Idioms are a part of our daily speech. Knowing the most popular Bulgarian idioms opens the door to free communication with your Bulgarian friends, neighbors, colleagues, and even strangers. But whether we like it or not, there are some Bulgarian words with no English equivalent that Bulgarian language learners have to pay special attention to. Since they don’t have a literal English translation, the only way to understand them is to learn their meanings. 

To make things more fun for you, we at BulgarianPod101.com have included the literal meaning for each of the Bulgarian untranslatable words in this article, alongside their actual meanings. We have also included sample sentences for context. At the end of this article, you’ll have the opportunity to test your knowledge through our practical exercises and to check your answers.

We believe that the more fun and entertaining the Bulgarian language learning process is, the easier it is to memorize new things. So, let’s have a fun time going through this advanced lesson together.

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Table of Contents

1. The Top 10 Untranslatable Bulgarian Idioms
2. Practical Exercises on Untranslatable Bulgarian Idioms
3. How BulgarianPod101 Can Help You Learn Bulgarian
4. Answers to Practical Exercises

1. The Top 10 Untranslatable Bulgarian Idioms

1 – Пращам за зелен хайвер.

Literal Translation:
I’m sending someone for green caviar.

Meaning: 
I’m deceiving someone about something.

English Equivalent:
Red herring

Example Situation: 

If I tell someone misleading information, the person will eventually use this idiom to describe the situation.

For example, imagine I tell a friend that a certain store is offering great discounts today on certain products. When he arrives there to buy the goods on sale, he finds out that there are no discounts at all offered that day. Disappointed, he calls me on the phone, saying: Прати ме за зелен хайвер. (Prati me za zelen hayver.) – “Send me for green caviar.” In other words, he is looking for something that does not exist.

Usage in a Sentence: 

Прати ме за зелен хайвер! В магазина изобщо нямат намаленията, за които ми каза.
Prati me za zelen hayver! V magazina izobshto nyamat namaleniyata, za koito mi kaza.
“Red herring! The store has none of the discounts you told me about.”

Additional Notes:

It’s interesting to note that the English and Bulgarian versions of this idiom are both related to fish. 

In English, the phrase is connected to the fact that herring fish turns red during canning. It’s then used for training dogs to follow tracks. However, sometimes thieves also use red herring to confuse the dogs.

In Bulgarian, there is a legend behind this idiom. There are different kinds of caviar—black, red, but no green. The story says that a married woman had a lover with whom she wanted to spend a lot of time. So, she pretended to be ill and told her husband to search for the only cure for her illness—the green caviar. 

2 – Падна ми в ръчичките.

Literal Translation:
You fell into my hands.

Meaning: 
1. I have the opportunity to treat someone the way I want.
2. I caught someone in the act.

Example Situation: 

I might use this phrase if I caught someone doing something wrong. 

For example, imagine I notice that the amount of honey in the jar I saved for the winter season is decreasing every day. When I ask my family who is eating honey from the jar, they all deny it. One early morning, I find my son with a big spoon over the open lid of the jar. I react with the words: Падна ли ми в ръчичките? This means, “At last, I caught you. Now, there will be some kind of punishment.”

Usage in a Sentence: 

This Bulgarian idiom is most commonly used when a criminal is finally caught. The policeman would say: 

Падна ли ми в ръчичките най-после? Сега ще си получиш заслуженото.
Padna li mi v rachichkite nay-posle? Sega shte si poluchish zasluzhenoto.
“Did you finally fall into my hands? Now, you will get what you deserve.”

You finally fell into my hands!

Additional Notes: 

In English, this idiom is typically used in reference to information that has fallen into the wrong hands. But in Bulgarian, it usually refers to a wrongdoer who is caught in the act. 

3 – Като паднал от Марс

Literal Translation:
Like having fallen from Mars

Meaning: 
1. A person who is strongly surprised by something unexpected
2. A person who doesn’t know or hasn’t heard of something

Example Situation: 

A teacher explains some new material to her students, but one of the students is distracted and doesn’t hear anything she says. After she finishes the explanation, she asks the distracted student a question about the information she just taught. He cannot answer and only blinks with wide-open eyes. In this case, the phrase Като паднал от Марс would be used to show that the question is about a topic the student is not familiar with at all. 

Usage in a Sentence:  

Иване, като паднал от Марс си! Нали току-що обяснявах този въпрос. Нищо ли не чу?
Ivane, kato padnal ot Mars si! Nali toku-shto obyasnyavah tozi vapros. Nishto li ne chu?
“Ivan, you are like someone who has fallen from Mars! I just explained that question. Didn’t you hear anything?”

Additional Notes: 

This untranslatable Bulgarian idiom may also refer to something that confuses a person so much that they cannot handle it. Just imagine arriving on another planet where everything is different, and then having to get used to all the new things around you!

As having fallen from Mars…

4 – Падна ми пердето.

Literal Translation: 
My curtain fell.

Meaning: 
I have started to speak or act without hesitation and without any thought of the consequences.

English Equivalent: 
I’ve blown my top.

Example Situation: 

A boss invites one of his employees to come and talk with him. When the employee enters the office, his boss starts arguing with him; he says that the project is going too slowly and that he isn’t working conscientiously enough. The employee then starts yelling at his boss about his poor working conditions, how he has to stay at work late into the evening without receiving the salary he deserves, that he cannot pay enough attention to his family because of work, etc. The employee’s reaction could be described as падна ми пердето. He no longer cares about the consequences of the conversation, such as being fired.

Usage in a Sentence:  

Отидох при шефа и като ми падна пердето… Казах му всичко, което мисля за него и фирмата му. Изобщо не ме интересува, ако иска да ме уволнява.
Otidoh pri shefa, che kato mi padna perdeto… Kazah mu vsichko, koeto mislya za nego i firmata mu. Izobshto ne me interesuva, ako iska da me uvolnyava.
“I went to the boss, and he blew my top… I told him everything I thought about him and his company. I don’t care at all, even if he fires me.”

To blow one’s top…

Additional Notes: 

When a person tries to restrain themself in a stressful situation but at some point explodes with anger and starts speaking and acting without inhibition, Bulgarians use this idiom. It means that the person no longer worries about the consequences of his words or actions.

5 – Дръж ми шапката.

Literal Translation: 
Hold my hat.

Meaning: 
I don’t care.

Example Situation: 

A soccer coach quarrels with the team after they lose the match. All the players bow their heads, except for the goalkeeper, who acts as if he hadn’t participated in the game at all and had nothing to do with the team’s failure. In this case, Bulgarians would say that he was pretending to be дръж ми шапката.

Usage in a Sentence: 

Иване, стига си се правил на дръж ми шапката. Ти пропусна да хванеш 3 топки във вратата.
Ivane, stiga si se pravil na drazh mi shapkata. Ti propusna da hvanesh 3 topki vav vratata.
“Ivan, don’t pretend not to care at all. You missed three balls in the door.”

You missed three balls in the door.

Additional Notes: 

This Bulgarian is somewhat related to the previous one. However, while падна ми пердето means that one speaks and acts without thinking of the consequences, дръж ми шапката refers to a person who pretends not to care (though they may actually care). That’s why this idiom is typically used with the Bulgarian verbs преструвам се and правя се:

• Преструвам се на дръж ми шапката.
  Prestruvam se na drazh mi shapkata.
  I pretend to hold my hat.

• Правя се на дръж ми шапката.
  Pravya se na drazh mi shapkata.
  I pretend to hold my hat.

BulgarianPod101.com has a great lesson covering idioms that use the word “hat,” one of which is дръж ми шапката. You can check it out here.

6 – Фасулска работа

Literal Translation: 
Bean work

Meaning: 
Very easy work

English Equivalents: 
Piece of cake / Easy as pie

Example Situation:  

A mother asks whether her child has done his homework. The child answers that he’s almost done with it. He says that only the math problems are left, but they are фасулска работа, which means that he’ll do them very easily and quickly because he understands them well.

Usage in a Sentence:  

Не се притеснявай, мамо, тези задачи са фасулска работа. Бързо ще ги реша.
Ne se pritesnyavay, mamo, tezi zadachi sa fasulska rabota. Barzo shte gi resha.
“Don’t worry, mom; these math problems are a piece of cake. I will solve them quickly.”

Additional Notes: 

It’s interesting to note that the Bulgarian and English versions are both connected with a favorite food. Bulgarians love боб чорба (bob chorba), meaning “bean soup,” which is considered one of the traditional national dishes.

➜ If you’re interested in learning about other traditional Bulgarian dishes, you can check this Bulgarian food guide on BulgarianPod101.com.

7 – На баба ти хвърчилото

Literal Translation: 
Your grandmother’s kite

Meaning: 
I don’t believe what you’re saying. / You’re talking nonsense. / Impossible!

Example Situation: 

A guy is bragging about going on a date with a famous person’s sister. His friend catches him lying and says на баба ти хвърчилото! 

Usage in a Sentence:  

На баба ти хвърчилото! Той няма сестра!
Na baba ti hvarchiloto! Toy nyama sestra!
“This is nonsense! He doesn’t have a sister!”

Additional Notes: 

There is a similar “grandma-related” phrase in Bulgarian that expresses even bigger doubt over the credibility of the information that one has just heard: баба ти трънкина (literally “your blackthorn grandma,” meaning “nonsense”). For example, a person who is watching the evening news may suddenly comment баба ти трънкина when he disagrees with what’s been said. 

What is the curious relationship between grandmas and disbelief? If you know, leave your answer in the comments below.

8 – Хем боли, хем сърби.

Literal Translation: 
It hurts and itches at the same time.

Meaning: 
This refers to when a person wants something, but at the same time, this person doesn’t like the potential risk or discomfort involved with attaining it. As such, they cannot make a decision.

Example Situation: 

A little child eagerly wants to go and pet a large dog, but he’s also afraid of being bitten by the dog. His mother then says хем боли, хем сърби. 

Usage in a Sentence: 

Нали искаше да отидеш при кучето? Защо не отиваш? Страх ли те е? Хем боли, хем сърби.
Nali iskashe da otidesh pri kucheto? Zashto ne otivash? Strah li te e? Hem boli, hem sarbi.
“You wanted to go to the dog, didn’t you? Why don’t you go? Are you scared? It hurts and itches at the same time.”

9 – Изкара ми акъла.

Literal Translation: 
You took my mind out.

Meaning: 
You scared me.

English Equivalent: 
You freaked me out.

Example Situation: 

Someone stands quietly behind the corner, waiting for his friend to pass by. When the friend suddenly sees the hidden man, he is startled at first. But then he realizes that this is someone he knows, and he says изкара ми акъла.

Usage in a Sentence: 

Защо си се скрил там? Направо ми изкара акъла.
Zashto si se skril tam? Napravo mi izkara akala.
“Why did you hide there? You freaked me out.”

Additional Notes: 

There is a similar Bulgarian idiom with the same meaning: Изкара ми ангелите. (Izkara mi angelite.) – “You took my angels out.”

10 – На всяко гърне мерудия

Literal Translation: 
For every pot, parsley

Meaning: 
This refers to a person who pokes his nose into other people’s business. It can also refer to someone who pretends to be knowledgeable in all matters.

English Equivalent: 
To have a finger in every pie

Example Situation: 

Two friends are discussing politics, and a third person interrupts and starts telling them exactly how things are in politics. The following day, these two friends meet to talk about the weather. The same person passes by again, interrupts them, and informs them of the latest weather forecast. On the third day, they talk again on another topic, but he again interrupts them and begins to speak with great eloquence on the new topic. Bulgarians call such a person на всяко гърне мерудия. 

Usage in a Sentence: 

Спри да се месиш в нашите разговори. Искаш да бъдеш на всяко гърне мерудия.
Spri da se mesish v nashite razgovori. Iskash da badesh na vsyako garne merudiya.
“Stop interfering with our conversations. You want to have a finger in every pie.”

Additional Notes: 

There is a similar Bulgarian idiom that says: на всяка манджа мерудия (na vsyaka mandzha merudiya) – “to every dish, parsley.” It has the exact same meaning as на всяко гърне мерудия, but it emphasizes that there is a dish in the pot. A person who pokes his nose in other people’s business can be said to be putting the same spice everywhere. 

2. Practical Exercises on Untranslatable Bulgarian Idioms

Let’s now practice the untranslatable Bulgarian idioms that we covered! 

Exercise 1. Choose the untranslatable phrase in Bulgarian that best fits each situation described below.

Situation 1: There is a new student in class who is a foreigner and doesn’t speak English well. The other students try to communicate with him, but he doesn’t respond to their questions. What Bulgarian idiom would you use to describe this new student?

Situation 2: John thinks that the project his boss assigned to him is very easy. How would he describe the project in Bulgarian?

Situation 3: Hanna is walking in the forest and suddenly sees a large snake on the road, just a few meters from her. What Bulgarian idiom would she use to describe how scared she is?

Situation 4: Tom has had an argument with his girlfriend, and he is very upset about it. But when he comes home, he wants to hide his emotions from his parents, so he pretends to…

Situation 5: John wants to joke with James, so he says that James’s girlfriend Laura is waiting for him at the bus stop near his house. James immediately runs toward the bus stop, but when he arrives, he sees that Laura is not there. What Bulgarian idiom would James say to John when he gets back? 

Exercise 2. Link the correct Bulgarian idiom with its corresponding meaning.

Изкара ми акъла	A man who pokes his nose into other people’s business
Дръж ми шапката	I have started to speak or act without any thought of the consequences
Падна ми в ръчичките	A person who is strongly surprised by something unexpected
На всяко гърне мерудия	I caught someone in the act
На баба ти хвърчилото	Someone or something scared me suddenly
Пращам за зелен хайвер	I deceive someone about something
Фасулска работа	A person who wants something, but at the same time, doesn’t like the potential risk or discomfort involved with attaining it
Падна ми пердето	Very easy work
Като паднал от Марс	This is nonsense!
Хем боли, хем сърби	I don’t care

You can check your answers at the end of this article.

3. How BulgarianPod101 Can Help You Learn Bulgarian

BulgarianPod101 has prepared this overview of the top ten untranslatable idioms in Bulgarian to help you understand your Bulgarian interlocutors better. Since idioms are an important part of daily speech and are often used by Bulgarians to express their experiences and emotions, knowing at least some of them will greatly facilitate your communication with native speakers. Maybe you would be interested to also take a look at some of the Bulgarian travel guides we prepared for you.

The Bulgarian language is rich with beautiful untranslatable Bulgarian words. If you would like to learn more of them, we recommend creating your free lifetime account to get started. To learn languages and make the most of your learning experience, you can also upgrade to Premium PLUS so that you can use our MyTeacher service. This will give you access to an experienced teacher who will guide you through the depths of the Bulgarian language. He or she will help you learn and use many more Bulgarian phrases with no translation in other languages.

We would be happy to hear your feedback about this article. Did you find it fun and interesting? Which Bulgarian idiom(s) translated into English do you intend to include in your daily conversations? Please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with us in the comments below. 

And now it’s time to check your answers to the practical exercises given above.

4. Answers to Practical Exercises

Exercise 1. 

Situation 1: Като паднал от Марс
Situation 2: Фасулска работа
Situation 3: Изкара ми акъла
Situation 4: Дръж ми шапката
Situation 5: Прати ме за зелен хайвер

Exercise 2.

Изкара ми акъла	A man who pokes his nose into other people’s business
Дръж ми шапката	I have started to speak or act without any thought of the consequences
Падна ми в ръчичките	A person who is strongly surprised by something unexpected
На всяко гърне мерудия	I caught someone in the act
На баба ти хвърчилото	Someone or something scared me suddenly
Пращам за зелен хайвер	I deceive someone about something
Фасулска работа	A person who wants something, but at the same time, doesn’t like the potential risk or discomfort involved with attaining it
Падна ми пердето	Very easy work
Като паднал от Марс	This is nonsense!
Хем боли, хем сърби	I don’t care

Start with a bonus, and download the Must-Know Beginner Vocabulary PDF for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)