Guide: How to say “how much” in Romanian

Whether you’re planning a trip to Romania, learning the language, or just curious about Romanian expressions, knowing how to say “how much” in Romanian can be incredibly useful. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to ask about the price or quantity of something. Let’s dive in!

Formal Ways to Say “How Much”

When addressing someone formally or in a professional setting, it’s important to use proper language. Here are a few formal ways to ask “how much” in Romanian:

1. Cât costă? – This is the most common and straightforward way to ask “how much does it cost?”. It can be used in various contexts, such as asking about the price of an item in a shop or the cost of a service.
2. Cât este prețul? – This phrase translates to “how much is the price?” and is more formal than the previous one. It can be used interchangeably with “Cât costă?” to ask about the price of something.
3. Îmi puteți spune prețul? – This is a polite way to ask “can you tell me the price?”. It is often used in formal situations where you want to show respect and politeness towards the person you are asking.

Informal Ways to Say “How Much”

When talking with friends, family, or in casual situations, you can use more informal phrases to ask “how much” in Romanian:

1. Cât costă lucrul ăsta? – This phrase translates to “how much does this thing cost?”. It is a casual way to inquire about the price of a specific item.
2. Cât face? – This expression is a short and colloquial way to ask “how much does it cost?”. It is often used among friends or when haggling at a market.
3. Cât mă costă? – This phrase translates to “how much does it cost me?”. It is commonly used when you want to know the price of something you personally need or want to buy.

Regional Variations

Romania has several regional variations, which can sometimes lead to differences in vocabulary and expressions. The phrases mentioned above are widely understood and accepted throughout the country. However, in some regions, you may come across the following regional variations:

La cât ajunge? – This expression, commonly used in some regions, translates to “how much does it add up to?”. It is an informal way to ask about the price.

Cât face prețul? – In certain areas, you might hear this variation instead of “Cât costă?”. It means the same thing, but the word order is slightly different.

Tips and Examples

Here are some additional tips and examples to help you practice using the different ways to say “how much” in Romanian:

• When asking about the price, it is common to use the noun or pronoun before the question. For example, “Cât costă rochia?” means “How much does the dress cost?”
• You can replace the word “costă” (cost) with “face” (literally “makes”) in some informal contexts. For example, “Cât face cafeaua?” means “How much does the coffee cost?”.
• If you want to ask “how much does it cost per kilogram/liter?” you can add “per kilogram” (pe kilogram) or “per liter” (pe litru) to the end of the question. For example, “Cât costă merele pe kilogram?” means “How much do the apples cost per kilogram?”.

Now armed with this knowledge, you can confidently ask “how much” in Romanian, whether you find yourself shopping, negotiating, or simply curious about prices. Remember to adapt your language based on the formality of the situation, and don’t hesitate to practice with native speakers to refine your pronunciation and fluency. Happy learning!