A Pocket Guide: Essential Romanian Phrases to Get Around
By now, you’ve already got a strong foundation - you know how to greet people, ask for directions, and even survive a Romanian restaurant. But, as a true Erasmus learning Romanian on OLS - it’s time to level up your language game.
This post will help you move from basic survival phrases to the kind of Romanian that lets you build real relationships, handle trickier situations, and feel less like a visitor and more like a local.
1. Sound Natural in Conversation
Want to move beyond “Ce faci?” Here are some phrases locals actually use in daily chats:
- “Cum a fost ziua ta?” = How was your day?
- “Ce mai e nou?” = What’s new?
- “Te descurci bine cu limba română!” = You’re doing well with Romanian!
- “Nu vorbesc foarte bine, dar încerc.” = I don’t speak very well, but I’m trying.
- “Așa este.” = That’s right.
- “Serios?” = Really?
- “Ce tare!” = That’s cool!
Pro tip: Pay attention to tone and body language. Romanians often use expressive intonation and you shouldn’t be afraid to mirror it.
2. Handling Day-to-Day Issues
Sometimes things don’t go smoothly. These expressions help you deal with minor issues like delays, confusion, or tech problems:
- “Cred că este o greșeală.” = I think there’s a mistake.
- “Nu sunt sigur(ă) că am înțeles.” = I’m not sure I understood.
- “Puteți repeta, vă rog?” = Can you repeat that, please?
- “Nu funcționează.” = It’s not working.
- “Cui trebuie să mă adresez?” = Who should I talk to?
3. Deepen Connections with Locals
Building friendships is easier when you can express more than facts, when you can show personality and interest. Try these:
- “Mi-a plăcut foarte mult discuția noastră.” = I really enjoyed our conversation.
- “Ce părere ai despre...?” = What’s your opinion about...?
- “Spune-mi dacă am greșit, vreau să învăț.” = Tell me if I made a mistake, I want to learn.
- “Ți-ar plăcea să ne revedem?” = Would you like to meet again?
At this stage, what you say is just as important as how you say it.
Here’s what helps:
- Politeness goes a long way: Always add „vă rog” and „mulțumesc” – especially with strangers or older people.
- Be aware of formal vs informal: Use „dumneavoastră” with professors, bosses, or elders. Use „tu” only after it’s mutually established.
- Avoid interrupting: Romanians value letting someone finish their thought.
- Dress neatly, especially in formal contexts: Appearances matter more than in some other countries.
If you want more insights, read this blog post about Cultural Do’s and Don’ts in Romania.
Bonus cultural insight: Romanians may seem reserved at first, but once you’re in, you’re really in – expect long conversations, deep connections, and home-cooked food.
At this point, you’re not just visiting Romania. You’re participating in it.
Fluency isn’t about knowing every word, it’s about understanding people, showing curiosity, and being willing to connect, even if you mess up a few verbs along the way.
Let’s start a conversation right here, in the comments section below! Let me know how your day (or week) went!
See you on the forums,
Roxana, OLS Community Manager – Romanian
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