Ești cel mai bun
The English phrase "you're the best" is translated into Romanian as Ești cel mai bun.
This expression is used to praise someone or to thank them for being particularly kind or helpful. While it can be used literally to state that someone is the best at a specific skill, it is very commonly used idiomatically to mean "you're a lifesaver" or "you're so kind" after someone has done you a favor.
Which one should you use?
Ești cel mai bun is the masculine form used when the person being praised is male. If you are speaking to a woman, use the feminine form Ești cea mai bună. Additionally, you may use the informal expressions Ești cel mai tare for males or Ești cea mai tare for females.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use the feminine form Ești cea mai bună when speaking to a woman.
Did you know?
- The expression Ești cel mai tare literally translates to 'you are the hardest' or 'you are the toughest'.
- The word ești is a close linguistic sibling to the word ešti found in Romansh, a rare Romance language spoken in parts of Switzerland.
- In Romanian, the word bun can describe a person's character or their skill, but it is also used to describe the taste of food.
Examples in context
- Ești cel mai bun tată din lume.You're the best dad in the world.This sentence shows how to use Ești cel mai bun when praising a father.Tatoeba #9039974 by elenacristina260, translation #2438358 by Hybrid
- Ești cel mai bun la locul tău de muncă.You're the best at your job.
- Ești cel mai tare la fotbal!You're the best at soccer!
- Ești cea mai tare în materie de modă!You're the best when it comes to fashion!
- Ești cel mai bun de la muncă.You're the best at work.
Example conversation
Andrei helps Elena carry heavy bags to her car.
- AndreiGata, am pus toate gențile în mașină.Done, I put all the bags in the car.
- ElenaMulțumesc mult, Andrei! Ești cel mai bun.Thank you so much, Andrei! You're the best.
- AndreiCu plăcere, Elena. Cu drag!You're welcome, Elena. My pleasure!
- ElenaNe vedem mâine atunci.I'll see you tomorrow then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bun, cel, ești, mai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
