Festivals & Events

1. Crăciun fericit!

   kruh-CHUN fe-ri-CHIT

   Merry Christmas!

   Usage

   Used as a Christmas greeting

   Grammar Note

   "Crăciun" is of debated etymology — possibly from Latin "creatio" (creation) or "Incarnatio".

2. La mulți ani!

   la MULTS ANI

   Happy New Year / Happy Birthday!

   Usage

   Universal celebratory wish used for New Year, birthdays, and other occasions

   Grammar Note

   Literally "to many years". This universal celebration wish is indispensable in Romanian festive occasions.

3. Paște fericit!

   PASH-te fe-ri-CHIT

   Happy Easter!

   Usage

   Used as an Easter greeting

   Grammar Note

   "Paște" from Latin "Pascha". Romania is predominantly Orthodox Christian, making Easter the most important holiday.

4. Hristos a înviat! — Adevărat a înviat!

   hris-TOS a uhn-vi-AT — a-de-vuh-RAT a uhn-vi-AT

   Christ is risen! — Truly He is risen!

   Usage

   The liturgical Easter greeting and response used in Orthodox Christian worship

   Grammar Note

   The traditional Orthodox Easter greeting and response. Used throughout the 40-day Paschal season.

5. Ziua Națională este pe 1 Decembrie

   ZI-ua na-tsio-NA-luh ES-te pe uhn-TUHI de-chem-BRIE

   National Day is on December 1st

   Usage

   Explaining the date of Romania's National Day (Great Union Day)

   Grammar Note

   December 1 marks "Marea Unire" (Great Union, 1918). "pe" is the preposition used with dates.

6. Mărțișorul este un simbol al primăverii

   muhr-tsi-SHO-rul ES-te un sim-BOL al pri-muh-VE-rii

   The mărțișor is a symbol of spring

   Usage

   Explaining the mărțișor tradition on March 1st (Romanian spring festival)

   Grammar Note

   "Mărțișor" is a diminutive of "Martie" (March). The red-and-white charm is given on March 1st.

7. La mulți ani cu sănătate!

   la MULTS ANI ku suh-nuh-TA-te

   Many happy years with good health!

   Usage

   An extended festive wish adding the blessing of good health

   Grammar Note

   "sănătate" from Latin "sanitas" (health) — same root as English "sanity/sanitation". "cu sănătate" adds the health blessing.

8. Dragobetele este ziua îndrăgostiților

   dra-go-BE-te-le ES-te ZI-ua uhn-druh-gos-ti-TI-lor

   Dragobete is the day of lovers (Romanian Valentine's Day)

   Usage

   Explaining Dragobete, Romania's traditional celebration of love (February 24)

   Grammar Note

   "îndrăgostit" (one in love) derives from "dragoste" (love). "-ților" is the genitive plural suffix.

9. Colindătorii vin la ușă

   co-lin-duh-TO-rii vin la U-shuh

   The carol singers are coming to the door

   Usage

   Describing the arrival of traditional colindători (carol singers) at Christmas

   Grammar Note

   "colindă" is the traditional Romanian Christmas carol. Carolers visit homes on Christmas Eve in this ancient tradition.

10. Sfântul Gheorghe este sărbătorit în aprilie

    SFUHN-tul GHE-or-ghe ES-te suhr-buh-to-RIT uhn a-PRI-lie

    Saint George is celebrated in April

    Usage

    Explaining the feast day of Saint George, patron saint of Romania (April 23)

    Grammar Note

    "este sărbătorit" is passive voice (be + past participle). "sfânt" (saint/holy) from Latin "sanctus".

Browse all TravelPhrases languages