Let’s start with the most fundamental phrases that you will need in any Romanian conversation. Greetings are essential as they not only show politeness but also set the tone for the interaction.

“Bună ziua!” (Good day!) is probably the most universally useful greeting. You can use it from morning until late afternoon. If you’re meeting someone in the morning, you can say “Bună dimineața!” (Good morning!). For the evening, the appropriate greeting is “Bună seara!” (Good evening!).

If you’re in a casual setting or speaking to someone your age or younger, “Salut!” (Hi!) is perfectly acceptable. Another informal greeting that works at any time of day is “Bună!” (Hello!).

Asking How Someone Is

Once the initial greetings are out of the way, it’s polite to inquire about the other person’s well-being.

You can ask “Ce faci?” (How are you?) in informal situations. If you’re speaking to someone in a formal context or to someone older, it is better to use “Cum vă simțiți?” or “Ce mai faceți?” Both of these can be translated to mean “How are you?” but are respectful and considerate in their formality.

A common response to these questions is “Bine, mulțumesc. Tu?” (Fine, thank you. And you?). It’s always good to return the question to show interest in the other person’s life.

Polite Phrases and Courtesy

Politeness is valued highly in Romanian culture, and using polite phrases correctly can greatly endear you to native speakers.

To say please, you would use “Vă rog” in formal situations and “Te rog” in informal settings. When thanking someone, “Mulțumesc” is always appropriate, and adding “foarte mult” at the end (thank you very much) makes it even more gracious.

If someone thanks you, the typical response is “Cu plăcere” (You’re welcome) or “Nu ai pentru ce” (Don’t mention it).

Apologizing and Handling Misunderstandings

Mistakes are natural when you are learning a new language. Knowing how to apologize politely can help ease any awkwardness that might arise from potential misunderstandings.

For a simple apology, “Îmi pare rău” (I’m sorry) will suffice. If you need to be more formal, you can say “Îmi cer scuze” (I apologize).

Should you not understand something, saying “Nu înțeleg” (I don’t understand) is perfectly fine. You can also ask someone to speak slower: “Vă rog să vorbiți mai încet” (Please speak more slowly).

Farewells and Goodbyes

Just as important as greeting someone is knowing how to say goodbye. “La revedere!” (Goodbye!) is the standard formal farewell. In informal situations, you can simply say “Pa!” or “Ne vedem!” (See you!).

For times when you expect to see the person later in the day or soon, “Pe curând!” (See you soon!) is a friendly farewell.

Common Expressions in Social Settings

When you’re out and about, certain expressions will frequently come in handy. For example, when entering a shop, it’s polite to say “Bună ziua!” and “La revedere!” upon leaving. At a meal, saying “Poftă bună!” (Enjoy your meal!) to your companions is customary.

In a more festive gathering, you might want to toast with “Noroc!” (Cheers!), which is always a crowd-pleaser.

Conclusion

With these basic Romanian greetings and polite phrases in your language toolkit, you’ll be able to navigate a variety of social situations and start building relationships with Romanian speakers. The key is to practice regularly and not be afraid of making mistakes—every conversation is a step forward in your language learning journey. Remember, the effort to communicate in someone’s native language is always appreciated, no matter how simple the dialogue. Keep practicing, and în curând (soon), you’ll find yourself conversing with ease!