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This discussion topic is part of the 5-minute language learning sessions with which I aim to give you a short, but useful information about the Bulgarian language. Make sure to regularly check the Practice your Bulgarian forum for more learning content in the upcoming publications.
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Today's topic is about Consonants. The Bulgarian language has 30 letters, arranged in an alphabet, and 45 sounds (phonemes):
Types of Consonants by Voicing
- Voiced Consonants – Pronounced with the vibration of the vocal cords.
Examples: B, V, G, D, ZH, Z
Words: baba (grandma), voda (water), gara (station)
- Voiceless Consonants – Pronounced without vocal cord vibration.
Examples: P, F, K, T, SH, S, H, CH, TS
Words: peperuda (butterfly), kafe (coffee), chist (clean)
Types of Consonants by Place of Articulation
- Labial Consonants – Produced with the lips.
Examples: P, B, M, V, F
Words: plod (fruit), brat (brother), mama (mom)
- Dental Consonants – Produced by the tongue touching the teeth.
Examples: T, D, S, Z, N
Words: trap (ditch), dŭrvo (tree), sŭn (dream)
- Guttural Consonants – Produced in the throat.
Examples: H
Words: hlyab (bread), hubavo (nice)
Hard and Soft Consonants
- Hard Consonants – Pronounced clearly without softening.
Examples: baba (grandma), gora (forest), topka (ball)
- Soft Consonants – Pronounced with a slight "y" sound.
Examples: byal (white), mlyako (milk), pyasŭk (sand)
(Softening often occurs when the following vowel is I or E.)
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Greetings!
Reneta, Community Manager – Bulgarian