Regional Words and Expressions in Romania
So, you’ve landed in Romania as an Erasmus student. Maybe you’re sipping your first cafea in Bucharest, navigating cobbled streets in Sibiu, or getting used to the humor in Iași. You’re catching on to the basics of Romanian - mulțumesc, bună ziua, ce faci? - and you’re even proud of your small talk skills. Then, suddenly, someone drops a phrase that makes no sense at all.
“E jale!”
Wait… what?
Congratulations! You’ve just encountered one of Romania’s many regional expressions. Welcome to the beautiful chaos of speaking like a true local.
Why Regional Romanian Matters
Romania is not just one language, it’s a mosaic of regions, each with its own slang, sayings, and unique way of twisting words. Learning standard Romanian is great, but getting the hang of regional expressions will do two things:
1. Make you instantly more relatable to locals.
2. Deepen your cultural understanding, beyond grammar and textbooks.
In this post, we’ll go through the regional particularities of Romanian, covering words and phrases from Transylvania, Moldavia, and Oltenia — and showing you how to blend in wherever you land.
Transylvania (Ardeal)
Let’s start in Transylvania, the land located in central Romania, bordered by the Carpathian Mountains, and known for its medieval castles, incredible nature, multicultural heritage, and a calm, earthy charm.
Historical background:
Transylvania was part of the Kingdom of Hungary for centuries, later becoming part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. Its population has historically included Romanians, Hungarians (Magyars) and Saxons (Germans).
How this shaped the dialect:
• Hungarian influence brought in vocabulary (e.g., fain from Hungarian fájnak meaning “nice”) and some syntactic structures.
• German contact also influenced certain terms, especially in cities like Sibiu (Hermannstadt) or Brașov (Kronstadt), which had strong Saxon communities.
• Transylvanians often speak more slowly and clearly, likely influenced by multilingual environments where clarity was essential for communication between ethnic groups.
Example:
Words like no (used as a filler or interjection, like “well” or “okay”) or fain are relics of this multicultural blend.
Key Traits:
• Slower speech
• Softer intonation
• Influence from Hungarian and German
Common Expressions:
• No, hai!
Translation: “Come on, let’s go!”
A very Ardealian way to invite action. No here doesn’t mean “no” - it’s more of a softener, like “well” or “alright.”
• Fain
Translation: “Cool” or “nice”
Used to describe anything pleasant. “Am avut o excursie faină.” (We had a great trip.)
• Tulai Doamne!
Translation: “Oh my God!”
This dramatic-sounding exclamation is common in rural areas or among older folks. Use with a smile - it’s full of flavor.
Moldavia (Moldova)
Moldavia (the region in northeastern Romania, not to be confused with the country Moldova) is known for its strong dialect, high energy, and musical way of speaking.
Historical background:
Moldavia was a principality that maintained its autonomy under Ottoman suzerainty for centuries. It shares long borders with Slavic nations such as Ukraine and Russia.
How this shaped the dialect:
• Slavic influence is strong, particularly in vocabulary and interjections (aoleu, da ce?, etc.).
• The melodic intonation and use of diminutives reflect Slavic rhythm and emotional expression.
Key Traits:
- Raised intonation
- The speech in Moldova can be more emotive and fast-paced
- More relaxed grammar (expect dropped syllables)
- A rich vocabulary of regionalisms
Common Expressions:
• Aoleu!
Translation: “Oh no!”
A pure Moldavian classic. Can mean worry, surprise, or mock horror. “Aoleu, am uitat că am test azi!” (Oh no, I forgot I have a test today!)
• Amu’
Translation: “Now” (instead of acum)
Shorter and more rhythmic. “Amu’ vin.” (I’m coming now.)
• Șe faci?
Translation: “What are you doing?”
Casual, street-smart greeting. If you’re in Iași, get used to hearing this constantly.
• Mânca-te-ar mama!
Translation: Literally “May your mom eat you!”
Weirdly, it’s affectionate. Like when someone is so cute you want to bite them. It’s not cannibalism, we promise.
Oltenia & Muntenia (Southern Romania)
Down south - think Craiova, Pitești, or parts of Bucharest - you’ll find sarcastic humor and a distinct way of speaking that’s a bit faster and sharper.
Historical background:
Wallachia (divided into Muntenia in the east and Oltenia in the west) was another independent principality that came under Ottoman influence early on. It later became the core of modern Romania, with Bucharest as its capital since the mid-19th century.
How this shaped the dialect:
• Ottoman Turkish influence introduced many administrative, culinary, and everyday words, especially in urban speech (bacșiș, ceai, haină).
• As the political center, Wallachia became the origin of “standard” Romanian, especially around Bucharest. Still, its regional speech includes a lot of slang and sarcasm, typical of large urban populations.
• Oltenia, being close to Serbia and once ruled by the Habsburgs briefly, absorbed both Slavic and Central European elements, though it’s known for having a more energetic and blunt dialect.
Key Traits:
• Lots of sarcasm
• Quick speech
Common Expressions:
• E jale.
Translation: “It’s bad.”
A local way to describe a terrible situation. Can be funny or serious depending on tone.
• Băi, nene!
Translation: “Dude!”
Great for starting a rant: “Băi, nene, nu se poate așa ceva!” (Dude, this can’t be happening!)
• Hai că ești tare!
Translation: “You’re awesome!” (literally: “Come on, you’re strong!”)
Used sincerely or sarcastically — context matters!
One of the fun things about Romanian is that people often mix regionalisms — especially in cities with lots of students. So don’t worry if your Cluj friend uses “băi”, or your Iași roommate says “fain”. It’s a melting pot, and as an Erasmus student, you’re now part of the mix.
How to Learn and Use Regional Expressions
Here are a few tips to help you speak like a local without overdoing it:
1. Listen first.
Before using a regional word, observe how locals use it - tone and context matter.
2. Ask locals to teach you.
Romanians love sharing their dialects as it’s a great icebreaker and shows genuine interest.
3. Don’t force it.
It’s better to speak simple, correct Romanian than to sound artificial. Go natural.
Learning regional expressions isn’t just about sounding cool, it’s about connecting. It shows that you’re not just passing through Romania, but actually immersing yourself in it. Locals will notice. They’ll laugh, correct you, maybe even start teaching you more.
So next time someone drops a phrase like “Tulai Doamne”, don’t panic - smile and reply with your new vocabulary
Because if you’re going to study in Romania, why not speak like you truly belong?
If you liked this post and want more language tips, don’t hesitate to drop a comment and enroll in the Romanian language courses on OLS!
See you on the forums,
Roxana, OLS Community Manager - Romanian