ceai
/t͡ʃe̯aj/neuter
The Romanian word for tea is ceai.
The word ceai refers to the drink made from the leaves of the tea plant.
Meaning: drink made from leaves of tea plant (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
ceai is a neuter noun. When you are referring to a specific tea, use the definite form ceaiul. If you need to express possession or direction (the genitive or dative singular), use ceaiului. To talk about more than one type of tea, use the plural form ceaiuri.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃe̯aj/
Did you know?
- The word ceai entered Romanian via the Ottoman Turkish language, reflecting the deep influence of the Ottoman Empire on the Balkans.
- In Romanian culture, ceai is frequently paired with a piece of covrig or a sweet pastry, making it a ritual of hospitality.
- If you are in a cafe and want to order a specific herbal infusion that is not actually from the tea plant, many Romanians might still colloquially use the word ceai to describe it.
Examples in context
- Bem ceaiul cu zahăr.We take our tea with sugar.This sentence shows how to use ceai when talking about taking tea with sugar.Tatoeba #6576196 by CataG, translation #490843 by FeuDRenais
- Lui îi place ceaiul.He likes tea.This sentence demonstrates how to use ceai to express a preference for tea.Tatoeba #7058909 by CataG, translation #1098268 by cntrational
- Fac un ceai cu miere.I'm making some tea with honey.This sentence shows how to use ceai when describing the process of making tea with honey.Tatoeba #13554767 by Ioan_Cristian, translation #13554766 by Ioan_Cristian
- Aș dori o cană de ceai, vă rog.I would like a cup of tea, please.
- Vă invit la o ceașcă de ceai.I invite you for a cup of tea.
- Haidem să bem un ceai împreună.Let's have a tea together.
- Te-aș ruga să-mi faci o ceașcă de ceai.Could you please make me a cup of tea?
- ceai negruBlack tea
- ceai verdeGreen tea
- ceai de planteHerbal tea
- ceainicTeapot
- ceașcă de ceaiTeacup
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Andrei and Ioana are relaxing in the kitchen.
- AndreiVrei o ceașcă de ceai?Do you want a cup of tea?
- IoanaDa, te rog, Andrei.Yes, please, Andrei.
- AndreiCe ceai preferi astăzi?What tea do you prefer today?
- IoanaPrefer ceaiul de mentă.I prefer mint tea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tea” translations and entries ceai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ceai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
