Unlock Romania: Essential Romanian Phrases for Travelers

By Nia

May 04, 2025

In Travel Phrases & Language Learning

Unlock Romania: Essential Romanian Phrases for Travelers

Planning a trip to Romania? While many Romanians, especially in tourist areas, speak English, knowing a few basic Romanian phrases can significantly enhance your travel experience. Not only will it make interactions smoother and more authentic, but it also shows respect for the local culture. This guide will equip you with essential Romanian phrases for travel, helping you navigate your Romanian adventure with confidence.

Why Learn Basic Romanian Phrases for Your Trip?

Learning even a few Romanian phrases can open doors and create more meaningful connections with locals. It shows that you've made an effort to understand and engage with their culture, which is always appreciated. Plus, it can be incredibly useful in situations where English isn't widely spoken, such as in smaller towns or rural areas. Imagine being able to order food at a local market, ask for directions in a quaint village, or simply greet someone with a friendly "Bună ziua!" (Good day!). These small gestures can make a big difference in your overall travel experience.

Essential Romanian Greetings and Basic Phrases

Let's start with the fundamental phrases you'll need for initial interactions:

Bună ziua! (Good day!) - Use this formal greeting during the day.
Bună dimineața! (Good morning!) - Use this greeting in the morning.
Bună seara! (Good evening!) - Use this greeting in the evening.
Bună! (Hello/Hi) - An informal greeting suitable for friends and casual acquaintances.
La revedere! (Goodbye!) - The standard way to say goodbye.
Pa! (Bye!) - An informal way to say goodbye.
Mulțumesc! (Thank you!) - A simple but crucial phrase.
Cu plăcere! (You're welcome!) - The response to "Mulțumesc!"
Vă rog! (Please/You're welcome) - Can be used for both "please" and "you're welcome" in certain contexts.
Da (Yes)
Nu (No)
Scuzați-mă! (Excuse me!)
Îmi pare rău! (I'm sorry!)
Nu înțeleg. (I don't understand.)
Vorbiți engleză? (Do you speak English?)

Navigating with Confidence: Romanian Phrases for Directions

Getting around can be a challenge in any foreign country. These phrases will help you find your way:

Unde este…? (Where is…?)
…toaleta? (…the toilet?)
…gara? (…the train station?)
…autobuzul? (…the bus stop?)
…un bancomat? (…an ATM?)
Cât de departe este…? (How far is…?)
La stânga (To the left)
La dreapta (To the right)
Drept înainte (Straight ahead)
Pe strada asta (On this street)
Mă puteți ajuta? (Can you help me?)

For instance, if you're looking for the nearest train station, you can ask: "Scuzați-mă, unde este gara?" (Excuse me, where is the train station?). If you need help, simply say, "Mă puteți ajuta?"

Dining Out: Essential Romanian Phrases for Food and Drink

Romanian cuisine is delicious and diverse, and being able to order food in Romanian will enhance your culinary adventures:

O masă pentru o persoană/două persoane, vă rog. (A table for one person/two people, please.)
Pot să văd meniul, vă rog? (Can I see the menu, please?)
Ce recomandați? (What do you recommend?)
Aș dori… (I would like…)
…o supă. (…a soup.)
…o salată. (…a salad.)
…o bere. (…a beer.)
…un pahar de vin. (…a glass of wine.)
Cât costă? (How much does it cost?)
Nota, vă rog. (The bill, please.)
Este delicios! (It's delicious!)
Sunt vegetarian/ă. (I am vegetarian.) - Note the different endings for male (vegetarian) and female (vegetariană).

Imagine yourself in a traditional Romanian restaurant. Instead of just pointing at the menu, you can confidently say, "Aș dori o supă de legume, vă rog" (I would like a vegetable soup, please).

Shopping Smarter: Romanian Phrases for Bargaining and Buying

Whether you're browsing a local market or exploring a souvenir shop, these phrases will be helpful:

Cât costă? (How much does it cost?)
Este prea scump! (It's too expensive!)
Aveți…? (Do you have…?)
…o altă culoare? (…another color?)
…o mărime mai mare/mică? (…a bigger/smaller size?)
Pot să plătesc cu cardul? (Can I pay with a card?)
Aș dori să cumpăr asta. (I would like to buy this.)

Don't be afraid to haggle politely, especially in markets. Saying "Este prea scump!" (It's too expensive!) can often lead to a better price.

Essential Romanian Phrases for Emergencies

While we hope you won't need them, it's always wise to know some basic emergency phrases:

Ajutor! (Help!)
Chemați poliția! (Call the police!)
Chemați o ambulanță! (Call an ambulance!)
Sunt bolnav/ă. (I am sick.) - Note the different endings for male (bolnav) and female (bolnavă).
Am nevoie de un doctor. (I need a doctor.)
M-am pierdut. (I am lost.)
Mi-am pierdut pașaportul. (I lost my passport.)

Keep these phrases in mind, but also know the local emergency numbers: 112 is the general emergency number in Romania.

Useful Everyday Romanian Phrases to Enhance Your Trip

These additional phrases can be used in various everyday situations:

Cum vă numiți? (What is your name?)
Numele meu este… (My name is…)
De unde sunteți? (Where are you from?)
Sunt din… (I am from…)
Îmi place România. (I like Romania.)
România este o țară frumoasă. (Romania is a beautiful country.)
Noroc! (Cheers!) - Used when toasting.

Pronunciation Tips for Romanian Learners

Romanian pronunciation is generally phonetic, meaning words are pronounced as they are written. However, there are a few sounds that might be unfamiliar to English speakers: