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Looking to add some Mediterranean flavor to your Serbian practice? You’re in luck because there’s a fair share of Italian words in Serbian, and this linguistic mix is molto bene!
Ready to dig in? Grab your espresso, and let’s explore the Italian words hiding in plain spaghetti — uh, sight.
Rumor has it that Serbians have a thing for borrowing words. If you’ve been following our language adventures, you’ve already seen how Serbian snagged bits and pieces from German, Turkish, and French.
This time, we’re taking a tasty trip down the boot-shaped lane to explore Italian words in Serbian.
All those heavenly carbs — špagete (spaghetti), taljatele (tagliatelle), lazanje (lasagna) — come from the Italian language. And the catch-all word pasta? Yep, that one’s borrowed too!
Example:
Šta želiš za večeru? Pastu ili nudle?
(What would you like for dinner? Pasta or noodles?)
Of course, pica (pizza) is another Italian loanword in Serbian. Feeling hungry yet?
Are you going to a costume party, dodging an ex at the supermarket, or just having a bad hair day? In any case, a trusty wig can save the day. In Serbian, the word is perika — borrowed from Italian parrucca, but now totally at home in everyday speech.
Example:
Kad je stavila periku i crveni ruž, niko je nije prepoznao.
(Once she put on the wig and red lipstick, no one recognized her.)
Time to go shopping. When you enter a supermarket, a local shop, or a department store, you’ll see shelves after shelves stacked with roba (goods). It can be clothes, food, furniture — you name it — as long as it’s for sale.
Example:
Danas je sva roba na rasprodaji.
(Today, all the goods are on sale.)
It’s no secret that Serbian folks love their cafes and often spend a small fortune there. But as long as you have a balkon (balcony) and a coffee pot, you can enjoy this ritual right at home. Just you, some fresh air, and the good old turska kafa — no tips required.
Example:
Svako jutro sedim na balkonu i učim srpski.
(Every morning, I sit on the balcony and study Serbian.)
It can be šopska, ruska, srpska, or zelena. Of course, we’re talking about salata (salad) — a loanword from Italian and a perfect way to get some veggies with all those ćevapi and pečenje. What’s your favorite salata?
Example:
Šopska salata se pravi od paradajza, krastavaca, paprike, luka i sira.
(Šopska salad is made with tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, and cheese.)
Not just for Roman holidays — fontana is a centerpiece in virtually every Serbian town. You can enjoy the splashing sound, toss in a coin, or meet a friend there (Vidimo se kod fontane!).
Example:
Bacila sam novčić u fontanu i poželela želju.
(I threw a coin into the fountain and made a wish.)
Have you ever tried kiseli kupus (sauerkraut) or homemade wine? Both often come from kaca — a large wooden or plastic barrel. Also, if you’re thinking about DIY-ing rakija, you’ll definitely need one of these!
Example:
Moja baba drži kiseli kupus u velikoj kaci u podrumu.
(My grandmother keeps the sauerkraut in a big barrel in the basement.)
When you visit Serbia, what’s the first place you’ll probably head to? The exchange office, of course! That’s where valuta comes into play — the Serbian word for currency.
You’ll exchange your euros, dollars, or any other currency for dinars, the local money, so you can pay for all the essentials… like a plate of delicious ćevapi at your favorite kafana!
Example:
Zvanična valuta u Italiji je evro.
(The official currency in Italy is the euro.)
If you hear someone in Serbia say komotno, they’re all about comfort — like slipping into sweatpants or speaking their mind without filters. The word means comfortable, spacious, freely, or totally, depending on the context.
Example 1:
Ova haljina je baš komotna, mogu ceo dan da je nosim.
(This dress is super comfortable — I could wear it all day.)
Example 2:
Komotno dođi bez najave, uvek si dobrodošao.
(Feel free to drop by anytime — you’re always welcome.)
Some words enter a language with a bang — mafija is one of them. Borrowed straight from Italian, it brings all the drama of mob movies and crime novels into everyday Serbian.
Mention it in a conversation, and you’re either talking about a crime series, shady business, or just joking about your uncle who always wears sunglasses indoors.
Example:
Policija je uhapsila pripadnika mafije osumnjičenog za više krivičnih dela.
(The police arrested a mafia member suspected of several crimes.)
On a more bone-chilling note, mumija is one of those Italian words in Serbian that pops up in history books and horror movies. It means mummy — those creepy, wrapped-up ancient bodies that give us all the chills!
Example:
U muzeju smo videli pravu mumiju iz Egipta.
(At the museum, we saw a real mummy from Egypt.)
One of the most popular Serbian greetings is ćao (from the Italian ciao), a quick and friendly way to say hi — but also bye. So, instead of the more formal dobar dan or doviđenja, you can save time and keep things chill by simply saying ćao.
It adds a relaxed, easygoing vibe to any conversation and is especially common among friends and younger people. Plus, it’s just fun to say!
Example:
Ćao! Kako si danas?
(Hi! How are you today?)
Have you already heard any of these Italian words in Serbian? Either way, locals use each item on this list in everyday life, and now, you can do the same. So go ahead — sprinkle a little Italian charm into your Serbian, and enjoy the ride!
Want more tasty tidbits like this? Subscribe to our free Serbian newsletter for biweekly language delights and handy practice sheets delivered straight to your inbox! Ćao 🙂
Looking to add some Mediterranean flavor to your Serbian practice? You’re in luck because there’s a fair share of Italian words in Serbian, and this
Want to own a piece of Serbia? Good news — it’s totally possible! And no, you don’t have to marry a local to make it
