Greetings in Romanian Language: Full Guide

TL;DR

• The most common way to say hello or hi in Romanian is “Bună” (pronounced boo-nuh).
• Use “Bună dimineața” (good morning), “Bună ziua” (good afternoon), and “Bună seara” (good evening) depending on the time of day.
• Romanians often greet with a handshake, smile, or kiss on the cheek — context matters.
• In formal situations, “Salut” can sound too casual; “Bună ziua” is safer.
• Greetings are deeply cultural — tone and gestures are as important as the words.

What Are Common Greetings in Romanian Language?

The basic greetings in Romanian language start with “Bună”, meaning good. It’s used in many combinations to suit different times of day:

These expressions are fundamental for daily communication, just like learning how to say How Are You in Romanian Language or Thank You in Romanian Language.

Formal vs Informal Greetings

Like many European languages, Romanian distinguishes between formal and informal speech.
Choosing the right tone shows respect and social awareness.

Informal

Used among friends, peers, and family:

• Salut! — “Hi!” (also means “Bye!”)
• Bună! — “Hello!”
• Ce faci? — “How are you?” (informal)

Formal

Used with elders, colleagues, or strangers:

• Bună ziua! — “Good day!” (standard formal)
• Bună seara! — “Good evening.”
• Ce mai faceți? — “How are you?” (formal)

💡 Tip: When in doubt, choose formal. Romanians appreciate politeness, especially in first encounters or business contexts.

Time-of-Day Greetings in Romanian

Time-based greetings are common and express warmth and attentiveness.
They follow natural divisions of the day, similar to English but with a slightly more formal tone.

Examples in Conversation

According to the Romanian Academy, these greetings have deep Latin roots, derived from bonus (good) and evolved through centuries of cultural blending.

Regional and Cultural Greeting Customs

Romanian culture values warmth and connection in greetings.
It’s common to maintain eye contact, smile, and add a personal touch such as a handshake or a gentle pat on the arm.

Common Customs

• Handshake – the norm in formal or business contexts.
• Cheek kisses (1 or 2) – common among close friends or family, especially women.
• Hugs – becoming more popular among younger Romanians, especially in cities like Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca.

In rural areas, greetings can be more expressive. A villager might say:

“Sărut mâna!” (literally “I kiss your hand”) — a traditional sign of respect still used by older generations.

The phrase “Sărut mâna” is particularly charming for learners — it’s gendered politeness that adds authenticity to your Romanian.

How to Respond to Greetings in Romanian

Just like in English, it’s polite to reply with warmth. Here are some common responses:

“Somn ușor” (pronounced sohm ooshor) literally means light sleep — similar to “Sleep tight!”

Everyday Small Talk After Greetings

After saying hello, Romanians often continue with small talk to show friendliness.

Examples:

• Ce mai faci? – How have you been?
• Ce noutăți? – What’s new?
• Unde mergi? – Where are you going?
• Cum e vremea azi! – What weather today!

These casual exchanges help maintain connection and politeness — a cornerstone of Romanian social life, as highlighted by the European Commission’s Language Portal.

Greetings in Special Situations

In Shops or Restaurants

• Bună ziua! (when entering)
• Mulțumesc! O zi bună! – Thank you! Have a good day!

At Work

• Bună dimineața! (to start the day)
• O seară frumoasă! – Have a nice evening!

On the Phone

• Alo? – Hello (used only for answering the phone).
• Bună ziua, vorbesc cu…? – Good afternoon, am I speaking with…?

With Strangers

• Scuzați-mă, bună ziua! – Excuse me, good afternoon!
• O zi frumoasă! – Have a lovely day!

These expressions overlap with other polite routines like saying Thank You in Romanian Language and understanding Romanian Alphabet pronunciation to ensure correct intonation.

Similarities with Other Romance Languages

Romanian greetings share roots with other Latin-based tongues:

This Latin heritage makes Romanian more accessible to learners familiar with other Romance languages, as shown by Ethnologue.

FAQ: Greetings in Romanian Language

Q: What is the most common greeting in Romanian?
A: “Bună” or “Salut,” depending on formality.

Q: How do you greet someone formally in Romania?
A: Use “Bună ziua” or “Bună seara” with a polite tone.

Q: What do Romanians say at night?
A: “Noapte bună” — it means “Good night.”

Q: How do you say “Hi, how are you?” in Romanian?
A: “Salut, ce faci?” (informal) or “Bună ziua, ce mai faceți?” (formal).

Q: Is it common to hug or kiss when greeting?
A: Yes, among friends and family, but formal contexts prefer handshakes.

Conclusion

Mastering greetings in Romanian language opens the door to polite, meaningful interactions.
From the universal “Bună” to the heartfelt “Noapte bună”, each phrase reflects Romanian warmth, hospitality, and Latin heritage.

If you’ve already learned How to Say Hello in Romanian Language and How Are You in Romanian Language, you’re ready to sound natural and confident in every situation — whether in Bucharest cafés, Transylvanian villages, or Romanian workplaces.

References

1. Romanian Academy – Linguistic Resources
2. European Commission – Language Portal
3. Ethnologue – Romanian Language
4. Wikipedia – Romanian Grammar and Culture
5. BBC Languages – Learn Romanian