If you plan to study in Serbia or learn Serbian, understanding the difference between the Cyrillic and Latin alphabets is essential. Both alphabets are used in Serbia, but Cyrillic is the official script, while Latin is often used in everyday life. This visual guide to the Serbian Cyrillic and Latin alphabet helps you recognise the letters in both systems, with a simple English pronunciation guide to make reading and writing easier.

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The Difference Between the Cyrillic and Latin Alphabets in Serbia

In Serbia both alphabets are in use, but Cyrillic is the official script under the Constitution, while Latin is widely used in the media, on the internet and in brand names. This means you will see both systems on streets, in books, on websites and in apps.

The Cyrillic Alphabet: What Is It?

Cyrillic is the official alphabet of Serbia, and the Cyrillic script dates back to the 9th century. The Serbian alphabet has 30 letters and is used in official documents, education and books. If you plan to study in Serbia, understanding these letters is necessary for reading academic materials.

The Latin Alphabet: How Is It Used?

The Serbian Latin alphabet, known as “Gaj’s alphabet”, was developed in the 19th century. It is widely used in daily life, especially in big cities. It is easier to type on electronic devices, which makes it common on social media and in apps.

Pronunciation Table: Cyrillic and Latin Letters

This table shows the Cyrillic and Latin letters with a simple English pronunciation guide to make them easier to recognise. It lists the 30 Serbian Cyrillic letters (А Б В Г Д Ђ Е Ж З И Ј К Л Љ М Н Њ О П Р С Т Ћ У Ф Х Ц Ч Џ Ш) with their Latin equivalents (A B V G D Đ E Ž Z I J K L Lj M N Nj O P R S T Ć U F H C Č Dž Š). З is pronounced like the z in “zoo”, Ж like the s in “measure” (the French j), Ц like “ts”, Ч like “ch” and Ш like “sh”.

No.	Cyrillic letter	Latin letter	English pronunciation (simplified)
1	А	A	a as in “father”
2	Б	B	b as in “bed”
3	В	V	v as in “very”
4	Г	G	g as in “go”
5	Д	D	d as in “dog”
6	Е	E	a soft “dj”, like the j in “jury” but softer
7	Ж	Ž	e as in “bed”
8	З	Z	zh, like the s in “measure”
9	И	I	z as in “zoo”
10	Ј	J	i as in “machine”
11	К	K	y as in “yes”
12	Л	L	k as in “kit”
13	Љ	Lj	l as in “lamp”
14	М	M	lj, like the lli in “million”
15	Н	N	m as in “man”
16	Њ	Nj	n as in “net”
17	О	O	nj, like the ny in “canyon”
18	П	P	o as in “more” (short)
19	Р	R	p as in “pen”
20	С	S	r, slightly rolled
21	Т	T	s as in “sun”
22	У	U	t as in “ten”
23	Ф	F	a soft “ch”, like the t in “future”
24	Х	H	oo as in “boot”
25	Ц	C	f as in “fan”
26	Ч	Č	h, like the ch in Scottish “loch”
27	Џ	Dž	ts as in “cats”
28	Ш	Š	ch as in “church”
29	Щ	Šč	j as in “jam”
30	Ъ	’	sh as in “ship”

Important Notes on the Pronunciation Guide

The pronunciations in this table are simplified English approximations, not an official transcription. Letters such as “Љ”, “Њ” and “Џ” are written with two Latin letters (Lj, Nj, Dž) but each stands for a single sound. Pronunciation varies slightly by region, but this table covers the standard form used in education and textbooks.

Where Is Each Alphabet Used in Daily Life?

In Serbia, the two alphabets are used differently depending on context. Cyrillic is used in:

• Formal education (from primary school to university)
• Government documents
• Literary and scientific books
• Official notices

Latin, on the other hand, is used in:

• The internet and apps
• Brand names and companies
• Social media
• Commercial advertising

This means you will see both systems at the same time, and you may find the same sentence written in Cyrillic in one place and in Latin in another.

How Do You Start Learning the Cyrillic and Latin Alphabets?

If you are a beginner, it is advisable to start with the Latin letters because they are easier to type on devices. But do not ignore Cyrillic, because it is necessary for academic study in Serbia. You can use the following resources to help you:

• Learn Serbian from scratch
• Serbian language courses

Which Script Is Official in Serbia?

Article 10 of the Constitution of Serbia states that the Serbian language and the Cyrillic script are in official use in the Republic of Serbia, and that the official use of other languages and scripts is regulated by law. In practice, this is why government documents, schools and universities use Cyrillic, while Latin is common in shops, media and online. source

Practical Tips for Reading Both Scripts

• Each of the 30 Cyrillic letters has exactly one Latin counterpart (see the table above), so once you learn one script you can transfer your knowledge to the other.
• Three Cyrillic letters, Љ, Њ and Џ, correspond to the two-letter Latin combinations Lj, Nj and Dž. Each is a single sound, not two.
• Start by learning the Cyrillic letters that look like Latin letters but sound different, such as В (v), Н (n), Р (r), С (s) and Х (h), because they cause most beginner mistakes. Compare them with the table above.
• Expect official forms, certificates and university notices to appear in Cyrillic, so practise reading names and dates in Cyrillic before you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I study in Serbia without knowing Cyrillic?

Yes, you can study in Serbia without mastering Cyrillic, especially if you are on an English-taught programme. But to understand academic materials and official documents, it is better to learn Cyrillic, especially in academic subjects.

What is the difference between Cyrillic and Latin letters in pronunciation?

There is none: the two scripts write the same sounds, and each Cyrillic letter has exactly one Latin counterpart. The only thing to watch is that three Cyrillic letters, “Љ”, “Њ” and “Џ”, are written with two Latin letters (Lj, Nj, Dž). The table above covers the standard form used in education.

Can I use Latin letters in exams?

At most universities, Latin letters are allowed in exams, especially in English-taught programmes. Preferences may vary between professors; ask at your faculty.

The Serbian Cyrillic and Latin alphabets are more than a difference in appearance; they are part of Serbia’s cultural and educational identity. Understanding both systems will help you settle into academic and daily life more easily. Whether you plan to study in Serbia or are learning the language, this visual guide with its English pronunciation table will help you progress with confidence and speed.

Serbian Cyrillic alphabet — Wikipedia (in Arabic)
Serbian Latin alphabet (Gaj’s alphabet) — Wikipedia

Official Sources

• Serbian Cyrillic alphabet — Wikipedia (in Arabic)
• Serbian Latin alphabet (Gaj’s alphabet) — Wikipedia