Romanian, a Romance language spoken by around 24 million people as a native language, predominantly in Romania and Moldova, is known for its rich history and fascinating blend of Latin roots and Slavic, Turkish, Hungarian, and other influences. While mastering the basics of Romanian is an exciting journey in itself, diving into the realm of slang can bring an entirely new dimension to your language learning experience. It allows you to connect with native speakers on a deeper level, understand contemporary culture, and navigate daily conversations with ease.
In this article, we will explore some of the most common and contemporary Romanian slang expressions, providing you with a glimpse into the modern usage of this vibrant language. From casual greetings to expressions of emotion, these slang terms will help you sound more like a local and less like a textbook.
Greetings and Farewells
One of the first steps in sounding natural in any language is mastering the art of greetings and farewells. Here are some commonly used slang expressions in Romanian:
Ce faci? – This phrase translates to “What are you doing?” or “How are you?” It’s a casual way to check in with someone and can be used similarly to “What’s up?” in English.
Să trăiești! – Literally translating to “May you live!” this expression is used informally as a greeting or a way to say “hello.” It’s particularly popular among the younger generation.
Pa! – A simple and informal way to say “bye,” similar to “see ya” in English. It’s commonly used among friends and acquaintances.
Salut! – This is a versatile greeting that can mean both “hi” and “bye,” similar to the Italian “ciao.” It’s suitable for casual settings.
Everyday Expressions
Understanding everyday slang expressions can significantly enhance your conversational skills. Here are some phrases that are frequently used in daily life:
Mișto – This is a popular slang word that means “cool” or “awesome.” For example, you might say, “A fost un film mișto!” (“It was a cool movie!”).
Fain – Similar to “mișto,” this word also means “nice” or “cool.” It’s often used in the context of describing something pleasant or enjoyable, like “O zi faină!” (“A nice day!”).
Nasol – This term is the opposite of “fain” and “mișto,” meaning “bad” or “lousy.” For instance, “A fost nasol la muncă azi” (“It was lousy at work today”).
Bine – While this word generally means “good” or “well,” in slang, it can be used as an affirmative response similar to “OK” or “fine.” For example, “Vii la petrecere?” “Bine” (“Are you coming to the party?” “OK”).
Expressions of Emotion
Expressing emotions is a crucial part of any language. Here are some Romanian slang terms that help convey feelings:
Super – This term is borrowed from English and is used to express something great or fantastic. For example, “A fost super!” (“It was super!”).
Nașpa – This word is used to describe something unpleasant or bad, similar to “crappy” in English. For example, “M-am simțit nașpa ieri” (“I felt crappy yesterday”).
Beton – Literally meaning “concrete,” this slang term is used to describe something or someone as being solid, strong, or impressive. For example, “Concertul a fost beton!” (“The concert was awesome!”).
Fain – As mentioned earlier, “fain” can also be used to express positive emotions, similar to “great” or “nice.” For instance, “E fain să te văd!” (“It’s great to see you!”).
Talking About People
When it comes to talking about people, whether complimenting or criticizing, Romanian slang offers a range of colorful expressions:
Tip / Tipă – These words mean “guy” and “girl,” respectively. They are casual ways to refer to people, similar to “dude” or “chick” in English. For example, “Tipul acela e cool” (“That guy is cool”).
Frate – Literally meaning “brother,” this term is used similarly to “bro” in English to address a close friend or peer. For example, “Ce faci, frate?” (“What’s up, bro?”).
Pisoi / Pisică – These words mean “kitten” or “cat,” but in slang, they are used affectionately to refer to someone cute or attractive. For example, “Ești un pisoi!” (“You’re a cutie!”).
Tare – Literally meaning “hard” or “strong,” this term is used to describe someone as cool or impressive. For example, “Tipa aia e tare!” (“That girl is cool!”).
Common Phrases and Idioms
Romanian slang also includes a variety of idiomatic expressions that can add flavor to your conversations:
La mișto – This phrase means “just kidding” or “for fun.” For example, “Am zis-o la mișto” (“I said it just kidding”).
Pe bune – This expression means “for real” or “seriously.” For example, “Pe bune? Nu te cred!” (“For real? I don’t believe you!”).
A da cu bâta-n baltă – Literally translating to “to hit the stick in the puddle,” this idiom means to make a mistake or mess up. For example, “Am dat cu bâta-n baltă la examen” (“I messed up on the exam”).
A fi pe felie – This phrase means to be in the know or up-to-date with something. For example, “E mereu pe felie cu ultimele știri” (“He’s always up-to-date with the latest news”).
Expressions Related to Food and Drink
Food and drink are integral parts of any culture, and Romanian slang includes several expressions related to them:
A ciuguli – This verb means “to nibble” or “to snack,” often used when someone is eating small amounts throughout the day. For example, “Îmi place să ciugulesc între mese” (“I like to snack between meals”).
A trage o beție – This phrase means “to get drunk” or “to have a drinking session.” For example, “Am tras o beție la petrecere” (“We got drunk at the party”).
A mânca pe săturate – This idiom means “to eat to one’s fill” or “to eat heartily.” For example, “Am mâncat pe săturate la restaurant” (“We ate heartily at the restaurant”).
Insults and Negative Expressions
While it’s important to use these expressions carefully and respectfully, understanding slang insults and negative expressions can help you better comprehend conversations and media:
Prost/Proastă – These words mean “stupid” or “dumb.” For example, “Ești prost?” (“Are you stupid?”).
Bou/Bouă – Literally meaning “ox,” this term is used to call someone an idiot or fool. For example, “E un bou” (“He’s an idiot”).
Du-te dracu’! – This phrase is an equivalent of “go to hell!” and should be used with caution due to its strong nature.
Nașpa – As mentioned earlier, “nașpa” means “bad” or “crappy.” It can also describe a bad situation or person. For example, “Tipul ăla e nașpa” (“That guy is crappy”).
Expressions of Agreement and Disagreement
Agreeing and disagreeing are fundamental parts of any conversation. Here are some Romanian slang expressions to help you navigate these interactions:
Sunt de acord – While this phrase means “I agree,” a more slangy way to express agreement is “Sunt pe aceeași lungime de undă” (“I’m on the same wavelength”).
Nu sunt de acord – This phrase means “I disagree,” but a more casual way to say it is “Nu sunt pe aceeași lungime de undă” (“I’m not on the same wavelength”).
Exact – This term is used to say “exactly” or “precisely,” similar to its English counterpart. For example, “Exact, așa e!” (“Exactly, that’s how it is!”).
Nici vorbă – This phrase means “no way” or “not at all,” used to strongly disagree with something. For example, “Nici vorbă să merg acolo!” (“No way I’m going there!”).
Conclusion
Learning Romanian slang is an exciting and enriching part of mastering the language. It not only helps you sound more natural and relatable in conversations but also provides deeper insights into the culture and everyday life of Romanian speakers. By incorporating these expressions into your vocabulary, you’ll be well on your way to connecting with native speakers on a more personal level and navigating the modern usage of Romanian with confidence.
Remember, slang can vary significantly from region to region, and it’s always a good idea to listen carefully to how native speakers use these expressions in different contexts. Practice with friends, watch Romanian movies, and engage in conversations to get a feel for the nuances of these slang terms. Happy learning and “Baftă!” (Good luck!) in your Romanian language journey!