festivals, and even use a little everyday slang to sound more like a local.
Understanding how people get their information is key to understanding a culture. Today we'll learn the vocabulary to talk about news and media, and how to express a simple opinion.
| English | Bulgarian |
|---|---|
| news / the news | новина / новините |
| newspaper / magazine | вестник / списание |
| television / radio | телевизия / радио |
| website / social media | уебсайт / социални медии |
| article / headline | статия / заглавие |
After stating a fact, you can share your view using these phrases.
Like many countries, the media landscape in Bulgaria is diverse. The main public broadcasters are **Bulgarian National Television (БНТ)** and **Bulgarian National Radio (БНР)**. There are also several major private TV channels like bTV and Nova TV, which are very popular for news and entertainment. While newspapers still exist, most younger Bulgarians get their news from online sources (новинарски сайтове) and social media.
You don't need to be a political analyst. Just follow a simple 2-step formula to talk about the news.
Formula: State the Fact + Give Your Opinion.
The Big Idea: "I read/heard that [news summary]. I think that is [opinion]." This simple structure lets you participate in almost any conversation about current events.
Bulgaria has a profound respect for its language and literature, rooted in the creation of the Cyrillic alphabet. Let's learn how to talk about this important cultural pillar.
The creation of the Slavic alphabet is a huge point of national pride. **May 24th** is one of Bulgaria's most beloved public holidays: **The Day of the Bulgarian Alphabet, Education and Culture, and of Slavic Literature** (Ден на българската азбука, просвета и култура и на славянската книжовност). On this day, cities across the country hold parades led by students and teachers, celebrating the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius, who created the first Slavic script in the 9th century.
| English | Bulgarian |
|---|---|
| author / writer | автор / писател |
| poet / poetry | поет / поезия |
| novel / short story | роман / разказ |
| character / plot | герой / сюжет |
| chapter / page | глава / страница |
You can talk about any book using a simple 3-part description.
The "Book Report" Formula:
Cultural Smart-Tip: If you want to impress someone, mention the national classic: "Чели ли сте 'Под игото' от Иван Вазов?" (Have you read 'Under the Yoke' by Ivan Vazov?).
The Big Idea: "The author is [Name]. The book is about [Topic]. It is [Opinion]." This structure works for any book, from a classic novel to a comic book.
Bulgaria is a land rich in ancient customs and vibrant festivals. Understanding these traditions provides a deep insight into the Bulgarian spirit.
These festivals are incredibly visual. Watch these videos to see them for yourself!
You don't need to memorize every festival. Just remember the most famous one: Baba Marta.
The Story in a Nutshell: On **March 1st**, everyone celebrates a holiday for "Granny March" (Баба Марта). To celebrate, people give each other red and white bracelets called мартеници (Martenitsi). You wear it for good luck.
What to Say on March 1st: The greeting is "Честита Баба Марта!" (Happy Baba Marta!). If someone gives you a Martenitsa, you just say Благодаря! (Thank you!).
The Big Idea: If you are in Bulgaria in late February or March, you will see Martenitsi everywhere. Knowing this one tradition is a fantastic way to connect with people and participate in a beloved cultural custom.
Using idioms and a little slang can make your Bulgarian sound more natural and expressive, but it's important to know when and how to use them.
Idioms often have a literal meaning that is very different from their figurative one.
| Bulgarian Idiom | Literal Meaning | Actual Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Капка по капка вир става. | Drop by drop a pool forms. | Little things add up over time. |
| Те са две капки вода. | They are two drops of water. | They are identical; two peas in a pod. |
| През девет планини в десета. | Through nine mountains into the tenth. | Something is very far away. |
Use these words only with friends in very informal situations.
Slang and idioms are fun, but don't stress about using them! Listening is more important than speaking at first.
One Safe Slang Word: The most useful and common one is "Яко!" (Yako!). It just means "Cool!" or "Awesome!". You can use it when a friend tells you about a great concert or a fun trip. It's a positive and friendly word.
One Safe Idiom: The easiest one to remember is "Капка по капка вир става." (Drop by drop a pool is made). You can use this to talk about learning Bulgarian! It means that your small, daily efforts will add up to a big result over time.
The Big Idea: When in doubt, don't use slang. But if you want to try, "Яко!" is your safest bet. And remember the "drop by drop" idiom to encourage yourself in your language studies!
Let's bring the week together. Practice discussing a news story, a book, and a Bulgarian custom, using the vocabulary and cultural knowledge you've gained.
Prepare to talk for one minute. Choose one topic from each category below and prepare 1-2 sentences about it.
After preparing, read your sentences aloud. This is great practice for connecting different ideas in a short talk.