Romanian phrasebook

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Romanian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Romania and Moldova, as well as in some parts of Hungary, Serbia and Montenegro, Bulgaria and Ukraine. It is useful to know the language if travelling in Romania, especially in rural areas, and even though nowadays nearly everyone knows some English, your experience in the country will be so much better and friendlier if you speak the local language.

Romanian is a fairly difficult language to learn and speak, due to its complicated grammar. It is, however, fairly similar to Italian, and, to an extent, other Romance languages (French, Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, etc.), so speakers of these languages are more at an advantage.

Note that in Romanian, there is a formal and informal form when addressing people. The informal is tu (you) and the formal is dumneavoastra. There is also a formal way of speaking about other people, not just when addressing them. When referring to she use dumneaei; for he use dumnealui; and for them use dumnealor. Note that the formal form should be used with the plural form of the verb, at the appropriate person. This is similar to the construction in most other Romance languages, and, to an extent, German, although Germans usually make less use of the informal forms. Use tu when addressing friends or people you know well. When addressing strangers or speaking about strangers, use the formal forms.

Background

Attention, avoid the confusion with Romani language which is a gypsy language. The name similarity is only formal and coincidental. The English word for the european Gypsy is Romani and comes from an Indian root. The ethnic name Romanian/Rumanian and its derivatives come from the Latin word Romanus and it is etymologically related to Rome, the capital city of the Roman empire and now the capital city of Italy. Even if, in the past, Romania had a sizable German minority, nowdays the population of native German speakers is dwindling. Most of the former Saxon minority left for Germany and the Saxons villages are merely deserted. However, German language is still widely studied as a foreign language, and, due to residing cultural influence of the formerly large minority, it is used as a second or third official language is many parts of Transylvania. Romanian is easy for Italians, Spanish and Portuguese people. However Romanian is not so easy for French because of the influx of neighbouring countries' vocabulary, especially words coming from Old Slavonic. Neologisms have been imported from French, Italian, German, and recently English. The slang has either French, German or Gypsy origin. The language uses the Latin alphabet, the Latinate roots from Latin helping tourists to understand signs like Alimentara (a place where you can buy aliments, food) Farmacie (Pharmacy, Drugstore), Poli?ie (Police), etc. Some signs are just false friends, for example Libr?rie means in Romanian bookstore not library, Teatru, theatre hall not cinema and so on. If you have a decent conversation guide you can avoid such funny confusions. Hungarian is used in Eastern Transylvania and in some cities like Miercurea-Ciuc, Targu-Mures, Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, Satu-Mare, and if you know it, then you are at an advantage. Hungarian it is widely used as a second language in counties such as Covasna and Harghita. The Romanian language is generally seen as a language with difficult grammar. It is an easy language to pronounce being a 100% phonetic language (for people who speak a native phonetic language like Italians: don't expect English people to be comfortable with phonetic when they learn the spelling for each word - the spelling is not needed in Romanian - you can write in instant whatever you hear in Romanian). Romanian language is abundant in vowels, it can have series of diphthongs and even triphthongs, that gives the language a melodious sound and makes it very musical. Trying to learn or speak Romanian can have mixed receptions - some people will love you for it and strongly appreciate the fact that you are making an effort to speak their language, while others will sneer at you for not properly being able to speak what they see as a very 'easy' and phonetic language. The fact that Romanian is phonetic is true, and its written form is fairly easy to grasp. The Romanian alphabet is nearly exactly the same as the English alphabet, even though it has five extra accented letters, or diacriticals, ? (like the a in english word musical), ? (like the sh in english), ? (like the ts in english), â, î (have the same reading, like a short ?).

Romanians have a special native skill for speaking foreign languages, and English has become compulsory for getting a better job and it is the second language spoken after Romanian. Consequently, it is usually good to ask before starting to speak English, but other than that, it is safe to go ahead. French and German are also learnt by most people in schools and are therefore spoken with some level of fluency by some people, but make sure you ask before you start speaking to people in foreign tongue. But globalization have made these languages less and less attractive.

Some people however feel that Romanian is an extremely easy language to learn if you already speak a Latin based language such as Spanish, French or Italian. This is especially so in contrast to Romania's Slavic neighbors. Romanian linguists are proud that Romanian is a Romance language in a sea of Slavs.

Pronunciation Guide

Even though Romanian pronunciation is very phonetic, a lot of foreigners find it hard to speak it, especially English speakers. The accent and sounds are very similar to Italian (with slight Slavic influences), so remember to sound every letter clearly. Also, sounds very rarely differ between words (i.e. the letter i is always pronounced the same, everytime, unlike in English).

Like English, Romanian has secondary stresses in words. We have not attempted to represent those here.

Questions in Romanian that end with a verb often use a rising tone on the last syllable or two.

Vowels

a: like 'u' in "cup", 'a' in "target"
Hear the sound for a (http://www.wikitravel.org/travel-pics/1/16/Ro-pronunciation-a.wav)
e: like 'e' in "ten"
Hear the sound for e (http://www.wikitravel.org/travel-pics/d/df/Ro-pronunciation-e.wav)
i: like 'i' in "dip" when in the middle or start of a word. When at the end, it is barely sounded - for example, in the word Bucureşti, it is pronounced Boo-KOO-resht with a very short and slight i - never pronounce it as Boo-KOO-reshtee. The terminal "i" causes a slight "softening" of the preceding consonant. The few Romanian words with a very strong terminal "i" sound are spelled with a double "i" ("ii").
Hear the sound for i (http://www.wikitravel.org/travel-pics/2/2e/Ro-pronunciation-i.wav)
o: like 'o' in "chlorine", rounded, fairly short sound
Hear the sound for o (http://www.wikitravel.org/travel-pics/c/c3/Ro-pronunciation-o.wav)
u: like 'oo' in "broom", but much shorter
Hear the sound for u (http://www.wikitravel.org/travel-pics/6/6c/Ro-pronunciation-u.wav)
ă: like 'a' in "digital". This sound is usually mispronounced (people tend to pronounce it like 'u' in 'cup', but in fact, this sound is frequently found in English. When seeing ă always think of the sound in the rather than in bra. Similar to French 'e' in word 'je'.
Hear the sound for ă (http://www.wikitravel.org/travel-pics/5/5e/Ro-pronunciation-a2.wav)
â, î: no precise English equivalent - it's best to hear it being spoken. â and î are the same sound in Romanian. î is used at the beginning and at the end of words, â in all other cases. The closest American English sound is the ""oo"" in "book", but it's a bit shifted toward a "soft 'i'", as in "it". Similar to French 'u' in word 'rue'.
Hear the sound for â, î (http://www.wikitravel.org/travel-pics/d/dc/Ro-pronunciation-i2.wav)

Consonants

b: like 'b' in "bed"
c: like 'ch' in "cheese" (like Italian 'c') when followed by 'e' or 'i', otherwise like 'k'
d: like 'd' in "dog"
f: like 'f' in "federation"
g: like 'g' in "gym" when followed by 'e' or 'i', otherwise like 'g' in "gear"
h: like 'h' in "help" (never silent in Romanian)
j: like the French 'j' in "Bonjour" - closest English equivalent is the "s" in "pleasure"
Hear the sound for j (http://www.wikitravel.org/travel-pics/3/3d/Ro-pronunciation-j.wav)
k: like 'c' in "cat"
l: like 'l' in "love"
m: like 'm' in "mother"
n: like 'n' in "nice"
p: like 'p' in "pig"
q: like 'k' in "king" (this sound is rarely used in Romanian)
r: like 'r' in "row", but slightly harsher (similar to the Italian r)
Hear the word 'Reşiţa' in Romanian, note the 'r' sound (http://www.wikitravel.org/travel-pics/9/92/Ro-pronunciation-resita.wav)
s: like 's' in "snake"
ş: like 'sh' in "lush"
ţ: like 'ts' in "bits"
t: like 't' in "knit"
v: like 'v' in "very"
w: like 'v' in "very"
x: like 'cks' in "picks"
y: like 'i' in "dip"
z: like 'z' in "fizz"

Common diphthongs

oi: like 'oy' in "boy"
ea: usually dipthongized, like the "a" in the East-coast American English "cat" or "sat". However, this letter pair is not always a diphthong.

Common digraphs

ch: like 'c' in "collar" (hard sound)
gh: like 'g' in "giving"

Phrase list

NOTE: The pronunciation guides in brackets beside each word only act as guides, due to the fact that they will make the Romanian word have a strong English accent. To get a better pronunciation, it is generally better to look at the Pronunciation Guide above and learn the right pronunciation for each letter (this is easier than it sounds). Throughout the following, "ooh" is pronounced roughly as in "oo" in "book"; "oo" without the "h" is as in "boot".

Basics

Hello.: "Salut." (sah-LOOT)
How are you?: "Ce mai faci?" (cheh my FAWTCH)
Fine, thank you.: "Mulţumesc, bine." (mool-tzu-MESK BEE-nay)
What is your name? (formal): "Cum vă numiţi? (coom vuh noo-MEETZ)
What's your name? (informal): "Cum te cheamă? (coom teh KYAHM-uh)
My name is ______.: "Numele meu e ______." (NOO-meh-leh MAY-oo eh ______.)
Nice to meet you.: "Încântat" (oohn-kahn-taht) or "Îmi pare bine" (OOHM pah-reh BEE-nay)
Please: "Vă rog" (vuh ROHG; usually follows the request.)
Thank you: "Mulţumesc" (mool-tzu-MESC)
Thank you very much: "Mulţumesc mult." (mool-tzu-MESK moolt)
You're welcome: "Cu pl?cere" (koo plah-CHAIR-eh)
Yes: "Da" (DAH)
No: "Nu" (NOO)
Excuse me. (Getting attention): "Pardon" (pahr-DOHN) or "Vă rog" (vuh ROHG)
Excuse me. (begging pardon, moving through crowd): "Pardon" (pahr-DOHN)
I'm sorry: "Îmi pare rău" (oohm pah-reh RAUH)
Good-bye: "La revedere" (lah reh-veh-DEH-reh)
Bye: "Pa" ("PAH"; in informal occasions in Transylvania - "Servus" sehr-VOOS)
See you soon: "Pe curând" ("peh cur-OOHNT")
I can't speak Romanian well.: "Nu vorbesc bine româneste." (NOO vor-BESC BEE-nay Roh-MOOHN-eshtay)
Do you speak English?: "Vorbiţi englez??" (vor-BEETZ eng-LAY-zuh)
Is there someone here who speaks English?: "Vorbe?te cineva aici englez??" (vor-BESHT-eh CHEEH-neh-va AY-eetch eng-LAY-zuh)
Help!: "Ajutor!" (ah-zhoo-TOR)
Look out!: "Atenţie" (ah-TEN-tzee-eh)
Good morning: "Bun? dimineaţa" (BOO-nuh dee-mee-NYAH-tzuh)
Good day: "Bun? ziuă" (BOO-nuh zyu-uh)
Good evening: "Bun? seara" (BOO-nuh sa-ruh)
Good night (to sleep): "Noapte bun?" (NWHOP-tay BOO-nuh)
I don't understand: "Nu înţeleg" (NOO in-tze-LEG)
Where's the bathroom?: "Unde e toaleta?" (OON-day eh twah-LEH-ta)
The check, please: "Nota de plat?, vă rog" (NO-tah deh PLAT-tuh, vuh ROHG)
Romanian (person, male): "român" (ro-MUHN)
Romanian (person, female): "românc?" (ro-MUHN-cuh)

Problems

Leave me alone.: "Las?-m? în pace" (LUH-suh ma oohn PAH-cheh)
Don't touch me!: "Nu m? atinge" (noo muh ah-TEEN-je)
I'll call the police.: "Chem poli?ia." (kem po-LEE-tzee-ah)
Police!: "Poli?ia!" (po-LEE-tzee-ah!)
Stop! Thief!: "Stai! Ho?i!" (STA-ee! HOHTZ!)
I need your help (formal "your").: "Am nevoie de ajutorul dumneavoastra" (AHM neh-VOY-eh de ah-ZHOO-tor-ool doom-neah-VOAHS-trah)
I need your help (informal "your").: "Am nevoie de ajutorul t?u" (AHM neh-VOY-eh de ah-ZHOO-tor-ool tah-oo)
It's an emergency.: "E o urgen??" (YEAH o oor-JEN-tza)
I'm lost.: "M-am r?t?cit" (mam ruh-tuh-CHEET)
I lost my bag.: "Mi-am pierdut valiza" (mee-AHM pyehr-DOOT vah-LEE-zah)
I lost my wallet.: "Mi-am pierdut portmoneul." (mee-AHM pyehr-DOOT PORT-mon-eh-ool)
I'm sick.: "Sunt bolnav." (SOONT bol-NAHV)
I've been injured.: "Sunt accidentat." (SOONT ahk-chee-dehn-TAHT)
I need a doctor.: "Am nevoie de doctor" (AHM neh-VOY-eh de doc-TOHR)
Can I use your phone? (formal "your"): "Pot s? folosesc telefonul dumneavoastra?" (poht sah foh-LO-sesk teh-leh-FOHN-ool doom-neah-VOAHS-trah)
Can I use your phone? (informal "your"): "Pot s? folosesc telefonul t?u?" (poht sah foh-LO-sesk teh-leh-FOHN TAH-oo)

Numbers

1: unu (OO-noo)
2: doi (doy)
3: trei (tray)
4: patru (PAH-troo)
5: cinci (cheench)
6: şase (SHAH-seh)
7: şapte (SHAHP-teh)
8: opt (opt)
9: nouă (NOH-uh)
10: zece (ZEH-cheh)
11: unsprezece (OON-spreh-zeh-cheh, sometimes shortened to just OON-spreh; similarly, for all numbers up to 19)
12: doisprezece (DOY-spreh-zeh-cheh)
13: treisprezece (TRAY-spreh-zeh-cheh)
14: paisprezece (PIE-spreh-zeh-cheh)
15: cincisprezece (CHEENCH-spreh-zeh-cheh)
16: şaisprezece (SHY-spreh-zeh-cheh)
17: şaptisprezece (SHAHP-tee-spreh-zeh-cheh)
18: optsprezece (OPT-spreh-zeh-cheh)
19: nouăsprezece (NO-uh-spreh-zeh-cheh)
20: douăzeci (DOH-uh ZETCH)
21: douăzeci şi unu (DOH-uh ZETCH-shee OO-nu)
22: douăzeci şi doi (DOH-uh ZETCH-shee DOY)
23: douăzeci şi trei (DOH-uh ZETCH-shee TRAY)
30: treizeci (TRAY ZETCH)
40: patruzeci (PAH-troo ZETCH)
50: cincizeci (CHEENCH ZETCH, but often more like CHEEN-zetch)
60: şaizeci (SHAH-ee ZETCH)
70: şaptezeci (SHAHP-teh ZETCH)
80: optzeci (OHPT zetch)
90: nouăzeci (NO-uh ZETCH)
100: o sută (OH SOO-tuh)
200: două sute (DOH-uh SOO-teh)
300: trei sute (TRAY SOO-teh)
1000: o mie (oh MEE-eh)
2000: două mii (DOH-uh MEE-eh)
1,000,000: un milion (OON mee-L'YONE)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): numărul _____ (nu-muh-rool)
half: jumătate (joo-muh-TAH-teh)
less: mai puţin (MY poo-TZEEN)
more: mai mult (my moolt)

Time

now: acum (ah-COOM)
later: mai târziu (muy teer-ZYOO)
before: înainte de (oon-INE-teh-deh)
morning: diminea?a (dee-mee-NYAH-tzuh)
afternoon: dup? amiaz? (DOO-puh ah-MYA-zuh)
evening: sear? (SA-rah)
night: noapte (NWHOP-tay)

Clock time

Although 12-hour clocks are common in Romania, time is almost always stated according to the 24-hour clock.

one o'clock AM: ora unu (OHR-ah OO-noo)
two o'clock AM: ora dou? (OHR-ah DOE-ah)
noon: prânz (proohnz)
one o'clock PM: treisprezece ore (TRAY-spreh-zeh-cheh ORH-eh)
two o'clock PM: patrusprezece ore (PAH-troo-spreh-zeh-cheh ORH-eh)
midnight: miezul nop?ii (mee-EZ-ool NOP-tzee)

Normally, to say "at" a time, one precedes the same form given above with "la", thus:

at noon: la prânz (la PROOHNZ)
one o'clock PM: la treisprezece ore (la TRAY-spreh-zeh-cheh ORH-eh) - still, you'll find used more often "la unu dup? amiaz?" (la OO-noo DOO-pah ah-MEEAH-zuh)
at midnight: la miezul nop?ii (laj mee-EZ-ool NWHOP-tzee)

Duration

one minute: un minut (oon meen-OOT)
_____ minutes: _____ minute (_____ meen-OOT-ay)

one hour: o or? (OH OHR-ah)
_____ hours: _____ ore (OHR-eh)

one day: o ziu? (OH ZYOO-ah)
_____ days: _____ zile (_____ ZEE-leh)

one week: o s?pt?mân? (OH suhpt-uh-MOOH-nuh)
_____ weeks: _____ s?pt?mâni (_____ suhpt-uh-MOOHN)

one month: o lun? (OH LOO-nuh)
_____ months: _____ luni (LOON-ee; the last syllable almost vanishes)

one year: un an (oon AHN)
_____ years: _____ ani (AHN-ee; the last syllable almost vanishes)

Note: For all of the above, the correct, literary way to express duration is by saying una or?, una ziu?, una s?pt?mân?... instead of o or?, o ziu?, o s?pt?mân?, but this is never really used in speech, even if the context is very formal. Therefore, it is much easier to learn that o is used to express one or a in the case of minute, hour, month, etc, not una. This is because all of these nouns are feminine. With year, which is masculine, un is used (as in, un an - one year).

Days

today: astăzi(ast-AHZ)
yesterday: ieri (yehr)
tomorrow: mâine (MUY-neh)
this week: săptămâna asta (sehp-teh-MUHN-a AHS-tah)
last week: săptămâna trecută (sehp-teh-MUHN-a treh-COOT-a)
next week: săptămâna viitoare (sehp-teh-MUHN-a vee-toe-A-reh - no real English pronunciation equivalent)

Sunday: duminică (doo-MEEN-ee-ka)
Monday: luni (loohn)
Tuesday: marţi (mahrtz)
Wednesday: miercuri (mee-EHR-coor)
Thursday: joi (zhoy)
Friday: vineri (vee-NEHR)
Saturday: Sâmbata (SUHM-bah-tah)

Months

January: ianuarie (YA-nooh-AH-ree-eh)
February: februarie (FEB-ru-AH-ree-eh)
March: martie (MAR-tee-eh)
April: aprilie (ah-PRIL-ee-eh)
May: mai (my)
June: iunie (YOO-nee-eh)
July: iulie (YOO-lee-eh)
August: august (ow-GOOST)
September: septembrie (sehpt-EHM-bree-eh)
October: octombrie (oct-OHM-bree-eh)
November: noiembrie (noi-EHM-bree-eh)
December: decembrie (detch-EHM-bree-eh)

Writing time and date

16 Jan 2004 3:30 (or 16 ianuarie 2004 3:30).
- date may also be written 16/01/04 or 16-01-04.
1 Aug 2004 20:00 (or 1 august 2004 20:00).
- date may also be written 01/08/04 or 01-08-04.

Note: The first day of the month is called întâi (oon-tooee) not one. For example the first of August is întâi August.

Colors

NOTE: ah in English represents the sound 'a' as in "far"

black: negru (NEH-groo)
white: alb (ahlb)
gray: gri (gree)
red: roşu (ROH-shoo)
blue: albastru (ahlb-AH-stroo)
yellow: galben (GAHLB-en)
green: verde (VEHR-deh)
orange: portocaliu (pohr-toh-KAH-lee-oo)
purple: mov (mohv)
brown: maro (mah-roh)

Transportation

Bus and Train

How much is a ticket to _____?: Cât costa un bilet pân? la _____? (COOHT KOHS-tah OOHN bee-LEHT POOHN-ah LAH _____?)
One ticket to _____, please.: Un bilet pân? la _____, vă rog. (OON bee-LEHT POOHN-ah LAH _____, vuh ROHG)
Where does this train/bus go?: Unde merge trenul/autobuzul ?sta? (OON-day MAIR-jeh TREHN-ool/OW-toh_BOOZ-ool AH-stah?)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Unde este trenul/autobuzul pentru _____? (OON-day YES-teh TREHN-ool/OW-toh_BOOZ-ool PEHN-troo _____?)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Trenul/autobuzul ?sta opre?te la _____? (TREHN-ool/OW-toh-BOOZ-ool A-stah OH-presh-teh lah _____?)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: Când pleac? trenul/autobuzul spre _____ ? (COOHND PLACK-uh TREHN-ool/OU-toh_BOOZ-ool SPREH _____)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: Când ajunge trenul/autobuzul ?sta la _____? (COOHND ah-ZHOON-jeh TREHN-ool/OW-toh-BOOZ-ool A-stah lah _____?)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?: Cum ajung la _____ ? (COOM ah-ZHOONG la _____ ?)
...the train station?: ... gar?? (GAH-rah)
...the bus station?: ...staţia de autobuz? (STAH-tzee-ah deh OW-toe-booz)
...the airport?: ...aeroport? (EYE-ro-port)
...downtown?: centrul ora?ului...? (CHEHN-trool or-AH-shoo-looy)
...the youth hostel?: caminul de tineret? (ka-mi-nul deh TIN-ayre)
...the _____ hotel?: ...hotelul _____ ? (ho-TEHL-ul _____)
...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?: ...consulatul american/canadian/australian/britanic? (COHN-soo-LAH-tool ah-meh-ree-KAHN/kah-nah-dee-AHN/ah-oo-strah-lee-AHN/bree-TAH-nik)
Where are there a lot of _____: Unde sunt multe _____ (OON-deh SOONT MOOLT-eh)
...hotels?: ...hoteluri? (ho-TEHL-oor)
...restaurants?: restaurante? (reh-stah-oo-RAHN-teh)
...bars?: ...baruri? (BAHR-oor)
...sites to see?: locuri turistice? (lo-kuri too-REES-teecheh)
Can you show me on the map? (formal/polite): Puteţi s?-mi ar?ta?i pe hart?? (poo-TEHTS sa eem ah-RAH-tuts peh HAHR-ta?)
street: strad? (STRAH-duh)
Turn left. (formal/polite): Îluati-o la stânga. (lua-tzio lah stânga);
Turn right.: (formal/polite) : Îluati-o la dreapta. (lua-tzio lah DRAP-tah)
left: stânga (STOOHN-gah)
right: dreapta (DRAP-tah)
straight ahead: drept înainte (DREHPT oohn-INE-teh)
towards the _____: spre _____ (spreh _____)
past the _____: dup? _____ (doop-uh)
before the _____: înainte de_____ (uh-nah-EEN-teh deh)
Watch for the _____.: (formal/polite) A?tepta?i _____. (ah-shtehp-TAHTS _____.) informally, "A?teapt? _____." (ah-SHTAPT-uh)
intersection: intersec?ie (EEN-ter-sek-tzee-eh)
north: nord (NOHRD)
south: sud (SOOD)
east: est (EHST)
west: vest (VEHST)
uphill: sus (SOOS)
downhill: jos (JOHSS)

Taxi

Taxi!: Taxi! (TAH-ksee)
Take me to _____, please.: Conduce?i-m? la _____, v? rog. (CON-doo-cheh-tzee-muh luh _____, vuh ROHG)
How much does it cost to get to _____?: Cât costa pentru a ajunge la _____? (COOHT COH-sta PEHN-tru ah ah-ZHOON-jeh lah _____?)
Take me there, please.: Conduce?i-ma acolo, v? rog.. (CON-doo-cheh-tzee-muh ah-KOH-loh, vuh ROHG)

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: Ave?i camere libere? (ah-VEHTS CAH-meh-reh LEE-beh-reh)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: Cât costa o camera pentru o persoan? / pentru doua persoane? (COOHT KOHS-tah oh KAHM-eh-rah pehn-troo OH pehrss-WAH-nuh... / pehn-troo DOH-ah pehrss-WAH-neh)
Does the room come with...: Camera vine cu... (CAH-meh-rah VEEN-eh KOO...)
...bedsheets?: ...a?ternuturi? (ah-shter-NOOT-oor)
...another blanket?: ...înc? o patur? (OOHN-cuh oh PAH-too-ruh)
...a bathroom?: ...baie? (BYE-eh)
...a telephone?: ...telefon? (teh-leh-FOHN-ool)
...a TV?: ...televiziune? (teh-leh-veez-ee-OON-eh)
May I see the room first?: Pot s? v?d camera întâi? (poht suh VOOHD CAH-meh-rah oohn-TOOH-ee)
Do you have anything quieter?: Ave?i ceva mai lini?tit? (ah-VEHTS CHEH-vah MY LEEN-eesh-TEET)
...bigger?: ...mai mare? (MY MAH-reh)
...cleaner?: ...mai curat? (MY koo-RAHT)
...cheaper?: ...mai ieftin? (MY yef-TEEN)
OK, I'll take the room.: Bine. Vreau camera. (BEEN-eh. VROW KAH-meh-rah)
I will stay for one night.: Eu r?mân pentru o noapte. (YO ruh-MOOHN PEHN-troo oh NWHOP-teh)
I will stay for _____ nights.: Eu r?mân ______ nop?i. (YO ruh-MOOHN _____ NOPTZ
Can you suggest another hotel?: Pute?i recomanda alt hotel? (poot-EHTS reh-coh-MAHN-dah AHLT ho-TEHL)
Do you have a safe?: Ave?i seif? (ah-VETZ seh-EEF)
...lockers?: ...cuiere? (KOO-yeh-reh)
Is breakfast/supper included?: Pre?ul include micul dejun / cin?? (PREHTZ-ool een-KLOO-deh MEE-kool deh-ZHOON / CHEE-nuh)
What time is breakfast/supper?: La ce or? este micul dejun / cina? (lah CHEH OH-rah yes-teh MEE-kool deh-ZHOON / CHEE-nah')
Please clean my room.: Cur??a?i camera mea, v? rog. (koor-eh-TSAHTS CAH-meh-rah MEH-ah, vuh ROHG)
Can you wake me at _____? | Pute?i s? m? trezi?i la _____? (poo-TEHTS suh muh treh-ZEETS lah _____?)
I want to check out.: A? vrea s? achit nota ?i s? plec de la hotel. (ahsh VRAA suh ah-KEET NOH-tuh shee suh PLEHK deh lah ho-TEHL; the vowel sound in ?vrea? is like the ?a? in the English ?cat?.)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: Accepta?i dolari americani/canadieni/australieni? (ock-chep-TAHTS DOH-lah-ree ah-meh-ree-KAHN/kah-nah-dee-EHN/ah-oo-strah-lee-EHN? (...)
Do you accept British pounds?: Accepta?i lire sterline? (ock-chep-TAHTS LEE-reh stehr-LEE-neh?)
Do you accept cr cards?: Accepta?i c?r?i de cr? (ock-chep-TAHTS KUHRTZ deh CREH-deet?)
Can you change money for me?: Pute?i s? schimba?i bani pentru mine? (poo-TEHTS suh skim-BAHTZ BAHN PEHN-troo MEE-nay?) or Pute?i s? schimba?i valut? pentru mine? (poo-TEHTS suh skim-BAHTZ vah-LOO-tah PEHN-troo MEE-nay?)
Where can I get money changed?: Unde pot s? schimb bani? (OON-deh POHT suh SKIMB BAHN?) or Unde pot s? schimb valuta? (OON-deh POHT suh SKIMB vah-LOO-tah?)
Can you change a traveler's check for me?: Pute?i s? schimba?i un cec de calatorie pentru mine? (poo-TEHTS suh skim-BAHTZ oon CHECK deh cah-lah-TOH-ree-eh PEHN-troo MEE-nay?)
Where can I get a traveler's check changed?: Unde pot s? schimb cecul de calatorie? (OON-deh POHT suh SKIMB CHE-cool deh cah-lah-TOH-ree-eh )
What is the exchange rate?: Cât este rata de schimb? (COOHT YES-teh RAH-tah deh SKIMB?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: Unde este un bancomat? (OON-deh YES-teh OON BAHN-co-MAHT)

Eating

A table for one person/two people, please.: O mas? pentru o persoan? / pentru doua persoane, v? rog. (OH MAHSS-uh pehn-troo OH pehrss-WAH-nuh... / pehn-troo DOH-ah pehrss-WAH-neh, vuh ROHG)
Can I look at the menu, please?: Pot s? v?d meniul, v? rog? (POHT suh voohd MEH-nyool, vuh ROHG)
Can I look in the kitchen?: Pot s? m? uit în buc?t?rie? (POHT suh muh OOYT oohn BOO-kah-teh-ree-eh)
Is there a house specialty?: Ave?i o specialitate a casei? (ah-VETZ oh speh-chee-ah-lee-TAH-teh ah KAH-sey)
Is there a local specialty?: Ave?i o specialitate local?? (ah-VETZ oh speh-chee-ah-lee-TAH-teh loh-KAH-luh)
I'm a vegetarian.: Sunt vegetarian. (SOONT veh-jeh-tah-ree-AHN)
I don't eat pork.: Nu m?nânc carne de porc. (NOO muh-NUHNK CAR-neh deh POHRK)
I don't eat beef.: Nu m?nânc carne de vit?. (NOO muh-NUHNK CAR-neh deh VEE-tah)
I only eat kosher food.: M?nânc numai hran? cu?er. (muh-NUHNK NOO-MY H'RAHUN-uh KOOH-sher)
Can you make it "lite", please? (i.e. less oil/butter/lard): Pute?i s? o face?i mai pu?in gras?, v? rog? (poo-TETS suh oh FAH-chetz my poo-TZIN GRAH-suh, vuh ROHG?)
fixed-price meal: meniu fix (MEN-ee-oo FIX)
à la carte: a la carte (a la KART)
breakfast: micul dejun (MEE-kool deh-ZHOON)
lunch: dejun (deh-ZHOON)
supper: cin? (CHEE-nuh)
I want _____.: Vreau _____. (VROW)
More politely, comparable to "I would like": A? vrea (AHSH VRAA; this last vowel sound is like the "a" in the English word "cat")
I want a dish containing _____.: Vreau o mâncare care con?ine _____. (.VROW oh muhn-KAH-reh KAH-reh con-TZEEN-eh _____)
chicken: pui (POOY)
duck: ra?? (RAH-tzuh)
beef: carne de vit? (CAR-neh deh VEE-tah)
fish: pe?te (PEHST-teh)
ham: jambon or ?unc? (zhahm-BOHN, SHOON-kuh)
sausage: cârna?i (kuhr-NATZ)
cheese: brânz? (BROOHN-zah)
eggs: ou? (O-uh)
salad: salat? (sa-LAH-tah)
(fresh) vegetables: legume (proasp?te) (leh-GOO-meh (proh-ah-SPUH-teh))
tomatoes: ro?ii or tomate (ROH-shee, to-MA-teh)
mushrooms: ciuperci (choo-PEHRCH)
(fresh) fruit: fructe (proaspete) (FROOK-teh (proh-ah-SPEH-teh))
bread: pâine (pooh-EEN-eh)
toast: pâine pr?jit? (pooh-EEN-eh pruh-JEE-tuh)
noodles: t?i?ei (tuh-EE-tsay)
rice: orez (ohr-EZZ)
beans: fasole (fah-SOH-leh)
May I have a glass of _____?: (literally: I would like...): A? dori un pahar de _____. ( AHsh doh-REE oohn puh-HAR deh)
May I have a cup of _____?: (literally: I would like...)A? dori o cea?c? de _____. (AHsh doh-REE o CHEE-ah-shkuh deh)
May I have a bottle of _____?: (literally: I would like...)A? dori o sticl? de _____. (AHsh doh-REE o STIK-lah deh)
coffee: cafea (kaf-AA)
tea (drink): ceai (CHY)
juice: suc (SOOK)
(bubbly) water: ap? mineral? (AH-puh mee-neh-RAH-lah)
(still) water: ap? plat? (AH-puh PLAH-tah)
water: ap? (AH-puh )
beer: bere (BEH-reh)
red/white wine: vin ro?u/alb (VEEN ROH-shoo / AHLB)
May I have some _____?: (literally: I would like...) A? dori ni?te _____? (AHsh doh-REE nish-TEH ____?)
salt: sare (SAH-reh)
black pepper: piper (PEE-pehr)
butter: unt (OONT)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of waiter): Osp?tar! (os-puh-TAHR)
I'm finished.: Sunt gata. (SOONT gah-tah)
It was delicious.: A fost delicios. (ah fohst deh-lee-CHOHSS)
Please clear the plates.: Pute?i s? strangeti farfuriile. (POOH-tehtz suh STRUHN-getzi far-FOOH-ree-leh)
The check, please: "Nota de plat?, vă rog" (NO-tah day PLAT-tuh, vuh ROHG)

Bars

Do you serve alcohol?: Servi?i alcool? (ser-VEETZ al-KOHL)
Is there table service?: Este serviciu la mas?? (YEHS-teh seer-VEE-choo lah MAH-suh?)
A beer/two beers, please.: O bere / dou? beri, v? rog. (oh BEH-reh / DOH-uh BEHR, vuh ROHG)
A glass of red/white wine, please.: Un pahar de vin ro?u/alb, v? rog (oohn pah-HAHR deh VEEN ROH-shoo / AHLB, vuh ROHG)
A pint, please.: Romania doesn't use pints, but you'll get 0.88 pint if you order: Jum?tate de litru, v? rog. (JOO-muh-TAH-teh de LEE-troo, vuh ROHG)
A bottle, please.: O sticl?, v? rog. (oh STIK-luh, vuh ROHG)
_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: _____ ?i _____, v? rog. (vuh ROHG')
whiskey: whisky (WHEESS-kee)
vodka: vodka (VOHD-kah)
rum: rom (ROHM)
water: ap? (AH-puh)
club soda: sifon (see-FOHN)
tonic water: ap? tonic? (AH-puh TOH-nee-kuh)
orange juice: suc de portocale (SOOK deh POHR-to-KAHL-eh)
Coke (soda): Coca-cola (KOH-kah KOH-lah)
Do you have any bar snacks?: Ave?i ceva gust?ri? (ah-VEHTS CHEH-vah goo-STUHR?)
One more, please.: Înc? unu, v? rog (OOHN-kah OOHNO vuh ROHG); also "Înc? una, v? rog" (depends on the gender, this would be feminine)
Another round, please.: Înc? o serie, v? rog. (OOHN-kah oh SEH-ree-eh, vuh ROHG)
When is closing time? (literally, "When does this bar close?"): Când se închide barul ?sta? (COOHND seh uhn-KEE-deh BAH-rool AHS-ta)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?: Ave?i asta în m?sura mea? (ah-VEHTS AHS-tah oohn MUH-soo-ruh MEH-uh?)
How much is this?: Cât cost? asta? (COOHT KOHS-tah AHS-tah?)
That's too expensive.: Este prea scump. (YES-teh PRAA SCOOMP)
Would you take _____?: A?i accepta _____? (ahtz ahk-chehp-TAH _____?)
expensive: scump (SCOOMP)
cheap: ieftin (yef-TEEN)
I can't afford it.: Nu-mi permit. (NOO MEE pehr-MEET)
I don't want it.: Nu vreau aceasta. (noo VREH-ow ah-CHA-stuh)
You're cheating me.: M? în?ela?i. (muh uhn-sheh-LUH-tze)
I'm not interested.: Nu sunt interesat. (noo soont een-teh-reh-SAHT)
OK, I'll take it.: Bine, îl iau. (bee-neh, uhl YA-oo.); also "Bine, o iau" (depends on the gender, this would be feminine)
Can I have a bag?: Îmi pute?i da o pung? ? (UH-me poo-TEH-tzee duh oh POON-guh ?)
Do you ship (overseas)?: Trimite?i (în str?in?tate)? (tree-ME-teh-tzee(oohn strah-ee-nuh-TAH-teh)?)
I need...: Am nevoie de ... (AHM neh-VOY-eh deh...)
...toothpaste.: ...past? de din?i. (PAH-stuh deh DEENTS)
...a toothbrush.: ...periu?? de din?i . (peh-ree-OO-tsuh deh DEENTS)
...tampons.: ...tampoane. (tum-POAH-neh)
...soap.: ...s?pun. (suh-POON)
...shampoo.: ...?ampon. (shahm-POHN)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): anti-inflamator (ahnt-eehn-FLAH-mah-tohr)
...cold medicine.: ...medicamente de r?ceal?. (meh-dee-cah-MEN-teh deh ruh-CHA-luh)
...stomach medicine.: ...medicamente de stomac. (meh-dee-cah-MEN-teh deh stoe-MACK)
...a razor.: o lam? de ras. (oh lah-MUH deh RAHS)
...an umbrella.: ...o umbrel?. (oh oom-BREH-luh)
...sunblock lotion.: ...bronzator. (brohn-zah-TOHR)
...a postcard.: ...o carte po?tal? (oh Car-TEH poe-SHTA-luh)
...postage stamps.: ...timbre (TEAM-breh)
...batteries.: ...baterii (baah-TEH-ree)
...writing paper.: ...hârtie de scris. (hoohr-TEE-eh deh SCREESS)
...a pen.: un stilou / un pix (OOHN stee-LOW / OOHN PEEKS)
...English-language books.: ...c?r?i în limba englez?. (KAHR-tzee oohn LEEM-bah een-GLEHZ-ah)
...English-language magazines.: ...reviste în limba englez?. (reh-VEES-teh oohn LEEM-bah een-GLEHZ-ah)
...an English-language newspaper.: ...un ziar în limba englez?. (uhn zee-AHR oohn LEEM-bah een-GLEHZ-ah)
...a Romanian-English dictionary.: ...un dic?ionar român-englez. (OOHN deek-tsee-oh-NAHR ro-MOOHN ehn-GLEHZ)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: A? dori s? închiriez o ma?in?. (AH-sh doh-REE sah uhn-KEE-ree-ehz oh mah-SHE-nah...)
Can I get insurance?: Pot ob?ine asigurare? (pot ohb-tseen-eh ah-see-goo-RAH-reh?)
stop (on a street sign): STOP
one way: sens unic (SEHNS oo-NEEK)
yield: cedeaz? trecerea (cheh-DAA-zah treh-CHER-aa)
no parking: Nu parca?i (noo pahr-KATS)
speed limit: viteza maxim? (vee-TEH-zah MAH-ksee-mah)
gas (petrol) station: sta?ie de benzin? (STAHTS-see-eh deh ben-ZEE-nuh)
petrol: benzin? (ben-ZEE-nuh)
diesel: motorin? (moh-toh-REE-nah)
detour: ocolire (oh-koh-LEE-reh)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: N-am facut nimic r?u. (NAHM fah-COOT nee-MEEC RUH-oh)
It was a misunderstanding.: A fost o neîn?elegere. (AH fohst oh neh-uhn-tzeh-leh-geh-reh)
Where are you taking me?: Unde m? duce?i? (OON-deh muh DOOH-chets)
Am I under arrest?: Sunt arestat? (SOONT ah-rest-AHT ?)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: Sunt cet??ean american/canadian/australian/britanic. (SOONT cheh-tuh-tseh-AHN ah-meh-ree-KAHN/kah-nah-dee-AHN/ah-oo-strah-lee-AHN/bree-TAH-nik)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian consulate.: Vreau s? vorbesc cu consulatul american/canadian/australian/britanic. (VROW suh vohr-BESK koo COHN-soo-LAH-tool ah-meh-ree-KAHN/kah-nah-dee-AHN/ah-oo-strah-lee-AHN/bree-TAH-nik)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy.: Vreau s? vorbesc cu ambasada american?/canadian?/australian?/britanic?. (VROW suh vohr-BESK koo AHM-bah-SAH-dah ah-meh-ree-KAHN-uh/kah-nah-dee-AHN-uh/ah-oo-strah-lee-AHN-uh/bree-TAH-nik-uh)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: Vreau s? vorbesc cu un avocat. (VROW suh vohr-BESK koo oohn ah-voh-CAHT)
Can I just pay a fine now?: A? putea doar s? pl?tesc o amend? acum ? (AH-sh poo-TEAH DOO-arr sah plah-TEH-sk oh ah-MEN-duh ah-COOM ?)

Learning more

External links

Online Romanian-English (http://www.dictionare.com/dictionaries/dictionary.htm)
Romanian-English-Hungarian dictionary (http://www.transylvania.info/Dictionary/dictionary.php?lang=1)

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