Montenegrin Language for Tourists: Basic Phrasebook

Montenegrin is closely related to Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian – so similar, in fact, that speakers of all four understand each other without difficulty. For travelers, this means a phrasebook for one works across most of the Western Balkans. Below is a compact guide covering 90% of everyday situations: ordering coffee, catching a bus, asking for directions.

Key facts:

• Official language – Montenegrin (crnogorski), written in both Latin and Cyrillic alphabets. In coastal areas, Latin script dominates.
• English is widely spoken in tourist centers like Budva, Kotor, Tivat, and Podgorica, but don't count on it in rural or mountain areas.
• Pronunciation is phonetic – words are read exactly as written, with no silent letters. Stress usually falls on the first syllable.
• Special characters: Č (ch as in "chip"), Ć (softer, like "t" in "stew"), Š (sh), Ž (zh as in "measure"), Đ (soft "j" as in "juice").
• "Samo polako" – the unofficial national motto, meaning "take it easy." If you learn one phrase, make it this one.

Montenegrins genuinely appreciate visitors who attempt their language. Even a simple "zdravo" instead of "hello" changes how locals interact with you.

"Prijatno" (pree-YAT-noh) works like "have a nice day." You'll hear it when leaving a shop, finishing a transaction, or when your waiter delivers your meal (meaning "enjoy").

The phrase "Učim polako" (I'm learning slowly) is a social shortcut. Even if you're not actually learning the language, saying this will earn you patience and warmth from locals – especially older Montenegrins.

Montenegrin dining culture has its own rhythm. The word "izvolite" (eez-VOH-lee-teh) is one you'll hear constantly – waiters use it to mean "how can I help you?" and "here you go."

Red wine in Montenegrin is "crno vino" – literally "black wine." Saying "crveno vino" (red wine) will still be understood, but it's not how locals say it.

Traditional Montenegrin coffee is brewed Turkish-style, served strong and without milk. If you prefer a latte or cappuccino, specify when ordering – the default at a traditional kafana is "domaća kafa" (homemade coffee).

For more on the country's food scene, check out The Taste of the Country: Wine and Culinary Tours in Montenegro.

At market stalls and small shops, prices aren't always displayed. "Koliko košta?" becomes your primary tool.

Bathroom doors are typically marked "M" (muški – men's) and "Ž" (ženski – women's). You may also see "Muškarci" and "Žene."

If you plan to use public transport, the guide How to Use Buses in Montenegro covers routes and timetables. For those who prefer driving, see Car Rental in Montenegro: Everything Tourists Need to Know.

The emergency number in Montenegro is 112 (pan-European). Police: 122, ambulance: 124, fire: 123.

Numbers are useful for market shopping, taxi negotiation, and price discussions. For anything above ten, showing the number on your phone screen works perfectly – locals are used to it.

A few things standard phrasebooks don't cover:

Greetings and kisses. A handshake is fine when meeting someone. Among friends and acquaintances, expect three kisses on the cheeks – this is a Balkan tradition, not something to shy away from if offered.

"Izvolite" – the Swiss army knife of words. A shopkeeper says it when you enter (how can I help?), a waiter when delivering food (here you go), a passerby when yielding the path. Context determines meaning.

Coffee culture. An invitation for coffee isn't really about coffee. It's an invitation for conversation that might last hours. Declining is impolite; rushing your companion is too.

"Sve može" (everything is possible) reflects the Montenegrin approach to life. When someone agrees to something with "sve može," ask about the timeline – enthusiasm doesn't always match execution speed.

1. Do I need to learn Montenegrin for a trip to Montenegro?

No, English is sufficient for standard tourist areas. However, even 10–15 phrases from this guide will noticeably improve your experience. Locals respond to attempts at their language with genuine warmth – you'll get better recommendations, friendlier service, and a more authentic experience overall.

2. How different is Montenegrin from Serbian or Croatian?

The differences are minimal – these are essentially variants of the same language. Montenegrin uses the "ijekavski" pronunciation (for example, "mlijeko" rather than "mleko" for milk) and has two additional letters: Ś and Ź. For travelers, the differences are virtually unnoticeable, and a phrasebook for any one of these languages works for the others.

3. How do you pronounce Montenegrin words correctly?

Pronunciation is entirely phonetic: every letter is read as written, with no silent letters or unexpected combinations. The key is memorizing the diacritical marks: Č = "ch" as in "chip," Ć = softer "ch" (like "t" in "stew"), Š = "sh," Ž = "zh" as in "measure," and Đ = soft "j" as in "juice." Stress generally falls on the first syllable.

4. What translation apps work with Montenegrin?

Montenegrin isn't available as a separate option in most translation apps. Select Serbian (Latin) instead – the output will be virtually identical. Major translation apps support Serbian with offline language packs available for download before your trip.

5. Is it true that Montenegrins understand multiple languages?

Yes, check visa requirements for your nationality and don't be surprised by the multilingual environment. Most Montenegrins understand Serbian, Croatian, and Bosnian natively. Many speak some English, particularly in tourism areas. In southern regions near Ulcinj, you'll also hear Albanian. This linguistic diversity means you have several fallback options if Montenegrin phrases don't click.

Montenegrin is one of the most phonetically transparent languages you'll encounter in Europe – what you see is what you say. Mastering 20–30 phrases from this guide is enough to navigate restaurants, shops, taxis, and basic conversations with confidence. The real payoff isn't practical convenience though – it's the shift in how locals treat you. An imperfect "hvala" instead of "thank you" opens a door to a Montenegro that most tourists never see.

• Popular Itineraries in Montenegro: What to See in 1 to 7 Days
• Montenegro Prices in 2026
• Kotor vs Budva: Detailed Comparison

• Montenegro Travel – Montenegrin Dictionary
• Government of Montenegro – Official Portal
• European Emergency Number Association – 112