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Whether you’ve felt the sting of a Serb’s frustration or just watched from afar, one thing’s certain: these folks are big on expressing emotions! So, what are the things Serbian people say when they are annoyed with someone?
Long story short — they say a lot! If you’re interested in the full scoop, prepare for drama and read our selection of the angriest Serbian phrases!
As we’ve already hinted, Serbs rarely hold back their feelings. So, when they are happy, they laugh. When annoyed? Well, they let you know.
Since anger makes many Balkan folks even more vocal, hearing them argue loudly in the street is not uncommon. On the bright side, though, most of these arguments get resolved in next to no time.
Ultimately, getting annoyed (and angry) is perfectly normal. So, next time you get irritated, here’s how to express it in Serbian.
First off, here’s a phrase you can use in various situations without sounding harsh. Whenever someone’s behavior gets under your skin, you can state that it’s not okay — Ovo stvarno nije u redu!
Unlike most other phrases, this one is safe in any setting. As a result, you can voice your frustration with your friends, family, coworkers, or complete strangers while keeping it polite.
Example:
Your boss: Ovog meseca su sve subote radne.
(This month, all Saturdays are workdays.)
You: Ovo stvarno nije u redu!
(This is really not okay!)
In general, Serbs don’t hesitate to speak their mind. So, if they think you’re annoying, they’ll likely tell you, Nerviraš me!
Alternatively, they may go with any of these variations:
Just remember that all these phrases work only in casual situations. If you’re at work, stick to more formal ways of voicing displeasure.
When you get even more annoyed, this phrase fits the bill: Ideš mi na živce.
Again, you can stress your feelings with any of these intensifiers — stvarno (really), baš (very much), or tako (so):
Know those phrases that mean the exact opposite of what they sound like? Well, this is one of them.
If, after arguing for ages, a Serb seemingly throws in a towel, saying, Radi šta hoćes! (Do what you like!), don’t be fooled — they don’t want you to do what you like. Instead, this passive-aggressive phrase means: If you do what you like, I’ll be really mad.
Example:
You: Hoću da napustim fakultet i da se zaposlim.
(I want to drop out of university and get a job.)
Your mom: Radi šta hoćeš
([passively-aggressively] Suit yourself!)
What do Serbian people say when they are annoyed by someone talking nonsense? Pričaš gluposti! (You’re talking nonsense!)
If you’re looking for a more informal (and a bit harsher) phrase, go with the question, Šta lupaš? (What sort of gibberish are you saying?). Although, only use this one if you’re sure the other person won’t take offense.
Example:
Your friend: Zemlja je ravna ploča.
(The Earth is flat.)
You: Šta lupaš?
(What the hell?)
When someone’s bugging you, it’s okay to tell them to back off. If you say, Ostavi me na miru, they’ll hopefully leave you alone.
Example:
An admirer who can’t get a hint: Baš mi se sviđaš. Hoćeš da izađemo na piće.
(I like you so much. Want to go out for drinks?)
You: Ostavi me na miru
(Leave me alone!)
In addition, you can add the following slang word to emphasize your point: Smaraš! (You’re bothering me!)
This phrase is perfect for those moments when you’re on the verge of a complete meltdown. In other words, it’s what you say when someone pushes you to the brink. For example, if your dog pees on the floor for the fifth time this week, or your neighbor throws a party in the middle of a weeknight, you can say, Poludeću! (I’ll go mad!)
Additionally, you can be more informal and say: Pošizeću! (I’ll go bananas!)
On the whole, Serbs are quick to anger, but they cool down even faster. Still, If you’d rather avoid rubbing them the wrong way, you should know what makes most of these folks hot under the collar.
Want to learn the juiciest, most graphic Serbian curse words? Just have a Serb give you a ride during the rush hour.
Indeed, even the calmest, most mellow people tend to have an incredibly short fuse when you put them behind the wheel. Can you relate?
Unless you’re ready to engage in a full-on political debate, steer clear of politics. Why? As it turns out, many Serbs are surprisingly passionate about their political views — domestic and international. Because of that, any hint of disagreement may turn into a heated discussion that won’t end until you’re ready to change your mind.
Famously (or perhaps infamously), many Serbs really care about their favorite football clubs. Typically, Serbian soccer enthusiasts root for one of the major clubs (Partizan or Crvena Zvezda) and dislike the other. So, if you wish to tick off a Partizan fan, tell them that Crvena Zvezda rocks — and vice versa. Works every time!
Wondering how to say someone is annoyed in Serbian? Unsurprisingly, you’ve got plenty of phrases at your disposal, depending on the level of irritation:
Do you know a guy or gal for whom annoyance is a way of living? Someone who always finds something to complain about? In Serbian, we call this type of person namćor (grump).
And there you go — the typical things Serbian people say when they are annoyed. Feeling a tad ticked off? That’s totally fine since now you’ve got a bunch of phrases to help you vent your irritation. At the end of the day, whatever emotions arise, expressing them is the key to regaining balance.
So, if you want to communicate your thoughts and feelings in Serbian with clarity and confidence, we’ve got your back. Our group lessons are an ideal environment where you can speak to other learners in Serbian. Join today and give your language skills a boost!
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