If you’re looking for Romanian language basics, the quick answer is this: start by learning greetings, essential phrases, and core grammar structures. Romanian is a Romance language (like French, Spanish, and Italian), but it has unique features influenced by Slavic, Turkish, and Hungarian. By mastering basic Romanian vocabulary and expressions, you can confidently travel in Romania, connect with locals, and begin your language learning journey with strong foundations.
1. Why Learn Romanian?
Romanian is spoken by over 24 million people worldwide, primarily in Romania and Moldova. It’s the only Romance language in Eastern Europe, giving it both Latin roots and regional influences. For travelers, business professionals, and language enthusiasts, Romanian opens doors to culture, history, and meaningful conversations.
Unlike many other languages, Romanian pronunciation is mostly phonetic, meaning words are spoken as they are written. This makes learning a new language like Romanian more approachable for beginners.
2. Romanian Alphabet & Pronunciation
Romanian uses the Latin alphabet, just like English, but it has 31 letters in total. Most letters behave as you’d expect if you already know English or another Romance language, but there are five additional letters with diacritics that make Romanian unique: ă, â, î, ș, ț.
Special Letters in Romanian
| Letter | Pronunciation | Example | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ă | like “uh” in “sofa” | măr (apple) | A short, central vowel, very common in everyday words. |
| â / î | close to French “u” or Russian ы | România (Romania), învăța (to learn) | Both letters represent the same sound. â appears inside words, î usually at the beginning or end. |
| ș | “sh” like in “shoe” | școală (school) | Always pronounced “sh,” never like English “s.” |
| ț | “ts” like in “cats” | țară (country) | Always pronounced as a hard “ts.” |
💡 Tip: Romanian spelling is very consistent. Once you learn the rules, you can pronounce nearly any word correctly.
Vowels in Romanian
Romanian has seven main vowels. Unlike English, each vowel has one clear sound.
| Vowel | Sound | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a | “ah” (father) | mamă (mother) |
| e | “eh” (met) | mere (apples) |
| i | “ee” (machine) | vin (wine) |
| o | “oh” (more) | om (man) |
| u | “oo” (rule) | lup (wolf) |
| ă | “uh” (sofa) | păr (hair/pear) |
| â/î | close to “uh” deep in throat | câine (dog) |
Consonants That Matter
Most consonants are the same as in English, but a few stand out:
- c → soft “ch” before e, i (cerc → “chairk”), hard “k” before a, o, u (casă → “kah-suh”).
- g → soft “j” (like French jour) before e, i (ger → frost), hard “g” before a, o, u (găsi → to find).
- h → always pronounced strongly, never silent (hotel).
- r → rolled or trilled, like in Italian or Spanish (România).
Stress & Intonation
- Stress in Romanian words is not always predictable, but it often falls on the penultimate (second to last) syllable.
- Example: familie (family → fa-MI-lie).
- Misplacing stress can confuse meaning, so listening practice is important.
Why This Matters for Learners
- Romanian is phonetic → words are pronounced exactly as written, unlike English or French.
- Mastering the alphabet helps you read menus, signs, and books without guessing.
- Understanding ă, â/î, ș, ț is essential to avoid mispronunciation. For example, țară (country) and sară (evening) differ completely.
✨ Quick Exercise for Beginners:
Read aloud these words slowly:
- România, școală, țară, măr, câine, vin, lup.
Once you can pronounce them clearly, you’ll already sound much closer to a native speaker.
3. Essential Romanian Vocabulary
Here are some basic Romanian words every learner should know:
| Romanian | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bună | Hello | Bună! Ce faci? (Hello! How are you?) |
| Mulțumesc | Thank you | Mulțumesc pentru ajutor. (Thank you for the help.) |
| Vă rog | Please | Vă rog, unde este stația? (Please, where is the station?) |
| Da | Yes | Da, vreau cafea. (Yes, I want coffee.) |
| Nu | No | Nu, mulțumesc. (No, thank you.) |
| Scuze | Sorry/Excuse me | Scuze, nu înțeleg. (Sorry, I don’t understand.) |
4. Romanian Grammar Basics
Romanian grammar is where things get interesting. As a Romance language, it shares similarities with Italian and Spanish but also has unique twists.
Key Features:
- Gendered nouns → masculine, feminine, and neuter.
- Definite articles are attached to the end of words (not the beginning like in English).
- băiat (boy) → băiatul (the boy)
- fată (girl) → fata (the girl)
- Verb conjugation changes depending on the subject (like in Spanish/Italian).
- eu sunt (I am)
- tu ești (you are)
- el/ea este (he/she is)
5. Useful Romanian Phrases
Here are Romanian language basics you’ll need as a tourist or beginner:
| Romanian | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bună ziua | Good day | Bună ziua, domnule. (Good afternoon, sir.) |
| La revedere | Goodbye | La revedere, ne vedem mâine. (Goodbye, see you tomorrow.) |
| Ce faci? | How are you? | Salut! Ce faci? (Hi! How are you?) |
| Cât costă? | How much does it cost? | Cât costă această carte? (How much is this book?) |
| Unde este toaleta? | Where is the bathroom? | Unde este toaleta, vă rog? (Where is the bathroom, please?) |
6. Romanian Culture & Language Learning
Romanian culture is rich in tradition, folklore, and hospitality. When you use even a few basic Romanian words, locals appreciate your effort. Saying “mulțumesc” (thank you) or “bună” (hello) makes interactions warmer and shows respect.
💡 Cultural Note: Romanians value politeness. Using vă rog (please) and mulțumesc often will always be seen positively.
7. Best Way to Learn Romanian
Learning Romanian doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Start with greetings and essential vocabulary (as shown above).
- Practice pronunciation by listening to native speakers.
- Use spaced repetition apps (like Anki, Memrise) for vocabulary.
- Immerse in media → Watch Romanian films, listen to music, and follow podcasts.
- Speak early → Find a language partner or tutor.
- Explore grammar gradually, starting with present tense.
8. Final Thoughts
Mastering Romanian language basics is your first step into a beautiful learning journey. The more you practice Romanian vocabulary and simple phrases, the faster you’ll feel comfortable speaking.
Whether you’re traveling in Bucharest, exploring Transylvania, or connecting with Romanian speakers online, these basics will give you confidence and open the door to meaningful experiences.
Key takeaway: Focus on the essentials, practice daily, and enjoy the process of learning Romanian.