Romanian for English speakers
A2·25 min

Getting Around Town

Prin oraș

Practice asking for directions, taking transport and ordering food. Most Romanians appreciate even a small attempt to speak their language.

Vocabulary

Unde este…?
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la stânga / la dreapta
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drept înainte
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stație de autobuz
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metrou
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bilet / abonament
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nota, vă rog
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aproape / departe
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colț
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semafor
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Grammar

Definite article — suffix style

Unlike English, Romanian attaches the definite article to the END of the noun. „a book” = o carte; „the book” = cartea.

  • om → omul (the man)
  • casă → casa (the house)
  • copil → copilul (the child)
  • bilet → biletul (the ticket)

Imperatives — giving directions

Use the verb stem with -ți (formal) or without (informal). „Mergeți drept” (go straight, formal). „Mergi drept” (informal).

  • Mergeți drept. — Go straight.
  • Întoarceți la dreapta. — Turn right.
  • Treceți strada. — Cross the street.

Dialogue

Turist
Scuzați, unde este stația de metrou?
Excuse me, where is the subway station?
Localnic
Mergeți drept înainte, apoi la dreapta la semafor.
Go straight ahead, then right at the traffic light.
Turist
Este departe?
Is it far?
Localnic
Nu, doar cinci minute pe jos.
No, just five minutes on foot.
Turist
Mulțumesc frumos!
Thank you very much!

Quiz

1.

„Drept înainte” means…

2.

How do you say „the house”?

3.

Asking for the bill at a restaurant:

4.

„Aproape” means…