Café & Drinks

1. Un pahar de vin roșu, vă rog

   oon PAH-har deh vin RO-shu vuh ROHG

   A glass of red wine, please

   Usage

   Used at restaurants or wine bars to order a glass of red wine

   Grammar Note

   Romania is a notable wine producer. Prahova Valley and Cotnari wines are especially well regarded

2. Doriți să gustați țuica?

   doh-RITS suh goos-TATS TSOO-ee-kuh

   Would you like to taste țuică?

   Usage

   Used to offer a taste of țuică, Romania's traditional plum brandy

   Grammar Note

   Țuică is Romania's national spirit, distilled from plums. Alcohol content is typically 40–55%

3. Un ceai de mușețel, vă rog

   oon chay deh moo-SHEH-tsel vuh ROHG

   A chamomile tea, please

   Usage

   Used at cafés or pharmacies to order herbal chamomile tea

   Grammar Note

   Herbal teas are popular in Romania. "ceai de tei" (linden tea) and "ceai de mentă" (mint tea) are common

4. O bere la draft, vă rog

   oh BE-reh lah draft vuh ROHG

   A draft beer, please

   Usage

   Used at pubs or restaurants to order a draught beer

   Grammar Note

   Popular Romanian beer brands include Timișoreana, Ursus, and Ciucaș. Cold draft is popular in summer

5. Vreau o apă minerală plată

   vreau oh AH-puh mi-ne-RAH-luh PLAH-tuh

   I'd like still mineral water

   Usage

   Used to order still (non-sparkling) mineral water at a restaurant or shop

   Grammar Note

   "apă plată" (still) vs "apă carbogazoasă" (sparkling). Harghita and Borsec are popular Romanian spring waters

6. Un espresso dublu, vă rog

   oon es-PRES-so DUB-lu vuh ROHG

   A double espresso, please

   Usage

   Used at cafés to order a double shot espresso

   Grammar Note

   Romania has a strong café culture. Espresso is the standard. "cafea cu lapte" (coffee with milk) is also popular

7. Palincă de prune, vă rog

   PAH-lin-kuh deh PROO-neh vuh ROHG

   Plum pálinka, please

   Usage

   Used in Transylvanian restaurants and guesthouses to order traditional distilled plum spirit

   Grammar Note

   Pálinka is often home-distilled in Transylvania. Similar to țuică but double-distilled and stronger

8. Un suc de mere proaspăt, vă rog

   oon sook deh ME-reh proh-AS-puht vuh ROHG

   A fresh apple juice, please

   Usage

   Used at cafés or markets to order freshly squeezed apple juice

   Grammar Note

   Romania is known for apple production. "proaspăt" is masculine; use "proaspătă" with feminine nouns

9. Cât costă o sticlă de vin local?

   kut KOS-tuh oh STIK-luh deh vin lo-KAL

   How much is a bottle of local wine?

   Usage

   Used at wine shops or restaurants to ask the price of a local wine bottle

   Grammar Note

   Romanian wines offer excellent value in Europe. Dealu Mare is the primary fine wine region

10. Aveți băuturi fără alcool?

    ah-VETS buh-OO-turi FUH-ruh al-KO-ol

    Do you have non-alcoholic drinks?

    Usage

    Used by non-drinkers to ask for alcohol-free beverage options

    Grammar Note

    "fără" means "without". Also useful: "fără zahăr" (no sugar), "fără gheață" (no ice)

11. Apă minerală

    AH-puh mee-neh-RAH-luh

    Mineral water

    Usage

    For ordering bottled water; add "plată" for still or "carbogazoasă" for sparkling

12. Apă fierbinte

    AH-puh fyer-BEEN-teh

    Hot water

    Usage

    For asking for boiling water for tea, instant noodles, or formula; "apă caldă" means merely warm water

13. Fără gheață

    FUH-ruh GYAH-tsuh

    No ice

    Usage

    Ask for a drink without ice — also useful when you are wary of the water it is made from

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