Bună dimineața, ce mai faci?
The English phrase "good morning, how are you?" is translated into Romanian as Bună dimineața, ce mai faci?
This phrase is a polite morning greeting used to ask someone about their current well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The word dimineața translates to "morning".
Which one should you use?
There are different ways to ask how someone is depending on the level of formality. The informal version is Bună dimineața, ce mai faci?, while the formal version of the question part is ce mai faceți?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You should use Bună dimineața, ce mai faci? in informal situations. For a formal greeting, you can use Bună dimineața, cum vă simțiți? or use the variation Bună dimineața, ce mai faceți?
When do people say it?
When someone asks ce mai faci?, a common response is Bine, mulțumesc. Tu? (Fine, thank you. And you?).
Did you know?
- While 'how are you' sounds like a question about health, the word mai in ce mai faci? actually adds a sense of 'what else' is happening in your life.
- If you use the formal ce mai faceți?, you are using the second-person plural form, which is the standard way to show respect to elders or strangers in Romania.
- The word dimineața is actually a combination of the noun dimineață and the definite article -a, meaning 'the morning'.
Example conversation
Alexandru and Andreea meet at the office in the morning.
- AlexandruBună dimineața, ce mai faci?Good morning, how are you?
- AndreeaBună! Sunt bine, mulțumesc. Tu?Hi! I am well, thank you. And you?
- AlexandruSunt foarte bine, mersi.I am very well, thanks.
- AndreeaMă bucur să aud asta.I am glad to hear that.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bună, ce, dimineața, mai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
