Question Words

1. Ce?

   What?

   Usage

   The shortest question word; pair it with pointing

2. Unde?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; add a place name and you are understood

3. Când?

   When?

   Usage

   For departure times or opening times

4. Cine?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, e.g. who is in charge

5. De ce?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason, e.g. a delay or a refusal

6. Cum?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks for a method, including how to get somewhere

7. Câte?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a count of items or people

8. Cât costă?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The key price question, in markets and shops alike

9. Care?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to pick from, or point at, a set of options

10. Ce este acesta?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at a dish or product and ask what it is

11. Unde este toaleta?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most-used questions on any trip

12. Cât este ceasul?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the current time, handy when making a connection

13. Aveți?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks about stock or availability; name the item first

14. Puteți?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is possible or allowed

15. Se plătește?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Check whether luggage storage, Wi-Fi, etc. costs money

16. Este gratuit?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Confirms something is free, e.g. samples or a map

17. Așa e bine?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks for permission; pair it with pointing

18. Nu se poate?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Used to double-check after being turned down

19. Sunteți bine?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Used to check on someone's wellbeing — a different role from "Așa e bine?" (asking permission)

    Grammar Note

    Uses the polite second-person plural "sunteți"; with friends say "Ești bine?"

20. Serios?

    Really?

    Usage

    A short reaction confirming something surprising

21. Sunteți sigur?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    Presses for confirmation of a fact — more formal than "Serios?"

    Grammar Note

    Masculine form; for a woman say "Sunteți sigură?"

22. De unde sunteți?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

23. Cum vă numiți?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    A classic conversation starter

    Grammar Note

    Uses the polite "vă"; with friends say "Cum te numești?"

24. Câți ani aveți?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asking someone's age at a first meeting can come across as intrusive; better saved until you know them a little

25. Putem face o poză împreună?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks for permission to take a photo together

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