Ce s-a întâmplat?
The English phrase "what is wrong?" can be translated into Romanian as Ce s-a întâmplat?
Ce s-a întâmplat? is the most common way to ask "what is wrong?" when something has clearly gone wrong. Because this phrase is in the past tense, it is used to inquire about the cause of a current problem or situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Ce s-a întâmplat? literally translates to "What happened?"
Which one should you use?
While Ce s-a întâmplat? asks about a recent event, Ce are? is used to ask what is wrong with a person's current state or health (e.g., "What is wrong with him?").
Did you know?
- If someone responds to Ce s-a întâmplat? with the word Nimic, they are saying 'nothing', but depending on the tone, it often implies that something is very wrong and they don't want to talk about it.
- The verb in Ce s-a întâmplat? is reflexive, meaning it literally describes the event as having 'happened to itself'.
- In very informal settings, a Romanian might shorten the inquiry to just Ce-i? (a contraction of 'Ce este?'), which is similar to the English 'What is it?' or 'What's up?'
Examples in context
- Ce-ai pățit? / Am avut o zi dificilă la serviciu. / Înțeleg cum te simți. Poate ar trebui să îți iei o pauză și să te odihnești.What happened to you? / I had a difficult day at work. / I understand how you feel. Maybe you should take a break and rest.
Example conversation
Gabriel finds Ioana looking upset in the living room.
- GabrielIoana, ce s-a întâmplat?Ioana, what is wrong?
- IoanaAm pierdut cheile de la casă.I lost the house keys.
- GabrielNu îți face griji, Ioana.Don't worry, Ioana.
- IoanaMulțumesc, Gabriel.Thank you, Gabriel.
