50 Romanian Words and Phrases for Beginners

When you think of European languages worth learning, Romanian may not be the first that comes to mind. But it should be. From the castles of Transylvania to the cafes of Bucharest, Romania offers a rich blend of Eastern tradition and Latin charm, and knowing just a few Romanian words can open doors, spark conversations, and make your experience unforgettable.

Before we get into the list, here’s what you should know about the Romanian language:

• Where is it spoken? Romania and Moldova (where it’s known as Moldovan), with communities in Italy, Spain, and Germany.
• Number of speakers: Over 24 million worldwide
• Official status: Official language of Romania and Moldova
• Script used: Latin alphabet, with a few unique letters like ă, ș, ț, î, and â
• Language family: Romance language, closest to Italian, with influences from Slavic, Hungarian, and Turkish

In this article, you’ll find 50 essential Romanian words and Romanian phrases to help you communicate with confidence, connect with locals, and make the most of your trip.

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What Are the Most Common Romanian Greetings?

Ever wondered how to say good morning in Romanian?

A warm greeting goes a long way, especially in Romania where friendliness and hospitality are an essential part of the culture. Learning how to say hello, goodbye, or even good night in Romanian is an easy way to make a good first impression.

1. Salut – Hi

2. Bună ziua – Good day (formal)

3. Bună dimineața – Good morning

4. Bună seara – Good evening

5. Noapte bună – Good night

6. La revedere – Goodbye

These Romanian greetings work in most situations. Use “Salut” with people your age or younger, and “Bună ziua” with adults and in formal contexts.

What Are Some Basic Romanian Words for Everyday Use?

Once you’ve got greetings down, these polite Romanian words will help you navigate daily interactions. They’re short, useful, and show you’re making an effort.

7. Mulțumesc – Thank you

8. Plăcere – You’re welcome

10. Vă rog / Te rog – Please (formal/informal)

11. Scuze / Mă scuzați – Excuse me / Sorry

12. Da / Nu – Yes / No

13. Poate – Maybe

14. Bine / Foarte bine – Good / Very good

15. Rău – Bad

Whether you’re ordering coffee or asking a question, these Romanian phrases will help you handle yourself with courtesy and confidence.

What Are Some Key Romanian Phrases to Get By?

Every traveller needs a few survival phrases. The following Romanian phrases are grouped into practical scenarios to help you shop, eat, and stay safe.

Romanian Phrases for Shopping

16. Cât costă? – How much is this?

17. Caut… – I’m just looking for…

18. Vreau… – I’ll take… / I want…

19. Sunt proaspete? – Are they fresh?

Markets are a great place to try your Romanian words. And, although you may think these are just some easy words, we can assure you locals will smile when you ask prices in Romanian.

Romanian Phrases for Eating Out

20. Îmi aduceți un meniu? – Can I have a menu?

21. Aș dori… – I’d like…

22. Poftă bună! – Enjoy your meal!

23. Este delicios – It’s delicious

24. Aș dori nota – I’d like the bill

Even if your waiter speaks English, trying a few Romanian phrases at the table often makes the experience more personal and memorable.

Romanian Phrases for Emergencies

25. Ajutor! – Help!

26. Chemați poliția! – Call the police!

27. Chemați ambulanța! – Call an ambulance!

28. Foc! – Fire!

29. Sună la 112! – Call 911!

We hope you never need these Romanian words, but knowing them could make a big difference in a tough situation.

What Are the Most Useful Romanian Words for Family?

Talking about family is a common conversation starter, and these Romanian words will help you describe your loved ones or understand others.

30. Mamă – Mother

31. Tată – Father

32. Frate – Brother

33. Soră – Sister

34. Copil – Child

35. Soț / Soție – Husband / Wife

36. Părinți – Parents

37. Fiu – Son

38. Fiică – Daughter

Family plays a central role in Romanian culture, so don’t be surprised if people ask you about yours!

What Romanian Words Help When Talking About Accommodation?

Whether you’re checking in at a hotel or staying in a rural guesthouse, knowing a few accommodation-related Romanian phrases can help smooth the process.

Use these Romanian phrases when booking online, speaking to reception, or asking questions during your stay.

39. Aveți camere disponibile? – Do you have rooms available?

40. Care e numărul camerei? – What’s the room number?

41. Primiți animale de companie? – Are pets allowed?

42. La ce oră e cazarea? – What time is check-in?

43. La ce oră e decazarea? – What time is check-out?

What Are Some Common Romanian Sayings?

Romanian sayings often carry a bit of humor and insight. Here are three that reveal something about the local mindset.

44. La Paștele Cailor – “At the horses’ Easter”
Meaning: Never. A playful way to say something’s not going to happen.

45. Te îmbeți cu apă rece – “You get drunk on cold water”
Used to describe someone who’s being naïve or unrealistic.

46. A freca menta – “To rub the mint”
This means to waste time doing nothing—great for teasing someone who’s slacking off.

47. Vorba dulce mult aduce – “Sweet words bring much.”
This proverb highlights the value Romanians place on kindness and diplomacy. It’s often used to remind someone that a gentle tone or polite approach is more effective than aggression.

Romanians love idioms, and using one well is sure to impress.

What Are the Most Common Romanian Curse Words?

Before we dive in, a quick warning: some of these Romanian bad words are rude and should only be used in familiar, casual company—or when you’re really upset.

48. Naiba! – Equivalent to “Damn!” (mild)

49. Fir-ar! – A frustrated interjection, short for a stronger curse

50. Boule! – Literally “ox,” used like “idiot”

Romanians are known for their expressive language—just use caution when repeating what you hear.

Learn Romanian the Right Way

Learning Romanian words and phrases is more than memorising vocabulary. It’s about connecting with people and understanding their world. Whether you want to chat with locals in Sibiu, hike through the Carpathians, or explore family roots in Moldova, real communication starts with real practice.

Language Trainers offers personalised, one-to-one Romanian lessons with native speakers who help you build fluency through real-life topics and authentic materials. Choose in-person lessons in your city, like Romanian lessons in London, or join from anywhere with online Romanian classes designed around your schedule and goals.

FAQ: Learn More About the Romanian Language

1.   Is the Romanian language still spoken today?

Yes, Romanian is actively spoken by over 24 million people worldwide and remains the official language of Romania and Moldova. It is used in government, education, media, and daily life across both countries and in Romanian-speaking communities abroad.

2.   Is Romanian difficult to learn?

Romanian is considered a Category I language by the Foreign Service Institute, meaning it’s relatively easy for English speakers to learn compared to languages like Arabic or Japanese. Its Latin roots make it especially approachable for those familiar with other Romance languages.

3.   What language is Romanian most similar to?

Romanian is closest to Italian in grammar and vocabulary, though it shares features with French, Spanish, and Portuguese as part of the Romance language family. Despite some unique developments, speakers of these languages often recognise many Romanian words.

4.   Is Romanian similar to Russian or Slavic languages?

No. Romanian is a Romance language, not a Slavic one, though it has borrowed some vocabulary from Slavic languages over time. Its sentence structure and verb conjugation follow Latin patterns, making it very different from Slavic grammar.

5.   What alphabet does Romanian use?

Romanian uses the Latin alphabet with five additional letters: ă, â, î, ș, and ț. These characters represent specific Romanian sounds and are essential for proper pronunciation and spelling.

6.   How do you say good morning in Romanian?

“Good morning” in Romanian is Bună dimineața. This phrase is used from early morning until around noon in both formal and informal settings.

7.   What is the Romanian language alphabet like?

It’s based on the Latin script, with 31 letters. The Romanian alphabet is phonetic, meaning most words are pronounced exactly as they are spelled, which makes reading and writing easier for beginners.

8.   What are typical Romanian names?

Common Romanian names include Andrei, Ioana, Elena, Mihai, and Ana. Many Romanian names have religious origins or Latin roots and are shared across generations.

9.   What are some Romanian bad words to avoid?

Expressions like Boule (idiot), Du-te dracu’ (go to hell), and Naiba (damn) are considered rude or offensive and should be used with caution. These Romanian words often appear in casual conversations among close friends or in moments of frustration, but they are inappropriate in formal or polite company.