Essential Romanian Phrases for Tourists
50+ useful phrases with pronunciation guide, plus cultural etiquette tips for your Bucharest trip.
While English is widely spoken in Bucharest — especially among younger people and in tourist areas — learning a few Romanian phrases will instantly change how locals interact with you. A simple "Multumesc" (thank you) or "Buna ziua" (hello) signals respect and effort, and Romanians will go out of their way to help you. Below you will find the most useful phrases organized by situation, with phonetic pronunciation guides, plus essential cultural etiquette that every visitor should know.
Greetings & Basics
| Romanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Buna ziua | BOO-nah ZEE-wah | Good day / Hello |
| Buna seara | BOO-nah SYAH-rah | Good evening |
| Multumesc | mool-tsoo-MESK | Thank you |
| Va rog | vah ROHG | Please |
| Da / Nu | dah / noo | Yes / No |
| Scuzati | skoo-ZAHTS | Excuse me |
| Nu vorbesc romaneste | noo vor-BESK ro-mah-NESH-teh | I don't speak Romanian |
| Vorbiti engleza? | vor-BEETS en-GLEH-zah | Do you speak English? |
| La revedere | lah reh-veh-DEH-reh | Goodbye |
| Pa! / Ciao! | pah / chow | Bye! (informal) |
At Restaurants & Cafes
| Romanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Meniul, va rog | meh-NYOOL vah ROHG | The menu, please |
| Un espresso / o cafea | oon es-PREH-so / oh kah-FYAH | An espresso / a coffee |
| Nota, va rog | NOH-tah vah ROHG | The bill, please |
| Ce recomandati? | cheh reh-koh-mahn-DAHTS | What do you recommend? |
| Fara zahar | FAH-rah zah-HAHR | Without sugar |
| Apa plata / minerala | AH-pah PLAH-tah / mee-neh-RAH-lah | Still / sparkling water |
| O bere, va rog | oh BEH-reh vah ROHG | A beer, please |
| Este delicios! | YES-teh deh-lee-CHOHS | It's delicious! |
Getting Around
| Romanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Unde este...? | OON-deh YES-teh | Where is...? |
| Cat costa? | kuht KOH-stah | How much does it cost? |
| Stanga / Dreapta | STUHN-gah / DRYAHP-tah | Left / Right |
| Drept inainte | drept uh-nah-EEN-teh | Straight ahead |
| Statia de metrou | STAH-tsyah deh meh-TROH | Metro station |
| Vreau sa merg la... | vryow sah merg lah | I want to go to... |
| Aproape / Departe | ah-PROH-ah-peh / deh-PAHR-teh | Close / Far |
Shopping & Numbers
| Romanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Cat costa asta? | kuht KOH-stah AH-stah | How much is this? |
| Prea scump | pryah skoomp | Too expensive |
| Unu / Doi / Trei | OO-noo / doy / tray | One / Two / Three |
| Patru / Cinci | PAH-troo / cheench | Four / Five |
| Sase / Sapte | SHAH-seh / SHAHP-teh | Six / Seven |
| Opt / Noua / Zece | opt / NOH-wah / ZEH-cheh | Eight / Nine / Ten |
| Pot plati cu cardul? | poht plah-TEE koo KAR-dool | Can I pay by card? |
Emergencies
| Romanian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ajutor! | ah-zhoo-TOHR | Help! |
| Chemati politia | keh-MAHTS poh-LEE-tsyah | Call the police |
| Am nevoie de un doctor | ahm neh-VOY-eh deh oon DOK-tor | I need a doctor |
| Spitalul | spee-TAH-lool | The hospital |
| Farmacia | far-MAH-chyah | Pharmacy |
| Urgenta | oor-JEN-tsah | Emergency |
Cultural Etiquette
Knowing a few cultural norms will help you blend in and make the most of your interactions with Romanians. Here are the essentials:
Tipping
Tip 10-15% at restaurants for good service. At cafes, round up to the nearest 5 or 10 RON. Tip in cash when possible, even if paying by card — many servers don't receive card tips. Tipping is not expected at fast food or self-service places. For a detailed breakdown, see our money and tipping guide.
Greetings
A handshake is the standard greeting when meeting someone. Close friends greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks (left first, then right). In formal settings, address people with "Domnul" (Mr.) or "Doamna" (Mrs.) followed by their last name. Younger Romanians are generally casual and will quickly switch to first names.
Shoes Off at the Door
Most Romanian homes expect guests to remove their shoes at the door. Your host will usually offer you a pair of house slippers (papuci). This is a deeply ingrained cultural habit — do not walk around in your outdoor shoes even if the host says "it's fine." They are being polite; take the slippers.
"Poftim" — The Untranslatable Word
You will hear "poftim" (POHF-teem) everywhere. It is possibly the most versatile word in Romanian and has no single English equivalent. It can mean: "Here you go" (handing something), "Pardon? / What did you say?" (asking for repetition), "Help yourself" (offering food or drink), "Please, go ahead" (inviting someone in), or "Welcome" (at a restaurant). Context is everything.
Queue Culture
Queuing in Bucharest is improving but still somewhat loose compared to Northern Europe or the UK. Don't be surprised if someone stands very close behind you or if the concept of a line is interpreted creatively at bus stops. At supermarkets and official offices, queues are generally respected. Stay calm and hold your ground politely.
Taxi Etiquette
Always use ride-hailing apps like Bolt or Uber — never hail a taxi from the street, especially at airports or train stations. Some unlicensed drivers at these locations charge 5-10x the normal fare. If you must use a regular taxi, look for the price per km printed on the door (it should be around 1.79-2.50 RON/km) and make sure the meter is running. For a complete transport guide, see our plan your visit section.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to speak Romanian in Bucharest?
No, you can get by perfectly well with English in Bucharest. English is widely spoken, especially among younger people (under 40) and in tourist-facing businesses like hotels, restaurants in central areas, and museums. However, learning a few basic phrases like "Multumesc" (thank you) and "Buna ziua" (hello) will be greatly appreciated by locals and can make your experience warmer.Is tipping expected in Bucharest?
Yes, tipping is customary in Bucharest. At restaurants, 10-15% of the bill is standard for good service. At cafes, rounding up to the nearest 5 or 10 RON is common. For delivery drivers, 5-10 RON is appreciated. Tipping is not expected at fast food or takeaway places. Always tip in cash when possible, even if paying the bill by card. For a complete guide, see our money and tipping guide.Is Bucharest safe for tourists?
Yes, Bucharest is generally safe for tourists. Violent crime is rare, and most visits are trouble-free. Use common sense: avoid unlicensed taxis (use Bolt or Uber instead), watch your belongings in crowded areas, and be cautious in the Old Town late at night when bars close. The city center and main tourist areas are well-lit and patrolled.What should I know about Romanian culture?
Hospitality is central to Romanian culture — Romanians are generally friendly, warm, and eager to help tourists. A few things to keep in mind: shoes are usually removed when entering someone's home, a handshake is the standard greeting (close friends kiss on both cheeks), and Romanians celebrate name days in addition to birthdays. Offering to pay for a meal is a sign of friendship. Romanians are proud of their cuisine and appreciate when visitors try local dishes.