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When in Romania, it’s not mandatory to speak Romanian, but knowing some basic Romanian phrases will enhance your experience. It’s not just about making things easier for you; it’s a gesture that locals will appreciate. Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, trying is better than not. Be it in Transylvania or anywhere else in Romania, the following Romanian words and phrases will come in handy.
Brushing up on a few common phrases is definitely something you want to do before traveling to Transylvania.
romanian pronunciation
The Romanian language is both intuitive and complex. It boasts a few additional letters compared to the English alphabet. These characters might seem daunting, but with a little practice, they become easy.
A quick tip: in Romanian, the vowels in words are often pronounced as each individual letter pronounced rapidly. For example, ‘oa’ in ‘noapte’ (night) is pronounced like ‘wa’ when spoken quickly. This makes ‘noapte’ sound akin to ‘n’wap-tay’.
| ă | ‘a‘ as in ‘about‘ (uh) |
| â / î | There is no equivalent sound in English. It is similar to a forceful ‘uh‘ – listen to this clip of the word România to get a feel for the sound. Both â and î make the same sound – which letter is used depends on where it is in the word. |
| ș | ‘sh‘ as in ‘shirt‘ |
| ț | ‘ts‘ or ‘zz‘ as in ‘pizza‘ |
For more information on Romanian pronunciation, check out Romanian Hub videos on You Tube. They offer detailed explanations and examples, helping travelers sound more authentic.
basic romanian travel phrases
general
It doesn’t matter whether you’re greeting or meeting people, passing people in the street or at a shop, or simply trying to be polite. Learning these basic Romanian phrases will cast you in a positive light in the eyes of the locals.
Interacting in Romania becomes more pleasant when you’re armed with common Romanian phrases. Simple courtesies like greeting shopkeepers or saying ‘thank you’ can go a long way.
These simple Romanian phrases allow you to interact with locals, ensuring you’re not just an observer but a participant in the rich Romanian culture:
| Yes / No | Da / Nu (noo) |
| Hi (informal) | Bună (boon-uh) / Salut (sa-loot) |
| Hello (formal) | Bună ziua (boon-uh zee-wah) / Sănătate (suh-nuh-tah-tay) |
| Thank you | Mulțumesc (moolt-soo-mesk) |
| You’re welcome | Cu plăcere |
| Please | Vă rog (vuh-rog) / Te rog |
| Nice to meet you | Încântat de cunoștință (un-cun-tat day coo-nosh-teen-tsuh) |
| What is your name? | Cum te cheamă? (coom tay ch’yam-uh) |
| I am… | Eu sunt (eu soont) |
| Good morning | Bună dimineața (dee-mee-n’yat-sah) |
| Good evening | Bună seara |
| Good night | Noapte bună (n’wap-tay boon-uh) |
| Goodbye | La revedere |
| Have a good day | O zi bună |
| I don’t understand | Nu înțeleg (noo un-tsay-leg) |
| Do you speak English? | Vorbiți engleza? (vor-beets) |
| I don’t know | Nu știu (noo shtee-oo) |
| Can you help me? | Mă puteți ajuta? |
By using these Romanian sentences, you’ll foster a genuine connection with the locals, making your travel experiences all the more rich and authentic.
transportation
While most people under 45 speak a good level of English, oftentimes the people working the ticket counters at train and bus stations are much older, with limited English. It’s useful to familiarize yourself with these common transportation phrases ahead of time.
Traveling in Romania can be smooth if you’re armed with the right basic Romanian phrases for transportation. Whether you’re hailing a cab, catching a train, or asking for directions at the bus terminal, these common phrases in Romanian are essential:
| A ticket | Un bilet |
| The train | Trenul |
| What time is the last train? | La ce oră e ultimul tren? |
| Where is the bus stop? | Unde este stația de autobuz? |
| Where are the ticket machines? | Unde sunt automatele de bilete? |
| Luggage pickup | Ridicarea bagajelor |
| Flight | Zbor |
| Boarding pass | Bilet de îmbarcare |
| Wrong boarding gate | Poartă de îmbarcare greşită |
| Delayed flight | Zbor întârziat |
| The flight is cancelled | Zborul este anulat |
These phrases ensure that your movement across this picturesque nation is seamless and enjoyable.
directions
In the days of Google Maps and other GPS navigation systems, it’s less common to ask strangers on the street for directions. Still, knowing basic directional vocabulary words could help you in a potentially sticky situation!
Even with technology at our fingertips, the charm of asking for directions never fades. Equip yourself with these Romanian words and phrases to navigate through Romania’s winding streets and vast landscapes:
| Left | Stânga |
| Right | Dreapta |
| Forward | Înainte |
| Back | Înapoi |
| At the intersection, turn left | După intersecție, ia-o la stânga |
| Street | Stradă |
| Square | Piață |
| Where is… | Unde este / Unde e… |
| I’m lost | Sunt pierdut |
It’s always good to have these Romanian sentences at your disposal, ensuring you never truly feel lost.
shopping
One phrase I thought I’d need for sure was ‘Can I try this on?’ – turns out, you don’t usually ask to try clothes on in Romanian stores, you can just go into the dressing room. Still, I always ask just to be on the safe side.
If you find yourself in a small town shop, it’s best to check beforehand whether or not they accept credit cards.
Romania offers a myriad of shopping experiences. To truly immerse yourself in the shopping culture and ensure smooth transactions, familiarize yourself with these basic phrases in Romanian:
| Can I pay with credit card? | Pot să plătesc cu cardul de credit? |
| I don’t have the receipt. | Nu mai am bonul fiscal. |
| How much does it cost? | Cât costă? |
| Open | Deschis |
| Closed | Închis |
| Closed for lunch | Închis pentru prânz |
| I’ll buy it | Îl cumpăr |
| I’m just looking | Doar mă uit |
| Can I try it on? | Pot să-l încerc? |
These common Romanian phrases not only help in purchasing but also add depth to your shopping experience, allowing you to engage with local sellers and artisans.
restaurants
And finally, the most useful, basic Romanian phrases – those needed to go out to eat at a restaurant! In more tourist-oriented areas, your server will likely speak English. Still, it’s good to have these as back-up.
Traditional Romanian food and wine is some of the best in the world. Looking for great Transylvanian restaurants? Check out where to eat in Sibiu and where to eat in Cluj Napoca!
The culinary delights of Romania are something every traveler looks forward to. Enhance your dining experience by incorporating these useful phrases in Romanian:
| Could I see the menu please? | Pot să văd meniul vă rog? |
| I would like… | Vreau… |
| Order | Comandă |
| Check | Notă de plată |
| A dry (red/white) wine | Un vin (roşu/alb) sec |
| A sweet (red/white) wine | Un vin (roşu/alb) dulce |
| A beer | O bere |
| Do you accept credit cards? | Acceptați plăți cu cardul de credit? |
| Do you have vegetarian meals? | Aveți și meniu pentru vegetarieni? |
| I’m allergic to… | Sunt alergic la… |
| (Sparkling/still) water | O apă (minerală/plată) |
| A coffee/tea | O cafea/ceai |
| Breakfast | Mic dejun |
| Lunch | Prânz |
| Dinner | Cină |
These Romanian sentences allow for clear communication with the staff, ensuring your meals are just as you desired.
basic romanian phrases: travel edition
Mastering these basic Romanian phrases doesn’t just aid communication, but it immerses you deeper into the Romanian culture, making your trip unforgettable. Armed with these Romanian words and phrases, you’ll navigate the Romanian terrain with confidence and enjoy richer, more meaningful interactions. Remember, it’s not just about visiting a place, but truly experiencing it. Safe travels!
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