Before I visit a non-English speaking country, I always do my best to learn some of the language. So prior to visiting Romania, I downloaded Duolingo and learned plenty of Romanian words and phrases to better interact with the locals.
While Duolingo was helpful, I think it’s more helpful to hear from someone who’s actually visited the place. During my two-week trip, I learned which Romanian words and phrases were actually helpful for my day-to-day interactions.
Essential Romanian Words and Phrases
Whether you’re greeting a friend, a stranger, or at a restaurant, learning the following Romanian words and phrases will go a long way toward making sure you can have some genuine encounters with the locals.
Greetings and Casual Encounters
- Da (da) = Yes
- Nu (noo) = No
- Salut (sa-loot) = Hi or bye
- Bună (boo-nuh) = Hi or good day (used for casual greetings all throughout the day)
- Bună ziua (boo-nuh zee-wah) = Good afternoon
- Bună dimineata (boo-nuh di-min-e-ah-tah) = Good morning
- Bună seara (boo-nuh seh-ah-rah) = Good evening
- Noapte bună (noo-ahp-teh boo-nuh) = Good night
- Scuze (sku-zeh) = Excuse me
- Pardon (par-don) = Pardon me
- Mersi (mer-cee) = Thanks
- Multumesc (mool-tzu-mesk) = Thank you
- Cu placere (koo pla-che-reh) = You’re welcome
- Cum te cheamă? (koom te che-ah-muh) = What is your name?
- Mă numesc (muh noo-mesc) = My name is
- Ce face? (che fahch) = How are you?
- Sunt bine (soont bee-neh) = I am fine
- De unde eşti? (de oon-day esh-teh) = Where are you from?
- O zi buna (oh zee boo-nuh) = Have a good day!
- Pa (pah) = Bye!
- Ciao (chow) = Bye!
Numbers
- Unu (oo-noo) = one
- Doi (doy) = two
- Trei (trey) = three
- Patru (pah-troo) = four
- Cinci (cheench) = five
- Șase (shah-seh) = six
- Șapte (shahp-teh) = seven
- Opt (ohpt) = eight
- Nouă (noh-uh) = nine
- Zece (zeh-cheh) = ten
For Restaurant/Bars
- Noroc! (no-rok) = Cheers!
- Apă (ah-puh) = Water
- Vă rog (vuh rog) = Please
- Meniu (men-yu) = Menu
- Foarte bun (foar-te boon) = Very good
- Nota (no-tah) = Note (or bill)
- Nota, vă rog (no-tah vuh rog) = The bill, please
- Cât costă (kaht kost-uh) = How much is it?
- Unde este toaleta? (un-deh es-teh to-a-le-tah) = Where is the bathroom?
Other Romanian Words and Phrases to Know
- Nu înțeleg (noo un-tzeh-leg) = I do not understand
- Unde este…? (oon-deh es-teh…) = Where is
- Frumos (fru-mos) = Beautiful
- Foarte frumos (foar-te fru-mos) = Very nice
- Nu vorbesc limba română (noo vor-besk limb-ah roh-mah-nuh) = I do not speak Romanian
