Master the Basics: Essential Romanian for Daily Life

Romanian Survival Guide for Brits

Romanian is a beautiful, phonetic language (you say what you see!). While most people in cities speak excellent English, using a few local phrases is the quickest way to earn a warm smile and „proper” hospitality.

1. The „Magic Three” (Politeness)

In Britain, we say „sorry” and „please” for everything. In Romania, these three words will cover 90% of your daily interactions:

• Scuze (Skoo-zeh) – Sorry / Excuse me. Use this to get past someone or before asking a question.
• Vă rog (Vuh rohg) – Please. Add this to the end of any request to stay polite.

Mulțumesc (Mool-tsoo-mesk) – Thank you. * Pro tip: Most locals just say „Mersi” (like the French) in shops and pubs. It’s perfectly acceptable!

2. Social Essentials

• Bună! (Boo-nuh) – Hi! (Universal and friendly).
• Bună ziua (Boo-nuh zee-wah) – Good day. (Formal/Standard).
• Noroc! (No-rok) – Cheers! / Good luck.
• Pa! (Pah) – Bye!

3. Eating & Drinking (The Essentials)

• O bere, vă rog – A beer, please.
• O cafea, vă rog – A coffee, please.
• Nota, vă rog – The bill, please.
• Apă plată – Still water.
• Apă minerală – Sparkling water.

4. Survival Phrases (When you’re stuck)

• Don’t panic if someone starts speaking too fast. Use these:
• Poftim? (Pof-teem) – Pardon? / Come again?
• Nu înțeleg (Noo een-tse-lehg) – I don’t understand / I don’t follow.
• Mai rar, vă rog (My rar, vuh rohg) – More slowly, please.

Gata! (Gah-tah) – Done! / That’s it! (Useful for telling a taxi driver you’ve arrived or a waiter you’ve finished).

5. The Golden Rule

If in doubt, just say:

• „Vorbim în engleză?” (Vor-beem een en-gleh-zuh?) > „Shall we speak in English?”

Most Romanians under 40 will happily say „Yes!” and appreciate that you tried a bit of Romanian first.

6. Finding Your Way (Directions)

In Romania, people are generally very helpful if you look a bit lost. Use these short phrases to get back on track:

• Unde este…? (Oon-deh yes-teh) – Where is…?
• …centrul? (chen-trool) – …the city centre?
• …stația? (stah-tsee-ah) – …the station?
• La stânga / La dreapta – To the left / To the right.
• Tot înainte (Tot een-ah-een-teh) – Straight ahead.
• Este departe? (Yes-teh de-par-teh) – Is it far?

7. At the Hotel (Checking In)

Most hotel staff speak excellent English, but starting with a little Romanian is a „classy” touch:

• Am o rezervare. (Am o re-zer-va-re) – I have a booking.
• Numele meu este… – My name is…
• Aveți Wi-Fi? (Ah-ve-ts Wi-Fi) – Do you have Wi-Fi?
• La ce oră e micul dejun? – What time is breakfast?
• Parola, vă rog. – The password, please.

8. The „Social Glue” (Keeping the Conversation Going)

Acestea sunt echivalentul britanic pentru „Fair enough” sau „I see”.

E în regulă (Yeh een re-goo-luh) – That’s fine / It’s alright. (Perfect for when someone apologises or explains something).

• Exact! (Ex-akt!) – Spot on! / Exactly! (Use this when you agree with someone).
• Sigur (See-goor) – Sure / Of course.
• Poate (Pwua-teh) – Maybe.
• Nu cred (Noo kred) – I don’t think so / I don’t believe it.

9. Time & Planning (Short & Sweet)

• Acum (Ah-koom) – Now.
• Mai târziu (My teer-zeeo) – Later.
• Mâine (Moy-neh) – Tomorrow.
• Azi (Ahz) – Today.
• Când? (Ke-nd?) – When?

10. Reactions (One-word Wonders)

• Serios? (Se-ryos?) – Really? / For real?
• Super! (Soo-per!) – Great! / Brilliant!
• Păcat (Puh-kaht) – A pity / That’s a shame.
• Liniște (Lee-neesh-teh) – Quiet. (Useful if the pub is too loud!).

The „British vs. Romanian”

British Intent               Best Romanian Phrase          Why?

• „I’m sorry?”                   Poftim?                                   Polite way to ask someone to repeat.
• „Cheers, mate!”            Mersi, prietene!                                Very friendly and common.
• „It’s fine, don’t worry.”   E ok, nu-i nimic.                     The ultimate „no worries” phrase.
• „I’ll have the same.”      La fel și pentru mine.           Perfect for ordering rounds at the pub.

The „Local” Tip for Brits:

In Britain, we often use „Cheers” as a way to say „Thank you.”

In Romania, while „Noroc” means „Cheers” for a drink, you can’t use it to say „Thank you” at the end of a transaction. Stick to „Mersi” or „Mulțumesc” for that.

However, if you want to say „Cheers” as in „Goodbye/Have a good one”, a very natural Romanian equivalent is „Sănătate!” (Suh-nuh-tah-teh) – it literally means „Health!”, and locals love it.