Audrey Allison
Greetings play an important role in establishing connections and building relationships with others. When visiting or communicating with Romanian speakers, it’s always helpful and respectful to know how to greet them properly. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to say greetings in Romanian, along with essential tips and examples to help you master this essential skill.
Formal Greetings
Formal greetings are used in official settings, with people you don’t know well, or to show respect. Here are some phrases commonly used for formal situations:
- Bună ziua! – Good day! (Literally: “Good day!”)
- Bună dimineața! – Good morning! (Literally: “Good morning!”)
- Bună seara! – Good evening! (Literally: “Good evening!”)
- Vă salut! – I greet you! (Polite way of saying hello)
Tips for Formal Greetings:
- When meeting someone for the first time, it’s common to use formal greetings until the other person invites you to use the informal ones.
- Addressing someone by their title and last name is considered respectful, especially in professional or official settings.
- Make sure to maintain eye contact and offer a firm handshake when greeting someone in person.
Example:
Person A: Bună ziua! (Good day!)
Person B: Bună ziua! Cum vă numiți? (Good day! What’s your name?)
Person A: Mă numesc Ana Popescu. (My name is Ana Popescu.)
Informal Greetings
Informal greetings are used among friends, family members, or people you have a close relationship with. They allow for a more relaxed and casual atmosphere. Here are some phrases commonly used for informal situations:
- Bună! – Hi! (Informal way of saying hello)
- Salut! – Hello! (Informal way of saying hello)
- Ne vedem! – See you! (Informal way of saying goodbye)
- Pa! – Bye! (Informal way of saying goodbye)
Tips for Informal Greetings:
- Informal greetings often involve a friendly tone, so feel free to use informal phrases with people you know well or who are of the same age group.
- Romanians have a culture of cheek kissing among friends and family. If you’re comfortable with it, you can greet someone by giving them one or two kisses on the cheek.
- Always respond when greeted with an informal phrase, even if you don’t know the person well. It is considered impolite to ignore someone’s greeting.
Example:
Person A: Salut! (Hello!)
Person B: Bună! Cum mai merg lucrurile? (Hi! How are things going?)
Person A: Foarte bine, mulțumesc! (Very well, thank you!)
Regional Variations
While Romanian is the official language spoken throughout the country, specific regions may have their own variations of greetings. Here are a few examples of regional variations:
- In Moldova, the word “salut” is often replaced by “servus,” influenced by the historical presence of German-speaking communities.
- In Transylvania, the Hungarian influence can be seen with the use of “szia” as a common informal greeting.
Note: These regional variations are not commonly used in everyday Romanian greetings, but it can be interesting to be aware of them if you are visiting a specific region.
Conclusion
Mastering greetings is an essential part of any language experience, and Romanian is no exception. Whether you find yourself in a formal or informal setting, knowing how to greet others in Romanian will help you make a good impression and establish meaningful connections.
Remember, when meeting someone for the first time or in a formal context, use formal greetings like “Bună ziua” or “Vă salut”. However, with friends, family members, or in casual situations, feel free to use informal greetings such as “Bună” or “Salut”. If you will be visiting different regions of Romania, be aware of the possible regional variations in greetings that may exist.
Practice these greetings with native Romanian speakers, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Most people will appreciate your effort to learn their language and culture. Now that you have a solid foundation for saying greetings in Romanian, go ahead and confidently start conversations, making lasting connections along the way!
