Significado
Operating a motor vehicle.
Contexto cultural
Driving is a major rite of passage for 18-year-olds. Getting a 'книжка' (license) is celebrated. The city of Pernik has a humorous reputation for its 'Golf' car culture and fast driving. Saying 'I'm driving' is the most respected reason for not drinking alcohol in Bulgaria. In Sofia, people often complain about 'driving a car' due to the heavy traffic and lack of parking.
The 'I'm Driving' Excuse
If you want to avoid drinking at a Bulgarian dinner, just say 'Карам кола'. It's the most socially acceptable excuse.
Stress the 'LA'
Make sure to stress the end of 'ko-LA'. If you stress the beginning, it sounds like 'KO-la' (the drink), though context usually helps.
Significado
Operating a motor vehicle.
The 'I'm Driving' Excuse
If you want to avoid drinking at a Bulgarian dinner, just say 'Карам кола'. It's the most socially acceptable excuse.
Stress the 'LA'
Make sure to stress the end of 'ko-LA'. If you stress the beginning, it sounds like 'KO-la' (the drink), though context usually helps.
Versatility
Learn 'карам' once and use it for cars, bikes, motorcycles, and skis. It's a high-value verb!
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'карам'.
Аз ______ кола всеки ден.
The 'I' (аз) form of first-conjugation verbs ends in -ам.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'He drives a car'?
The third-person singular (he/she/it) form of 'карам' is 'кара'.
Match the situation to the correct phrase.
You are at a party and someone offers you wine, but you have your car.
This is the standard polite way to refuse a drink when driving.
Complete the dialogue.
- Можеш ли да ______ кола? - Да, имам книжка от две години.
The question is directed at 'you' (singular/informal), so 'караш' is correct.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosАз ______ кола всеки ден.
The 'I' (аз) form of first-conjugation verbs ends in -ам.
How do you say 'He drives a car'?
The third-person singular (he/she/it) form of 'карам' is 'кара'.
You are at a party and someone offers you wine, but you have your car.
This is the standard polite way to refuse a drink when driving.
- Можеш ли да ______ кола? - Да, имам книжка от две години.
The question is directed at 'you' (singular/informal), so 'караш' is correct.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt's neutral. You can use it with friends or in a job interview. For very formal documents, use 'шофирам'.
Only if you are the bus driver. If you are a passenger, say 'пътувам с автобус'.
'Карам' is more common and versatile. 'Шофирам' is specific to motor vehicles and sounds more 'textbook'.
You say 'Уча се да карам кола'.
No, if the context is clear, you can just say 'Аз карам'.
Yes, it follows the standard first-conjugation pattern (-ам, -аш, -а).
Yes, if you are the taxi driver. If you are the passenger, say 'вземам такси'.
It means 'to argue' or 'to scold'. Don't mix it up with 'карам'!
You say 'Карам бързо'.
No, 'автомобил' is the formal word, but 'кола' is used 99% of the time.
Frases relacionadas
карам колело
similarTo ride a bicycle.
карам ски
similarTo ski.
шофирам
synonymTo drive.
карам се
contrastTo argue/scold.
