Basic Words

1. Da

   Yes

   Usage

   The shortest affirmative reply; use it to confirm anything

2. Nu

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; also works to decline an offer

3. Vă rog

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request or order; it also stands alone

   Grammar Note

   "Vă rog" is the polite plural; always use it with strangers.

4. Mulțumesc

   Thank you

   Usage

   Use it everywhere: after paying, after getting directions

5. Scuzați-mă

   Excuse me

   Usage

   The opening word when you need a stranger's attention

6. Îmi pare rău

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake

7. Este în regulă

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Reply to an apology, or politely wave off offered help

8. Nu înțeleg

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say it as soon as you lose the thread; people will rephrase

9. Înțeleg

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms you followed an explanation

10. Gata

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you have finished a meal or a procedure

11. Așteptați, vă rog

    Please wait

    Usage

    Use it when you need the other person to hold on

12. Un moment

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A shorter, lighter version for a very brief pause

13. Un adult, vă rog

    One adult, please

    Usage

    Say it at a ticket window or an entrance gate

14. Nu am rezervare

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tell a restaurant or hotel that you are a walk-in

15. Am rezervare

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it first at reception, then give your name

16. Ajutați-mă, vă rog

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or emergencies; a strong call for help

17. Încă o dată, vă rog

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what you missed

18. Vorbiți mai rar, vă rog

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speech is too fast; people almost always oblige

19. Vorbesc puțin

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Saying it early makes the other person slow down

20. Vorbiți engleză?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when you get stuck; ask with the polite pronoun

21. Acesta

    This one

    Usage

    Points at something right in front of you; the workhorse word for ordering and shopping

    Grammar Note

    Masculine form; use "aceasta" for feminine nouns. Everyday speech shortens these to "ăsta" / "asta"

22. Acela

    That one

    Usage

    Points at something further away; Romanian only splits near from far, so it covers both Japanese "sore" and "are" — disambiguate by pointing

    Grammar Note

    Masculine form; "aceea" for feminine nouns. Colloquially "ăla" / "aia"

23. Aici

    Here

    Usage

    For pointing at a spot on a map or a table

24. Acolo

    There

    Usage

    Points at a place away from you; Romanian does not distinguish "there near you" from "over there", so let your finger show the distance

25. Eu

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at yourself with it when someone asks who

26. Dumneavoastră

    You (polite)

    Usage

    The polite pronoun for the other person — use it with strangers, staff, and officials

    Grammar Note

    Use "tu" with people you know well; as a visitor, "dumneavoastră" is always safe

27. Împreună

    Together

    Usage

    Signals sitting together, travelling together, or paying as one group

28. E suficient

    That's enough

    Usage

    Show it to stop someone serving more; the synonym "ajunge" also means "arrives", so this wording is less ambiguous

29. Chiar acum

    Right now

    Usage

    Stresses urgency; plain "now" is just "acum"

30. O persoană

    One person

    Usage

    Give your party size at a restaurant or ticket window

31. Două persoane

    Two people

    Usage

    Give your party size at a restaurant or ticket window

    Grammar Note

    "Persoană" is feminine, so the numeral takes its feminine form "două", not "doi"

32. Trei persoane

    Three people

    Usage

    Give your party size at a restaurant or ticket window

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