There are times when you need to learn the basics of a foreign language, well, at least the necessary phrases. It could be a visit to a foreign land, or having some foreigners visit you. You might even fall in love with someone from a different country. Of course, the quickest way to learn a foreign language is to spend some time with a native speaker of that language. If you are inclined towards communicating with Romanians, here are some essential phrases in that language.



Most new learners want to learn the exact translations of some basic phrases. We provide you a list of such phrases in Romanian along with English translations.

Romanian- English

Da- Yes

Nu- No

Da,va rog - Yes, please

Nu multzumesc- No, thank you

Domn, Doamna - Sir, Madam

Iata - Here is

Buna - Hello

Buna dimineatza - Good morning

Buna ziua - Good afternoon

Buna seara - Good evening

Noapte buna - Good night

Cu placere - You are welcome

Ce mai faci - How are you

Foarte bine, multzumesc - Very well, thank you

Ma scuzatzi - Excuse me

Ma putetzi ajuta - Can you help me?

Nu intzeleg - I do not understand

Nu shtiu - I do not know

Putetzi sa scrietzi? - Could you please write it down?

Scuze - Leave me alone

Unde - Where

Cand - When

De ce - Why

Cine - Who

Care - Which

Unde este - Where is

Cat costa - How much

Eu vreau - I want

Ce este - What is

Imi place - I like it

Nu imi place - I do not like it

De acord - Agreed

E bine - That is fine

The letter "a" is pronounced just like the English word "sir" in the words "sa", "va", "ma", "buna", and "doamna". Again, in the words "ce", "place", "placere", "faci", "ce" and "ci", the letter c is pronounced "ch", like in the word "teacher". In the words "cat" and "cand", the letter "a" is pronounced like the Russian "you".

If you think speaking Romanian is easy, think again. Pronouncing the Romanian words can be tricky, as the alphabet does not always follow letter sounds. Take the letter "r", for example. If you are English-speaking, you might face problems trying to pronounce the Romanian "r", which has a definite sound of its own. Your best try could come out very funny to Romanian ears.

To carry on in the same vein someone, whose first language is French, will have a lot of trouble pronouncing the Romanian "h". Most will simply be unable to utter it. Similarly, the sound that the letters "b" or "o" stand for is very difficult to utter for English speaking people. On the other hand, Russian people can find it quite easy as the vowel sound in the Russian equivalent of "you" is basically similar to these sounds.

This is not to say you can never pick up the correct rendition of these basic Romanian phrases. All you need is to communicate with native Romanian speakers to avoid a hilarious rendition of the language and learn to speak with accurate pronunciation and fluency.

Like with any other language, the teachers of Romanian language need to choose the method of teaching suitable to the learner. This applies even if it is just the essential phrases that are being taught. Some will learn faster if they can relate to the topic. Others learn better with a diagrammatic presentation. Some people pick up a language easily when they practice with a partner or get involved in group activity learning a skill or craft.

Therefore, when teaching Romanian to foreigners you must be aware of the way of teaching best suited to every single one of them. Once you have done that, be ready for an exciting and sometimes hilarious journey into the world of a new language.