Preposition 'Без' (Without)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'без' (bez) to indicate the absence of something or someone, similar to 'without' in English.
- Place 'без' directly before the noun: 'без захар' (without sugar).
- Use special pronoun forms: 'без мен' (without me), not 'без аз'.
- Combine with 'да' for verbs: 'без да знам' (without knowing).
Meanings
The primary function of 'без' is to denote the absence, lack, or exclusion of an object, person, or quality.
Absence of an object
Indicating that a physical item is not present or included.
“Салата без лук.”
“Пътувам без багаж.”
Exclusion of a person
Indicating that someone is not participating or present.
“Отидоха на кино без мен.”
“Не мога без теб.”
Lack of a quality or state
Describing a condition where a certain abstract quality is missing.
“Човек без страх.”
“Ден без слънце.”
Mathematical subtraction
Used in basic arithmetic to mean 'minus'.
“Десет без две е осем.”
“Пет без едно е четири.”
Time telling
Indicating minutes before the hour.
“Часът е пет без десет.”
“Осем без петнайсет.”
Using 'Без' with Personal Pronouns
| Subject Pronoun | Objective Form (After 'Без') | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| аз (I) | мен / мене | без мен | without me |
| ти (you) | теб / тебе | без теб | without you |
| той (he) | него | без него | without him |
| тя (she) | нея | без нея | without her |
| то (it) | него | без него | without it |
| ние (we) | нас | без нас | without us |
| вие (you all) | вас | без вас | without you all |
| те (they) | тях | без тях | without them |
Reference Table
| Usage Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Noun | без + Noun | без хляб (without bread) |
| Definite Noun | без + Noun + Article | без хляба (without the bread) |
| Pronoun | без + Objective Pronoun | без тях (without them) |
| Verb (Action) | без да + Verb | без да спи (without sleeping) |
| Time | Hour + без + Minutes | десет без пет (five to ten) |
| Negative Question | Няма ли ___ без ___? | Няма ли кафе без кофеин? (Isn't there decaf?) |
| Abstract | без + Abstract Noun | без страх (without fear) |
| Idiomatic | Fixed Phrase | без проблем (no problem) |
Spectre de formalité
Не бих могъл да се справя без Вашето съдействие. (Asking for help)
Не мога да го направя без теб. (Asking for help)
Без теб съм за никъде. (Asking for help)
Без теб съм аут. (Asking for help)
The World of 'Без'
Food/Drink
- без захар without sugar
- без сол without salt
People
- без мен without me
- без нея without her
Time
- пет без десет ten to five
С vs. БЕЗ
How to use 'Без'?
Is it a noun?
Is it a pronoun?
Is it a verb?
Common Phrases
Daily Life
- • без проблем
- • без майтап
- • без пари
Travel
- • без багаж
- • без билет
- • без виза
Examples by Level
Кафе без захар, моля.
Coffee without sugar, please.
Той е без кола днес.
He is without a car today.
Салата без лук.
Salad without onions.
Часът е шест без пет.
The time is five to six.
Не отивай там без мен!
Don't go there without me!
Тя влезе без да почука.
She entered without knocking.
Можеш ли без телефон?
Can you [live] without a phone?
Той направи това без да иска.
He did this without meaning to.
Без съмнение, това е най-добрият план.
Without a doubt, this is the best plan.
Пътувахме цял ден без да спираме.
We traveled all day without stopping.
Няма дим без огън.
There is no smoke without fire.
Той живее без никакви грижи.
He lives without any worries.
Проектът беше завършен без закъснение.
The project was completed without delay.
Тя говори три езика без никакъв акцент.
She speaks three languages without any accent.
Не можем да вземем решение без неговото съгласие.
We cannot make a decision without his consent.
Той премина през изпита без никакви трудности.
He passed the exam without any difficulties.
Това е закон без прецедент в нашата история.
This is a law without precedent in our history.
Той остана безмълвен без да пророни нито дума.
He remained silent without uttering a single word.
Без оглед на обстоятелствата, трябва да продължим.
Regardless of the circumstances, we must continue.
Изложбата не мина без известна доза критика.
The exhibition did not pass without a certain amount of criticism.
Неговата щедрост е безгранична и безкористна.
His generosity is boundless and selfless.
Аргументът му беше приет безпрекословно.
His argument was accepted unconditionally.
Животът му премина безславно и безцелно.
His life passed ingloriously and aimlessly.
Той действаше без оглед на собствената си безопасност.
He acted without regard for his own safety.
Easily Confused
Learners often mix 'without' (bez) and 'except' (osven).
Both express absence, but 'без' is a preposition and 'няма' is a verb.
Both use the 'да' construction but have different meanings.
Erreurs courantes
Кафе без захарта.
Кафе без захар.
Без аз.
Без мен.
Пет минус десет (for time).
Пет без десет.
Без млякото.
Без мляко.
Без знам.
Без да знам.
Без той.
Без него.
Отидох без да искане.
Отидох без да искам.
Без съмнението.
Без съмнение.
Без да не знам.
Без да знам.
Той е без работата.
Той е без работа.
Без оглед на това че...
Без оглед на това, че...
Sentence Patterns
Искам ___ без ___.
Не мога да ___ без ___.
Той влезе ___ без да ___.
Без ___ нямаше да ___.
Real World Usage
Един бургер без майонеза.
Срещата е в десет без петнадесет.
Пътувам само с ръчен багаж, без течности.
Търсим човек без предишен опит, но с желание.
Ден без филтър. #безфилтър
Тръгваме без теб, ако закъснееш!
The Pronoun Rule
Time Shortcut
No Gerunds
Polite Refusal
Smart Tips
Use 'без' followed by the noun in its base form. No need for articles or complex endings.
Think of the English 'me' instead of 'I'. You wouldn't say 'without I', so don't say 'без аз'. Use 'без мен'.
Always insert 'да' between 'без' and the verb. It's the 'glue' that holds the sentence together.
Remember that 'без' means 'minus' here. 'Пет без десет' is literally 'Five minus ten [minutes]'.
Prononciation
The 'z' sound
The 'з' in 'без' is voiced. However, if the next word starts with a voiceless consonant (like п, ф, к, т, ш, с, х, ц, ч), it might sound slightly like 'бес' (bes) due to regressive assimilation.
Emphasis on 'Без'
БЕЗ захар! (Not with sugar!)
Stressing the exclusion to avoid mistakes.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Bez' as 'Base'. Without a base, everything falls. 'Bez' means 'without'.
Visual Association
Imagine a coffee cup with a big 'X' over a sugar cube. Next to it, write 'БЕЗ ЗАХАР'. The 'X' and the 'Z' in 'Bez' and 'Zahar' create a sharp, negative sound association.
Rhyme
Без мен, без теб, животът е лед. (Without me, without you, life is ice.)
Story
Ivan went to a restaurant. He wanted a burger 'без' onions, a cola 'без' ice, and he wanted to pay 'без' cash. The waiter looked at him and said, 'You can't eat 'без' paying!'
Word Web
Défi
Go through your fridge and name 5 things you have, then name 5 things you want to eat 'без' (without) a specific ingredient.
Notes culturelles
Bulgarians are very specific about their coffee. 'Кафе без захар' is often called 'чисто кафе' (pure coffee).
In Bulgaria, being 'без пет' (five to) is considered on time, while being 'и пет' (five past) is often the norm for social gatherings.
It is rare to be 'без гости' (without guests) on a name day. Hospitality is central to the culture.
From Proto-Slavic *bez, which is related to the Sanskrit 'bahis' (outside).
Conversation Starters
Какво кафе пиеш - със или без захар?
Можеш ли да живееш една седмица без интернет?
Какво би направил, ако останеш без телефон в чужд град?
Възможно ли е щастието без споделеност?
Journal Prompts
Test Yourself
Той отиде на кино без ___.
Часът е осем ___ десет. (7:50)
Find and fix the mistake:
Тя тръгна без да казва нищо.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
пия / кафе / без / аз / захар
In Bulgarian, nouns change their endings after the preposition 'без'.
Сервитьор: Как искате кафето? Клиент: ___ захар, моля.
Which of these can follow 'без'?
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesТой отиде на кино без ___.
Часът е осем ___ десет. (7:50)
Find and fix the mistake:
Тя тръгна без да казва нищо.
Match the following:
пия / кафе / без / аз / захар
In Bulgarian, nouns change their endings after the preposition 'без'.
Сервитьор: Как искате кафето? Клиент: ___ захар, моля.
Which of these can follow 'без'?
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Yes, in almost all contexts, `без` translates to 'without'. It can also mean 'minus' in math or 'to' in time-telling.
Yes, `него` is the objective form for both 'he' and 'it' (masculine/neuter). So `без него` can mean 'without him' or 'without it'.
Bulgarian doesn't have an infinitive or a gerund like English. The `да` construction is the standard way to link a preposition to a verbal action.
Absolutely. It is a standard preposition used in all registers, from slang to legal documents.
`Без` is a preposition (without), while `няма` is a verb (there is no/not have). You use `без` to describe a state and `няма` to state a fact of non-existence.
Yes, just like singular nouns. `Без хора` (without people), `без проблеми` (without problems).
You use the negative pronoun: `без никого`.
No, unlike the preposition `с` which becomes `със`, `без` always stays the same.
In Other Languages
sin
Bulgarian uses 'без да' + verb, Spanish uses 'sin' + infinitive.
sans
French 'sans' often drops the article after it, similar to Bulgarian 'без'.
ohne
German requires case endings on articles/adjectives; Bulgarian does not.
...なしで (nashi de)
Bulgarian is a preposition (comes before), Japanese is a postposition (comes after).
بدون (bi-duni)
Arabic script and root system make it visually different, but the logic of 'without + noun' is similar.
没有 (méiyǒu) / 不带 (bù dài)
Bulgarian uses a dedicated preposition; Chinese uses a negative verb.
