Romanian, like any vibrant language, is peppered with slang that can confound the uninitiated. Whether you are traveling to Romania, watching Romanian films, or simply trying to connect with Romanian friends, understanding the colloquial vernacular can enhance your experience. This guide will help you navigate the colorful world of Romanian slang, providing you with common phrases that are essential for any language learner.

General Informal Greetings

In Romania, informal greetings are common among friends and people of the same age. One popular slang greeting is “Salut!” which simply means “Hi!” or “Hello!”. It’s casual and used much like its English counterparts.

“Ce faci?” translates to “How are you?” but is used in a more informal setting. Typically, you might hear:
– “Salut! Ce faci?” (“Hi! How are you?”)

Another friendly and common phrase is “Ce mai zici?”, which means “What’s up?” and is often used among young people:
– “Hei, ce mai zici?” (“Hey, what’s up?”)

Expressions of Surprise

Romanian slang also includes a variety of expressions to convey surprise or disbelief. A frequently used exclamation is “Seriós?”, which means “Seriously?” or “Really?”:
– “A câștigat la loto? Seriós?” (“He won the lottery? Seriously?”)

Another common expression is “N-ai cum!”, equating to “No way!” or “You’re kidding!”:
– “N-ai cum să fi făcut asta!” (“You can’t have done that!”)

Showing Appreciation

When it comes to expressing gratitude, Romanians often use the informal “Mersi”, a loanword from French, akin to “Thanks”:
– “Mersi pentru ajutor!” (“Thanks for the help!”)

Another familiar phrase is “Mulțumesc frumos”, which means “Thank you very much”:
– “Mulțumesc frumos pentru masă!” (“Thank you very much for the meal!”)

Describing Cool or Awesome Things

To describe something cool or impressive, Romanians might use “Mișto”:
– “Ce mișto e filmul ăsta!” (“This movie is so cool!”)

For something that is awesome or amazing, “Tare” is frequently used:
– “Tare mașina ta nouă!” (“Your new car is awesome!”)

Expressing Discontent or Frustration

When things aren’t going as planned, you might hear someone exclaim “Vai de mine!”, which is similar to “Woe is me!”:
– “Vai de mine, iar am pierdut autobuzul!” (“Woe is me, I missed the bus again!”)

For expressing frustration, “Ce naiba?” is the equivalent of “What the heck?”:
– “Ce naiba faci?” (“What the heck are you doing?”)

Slang for Goodbye

When parting, a common informal phrase is “Pa!”, akin to “Bye!”:
– “Pa, ne vedem mâine!” (“Bye, see you tomorrow!”)

Another casual way to say goodbye is “Ne vedem!”, meaning “See you!”:
– “Ne vedem mai târziu!” (“See you later!”)

Chill and Relax

To tell someone to relax or chill out, Romanians might say “Liniștește-te!”:
– “Liniștește-te, nu e așa grav!” (“Chill out, it’s not that serious!”)

When planning to hang out casually, you might hear “Hai să chillăm” which is a mix of English and Romanian meaning “Let’s chill”:
– “Hai să chillăm la mine acasă.” (“Let’s chill at my place.”)

Getting Together

To propose getting together or hanging out, a common phrase is “Hai să ne vedem”:
– “Hai să ne vedem la un cafea mâine.” (“Let’s meet for a coffee tomorrow.”)

Conclusion

Understanding and using Romanian slang can significantly ease your communication and integration into Romanian culture. It not only helps in making you sound more like a native, but it also aids in understanding the nuances and emotions behind conversations. Start with these basic phrases, and you’ll soon find yourself picking up more as you explore the rich linguistic landscape of Romania. Whether chatting with friends or trying to navigate daily interactions, these slang expressions will certainly enrich your Romanian language repertoire.