Understanding the Syntax of Complex Sentences in Bulgarian for English Speakers

Introduction to Complex Sentences in Bulgarian

Complex sentences in Bulgarian consist of a main clause and one or more subordinate clauses. Understanding their syntax is essential for English speakers learning Bulgarian, as the structure and connectors can differ significantly from English.

Main and Subordinate Clauses

A complex sentence combines an independent main clause with dependent subordinate clauses. In Bulgarian, subordinate clauses often follow the main clause and are introduced by specific conjunctions or relative pronouns.

Common Subordinating Conjunctions in Bulgarian

• че (che) – that
• ако (ako) – if
• когато (kogato) – when
• защото (zashtoto) – because
• докато (dokato) – while

These conjunctions link the subordinate clause to the main clause, indicating the relationship between the two.

Word Order in Complex Sentences

Bulgarian generally follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order in main clauses, but word order can be more flexible in subordinate clauses. The verb in subordinate clauses often appears at the end, especially in relative clauses.

Example of a Complex Sentence

English: I know that you are coming.
Bulgarian: Знам, че ти идваш. (Znam, che ti idvash.)
Here, 'Знам' is the main clause, and 'че ти идваш' is the subordinate clause introduced by 'че' (that).

Relative Clauses in Bulgarian

Relative clauses provide additional information about a noun and are introduced by relative pronouns such as който (koyto) meaning 'who' or 'which'.

Example:
Човекът, който говори, е учител.
(The person who is speaking is a teacher.)

Position of the Verb in Relative Clauses

In relative clauses, the verb typically comes at the end, which differs from English where the verb usually follows the relative pronoun immediately.

Tips for English Speakers Learning Bulgarian Complex Sentences

• Pay attention to conjunctions and relative pronouns as they signal subordinate clauses.
• Practice identifying main and subordinate clauses in Bulgarian texts.
• Note the verb placement, especially in subordinate and relative clauses.
• Use Bulgarian examples to compare with English sentence structures.
• Practice forming complex sentences by combining simple sentences using conjunctions.