How Are You in Romanian Language

TL;DR

• The most common way to say “How are you?” in Romanian language is “Ce faci?” (pronounced cheh fahch).
• A more formal version is “Ce mai faceți?” (for addressing strangers or groups).
• You can also say “Cum ești?” (informal “How are you”) or “Cum sunteți?” (formal).
• Typical replies include “Bine, mulțumesc!” (“I’m fine, thank you”) or “Foarte bine!” (“Very well!”).
• Tone, context, and gestures are key in Romanian greetings — warmth and friendliness matter.

What Does “How Are You” Mean in Romanian Language?

The most common way to say “How are you in Romanian language” is “Ce faci?”, which literally means “What are you doing?”
Despite the literal translation, it functions exactly like “How are you?” in English — a friendly greeting used every day.

Romanians often greet each other with a smile and this simple phrase.
It’s an informal expression used among friends, family, and peers — similar to “How’s it going?” in English.

How Do You Say “How Are You” Formally in Romanian?

When speaking formally, especially to elders, strangers, or in a professional setting, you should say “Ce mai faceți?”
This version uses the formal “you” — dumneavoastră — indicated by the verb ending –eți.

• Ce mai faceți? → “How are you (formal)?”
• Pronunciation: cheh my fah-chets

Alternatively, you may use:

• “Cum sunteți?” → “How are you (formal)” (more direct, often used by teachers or service staff).

Both are polite and show respect — a central part of Romanian communication norms, according to the Romanian Academy.

Informal Expressions for “How Are You”

In friendly or casual settings, Romanians use several variations:

Each version carries a slightly different nuance, often tied to emotional closeness or concern.
For example, “Ești bine?” might be used when you notice someone looks tired or upset.

How to Reply to “How Are You” in Romanian?

Typical answers are short and positive. Here are the most natural responses:

A common exchange might sound like this:

Person A: Ce faci?
Person B: Bine, mulțumesc! Tu? (“Fine, thank you! And you?”)

The reciprocal Tu? (informal “And you?”) or Dar dumneavoastră? (formal “And you, sir/ma’am?”) is considered polite.

Cultural Context: Romanian Politeness and Warmth

According to the European Commission’s Language Portal, Romanian greetings emphasize warmth and community.
Even short interactions often include personal touches — tone, eye contact, and a smile carry as much meaning as the words themselves.

Cultural Insights:

• Romanians often accompany greetings with a handshake, especially in formal contexts.
• Close friends may hug or kiss on the cheek.
• Tone matters — saying “Ce faci?” warmly feels genuine; saying it flatly might sound distant.

Language is not just functional here — it’s emotional.
Understanding the cultural layer behind phrases like Ce faci? helps learners communicate naturally and build rapport.

Common Follow-Up Questions After “How Are You”

After asking “How are you,” Romanians often continue the conversation with personal or contextual questions.
Here are examples you’ll often hear in daily life:

These extensions show genuine interest — small talk is an important social glue in Romanian culture.

Regional and Generational Variations

Romanian language varies subtly across regions:

• Transylvania & Banat: Slightly slower speech, softer pronunciation of “ce.”
• Moldova: Use of more affectionate diminutives.
• Bucharest area: More direct and casual greetings, often just Salut! + Ce faci?

Younger speakers mix in expressions borrowed from English or French, like “Hey, ce faci?” or even “Salut, how are you?” — reflecting Romania’s multilingual modern culture.

Comparing Romanian with Other Romance Languages

Romanian shares Latin roots with Italian, French, and Spanish — so many greetings feel familiar.

This similarity helps speakers of other Romance languages pick up Romanian faster, according to Ethnologue.

Pronunciation Tips for Learners

1. “Ce” = “cheh”, not “see.”
2. “Faci” = “fahch” — the ci sounds like “ch.”
3. Stress is usually on the first syllable: CE faci?
4. Practice listening and shadowing with native speakers to capture rhythm and tone.

You can try our Romanian 3D Interactive Pronunciation Table to see and hear every Romanian sound pronounced clearly by a virtual avatar.

Conversation Examples: Real-World Usage

Example 1 – Friendly Greeting

A: Salut, Andrei! Ce faci?
B: Bine, mulțumesc! Tu?

Example 2 – Formal Situation

A: Bună ziua! Ce mai faceți?
B: Foarte bine, mulțumesc. Dumneavoastră?

Example 3 – When Checking on Someone

A: Ești bine? Pari obosit.
B: Da, doar puțin ocupat.

These everyday dialogues help learners internalize Romanian politeness and phrasing in context.

FAQ: How Are You in Romanian Language

Q: What is the most common way to say “How are you” in Romanian?
A: Ce faci? — the standard, informal version.

Q: How do I say it formally?
A: Use Ce mai faceți? or Cum sunteți? for politeness.

Q: How do you reply to “Ce faci?”
A: Say Bine, mulțumesc! (“Fine, thank you!”) and add Tu? (“And you?”).

Q: Is “Ce mai zici?” rude?
A: Not at all — it’s casual and common among friends.

Q: Can I use English greetings like “Hi, how are you?”
A: In big cities, yes — many Romanians understand English, but using Ce faci? is warmer and more appreciated.

Conclusion

The phrase “How are you in Romanian language” captures more than just words — it reflects the culture’s kindness and emotional warmth.
Whether you say “Ce faci?”, “Cum ești?”, or “Ce mai faceți?”, remember that tone and sincerity matter most.

If you’ve already learned how to say Thank You in Romanian Language and Hello in Romanian Language, this greeting completes the foundation of everyday conversation.

References

1. Romanian Academy – Official Language Resources
2. European Commission – Language Learning Portal
3. Ethnologue – Romanian Language Overview
4. Wikipedia – Romanian Grammar
5. BBC Languages – Learn Romanian