ratat
The Romanian word for loser is ratat.
The term is used to describe a person who fails to win.
Meaning: person who fails to win (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term is used colloquially and carries a derogatory, informal tone similar to the English 'loser'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female loser, use the feminine form ratată. The plural form for a group of losers is rațați.
Did you know?
- While ratat describes a general failure, Romanians use the specific word fraier for a loser who is a 'sucker' or someone easily fooled.
- The word ratat is the past participle of the verb rata, which is also used when you miss a train or a football goal.
- In certain slang contexts, ratat can be used as a self-deprecating joke to describe one's own social awkwardness rather than a genuine failure.
Examples in context
- Nu vreau să fiu un ratat.I don't want to be a loser.
- E un ratat în jocul ăsta.He is a loser in this game.
Example conversation
Ioana and Gabriel are discussing a competitive game.
- IoanaAm câștigat iar, Gabriel!I won again, Gabriel!
- GabrielNu mă numi ratat doar pentru asta.Don't call me a loser just for that.
- IoanaE doar o glumă, nu te supăra.It's just a joke, don't be upset.
- GabrielBine, dar data viitoare câștig eu.Fine, but next time I win.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ratat, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ratat, CC BY-SA 4.0.
