Meaning
Used when giving something to someone.
Cultural Background
The 'Bread and Salt' ceremony is the ultimate expression of 'Заповядайте'. Guests break a piece of bread, dip it in salt (and often 'sharena sol' spices), and are welcomed into the community. In Bulgarian business culture, offering coffee or water with 'Заповядайте' is a mandatory first step before any negotiation can begin. Refusing it can sometimes be seen as cold. Bulgarian shopkeepers might sound abrupt to Westerners, but the use of 'Заповядайте' is their way of showing professional respect. It is the standard 'May I help you?' when you enter a shop. If you are a guest in a Bulgarian home, you will hear 'Заповядай' constantly as food is piled onto your plate. It is a sign of abundance and care.
The 'Again' Trick
Always add 'пак' (pak - again) when someone thanks you in a shop: 'Заповядайте пак!' It makes you sound like a native pro.
Don't be too 'Na'
Avoid saying 'На!' when giving things unless you are with very close family. It can sound like you are throwing the object at them.
Meaning
Used when giving something to someone.
The 'Again' Trick
Always add 'пак' (pak - again) when someone thanks you in a shop: 'Заповядайте пак!' It makes you sound like a native pro.
Don't be too 'Na'
Avoid saying 'На!' when giving things unless you are with very close family. It can sound like you are throwing the object at them.
Eye Contact
When saying 'Заповядай' and handing an object, make brief eye contact. It reinforces the polite gesture.
Test Yourself
You are handing a gift to your best friend. What do you say?
Подарък за теб! ________!
Since it's a 'best friend', the informal singular 'Заповядай' is correct.
Match the situation to the correct form of the phrase.
1. Giving a menu to a customer. 2. Giving a toy to a child. 3. Responding to a group saying 'Thank you'.
Customers and groups require the formal/plural 'Заповядайте', while a child takes the informal 'Заповядай'.
Complete the dialogue at the bakery.
Клиент: Едно кафе, моля. Продавач: ________ кафето. Клиент: Благодаря! Продавач: ________ пак!
In a shop, the formal 'Заповядайте' is used both for giving the item and as a response to thanks.
Fill in the blank with the correct form to invite a guest into your home.
Добре дошли! Моля, ________, влезте в хола.
The plural 'Добре дошли' and 'влезте' indicate you are addressing more than one person or being formal.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
The 3 Faces of Заповядай
Giving
- • Money
- • Gifts
- • Food
Inviting
- • Enter
- • Sit
- • Eat
Responding
- • After 'Thanks'
- • In shops
- • Polite closure
Practice Bank
4 exercisesПодарък за теб! ________!
Since it's a 'best friend', the informal singular 'Заповядай' is correct.
1. Giving a menu to a customer. 2. Giving a toy to a child. 3. Responding to a group saying 'Thank you'.
Customers and groups require the formal/plural 'Заповядайте', while a child takes the informal 'Заповядай'.
Клиент: Едно кафе, моля. Продавач: ________ кафето. Клиент: Благодаря! Продавач: ________ пак!
In a shop, the formal 'Заповядайте' is used both for giving the item and as a response to thanks.
Добре дошли! Моля, ________, влезте в хола.
The plural 'Добре дошли' and 'влезте' indicate you are addressing more than one person or being formal.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for 'Excuse me' use 'Извинете' or 'Пардон'.
No, you should use the formal 'Заповядайте'.
Usually, but it can also be an invitation to enter or start an action.
'Заповядай' is for offering/giving; 'Моля' is for requesting or a general 'you're welcome'.
The closest is 'На', but use it carefully as it's very informal.
No, use 'Ало' or 'Да'.
Use 'Заповядайте', as it is the plural form.
Yes, in emails or texts when sending an attachment or inviting someone.
Because it literally is the imperative of 'to command', but the meaning has softened over time.
Yes, if you are gesturing for someone to enter a room or take a seat.
Related Phrases
Заповядайте
specialized formFormal/Plural version
Моля
similarPlease / You're welcome
Ето
similarHere is/are
Добре дошли
builds onWelcome
На
synonymHere (take it)
