Order anything by pointing in Romanian
I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Romanian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Romanian phrases in this lesson
- Aș vrea...ash VRYAH
- I would like...
- Acestaah-CHES-tah
- This one
- Cât costă?kut KOS-tuh
- How much is it?
- Nota de plată, vă rogNOH-tah deh PLAH-tuh vuh ROG
- The bill, please
- Cu cardulkoo KAR-dool
- By card
- Cu numerarkoo noo-meh-RAHR
- In cash
- ApăAH-puh
- Water
- Cafeakah-FYAH
- Coffee
- Ceaichai
- Tea
- BereBEH-reh
- Beer
- Fără...FUH-ruh
- Without...
Literally "I would want".
Masculine this one. For feminine use aceasta (ah-CHYAHS-tah). In casual speech ăsta (US-tah) or asta (AHS-tah) plus a point is completely normal at any counter.
The â vowel sounds like a short, central "uh" made slightly deeper in the throat. It is one of Romanian's two special accented a sounds, along with ă, which is a lighter "uh".
Nota is the bill. You may also hear bon (BOHN). In many Romanian restaurants you ask the waiter rather than paying at a counter; tipping 10 percent is appreciated.
Card payments are widely accepted in cities and most shops. The definite article in Romanian is attached to the end of the noun: card becomes cardul.
Cash is still common in Romania, especially in markets, smaller towns, and with taxis. Always carry some lei as a backup, particularly outside Bucharest.
The final ă is the light "uh" sound. Still water is apă plată (AH-puh PLAH-tuh), sparkling is apă minerală (AH-puh mee-neh-RAH-luh). Romania has excellent mineral springs.
A draft is "bere la halbă".
"Fără zahăr", without sugar.