Hoping to boost your knowledge of Romanian, a beautiful Romance language that has roots in Eastern Europe? Our collection of 8 fantastic Romanian everyday idioms will get you from sounding like a novice to fitting right in, whether your language-learning goals are for a vacation, or to be able to chat with Romanian-speakers wherever you go!
1. Nea Caisă
Nea caisă
(Mister Apricot)
Romanian | Romania
It’s a generic name that’s used when you don’t remember a man’s actual name.
Pronounced na kai-sa, this phrase is a great way of letting people know you’ve immersed yourself in Romanian! Whilst it is mostly used by middle-aged people, this everyday Romanian idiom is such a lovely way of expressing that you’ve forgotten someone’s name!
2. pe apa Sîmbetei
Pe apa sîmbetei
(on Saturday’s water)
Romanian | Romania
It’s used when something has gone wrong or has been wasted.
Have you spilled a drink or made an error and want a fun way of expressing it in Romanian? This is the perfect Romanian idiom for you and will transform you from an awkward tourist who dropped a plate to a native speaker who was just a little clumsy! It’s pronounced pe apa simba-tey so now you’re ready to brush off any awkward moments with this great turn of phrase!
3. a-i pica fisa
A-i pica fisa
(to drop his coin)
Romanian | Romania
It means that someone received something good without expecting it.
Found some money in your pocket after putting your clothes in the washer? Or maybe your friend has just surprised you with some flowers and you want to express it! That’s when you’d say “a-i pica fisa” (pronounced eye pika fis-ah). It’s used often by everyone, so you don’t need to worry about when or who you use this idiom with!
4. Ești varză
Ești varză
(You’re cabbage)
Romanian | Romania
It’s generally used to tell someone they suck when they dissapoint you.
If you’re looking for a slang way to tease someone, why use a profanity when you can call them a cabbage? If someone has done something wrong or badly and you want to let them know about it, just say “Ești varză” (ye-shti vard-za) and they’ll get the message, loud and clear!
5. la paștele cailor
You’ve heard of expressions like “when pigs fly” or “never in a month of Sundays”, but at the horse’s Easter is its equivalent in Romania and Moldova! If you need a more creative way to tell someone something is never going to happen, you can say “la paștele cailor” (la pash-tele kai-lorr)!
6. a da la rațe
Now, this is a slightly more disgusting and visceral Romanian everyday idiom, but it’s too good to not share! It’s a fantastic euphemism that avoids mentioning vomit, but Romanian speakers will know exactly what you mean. It’s pronounced a da la ratzie and it’s perfect for recounting drunken tales with friends.
7. a freca menta
A freca menta
(to rub the mint)
Romanian | Romania
It means to waste time, to do something useless, to be lazy.
We absolutely love this Romanian everyday idiom, it’s perfect for calling out the procrastinator in your life (even if that’s yourself!). Pronounced a fre-ka men-ta, we all know this idiom has become more and more useful now that the days of doomscrolling are firmly among us. Now, a freca menta and keep learning Romanian!
8. televizorul are purici
Televizorul are purici
(the TV has fleas)
Romanian | Romania
It means that there’s static on the TV.
To round off our 8 fantastic Romanian everyday idioms, saying that the TV has fleas is surely the cutest way of describing that the television isn’t working. This is a super-common metaphor that is great for expressing your frustration at the TV! Wondering how to pronounce it? Here you go: tele-visor ulary poo-richi.
We hope you’ve loved our collection of Romanian everyday idioms. If you’re a Romanian speaker and you know of some beautiful idioms and phrases we haven’t included, please add your contributions of phrases to Untranslatable, our online multilingual dictionary!