Romanian (Română)

travel phpto to inspire Romanian language study
Black Sea beach in Mamaia. Photo by Alexandru Panoiu, CC BY 2.0

ALPHABET MATCHING GAME VOCABULARY FLASHCARDS

Romanian, a Romance language, is fascinating and unique due to its distinct blend of Latin roots and significant influences from neighboring Slavic, Turkish, Hungarian, and Greek languages. As the only Romance language spoken in Eastern Europe, Romanian has retained its Latin essence while absorbing vocabulary and grammatical structures from surrounding languages over centuries. This blend gives Romanian a rich and diverse linguistic character that sets it apart from other Romance languages like Spanish, Italian, or French. The language's phonetic structure and melodic rhythm make it both pleasing to the ear and relatively accessible to those familiar with other Romance languages.

Romanian is not only the official language of Romania but is also spoken by significant communities in Moldova, where it is called Moldovan, as well as by Romanian-speaking minorities in Serbia, Ukraine, and Hungary. Additionally, there is a large Romanian diaspora, particularly in Italy, Spain, and the United States, where the language continues to be spoken within communities. These special groups help keep the language vibrant and dynamic, as Romanian culture and language are shared and adapted across various regions and among different generations. Learning Romanian provides a window into a unique cultural and historical perspective within Europe, connecting learners to the rich traditions, folklore, and literary heritage of Romania and its people.

Why Learn Romanian?

Learning Romanian offers several benefits across cultural, professional, and personal domains. Here are some key advantages:

  • Cultural Understanding
    • Cultural Enrichment: Romanian provides access to the rich cultural heritage of Romania and Moldova, including literature, music, folklore, and traditions. Understanding the language allows for a deeper appreciation of Romanian history, arts, and customs.
    • Connection with Locals: Speaking Romanian enables you to connect more intimately with native speakers, fostering stronger relationships and a sense of community, especially when traveling or living in Romania or Moldova.
  • Professional Opportunities
    • Career Advancement: Proficiency in Romanian can enhance career prospects in various fields such as international business, diplomacy, translation, and tourism, particularly in roles involving Eastern Europe or the Romanian diaspora.
    • Business and Trade: Romania is a growing market within the European Union. Knowing Romanian can facilitate business dealings, enhance customer relations, and provide a competitive edge in sectors like technology, agriculture, and manufacturing.
  • Personal Growth
    • Cognitive Benefits: Learning a new language improves cognitive functions, enhances memory, and boosts problem-solving skills. Romanian, with its blend of Latin roots and Slavic influences, offers a stimulating mental challenge.
    • Language Diversity: Adding Romanian to your linguistic repertoire broadens your understanding of the Romance language family and the diversity of languages in Europe.
  • Travel and Living Abroad
    • Travel: Learning Romanian makes traveling in Romania and Moldova more enjoyable and immersive, allowing for meaningful interactions with locals and a deeper appreciation of the region's culture and landscapes.
    • Living in Romanian-Speaking Communities: For expatriates or those planning to live in Romania or Moldova, speaking Romanian facilitates daily life, integration, and participation in local community activities.
  • Educational and Academic Opportunities
    • Academic Opportunities: Understanding Romanian can open doors to academic opportunities, scholarships, and research collaborations, particularly in fields related to Eastern European studies, linguistics, history, and anthropology.
  • Networking and Social Opportunities
    • Diaspora Connections: Romanian is spoken by large diaspora communities, particularly in Western Europe and North America. Knowing the language can help you connect with these communities and build social and professional networks.

Overall, learning Romanian enriches personal and professional life, offering a deeper connection to the cultural and historical context of Romania and Moldova while providing practical advantages in various areas of engagement with the region.

Communication skills developed while learning Romanian can improve your interpersonal skills in your native language as well. Your marketable skills in the global economy are improved when you master Romanian. Acquiring a second language can improve your skills and grades in math and English. Learning about another culture enables you to gain a more profound understanding of your own culture.

How Long Does it Take to Learn Romanian?

The time it takes to learn Romanian can vary depending on several factors, such as prior language experience, study intensity, and learning methods. Here are some general guidelines:

  • Factors Influencing Learning Time
    • Prior Language Experience: If you have experience with other Romance languages like Spanish, Italian, or French, you may find it easier to learn Romanian due to similarities in grammar, vocabulary, and structure.
    • Learning Intensity: Intensive study, including immersion in a Romanian-speaking environment, can significantly accelerate the learning process.
    • Learning Methods: A combination of formal classes, self-study, language exchange, and regular practice with native speakers is the most effective approach.
    • Language Aptitude: Individual aptitude for learning languages can greatly influence the duration of the learning process.
  • General Time Estimates
    • Basic Proficiency: Achieving basic conversational skills in Romanian typically takes around 6-12 months with consistent study (approximately 5-10 hours per week). This includes learning basic grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
    • Intermediate Proficiency: Reaching an intermediate level, where you can hold more complex conversations, understand a broader range of topics, and read and write more confidently, might take 1-2 years of dedicated study.
    • Advanced Proficiency: Attaining advanced proficiency, which includes the ability to read and write complex texts, understand nuanced speech, and engage in professional or academic discussions, could take 2-3 years or more, depending on the intensity and consistency of study.
  • Immersion and Practice
    • Living in Romania or Moldova: Immersion in a Romanian-speaking environment, such as living in Romania or Moldova, can significantly accelerate the learning process, particularly for listening and speaking skills.
    • Language Exchange: Regular practice with native speakers through language exchange programs or conversation partners enhances language acquisition and retention.

Learning Romanian is a rewarding experience that requires consistent effort. While basic proficiency can be achieved within several months, reaching higher levels of fluency may take a few years of sustained study and practice. Immersion, regular practice with native speakers, and a commitment to learning are key to achieving proficiency in Romanian.

Romanian Alphabet & Pronunciation

The Romanian writing system uses the Latin alphabet, consisting of 31 letters, including five special characters: ă, â, î, ș, and ț. The alphabet is phonetic, meaning words are generally spelled as they are pronounced. Romanian uses standard punctuation and capitalization rules similar to other Romance languages, making it accessible to those familiar with the Latin script.

A a
(a)
Ă, ă
(ă)
Â, â
(î)
B b
(be/bî)
C c
(ce/cî)
D d
(de/dî)
E e
(e)
F f
(ef/fe/fî)
G g
(ge/gî)
H h
(ha/hî)
I i
(i)
Î î
(î)
J j
(je/jî)
K k
(ca)
L l
(el/le/lî)
M m
(em/me/mî)
N n
(en/ne/nî)
O o
(o)
P p
(pe/pî)
Q q
(ku/chiu)
R r
(er/re/rî)
S s
(es/se/sî)
Ș ș
(șe/șî)
T t
(te/tî)
Ț ț
(țe/țî)
U u
(u)
V v
(ve/vî)
W w
(duble ve/vî)
X x
(ics)
Y y
(igrec)
Z z
(ze/zet/zî)

Basic Phrases in Romanian

HelloBuna
GoodbyeLa revedere
YesDa
NoNu
Excuse meScuzati-ma
PleaseVă rog
Thank youMulțumesc
You are welcomeCu plăcere
Do you speak englishVorbesti engleza?
Do you understandIntelegi?
I understandÎnțeleg
I do not understandNu inteleg
How are youCe mai faci?
Fine thanksBine mulțumesc!
What is your nameCum te numești?
My name isNumele meu este
Pleased to meet youÎncântat de cunoștință

Romanian Grammar

Romanian Nouns

ManOm
WomanFemeie
BoyBăiat
GirlO fata
CatPisică
DogCâine
FishPeşte
WaterApă
MilkLapte
EggOu
HouseCasă
FlowerFloare
TreeCopac
ShirtCămaşă
PantsPantaloni

Romanian Adjectives

Colors in Romanian

BlackNegru
WhiteAlb
RedRoșu
OrangePortocale
YellowGalben
GreenVerde
BlueAlbastru
PurpleViolet
PinkRoz
GrayGri
BrownMaro

Numbers in Romanian

ZeroZero
OneUnul
TwoDoi
ThreeTrei
FourPatru
FiveCinci
Sixșase
Sevenșapte
EightOpt
NineNouă
TenZece
ElevenUnsprezece
TwelveDoisprezece
TwentyDouăzeci
ThirtyTreizeci
FortyPatruzeci
FiftyCincizeci
Sixtyşaizeci
Seventyșaptezeci
EightyOptzeci
NinetyNouăzeci
HundredSută
ThousandMie

Romanian Verbs

To beA fi
To haveA avea
To wantA vrea
To needA avea nevoie
To helpA ajuta
To goA merge
To comeA veni
To eatA mânca
To drinkA bea
To speakA vorbi

Building Simple Sentences

More Complex Romanian Sentences

Andși
OrSau
ButDar
BecauseDeoarece
WithCu
AlsoDe asemenea
HoweverIn orice caz
NeitherNici
NorNici
IfDacă
ThenAtunci

Useful Romanian Vocabulary

Romanian Questions

WhoCare
WhatCe
WhenCand
WhereUnde
WhyDe ce
HowCum
How manyCat de mult
How muchCât costă

Days of the Week in Romanian

MondayLuni
TuesdayMarţi
WednesdayMiercuri
ThursdayJoi
FridayVineri
SaturdaySâmbătă
SundayDuminică
YesterdayIeri
TodayAstăzi
TomorrowMâine

Months in Romanian

JanuaryIanuarie
FebruaryFebruarie
MarchMartie
AprilAprilie
MayMai
JuneIunie
JulyIulie
AugustAugust
SeptemberSeptembrie
OctoberOctombrie
NovemberNoiembrie
DecemberDecembrie

Seasons in Romanian

WinterIarnă
SpringPrimăvară
SummerVară
AutumnToamnă

Telling Time in Romanian

What time is itCât este ceasul?
HoursDe ore
MinutesMinute
SecondsSecunde
O clockOra
HalfJumătate
Quarter pastSfert
BeforeInainte de
AfterDupă