Romanian is a fairly difficult language to learn and speak for English speakers, due to its complicated grammar. It is, however, very similar to Italian, and, to a similiar 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, singular) or '''voi''' (you, plural) 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.
In the past, Romania had a sizable German minority population, although nowadays the number of native German speakers is dwindling. However, the German language is still widely studied in Romania as a foreign language, and, due to the residual German cultural influence, it is used as a second (or third) official language in many parts of Transylvania.
Romanian tends to be easy for speakers of Italian, Spanish, Portuguese and Catalan to learn, since all these languages share a common root and influences and are all written as they are pronouned. Romanian is sometimes challenging because of the influx of loanwords, mostly Slavic words as well as a few Hungarian, German and Turkish ones, even though most of these have fallen out of use for a very long time. Neologisms have been imported en masse from French, Italian, German, and recently English. The slang has either French, German or Gypsy origin. The language uses the Latin alphabet, and the Latinate roots can help tourists to understand some signs, such as Alimentara (a place where you can buy aliments, food) Farmacie (Pharmacy, Drugstore), and Poli?ie (Police). Some signs, however, are false cognates or 'false friends' (at least to those from the US) - for example Libr?rie means a bookstore rather than a lending library (as it does in French); Teatru means a stage theatre rather than a cinema (as it does in UK English); and so on, although if you have a decent conversation guide you can avoid such funny confusions. Coincidentally, these "false friends" also apply in all its sister languages.
Hungarian is used in Eastern Transylvania and in some cities like Miercurea-Ciuc, Targu-Mures, Oradea, Cluj-Napoca, Satu-Mare; if you know it, then you are at an advantage. Hungarian is widely used as a second language in counties such as Covasna and Harghita.
The Romanian language is generally seen as a language with somewhat complicated grammar, but far simpler for speakers of Germanic languages than any of its Slavic neighbours or even Hungarian. It is an easy language to pronounce, being a very phonetic language (easy, that is, for people who speak a native phonetic language like Italian; English people may be less comfortable with this phonetic system as English depends on learning the correct spelling for each word. This is not needed in Romanian since the spelling and the pronunciation are the same). Romanian is abundant in vowels, and it can have series of diphthongs and even triphthongs, that gives the language a melodious sound and makes it very musical.
A foreigner trying to learn or speak Romanian can expect mostly positive reactions from native speakers. Most Romanian people will certainly love you for it and will strongly appreciate the fact that you are making an effort to speak their language. Others, however, may sneer at you for not properly being able to speak what they see as a very easy phonetic language. The Romanian alphabet is nearly exactly the same as the English alphabet, except for five additional accented letters, or 'diacriticals': ? (like the 'a' in English word 'musical'), ? (pronounced as 'sh'), ? (pronounced 'ts'), a, i (have the same reading, like a short ?).
English has effectively become a requirement for getting a somewhat better job, and it is usually the second most popular non-Romance language spoken (on par with German). Consequently, it is usually good to ask before starting to speak English, but more often than not it will be safe to go ahead. Other Romance languages (especially Spanish and Italian) are also learnt by most people in schools and are therefore spoken with a pretty good level of fluency by many people, but make sure you ask before you start speaking to people in foreign tongues. In general, Romanians prefer speaking other Romance languages than the others. Globalization and the fact that Romania joined the Latin Union (Uniunea Latin?), a linguistic association created in 1954, has made these closely-related languages more attractive.
Some people feel that Romanian is an extremely easy language to learn if you already speak a Latin-based language such as Spanish, French, Portuguese, Catalan or Italian. This is especially so in contrast to Romania's Slavic and Hungarian neighbors.
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 almost identical to Italian and other Romance languages (with very few, if any, 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, every time, unlike in English or even French).
Like English, Romanian has secondary stresses in words. We have not attempted to represent those here. Stress usually falls on the second-last syllable if it ends in a vowel, and last if it ends in a consonant. If you know another Romance language, you shouldn't worry as the stress partterns are usually the same in similar-sounding words.
Questions in Romanian that end with a verb often use a rising tone on the last syllable or two.
; a : like 'a' in "father"<br>[http://www.wikitravel.org/upload/1/16/Ro-pronunciation-a.wav Hear the sound for a] ; e : like 'e' in "ten". When the word begins with an 'e' and it is a form of "a fi" (to be) or a pronoun it is like 'ye' in "yell"<br>[http://www.wikitravel.org/upload/d/df/Ro-pronunciation-e.wav Hear the sound for e] ; i : like 'ee' in "beep" 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").<br>[http://www.wikitravel.org/upload/2/2e/Ro-pronunciation-i.wav Hear the sound for i] ; o : like 'o' in "chlorine", rounded, fairly short sound<br>[http://www.wikitravel.org/upload/c/c3/Ro-pronunciation-o.wav Hear the sound for o] ; u : like 'oo' in "broom", but much shorter<br>[http://www.wikitravel.org/upload/6/6c/Ro-pronunciation-u.wav Hear the sound for u] ; 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'.<br>[http://www.wikitravel.org/upload/5/5e/Ro-pronunciation-a2.wav Hear the sound for ă] ; a, i : no precise English equivalent - it's best to hear it being spoken. '''a''' and '''i''' are the same sound in Romanian. '''i''' is used at the beginning and at the end of words, '''a''' 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'. <br>[http://www.wikitravel.org/upload/d/dc/Ro-pronunciation-i2.wav Hear the sound for a, i]
; 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"<br>[http://www.wikitravel.org/upload/3/3d/Ro-pronunciation-j.wav Hear the sound for j] ; 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 letter is rarely used in Romanian) ; r : like 'r' in "row", but slightly harsher (similar to the Italian ''r'')<br>[http://www.wikitravel.org/upload/9/92/Ro-pronunciation-resita.wav Hear the word 'Reşiţa' in Romanian, note the 'r' sound] ; s : like 's' in "snake" ; ş : like 'sh' in "lush" ; ţ : like 'zz' in "pizza" ; t : like 't' in "knit" ; v : like 'v' in "very" ; w : like 'v' in "very" ; x : like 'cks' in "picks", sometimes 'gs' in "pigs" ; y : like 'i' in "dip" ; z : like 'z' in "fizz"
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".
; Leave me alone. : "Las?-m? in pace" (''LAH-suh muh oohn PAH-cheh'') ; I'll call the police. : "Chem poli?ia." (''kem poh-LEE-tzee-ah'') ; Police! : "Poli?ia!" (''po-LEE-tzee-ah!'') ; Stop! Thief! : "Stai! Opri?i ho?ul!" (''STAAY! HOHTZ!'') ; I need your help (formal "your"). : "Am nevoie de ajutorul dumneavoastra" (''AHM neh-VOY-eh deh ah-ZHOO-tohr-ool doom-nyah-VWAH-strah'') ; I need your help (informal "your"). : "Am nevoie de ajutorul t?u" (''AHM neh-VOY-eh deh ah-ZHOO-tor-ool tuh-oo'') ; It's an emergency. : "E o urgen??" (''YEH oh oor-JEHN-tzuh'') ; I'm lost. : "M-am r?t?cit" (''mahm ruh-tuh-CHEET'') ; I lost my bag. : "Mi-am pierdut valiza" (''mee-AHM pee-ehr-DOOT vah-LEE-zah'') ; I lost my wallet. : "Mi-am pierdut portmoneul/portofelul." (''mee-AHM pee-ehr-DOOT POHRT-mohn-eh-ool/POHRT-o-FEH-Loo'') ; I'm sick. : "Sunt bolnav." (''SOONT bohl-NAHV'') ; I'm injured. : "M-am accidentat." (''Mahm ahk-chee-dehn-TAHT'') ; I need a doctor. : "Am nevoie de un doctor" (''AHM neh-VOY-eh deh dohk-TOHR'') ; Can I use your phone? (formal "your"): "Pot s? utilizez telefonul dumneavoastra?" (''poht suh ohh-tee-LEE-zehz teh-leh-FOHN-ool doom-nyah-VWAH-strah'')/ '''Alternative''': "Pot utiliza telefonul dumnevoastr?" ; Can I use your phone? (informal "your"): "Pot s? utilizez telefonul t?u?" (''poht suh ohh-tee-LEE-zehz teh-leh-FOHN-ool TUH-oo'') '''Alternative''': "Pot utiliza telefonul t?u" (in both formal and informal phrases are correct and do not create misunderstandings, albeit the first one is more common. The same applies to the formal one)
; 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 (''ohpt'') ; 9 : nouă (''NOH-uh'') ; 10 : zece (''ZEH-cheh'') ; 11 : unsprezece (''OON-spreh-zeh-cheh'', usually shortened to just unşpe, ''OON-shpeh'' even in formal speech; 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 : şaptesprezece (''SHAHP-teh-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'') ; 105 : o sută cinci (OH SOO-teh CHEENCH) ; 200 : două sute (''DOH-uh SOO-teh'') ; 300 : trei sute (''TRAY SOO-teh'') ; 400 : patru sute (''PAH-troo SOO-teh'') ; 500 : cinci sute (''CHEENCH SOO-teh'') ; 600 : ?ase sute (''SHAHP-seh SOO-teh'') ; 700 : ?apte sute (''SHAHP-teh SOO-teh'') ; 800 : opt sute (''OHP SOO-teh'') ; 900 : nouă sute (''NOH-uh SOO-teh'') ; 1000 : o mie (''oh MEE-eh'') ; 2000 : două mii (''DOH-uh MEE'') ; 1,000,000 : un milion (''OON mee-LEE-ohn'') ; number _____ (''train, bus, etc.'') : numărul _____ (''nu-MUH-rool'') ; half : jumătate (''joo-muh-TAH-teh'', often shortened to ''joo-MAH-teh'') ; less : mai puţin (''MY poo-TZEEN'') ; more : mai mult (''my moolt'')
; now : acum (''ah-COOM'') ; later : mai tarziu (''muy teer-ZEE-oo'') ; before : inainte de (''oohn-I-een-teh deh'') ; morning : diminea?? (''dee-mee-NYAH-tzuh'') ; afternoon : dup? amiaz? (''DOO-puh ah-MYA-zuh'') ; evening : sear? (''SYAH-ruh'') ; night : noapte (''NWAHP-teh'')
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 DOH-wuh'') ; noon : pranz (''proohnz'') ; one o'clock PM : treisprezece/trei?pe ore (''TRAY-spreh-zeh-cheh OHR-eh; TRAY-shpeh'') ; two o'clock PM : patrusprezece/patru?pe ore (''...) ; midnight : miezul nop?ii (''mee-EHZ-ool NOHP-tzee'')
Normally, to say "at" a time, one precedes the same form given above with "la", thus:
; at noon : la pranz (''lah PROOHNZ'') ; one o'clock PM : la treisprezece/trei?pe ore (....) - still, you'll find used more often "la unu dup? amiaz?" (''lah OO-noo DOO-puh ah-mee-AH-zuh'') ; at midnight : la miezul nop?ii (''lah mee-EZ-ool NOHP-tzee'')
; one minute : un minut (''oon meen-OOT'') ; _____ minutes : _____ minute (''_____ meen-OOT-eh'')
; one hour : o or? (''OH OHR-uh'') ; _____ hours : _____ ore (''OHR-eh'')
; one day : o zi (''OH ZEE'') ; _____ days : _____ zile (''_____ ZEE-leh'')
; one week : o s?pt?man? (''OH suhp-tuh-MOOHN-uh'') ; _____ weeks : _____ s?pt?mani (''_____ suhp-tuh-MOOHN'')
; one month : o lun? (''OH LOO-nuh'') ; _____ months : _____ luni (''LOON''; the last syllable almost vanishes)
; one year : un an (''oon AHN'') ; _____ years : _____ ani (''AHN''; 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?man?...'' instead of ''o or?, o ziu?, o s?pt?man?'', 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).
; today : astăzi(''ah-STUHZ'') ; yesterday : ieri (''yehr'') ; tomorrow : maine (''MUY-neh'') ; this week : săptămana asta (''suhp-tuh-MOOHN-ah AH-stah'') ; last week : săptămana trecută (''suhp-tueh-MOOHN-ah treh-COOT-uh'') ; next week : săptămana viitoare (''suhp-tuh-MOOHN-ah vee-TWAH-reh'')
; Sunday : duminică (''doo-MEEN-ee-kuh'') ; Monday : luni (''loohn'') ; Tuesday : marţi (''mahrtz'') ; Wednesday : miercuri (''mee-EHR-coor'') ; Thursday : joi (''zhoy'') ; Friday : vineri (''vee-NEHR'') ; Saturday : samb?t? (''SUHM-bah-tah'')
; January : ianuarie (''ya-NWAH-ree-eh'') ; February : februarie (''FEB-RWAH-ree-eh'') ; March : martie (''MAR-tee-eh'') ; April : aprilie (''ah-PREEL-ee-eh'') ; May : mai (''my'') ; June : iunie (''YOO-nee-eh'') ; July : iulie (''YOO-lee-eh'') ; August : august (''ow-GOOST'') ; September : septembrie (''sehp-TEHM-bree-eh'') ; October : octombrie (''ohk-TOHM-bree-eh'') ; November : noiembrie (''noy-EHM-bree-eh''); alt. novembrie (no-VEHM-bryeh) ; December : decembrie (''deh-CHEHM-bree-eh'')
''Note:'' The first day of the month is called ''intai'' (''oon-tooee'') not ''one'' nor ''first''. For example ''the first of August'' is ''intai August'' (lit. "the beginning of August").
NOTE: ''ah'' in English represents the sound 'a' as in "father"
; black : negru (''NEH-groo'') ; white : alb (''ahlb'') ; gray : gri (''gree'') ; red : roşu (''ROH-shoo'') ; blue : albastru (''ahl-BAH-stroo'') ; yellow : galben (''GAHL-behn'') ; green : verde (''VEHR-deh'') ; orange : portocaliu (''pohr-toh-KAH-lee-oo''); oranj (oh-RANZH) ; purple : mov (''mohv'') or purpurie (poor-POOH-ryeh) ; brown : maro (''mah-ROH''); also brun (broohn) or cafeniu (kah-feh-NEE-ooh)
; How much is a ticket to _____? : Cat costa un bilet pan? la _____? (''COOHT KOHS-tah OOHN bee-LEHT POOHN-uh LAH _____?'') ; One ticket to _____, please. : Un bilet pan? la _____, vă rog. (''OON bee-LEHT POOHN-uh LAH _____, vuh ROHG'') ; Where does this train/bus go? : Unde merge trenul/autobuzul ?sta? (''OON-deh MEHR-jeh TREHN-ool/OW-toh-BOOZ-ool UH-stah?'') ; Where is the train/bus to _____? : Unde este trenul/autobuzul pentru _____? (''OON-deh 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 UH-stah OH-presh-teh lah _____?'') ; When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : Cand pleac? trenul/autobuzul spre _____ ? (''COOHND PLYAH-kuh TREHN-ool/OW-toh-BOOZ-ool SPREH _____'') ; When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : Cand ajunge trenul/autobuzul ?sta la _____? (''COOHND ah-ZHOON-jeh TREHN-ool/OW-toh-BOOZ-ool UH-stah lah _____?'')
; How do I get to _____ ? : Cum ajung la _____ ? (''COOM ah-ZHOONG lah _____ ?'') ; ...the train station? : ... gar?? (''GAH-ruh'') ; ...the bus station? : ...staţia de autobuz? (''STAH-tzee-ah deh OW-toe-booz'') ; ...the airport? : ...aeroport? (''AH-yeh-roh-pohrt'') ; ...downtown? : centrul ora?ului...? (''CHEHN-trool oh-RAHSH-oo-loo-wee'') ; ...the youth hostel? : caminul de tineret? (''kah-mee-nool deh TEE-nehr-eht'') ; ...the _____ hotel? : ...hotelul _____ ? (''hoh-TEHL-ool _____'') ; ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...consulatul american/canadian/australian/britanic? (''COHN-soo-LAH-tool ah-meh-ree-KAHN/kah-nah-dee-AHN/OW-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-stow-RAHN-teh'') ; ...bars? : ...baruri? (''BAHR-oor'') ; ...sites to see? : locuri turistice? (''loh-koor too-REE-stee-cheh'') ; Can you show me on the map? (formal/polite) : Puteţi s?-mi ar?ta?i/ar?tare-me pe hart?? (''poo-TEHTZ suhm ah-RUH-tahtz/ah-ruh-TAH-rah me peh HAHR-tuh?'') ; street : strad? (''STRAH-duh'') ; Turn left. (formal/polite) : Îlua?i-o la stânga. (''loo-ah-tzee-oh lah stoohn-gah''); ; Turn right. : (formal/polite) : Îlua?i-o la dreapta. (''loo-ah-tzee-oh lah DRYAP-tah'') ; left : stânga (''STOOHN-gah'') ; right : dreapta (''DRYAP-tah'') ; straight ahead : drept înainte (''DREHPT oohn-ay-EEN-teh'') ; towards the _____ : spre _____ (''spreh _____'') ; past the _____ : dup? _____ (''doo-puh'') ; before the _____ : inainte de_____ (''oohn-ay-EEN-teh deh'') ; Watch for the _____. : (formal/polite) A?tepta?i _____. (''ahsh-tehp-TAHTZ _____.'') informally, "A?teapt? _____." (''ahsh-TYAHP-tuh'') ; intersection : intersec?ie (''EEN-tehr-sehk-tzee-eh'') ; north : nord (''NOHRD'') ; south : sud (''SOOD'') ; east : est (''EHST'') ; west : vest (''VEHST'') ; uphill : sus (''SOOS'') ; downhill : jos (''ZHOHS'')
; Taxi! : Taxi! (''TAH-ksee'') ; Take me to _____, please. : Conduce?i-m? la _____, v? rog. (''CON-doo-cheh-tzee-muh lah _____, vuh ROHG'') ; How much does it cost to get to _____? : Cât costa pentru a ajunge la _____? (''COOHT COH-stah PEHN-troo ah ah-ZHOON-jeh lah _____?'') ; Take me there, please. : Conduce?i-m? acolo, v? rog.. (''CON-doo-cheh-tzee-muh ah-KOH-loh, vuh ROHG'')
; Do you have any rooms available? : Ave?i camere libere? (''ah-VEHTZ KAH-meh-reh LEE-beh-reh'') ; How much is a room for one person/two people? : Cat costa o camer? pentru o persoan? / pentru doua persoane? (''COOHT KOH-stah oh KAH-meh-ruh pehn-troo OH pehr-SWAH-nuh... / pehn-troo DOH-wuh pehr-SWAH-neh'') ; Does the room come with... : Exista in camere... (''ex-EES-tuh oon come-ereh...'') ; ...bedsheets? : ...a?ternuturi? (''ahsh-tehr-NOO-toor'') ; ...another blanket? : ...înc? o patur? (''OOHN-cuh oh PAH-too-ruh'') ; ...a bathroom? : ...baie? (''BAY-yeh'') ; ...a telephone? : ...telefon? (''teh-leh-FOHN'') ; ...a TV? : ...televizor? (''teh-leh-vee-ZOHR'') ; May I see the room first? : Pot s? v?d camera intai? (''poht suh VUHD CAH-meh-rah oohn-TOOH-ee'') ; Do you have anything quieter? : Ave?i ceva mai lini?tit? (''ah-VEHTZ CHEH-vah MAY LEE-nee-SHTEET'') ; ...bigger? : ...mai mare? (''MAY MAH-reh'') ; ...cleaner? : ...mai curat? (''MAY koo-RAHT'') ; ...cheaper? : ...mai ieftin? (''MAY yef-TEEN'') ; OK, I'll take the room. : Bine. Vreau camera. (''BEEN-eh. VRYOW KAH-meh-rah'') ; I will stay for one night. : Eu r?man pentru o noapte. (''Yeh-oo ruh-MOOHN PEHN-troo oh NWAHP-teh'') ; I will stay for _____ nights. : Eu r?man ______ nop?i. (''YEH-oo ruh-MOOHN _____ NOHPTZ'' ; Can you suggest another hotel? : Pute?i recomanda alt hotel? (''poo-TEHTZ reh-coh-MAHN-dah AHLT hoh-TEHL'') ; Do you have a safe? : Ave?i seif? (''ah-VETZ SEYF'') ; ...lockers? : ...cuiere? (''KOO-yeh-reh'') ; Is breakfast/supper included? : Pre?ul include micul dejun / cin?? (''PREH-tzool een-KLOO-deh MEE-kool deh-ZHOON / CHEE-nuh'') ; What time is breakfast/supper? : La ce or? este micul dejun / cina? (''lah CHEH OH-ruh ye-steh MEE-kool deh-ZHOON / CHEE-nah''') ; Please clean my room. : Cur??a?i camera mea, v? rog. (''koo-ruh-TZAHTZ CAH-meh-rah MYAH, vuh ROHG'') ; Can you wake me at _____? : Pute?i s? m? trezi?i la _____? (''poo-TEHTZ suh muh treh-ZEETZ lah _____?'') ; I want to check out. : A? vrea s? achit nota ?i s? plec de la hotel. (''ahsh VRYAH suh ah-KEET NOH-tuh shee suh PLEHK deh lah ho-TEHL''; the vowel sound in _gvrea_h is like the _ga_h in the English _gcat_h.)
; 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 credit cards? : Accepta?i c?r?i de credit? (''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? : Cat 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'')
; 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 in 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?nanc carne de porc. (''NOO muh-NUHNK CAR-neh deh POHRK'') ; I don't eat beef. : Nu m?nanc carne de vit?. (''NOO muh-NUHNK CAR-neh deh VEE-tah'') ; I only eat kosher food. : M?nanc 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'') ; a 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 mancare 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 (''PESHT-teh'') ; ham : jambon ''or'' ?unc? (''zhahm-BOHN, SHOON-kuh'') ; sausage : carna?i (''kuhr-NATZ'') ; cheese : branz? (''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 : paine (''pooh-EEN-eh'') ; toast : paine 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'') ; Eat well : Poft? bun? ("PAUF-tuh BOO-nuh") ; 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'')
; 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'') : cola (''KOH-lah'') ; Do you have any bar snacks? : Ave?i ceva gust?ri? (''ah-VEHTS CHEH-vah goo-STUHR?'') ; One more, please. : Inc? unu, v? rog (''OOHN-kah OOHN-oo vuh ROHG''); also "Inc? una, v? rog" (depends on the gender, this would be feminine) (''OOHN-kah OOHN-ah vuh ROHG'') ; Another round, please. : Inc? o serie, v? rog. (''OOHN-kah oh SEH-ree-eh, vuh ROHG'') ; When is closing time? (literally, "When does this bar close?"): Cand se inchide barul ?sta? (''COOHND seh uhn-KEE-deh BAH-rool AHS-ta'')
; Do you have this in my size? : Ave?i asta in m?sura mea? (''ah-VEHTS AHS-tah oohn MUH-soo-ruh MEH-uh?'') ; How much is this? : Cat 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? in?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, il iau. (''bee-neh, uhl YA-oo.''); also "Bine, o iau" (depends on the gender, this would be feminine) ; Can I have a bag? : Imi pute?i da o pung? ? (''UH-me poo-TEH-tzee duh oh POON-guh ?'') ; Do you ship (overseas)? : Trimite?i (in 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. : ...hartie de scris. (''hoohr-TEE-eh deh SCREESS'') ; ...a pen. : un stilou / un pix (''OOHN stee-LOW / OOHN PEEKS'') ; ...English-language books. : ...c?r?i in limba englez?. (''KAHR-tzee oohn LEEM-bah een-GLEHZ-ah'') ; ...English-language magazines. : ...reviste in limba englez?. (''reh-VEES-teh oohn LEEM-bah een-GLEHZ-ah'') ; ...an English-language newspaper. : ...un ziar in limba englez?. (''uhn zee-AHR oohn LEEM-bah een-GLEHZ-ah'') ; ...a Romanian-English dictionary. : ...un dic?ionar roman-englez. (''OOHN deek-tsee-oh-NAHR ro-MOOHN ehn-GLEHZ'')
; I want to rent a car. : A? dori s? inchiriez/inchiriere o ma?in?. (''AH-sh doh-REE sah uhn-KEE-ree-ehz o mah-SHEE-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-mike-LEE-reh'')
; 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 nein?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/vorbi cu consulatul american/canadian/australian/britanic. (''VROW suh vohr-BESK/vor-BEE 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/vorbi cu ambasada american?/canadian?/australian?/britanic?. (''VROW suh vohr-BESK/vor-BEE 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/vor-BEE koo oohn ah-voh-CAHT'') ; Can I just pay a fine now? : A? putea doar s? pl?tesc/plati un? amend? acum ? (''AH-sh poo-TEAH DOO-arr sah plah-TEH-sk/pla-TEE OOH-nuh ah-MEN-duh ah-COOM ?'')