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Common Verbs (Present Tense - Singular)

Learn essential verbs like "to be", "to have", "to want" in the present tense for I, you, he/she/it.

Common Verbs (Present Tense - Singular)

Verbs are action words, and knowing common ones is crucial. This lesson introduces some of the most frequent Bulgarian verbs and their present tense forms for "I", "you (singular informal)", and "he/she/it".

Understanding Verb Conjugation

In Bulgarian, like many languages, verbs change their endings depending on who is performing the action (the person) and when the action happens (the tense). We are focusing on the present tense here.

Verb: съм (sam) - to be

съм (sam) - to be

  • Аз (I): Аз съм (Az sam) (ahz sum)
  • Ти (You, informal sg.): Ти си (Ti si) (tee see)
  • Той/Тя/То (He/She/It): Той/Тя/То е (Toy/Tya/To e) (toy/tyah/toh eh)

Verb: имам (imam) - to have

имам (imam) - to have

  • Аз (I): Аз имам (Az imam) (ahz EE-mahm)
  • Ти (You, informal sg.): Ти имаш (Ti imash) (tee EE-mash)
  • Той/Тя/То (He/She/It): Той/Тя/То има (Toy/Tya/To ima) (toy/tyah/toh EE-mah)

Verb: искам (iskam) - to want

искам (iskam) - to want

  • Аз (I): Аз искам (Az iskam) (ahz EES-kahm)
  • Ти (You, informal sg.): Ти искаш (Ti iskash) (tee EES-kash)
  • Той/Тя/То (He/She/It): Той/Тя/То иска (Toy/Tya/To iska) (toy/tyah/toh EES-kah)

Verb: правя (pravya) - to do/to make

правя (pravya) - to do/make

  • Аз (I): Аз правя (Az pravya) (ahz PRAH-vyah)
  • Ти (You, informal sg.): Ти правиш (Ti pravish) (tee PRAH-vish)
  • Той/Тя/То (He/She/It): Той/Тя/То прави (Toy/Tya/To pravi) (toy/tyah/toh PRAH-vee)

Subject Pronouns

Grammar Tip

While verbs change endings, subject pronouns (Аз, Ти, Той, Тя, То) are often used for clarity or emphasis, but can sometimes be omitted if the verb ending makes the subject clear. For beginners, it's good practice to use them.

Simple Sentences

Dialogue Example

Аз съм студент. - I am a student.

Ти имаш книга. - You have a book.

Тя иска вода. - She wants water.

Той прави вечеря. - He is making dinner.

Key Takeaways
  • Bulgarian verbs change endings (conjugate) based on person and tense.
  • Key verbs: съм (to be), имам (to have), искам (to want), правя (to do/make).
  • Recognize the singular present tense endings for -ам, -иш, -а/и for these verbs.
  • Subject pronouns are useful for clarity.
Further Practice

Vocabulary Practice

Review these verbs in the "Word Lists" section (once verbs are added as a category) or try forming simple sentences.

Explore Word Lists

Test Your Knowledge

A quiz for this lesson will be available soon to help you check your understanding and reinforce your learning.