Culture & Etiquette

1. Castelul Bran este fascinant

   kas-TE-lul bran YES-teh fa-si-NANT

   Bran Castle is fascinating

   Usage

   Used to express admiration for the legendary Bran Castle in Transylvania

   Grammar Note

   Bran Castle, a 14th-century fortress said to inspire Bram Stoker's Dracula, is 28km from Brașov

2. Vreau să încerc mămăliga

   vreau suh uhn-CHERK muh-muh-LEE-guh

   I want to try mămăligă

   Usage

   Used to express desire to try mămăligă, Romania's traditional cornmeal porridge

   Grammar Note

   Mămăligă is Romania's national dish, often served with cheese (brânză) and sour cream (smântână)

3. Revoluția din 1989 a schimbat România

   re-vo-LU-tsi-a din o MI-e NOU-uh SU-te opt-ZECH shi NOU-uh a skim-BAT ro-muh-NI-a

   The 1989 revolution changed Romania

   Usage

   Used when discussing Romania's modern history and the anti-communist revolution

   Grammar Note

   The 1989 revolution ended Ceaușescu's regime. Revolution Square (Piața Revoluției) in Bucharest was central

4. Îmi plac costumele tradiționale românești

   uhm PLAK kos-TU-me-le tra-di-tsio-NA-le ro-muh-NESH-ti

   I like traditional Romanian costumes

   Usage

   Used to express appreciation for traditional Romanian folk costumes at cultural events

   Grammar Note

   The Romanian blouse (ia) with embroidery is iconic. June 24 is celebrated as "Romanian Blouse Day"

5. Festivalul George Enescu este renumit

   fes-ti-VAH-lul JYOR-jeh e-NES-ku YES-teh re-nu-MIT

   The George Enescu Festival is renowned

   Usage

   Used to discuss Romania's prestigious classical music festival

   Grammar Note

   The George Enescu Festival is a major biennial classical music festival held in Bucharest

6. Este obiceiul să aduci un cadou

   YES-teh o-BI-cheh-yul suh ah-DUCHI oon ka-DOO

   It is customary to bring a gift

   Usage

   Used to explain Romanian etiquette when invited to someone's home

   Grammar Note

   Wine, chocolates, or flowers (odd numbers) are typical gifts. Even numbers of flowers are for funerals

7. Mărțișorul este un simbol de primăvară

   muhr-tsi-SHO-rul ES-te un sim-BOL de pri-muh-VA-ruh

   Mărțișor is a symbol of spring

   Usage

   Used to explain Mărțișor, the Romanian spring celebration on March 1st

   Grammar Note

   Mărțișor is a UNESCO intangible heritage — small red-and-white talisman gifted on March 1st

8. Dansul popular românesc este vibrant

   DAN-sul po-pu-LAR ro-muh-NESK ES-te vi-BRANT

   Romanian folk dance is vibrant

   Usage

   Used to express appreciation for Romanian folk dance at a cultural show or festival

   Grammar Note

   The "hora" is Romania's iconic circle folk dance, performed at weddings and festivals

9. Transilvania are o atmosferă misterioasă

   tran-sil-VAH-nyah AH-reh oh at-mos-FE-ruh mis-te-ryoH-ah-suh

   Transylvania has a mysterious atmosphere

   Usage

   Used to describe Transylvania's mysterious, Gothic atmosphere linked to Dracula lore

   Grammar Note

   "misterioasă" is feminine to agree with "atmosferă". "Transylvania" derives from Latin meaning "beyond the forest"

10. Arta populară românească este unică

    AR-ta po-pu-LA-ruh ro-muh-NEA-skuh ES-te U-ni-kuh

    Romanian folk art is unique

    Usage

    Used to express appreciation for Romanian folk art at souvenir shops or folk museums

    Grammar Note

    Romanian folk art includes painted Horezu ceramics (UNESCO heritage), wood carvings, and embroidery

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