Knowing a few basic Romanian phrases will make your trip to Romania much more enjoyable.

Locals always appreciate it when tourists make an effort to speak their language.

You don’t need to be fluent to navigate the streets of Bucharest or order food in Transylvania.

This guide covers the most essential vocabulary you need for a smooth travel experience.

Greetings and polite phrases

Start your interactions on the right foot by using basic Romanian greetings.

A simple hello or thank you goes a very long way in Romanian culture.

Romanians generally use formal language with strangers, but younger people often use informal greetings.

Here’s how a basic introductory conversation might look.

Getting around and directions

Navigating a new country is much easier when you know how to ask for directions.

Public transportation in Romania is widely used and very affordable.

These phrases will come in handy when speaking to taxi drivers or asking locals for help.

If you get lost, simply excuse yourself and ask a passerby for directions.

Dining and ordering food

Romanian food is delicious, heavily seasoned, and very filling.

You’ll definitely want to try local traditional dishes like sarmale and mămăligă.

Knowing how to order politely will ensure you get exactly what you want.

Here’s an example of ordering a drink at a restaurant.

Shopping and money

Romania uses the Romanian Leu (RON) instead of the Euro.

You’ll need to know how to ask about prices when buying souvenirs or local goods.

Most stores accept credit cards, but smaller markets often require cash.

You can use these phrases when interacting with cashiers or market vendors.

Emergencies and asking for help

Safety is always the top priority when traveling anywhere in the world.

Romania is a very safe country, but it’s wise to be prepared.

Keep these emergency phrases memorized just in case you find yourself in a difficult situation.

If you’re ever confused or need English assistance, don’t hesitate to ask.

Best resources to learn Romanian for travel

There are several great tools to help you practice your Romanian before your flight.

I highly recommend choosing a resource that focuses on real conversational skills rather than rigid grammar drills.

• Talk In Romanian is the absolute best platform for mastering real spoken Romanian before your trip.
• Duolingo is a popular free app for building basic vocabulary through gamified lessons.
• italki is a great marketplace for finding online tutors to practice your conversation skills.

Here’s a quick summary of my top recommended resources.

Practicing these basic phrases a few times a week will give you plenty of confidence when you arrive.