Romanian Alphabet: Letters and Pronunciation Guide

TL;DR

The Romanian alphabet consists of 31 letters, based on the Latin script.
It includes five special letters with diacritics: Ă, Â, Î, Ș, Ț, each representing unique Romanian sounds.
Understanding these letters is essential for proper pronunciation and accurate reading of Romanian words.

What Is the Romanian Alphabet?

The Romanian alphabet is a Latin-based writing system used to write the Romanian language — a Romance language spoken primarily in Romania and Moldova.
It evolved from the classical Latin script and reflects centuries of linguistic influence from neighboring Slavic and Romance-speaking regions.

According to the Romanian Academy, the modern alphabet was standardized in the 19th century, replacing earlier Cyrillic versions used in certain regions such as Wallachia and Moldavia. Today, it contains 31 letters, making it one of the most phonetic alphabets in Europe.

Unlike English or French, Romanian spelling is almost entirely phonetic: each letter corresponds closely to a single sound, allowing learners to pronounce new words correctly once the alphabet is mastered.

The Full Romanian Alphabet (A–Z)

The Five Special Romanian Letters

Romanian includes five letters with diacritics, essential for correct spelling and pronunciation:

1. Ă (ă) – represents a mid-central vowel /ə/, similar to English sofa.
   Example: măr (“apple”).
2. Â (â) and Î (î) – represent the close central unrounded vowel /ɨ/, unique to Romanian.
   Both sound identical; usage depends on word position (înțeleg, România).
3. Ș (ș) – pronounced /ʃ/, like “sh” in shoe.
   Example: școală (“school”).
4. Ț (ț) – pronounced /ts/, like “ts” in cats.
   Example: țară (“country”).

According to the Romanian Language Institute, these diacritics are not optional — omitting them changes meaning (sânge “blood” vs sange incorrect).

Historical Evolution of the Romanian Alphabet

Romanian’s writing system has a complex history influenced by both Latin and Cyrillic traditions.
Between the 16th–19th centuries, Romanian was written in Cyrillic script due to Orthodox Church influence.
Following national reforms in the mid-1800s, the Latin alphabet was reinstated to reflect Romania’s Romance linguistic identity.

This shift symbolized cultural alignment with Western Europe — similar to reforms in other countries like Turkey and Vietnam, which transitioned from older scripts to Latin-based ones for modernization.

Phonetics and Pronunciation Principles

Romanian is largely phonemic — words are spelled the way they are pronounced.
However, learners must master key rules for vowel length, palatalization, and stress:

• C and G before e or i soften:
  • ce → /tʃe/, gi → /dʒi/
• Before a, o, u, they remain hard:
  • ca → /ka/, go → /go/
• Stress usually falls on the penultimate syllable, though exceptions exist (copíl, americán).

For learners mastering pronunciation, see our companion guide How to Say Hello in Romanian Language, which introduces basic Romanian phonetic rhythm.

Vowels and Diphthongs

Romanian vowels are pure and consistent, totaling seven: A, Ă, Â/Î, E, I, O, U.
Two-letter combinations often form diphthongs or glides, such as oa in noapte (night).

This stable vowel system helps explain why Romanian pronunciation remains remarkably uniform across regions (as noted by Ethnologue).

Romanian Consonants: Distinct Sounds

Romanian consonants resemble those of other Romance languages but include specific palatalized or softened forms.
Examples:

• ce, ci, ge, gi → soft sounds /tʃ/, /dʒ/
• ș, ț → distinctly Romanian phonemes.

Learners often struggle with rolled “r” (/r/) and the /ʒ/ sound (as in jurnal). Practicing minimal pairs—like rasă (race) vs rașă (nonexistent)—aids accuracy.

For visual learners, our Romanian Interactive Pronunciation System offers a 3D character-based sound table, letting you hear, see, and repeat each consonant and vowel in motion — a practical way to perfect pronunciation beyond static charts.

Comparison with Other Alphabets

Romanian retains its Latin identity while integrating unique phonetic traits — a reflection of its position between Western Romance and Eastern Slavic linguistic spheres (Wikipedia – Romanian Language).

How to Type Romanian Letters

Typing Romanian diacritics is essential for accurate writing.
On Windows, enable the Romanian (Programmers) keyboard layout; on macOS, hold Option or Alt for accented characters.

Alternatively, online keyboards like Lexilogos Romanian Keyboard can be used.

Common Learner Mistakes

1. Ignoring diacritics – Writing santate instead of sănătate changes meaning.
2. Mispronouncing ă / â / î – These sounds are unique to Romanian; listen carefully.
3. Over-rolling R – Keep it single-tap unless emphasizing emotion.
4. Confusing “ce” and “ci” – They produce “che” and “chi” sounds, not “se” or “si.”
5. Neglecting accent position – Misplaced stress can alter word meaning (mama vs mamă).

For pronunciation clarity, revisit our article Thank You in Romanian Language, which includes native speaker audio examples.

Learning Strategies for the Romanian Alphabet

• Audio repetition – Repeat each sound with native audio clips.
• Writing drills – Trace letters by hand for muscle memory.
• Reading practice – Start with children’s books; Romanian orthography is transparent.
• Apps and resources – Duolingo, Avatalks interactive lessons, and Romanian Academy dictionaries are effective.

Combining listening and writing practice ensures both pronunciation and spelling proficiency.

FAQ: Romanian Alphabet

Q: How many letters are in the Romanian alphabet?
A: 31 letters, including five with diacritics: Ă, Â, Î, Ș, Ț.

Q: Why does Romanian use Latin letters instead of Cyrillic?
A: The script changed in the 19th century to align with Romania’s Latin linguistic heritage.

Q: Is Romanian pronunciation phonetic?
A: Yes. Each letter corresponds closely to a single sound, unlike English.

Q: Which Romanian sound is hardest for foreigners?
A: The central vowel /ɨ/ (Î or Â) — it has no direct English equivalent.

Q: Are diacritics optional when typing Romanian?
A: No. Omitting them may change meanings or cause confusion.

Conclusion

The Romanian alphabet bridges ancient Latin tradition and modern linguistic precision.
Its five diacritics—Ă, Â, Î, Ș, Ț—distinguish Romanian from other Romance languages and define its identity.
For learners, mastering these letters unlocks not just accurate pronunciation but also deeper cultural understanding.

To continue your learning, explore related guides like How to Say I Love You in Romanian Language and How to Say Hello in Romanian Language to expand your practical vocabulary and phonetic awareness.

References

1. Romanian Academy – Orthography and Phonetics
2. Wikipedia – Romanian Alphabet
3. Ethnologue – Romanian Language Profile
4. European Commission – Language Portal
5. Romanian Language Institute (LRI)
6. BBC Languages – Learn Romanian