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
Romanians can actually speak quite good English, particularly the younger generation and in the larger cities.
Still, 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
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