Learn Romanian – Resources for Expats
Romanian is a Romance language – easier than you think! Here’s how to get started.
Survival Phrases
| English | Romanian | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bună / Salut | BOO-nuh / sah-LOOT |
| Good morning | Bună dimineața | BOO-nuh dee-mee-NYAH-tsa |
| Thank you | Mulțumesc | mool-tsoo-MESK |
| Please | Vă rog | vuh ROG |
| Yes / No | Da / Nu | dah / noo |
| How much? | Cât costă? | kuht KOS-tuh |
| Where is…? | Unde este…? | OON-deh YES-teh |
| I don’t understand | Nu înțeleg | noo uhn-tse-LEG |
| Do you speak English? | Vorbiți engleză? | vor-BEETZ eng-LEH-zuh |
| The bill, please | Nota, vă rog | NO-tah vuh ROG |
| Cheers! | Noroc! | no-ROK |
Free Apps
| App | Best For | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Duolingo | Beginners, daily practice | Free (Premium optional) |
| Mondly | Romanian-made, good content | Free tier available |
| Drops | Vocabulary, visual learning | 5 min/day free |
| Clozemaster | Context learning, intermediate | Free tier |
| Anki | Flashcards, customizable | Free |
Online Courses
Free
- RomanianPod101 – Podcasts, lessons (free tier)
- YouTube: “Learn Romanian with Adventures” – Great for beginners
- FSI Romanian – US government course (free, dated but thorough)
Paid
- Pimsleur Romanian – Audio-based, ~$15/month
- italki – Private tutors from $10/hour
- Preply – Online tutors
Language Schools (Bucharest)
| School | Price/Month | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ROLANG School | ~200-400 EUR | Established, good reputation |
| Bucharest Language School | ~150-300 EUR | Flexible schedules |
| Romanian Language Institute | ~250-450 EUR | Intensive courses |
| University of Bucharest | Varies | Summer courses for foreigners |
Private Tutors
- italki – Best selection, $10-30/hour
- Preply – Good alternative
- Facebook groups – “Learn Romanian” – find local tutors
- Price range: 50-150 RON/hour locally
Language Exchange
- Tandem app – Find language partners
- HelloTalk – Chat with native speakers
- Conversation clubs – Check Facebook groups
- Romanians want to practice English! – Easy to find partners
Tips for Learning Romanian
Good News
- Uses Latin alphabet (like English)
- Romance language – similar to Italian, Spanish, French
- Phonetic spelling – pronounce what you see
- Many English cognates
Challenges
- Cases and genders (like German)
- Verb conjugations
- Special characters: ă, â, î, ș, ț
Strategy
- Start with Duolingo for basics
- Add a tutor for conversation practice
- Use Romanian media (TV, music, podcasts)
- Practice with Romanians – they appreciate the effort!
Romanian Media
TV & Movies
- Netflix Romania – Has Romanian audio/subtitles
- HBO Max Romania – Romanian productions
- Pro TV – Popular channel (online)
Music
- Search “muzică românească” on Spotify/YouTube
- Pop: Carla’s Dreams, Irina Rimes, The Motans
- Traditional: Maria Tănase (classic)
Pro tip: Romanians speak excellent English in cities, but learning even basic Romanian earns huge respect and opens doors!
