dragon
/draˈɡon/
The English word dragon can be translated into Romanian as dragon, balaur or zmeu.
Meaning: mythical creature (noun)
Ways to say it
| Romanian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| dragon | /draˈɡon/ | |
| zmeu | ||
| balaur | masculine |
In Romanian, different words are used to describe various types of mythical dragons depending on whether you are referring to modern fantasy or traditional folklore.
Which one should you use?
dragon refers to the modern or Western-style fantasy creature. balaur is a specific type of creature from Romanian folklore, often described as a multi-headed or serpentine being. zmeu is also used in Romanian folklore to describe a dragon-like creature.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word dragon follows standard Romanian declension. For example, the genitive singular form is dragonului (of the dragon).
How do you pronounce it?
/draˈɡon/
Did you know?
- Romanian folklore often portrays the balaur as a weather-controlling creature that causes hail and storms to destroy crops.
- In Romanian folklore, the zmeu is often more like an ogre or a giant who can fly and change shape, rather than a fire-breathing lizard.
- The term dragon in Romanian is a borrowed word from French, rather than a word with ancient Slavic or Latin roots native to the region.
Examples in context
- Vrăjitorul luptă împotriva unui dragon.The wizard is fighting against a dragon.This sentence shows how to use dragon when describing a fight with a wizard.Tatoeba #13953109 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13953106 by Ioan_Cristian
- Prințesa trebuie să se ascundă de dragon.The princess must hide from the dragon.This sentence shows how to use dragon in the context of a princess hiding.Tatoeba #13953181 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13953177 by Ioan_Cristian
- Dragonul nu poate fi ucis cu arme obișnuite.The dragon can't be killed with ordinary weapons.This sentence demonstrates how to use dragon when discussing how a creature can be killed.Tatoeba #10167404 by CataG, translation #6106370 by mailohilohi
- Legenda despre zmeuThe legend about the zmeu
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a fantasy novel at a cafe.
- ElenaȚi-a plăcut personajul principal din carte?Did you like the main character from the book?
- StefanDa, dar dragonul este cel mai interesant.Yes, but the dragon is the most interesting.
- ElenaStefan, este un dragon bun sau rău?Stefan, is it a good dragon or a bad one?
- StefanEste un dragon foarte puternic.It is a very powerful dragon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dragon” translations and entries dragon, zmeu, balaur, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries balaur, dragon, zmeu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
