Romanian is a beautiful and rich language, full of history and culture. As you move from beginner to intermediate level, it’s essential to expand your vocabulary to better express yourself and understand more complex conversations. This article will guide you through some key Romanian words and phrases that are particularly useful for intermediate learners. Mastering these words will not only help you communicate more effectively but also give you a deeper appreciation of the Romanian language and culture.
Verbs are the backbone of any language. Here are some important Romanian verbs that you should know at the intermediate level:
1. **A crede** – To believe
– Example: Eu cred că este adevărat. (I believe it is true.)
2. **A spera** – To hope
– Example: Sper să vină și el. (I hope he will come too.)
3. **A înțelege** – To understand
– Example: Înțeleg ce spui. (I understand what you’re saying.)
4. **A încerca** – To try
– Example: Voi încerca să ajung la timp. (I will try to arrive on time.)
5. **A decide** – To decide
– Example: Am decis să mergem la mare. (We decided to go to the sea.)
Nouns are indispensable for constructing meaningful sentences. Here are some nouns that are often used in everyday Romanian conversations:
1. **Prietenie** – Friendship
– Example: Prietenia este foarte importantă. (Friendship is very important.)
2. **Sănătate** – Health
– Example: Sănătatea este cea mai valoroasă. (Health is the most valuable.)
3. **Noroc** – Luck
– Example: Îți doresc mult noroc! (I wish you good luck!)
4. **Adevăr** – Truth
– Example: Vreau să știu adevărul. (I want to know the truth.)
5. **Muncă** – Work
– Example: Munca mea este obositoare. (My work is tiring.)
Adjectives and adverbs add flavor to your speech, allowing you to describe things more vividly. Here are some commonly used adjectives and adverbs in Romanian:
1. **Frumos** – Beautiful
– Example: Este o zi frumoasă. (It is a beautiful day.)
2. **Rapid** – Fast
– Example: A alergat foarte rapid. (He ran very fast.)
3. **Obosit** – Tired
– Example: Sunt obosit după muncă. (I am tired after work.)
4. **Fericit** – Happy
– Example: Sunt foarte fericit. (I am very happy.)
5. **Curajos** – Brave
– Example: Ești foarte curajos. (You are very brave.)
Knowing some common phrases can significantly improve your conversational skills. Here are a few phrases that you might find useful:
1. **Cum te simți?** – How do you feel?
– Example: Cum te simți azi? (How do you feel today?)
2. **Ce faci?** – What are you doing?
– Example: Ce faci în weekend? (What are you doing this weekend?)
3. **Te rog** – Please
– Example: Te rog, ajută-mă. (Please, help me.)
4. **Mulțumesc** – Thank you
– Example: Mulțumesc pentru ajutor. (Thank you for the help.)
5. **Îmi pare rău** – I am sorry
– Example: Îmi pare rău pentru întârziere. (I am sorry for the delay.)
Conjunctions and prepositions are essential for linking words and phrases together to form coherent sentences. Here are some that you should know:
1. **Și** – And
– Example: Am un câine și o pisică. (I have a dog and a cat.)
2. **Dar** – But
– Example: Vreau să vin, dar nu pot. (I want to come, but I can’t.)
3. **Pentru** – For
– Example: Acesta este pentru tine. (This is for you.)
4. **Cu** – With
– Example: Vreau să vin cu tine. (I want to come with you.)
5. **De** – Of/From
– Example: Sunt de acord. (I agree.)
Knowing how to talk about numbers and time is crucial in any language. Here are some Romanian words and phrases related to numbers and time:
1. **Numere** – Numbers
– Example: unu (1), doi (2), trei (3), patru (4), cinci (5)
2. **Ore** – Hours
– Example: Este ora două. (It is two o’clock.)
3. **Minute** – Minutes
– Example: Mai sunt zece minute. (There are ten minutes left.)
4. **Ziua** – Day
– Example: Ce zi este azi? (What day is today?)
5. **Săptămâna** – Week
– Example: Săptămâna viitoare am concediu. (Next week I have a holiday.)
Idiomatic expressions can be tricky but are essential for sounding more like a native speaker. Here are some commonly used Romanian idioms:
1. **A avea noroc** – To be lucky
– Example: Am avut noroc cu vremea. (I was lucky with the weather.)
2. **A face rost de** – To get hold of
– Example: Am făcut rost de bilete. (I got hold of the tickets.)
3. **A pune punct** – To put an end to
– Example: Trebuie să punem punct acestei discuții. (We need to put an end to this discussion.)
4. **A scoate la iveală** – To reveal
– Example: A scos la iveală un secret. (He revealed a secret.)
5. **A ține minte** – To remember
– Example: Ține minte ce ți-am spus. (Remember what I told you.)
Pronouns are crucial in avoiding repetition and making sentences more fluid. Here are some important Romanian pronouns:
1. **El/Ea** – He/She
– Example: El este prietenul meu. (He is my friend.)
2. **Noi** – We
– Example: Noi mergem la cinema. (We are going to the cinema.)
3. **Voi** – You (plural)
– Example: Voi sunteți obosiți? (Are you all tired?)
4. **Acela** – That
– Example: Vreau acela. (I want that.)
5. **Cineva** – Someone
– Example: Cineva te-a căutat. (Someone was looking for you.)
Asking questions is a fundamental part of communication. Here are some essential question words in Romanian:
1. **Cine** – Who
– Example: Cine vine? (Who is coming?)
2. **Ce** – What
– Example: Ce faci? (What are you doing?)
3. **Când** – When
– Example: Când pleci? (When are you leaving?)
4. **Unde** – Where
– Example: Unde este? (Where is it?)
5. **De ce** – Why
– Example: De ce plângi? (Why are you crying?)
Being polite is crucial in any culture. Here are some expressions of politeness in Romanian:
1. **Îmi cer scuze** – I apologize
– Example: Îmi cer scuze pentru greșeală. (I apologize for the mistake.)
2. **Cu plăcere** – You’re welcome
– Example: Mulțumesc! Cu plăcere! (Thank you! You’re welcome!)
3. **Permiteți-mi** – Allow me
– Example: Permiteți-mi să vă ajut. (Allow me to help you.)
4. **Scuzați-mă** – Excuse me
– Example: Scuzați-mă, aveți un moment? (Excuse me, do you have a moment?)
5. **Vă rog** – Please
– Example: Vă rog, luați loc. (Please, take a seat.)
Connecting words help in structuring your sentences and making your speech more coherent. Here are some that are commonly used in Romanian:
1. **De asemenea** – Also
– Example: De asemenea, am fost acolo. (I was also there.)
2. **În plus** – In addition
– Example: În plus, este foarte ieftin. (In addition, it is very cheap.)
3. **În concluzie** – In conclusion
– Example: În concluzie, trebuie să plecăm. (In conclusion, we need to leave.)
4. **Într-adevăr** – Indeed
– Example: Într-adevăr, este o idee bună. (Indeed, it is a good idea.)
5. **Totuși** – However
– Example: Totuși, nu pot veni. (However, I can’t come.)
The key to mastering these words and phrases is consistent practice. Here are some tips to help you incorporate these new vocabulary items into your daily routine:
1. **Flashcards**: Create flashcards with the new words and their meanings. Review them daily to reinforce your memory.
2. **Language Exchange**: Find a language partner who is a native Romanian speaker. Practicing with a native can help you understand the nuances and correct usage of the words.
3. **Reading**: Read Romanian books, newspapers, or online articles. Pay attention to how the words are used in context.
4. **Writing**: Try to write short essays or diary entries using the new vocabulary. This will help you get comfortable with using the words in sentences.
5. **Listening**: Listen to Romanian music, podcasts, or watch movies. This will help you get a feel for the natural flow of the language and how the words sound when spoken.
Learning a new language is a challenging but rewarding journey. By expanding your vocabulary with these essential Romanian words and phrases, you’ll be well on your way to becoming more proficient and confident in your language skills. Happy learning!
