The Funniest Romanian Mispronunciations (And How to Avoid Them)

Romanian is a language full of charming quirks, but some words are just waiting to trip up unsuspecting learners. Whether you're ordering a coffee or complimenting someone's dog, a slight mispronunciation can turn a polite phrase into something hilariously unintended. Here’s a rundown of the most common - and often amusing - mistakes, along with tips to avoid them.

1. The Infamous 'Câine' vs. 'Cine'

Ah, the classic mix-up. 'Câine' (dog) and 'cine' (who) sound almost identical to an untrained ear, but the difference lies in that subtle 'â' sound. Say 'câine' with a nasal twang, like you’ve just smelled something questionable, and you’ll be closer to the mark. Otherwise, you might end up asking 'who?' when pointing at someone’s beloved pet.

2. The Perils of 'Ciocolată'

Romanian chocolate is delicious, but asking for it can be a minefield. 'Ciocolată' (chocolate) is often butchered as 'chocolată' by English speakers, which makes you sound like a toddler demanding sweets. The 'cio' should be pronounced like 'cho' in 'chore', not 'choo-choo train'.

3. When 'Fără' Sounds Like 'Fară'

The word 'fără' (without) is a staple in Romanian, especially when ordering food ('fără zahăr', please). But if you pronounce it like 'fară', you’re not just saying 'without' - you’re accidentally inventing a new word that doesn’t exist. The correct pronunciation is closer to 'fuh-ruh', with a soft 'ă' sound.

4. The 'Ș' and 'Ț' Trap

Romanian’s 'ș' (sh) and 'ț' (ts) sounds are notorious for tripping up learners. Words like 'și' (and) and 'țară' (country) can come out as 'see' and 'tara' if you’re not careful. The trick? Imagine you’re hissing like a cat for 'ș', and think of the 'zz' in 'pizza' for 'ț'.

• 'Și' (and) → /ʃi/, not 'see'
• 'Țară' (country) → /ˈt͡sa.rə/, not 'tara'

5. The 'Bună Ziua' Blunder

Greetings are the first thing you’ll use in Romanian, and 'bună ziua' (good day) is a classic. But if you rush it, it can sound like 'bunaziua', which might earn you a puzzled look. Take your time - 'bună' (good) and 'ziua' (day) are two separate words, not a mashed-together phrase.

6. The 'Mulțumesc' Mishap

Saying 'thank you' should be simple, but 'mulțumesc' trips up even seasoned learners. The 'țu' part is often pronounced like 'too', but it should be closer to 'tsoo'. If you say 'mool-too-mesk', you’ll sound like a tourist. Aim for 'mool-tsoo-mesk' instead.

Want More Romanian Fun?

If you enjoyed this guide, you might also like The Funniest Romanian Idioms You Need to Know or 8 Fun Romanian Tongue Twisters for Language Play. Happy learning!