Nearly every country has a holiday dedicated to dragoste (love) and romance. In the U.S. and other Western nations, this manifests as Valentine’s Day; in South Korea, there are twelve separate love days celebrated each year! And in Romania, there is the traditional celebration of Dragobete Day (often called Romanian Valentine’s Day).

This is a unique holiday centered on romance and the beginning of primăvară (spring). In this article, you’ll learn how this holiday got started, what celebrations look like today, and more useful Dragobete information.

1. What is Dragobete?

In Romania, February 24 marks the unofficial beginning of spring as well as the annual love celebration called Dragobete. This traditional holiday lost its popularity during the communist era, but has more recently resurfaced to be celebrated alongside Valentine’s Day. Perhaps due to the holiday’s time missing in action, no two regions within Romania celebrate it exactly the same way. 

While some people do celebrate Valentine’s Day in Romania, many favor Dragobete for its connection to tradition and its fresh perspective on love and romance. 

According to the Dragobete legend, there’s an old woman named Baba Dochia. She gave birth to Dragobete, who is most often depicted as being half-human and half-angel. Romanians view him as being not only the protector of love, but also a guardian of sorts to birds. These beliefs are reflected in every aspect of the holiday, from its focus on romance to its many springtime activities.

Around this time, many birds begin to build their cuib (nest) in preparation for breeding and laying eggs in the coming spring. Some people consider this symbolic of how men and women should also be ‘nesting’ and preparing to start a family. As such, this holiday is regarded as the perfect time to express romantic interest in a potential partner—especially if you were too shy to do so throughout the last year! 

→ Though few things are sweeter than a springtime romance, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season even if you’re single. Check out our list of the Top 15 Things To Do Over Spring Break. 😉

2. Dragobete Traditions and Customs

Throughout Romania, Dragobete is associated with a number of traditions, some of which vary by region. 

The most common tradition is for single men and women to go into the fields together and gather springtime flowers. Afterwards, the men and women may spend time together as a group, lighting fires atop the hills and talking with each other until late in the evening. After this, each man chases one of the women back to the village; if the woman has feelings for him, she will allow the man to kiss her. Depending on the region, the people of the village consider this a type of logodnă (engagement), where the man and woman publicly express their love for each other prior to marriage. 

Another Romanian Dragobete tradition is for women to use the springtime snow to wash their faces; this is thought to make them more beautiful and their skin purer. Young women also eat salty bread baked by elderly women, which is thought to make them thirsty before bed. They then place some busuioc (basil) underneath their pillow; they will then have a vis (dream) about their future soţ (husband), who brings them water to drink. 

Due to the nature of this holiday, people are also advised to treat each other well and to have a sunny disposition. For partners, this might mean buying gifts for each other or spending quality time together. For those who are single, this means not complaining or being difficult. 

→ Do you have a Romanian lover? Impress them with these 15 Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day!

→ What’s that? You have something bigger in mind? Then read through these Marriage Proposal Lines in Romanian!

3. Fascinating Correlations

Earlier, we mentioned that the Dragobete holiday is partially based on mythology surrounding Baba Dochia and her son Dragobete. Did you know that Bulgaria has a similar mythological character, named Baba Marta? 

Like Baba Dochia, Baba Marta is associated with the coming of spring. Bulgarians celebrate their springtime festival throughout the month of March. Rather than focusing on romance, however, the Bulgarian holiday is celebrated by wearing red-and-white bracelets to keep evil away—and to keep the often-grouchy Baba Marta in a good mood! 

4. Romanian Vocabulary to Know for Dragobete

Here’s the essential vocabulary you’ll need for Dragobete in Romania (or really, any time you want to impress your Romanian partner). 

• Pernă (Pillow) – noun, feminine
• Soţ (Husband) – noun, masculine
• Pasăre (Bird) – noun, feminine
• Primăvară (Spring) – noun
• Floare (Flower) – noun, feminine
• Sărut (Kiss) – noun, neutral
• Vis (Dream) – noun, neutral
• Dragoste (Love) – noun, feminine
• Fată (Girl) – noun, feminine
• Busuioc (Basil) – noun, masculine
• Stol (Flock) – noun, neutral
• Cuib (Nest) – noun, neutral
• Logodnă (Engagement) – noun, feminine

To hear and practice the pronunciation of each word, head over to our Lovers’ Day vocabulary list! 

Final Thoughts

Dragobete Day in Romania, while similar to Valentine’s Day, certainly has its unique aspects. 

Do you celebrate Valentine’s Day in your country, or another romantic holiday? What are your favorite ways to celebrate? We look forward to hearing from you! 

We hope you enjoyed learning about this fun, romantic holiday with us and that you’re curious to learn more about Romanian culture! 

To continue your studies, we recommend you visit the following pages on RomanianPod101.com:

• How to Celebrate Bukovina Day in Romania
• How to Celebrate Brancusi Day in Romania
• How You Can Master Romanian Customs in No Time Flat
• Life Event Messages: Happy Birthday in Romanian and Beyond
• How to Express Anger in Romanian on Your Bad Days

If you sample our content and decide you want to commit, you can create your free lifetime account at any time! This will give you access to tons of fun and effective lessons, our flagship podcast, spaced repetition flashcards, and support from the RomanianPod101 staff and community. 

What are you waiting for? Start learning Romanian like never before!

International Women’s Day in Romania is a special day to appreciate women, shower them with gifts, and let them know how much you love and respect them. It’s also a day to celebrate the gains women have made over the years and to continue pursuing equality and women’s rights.

In this article, you’ll learn all about how Romanians celebrate Women’s Day. Let’s get started!

1. What is International Women’s Day?

In Romania, International Women’s Day is a day set aside to honor and respect women. In addition, this holiday is meant to encourage more rights and equality for women, and to a sărbători, or “celebrate,” the gains women have already experienced.

International Women’s Day history in Romania began in 1945, though this holiday reached Europe in 1911, and the United States even earlier in 1909. At some point, the Romanian Women’s Day was overtaken by the Socialist Republic of Romania under the rule of Nicolae Ceausescu, and Mother’s Day took its place. But the sacrifices of many women (and men) have given women the right and ability to once again celebrate Women’s Day!

2. When is International Women’s Day?

Each year, International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8.

3. Women’s Day Traditions & Celebrations

For a popular International Women’s Day celebration, Romanians give lavish gifts to the important women in their lives. For example, husbands will give their wife (soție) sweets or flowers, and children will give their mother (mamă) cards. In fact, stores and shops all over Romania have massive sales just for Women’s Day.

Women can expect to receive a multitude of gifts and compliments from their family or significant other. Sometimes, a boyfriend or husband may also take their significant other out for dinner or another fun activity.

The most important thing is for women to enjoy themselves on this day!

→ Need some inspiration for your Women’s Day date? Check out this vocabulary list about the Top 10 Romantic Ideas for a Date.

→ We also have a lesson on the most popular Sweets and Desserts in Romania if you want to surprise the woman in your life with something sweet!

4. Petrecere (Party)

A fascinating aspect of Women’s Day in Romania is the fact that many women actually enjoy spending the day alone or with their fellow ladies.

During the daytime, many women bide their time shopping or getting pampered at a salon.
Once evening hits, women are typically encouraged to dress nicely, and go out to enjoy themselves for a special kind of all-ladies petrecere, or “party.” Bars and restaurants often have great discounts or special Women’s Day events going on, and women enjoy spending time with their girls!

If you want to read more about this unique Women’s Day tradition, you can head over to Argophilia.com.

→ For some useful vocabulary, study these lists on the Top Words and Phrases for the Restaurant & Words for Cosmetics and Beauty!

5. Essential Vocab for International Women’s Day in Romania

Ready to review some of the vocabulary words from this article? Here’s a list of the most important words and phrases for International Women’s Day:

• Fiică — “Daughter”
• Floare — “Flower”
• Muncitor — “Hard-working”
• A sărbători — “Celebrate”
• Petrecere — “Party”
• Prietenă — “Girlfriend”
• Mamă — “Mother”
• Bunică — “Grandmother”
• Soție — “Wife”
• Cadou — “Gift”
• Dulciuri — “Sweets”
• A dărui — “Give”

To hear the pronunciation of each word, and to read them alongside relevant images, check out our Romanian International Women’s Day vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about International Women’s Day in Romania with us! Do you celebrate Women’s Day in your country, or honor women another way? We look forward to hearing from you in the comments!

If you’re fascinated with Romanian culture and can’t get enough, check out the following pages on RomanianPod101.com:

• All About Romanian Culture and Society
• How You Can Master Romanian Customs in No Time Flat
• A Night at Home with the Top Romanian Movies
• How to Celebrate Bukovina Day in Romania
• Tourist Attractions in Romania

Whatever your reasons for developing an interest in the Romanian culture or language, know that RomanianPod101.com is the best way to expand your knowledge and improve your skills. With tons of fun and immersive lessons for learners at every level, there’s something for everyone!

Create your free lifetime account today, and start learning with us.

Ziua internațională fericită a femeii! (“Happy Women’s Day!” in Romanian) from the RomanianPod101 family.

Who is Constantin Brancusi, and why is he considered such a significant person in Romanian culture?

In this article, we’ll go over some Constantin Brancusi facts, explore some of his artwork, and introduce you to some new Romanian vocabulary words. You’ll also learn a little bit about how Romanians celebrate Constantin Brancusi Day!

In 2019, Valer Daniel-Breaz claimed that Brancusi’s artwork would always be “one of the most significant forms of dialogue of the Romanian culture…”

Let’s dive in and learn about Constantin Brancusi, the artwork he’s well-known for, and much more!

1. What is Brancusi Day?

On this holiday, Romanians observe and celebrate the birth and life of Constantin Brancusi, Romanian sculptor, photographer, and artist.

Born in 1876, Constantin Brancusi developed a strong talent for carving at an early age. Though he worked as a sheepherder for his family, he also spent time carving farm tools and other items from wood. Unfortunately, his father and brothers bullied and abused him, and young Brancusi often left home for safety.

Brancusi permanently left home at around age nine to begin working. Eventually, he found a new place of residence in Craiova, where he lived until age eighteen; at that time, someone discovered his artwork and sent him to the Craiova School of Arts and Crafts, where Brancusi honed his skills.

Brancusi eventually made a life and career for himself in Paris, France. Beginning with his pieces The Prayer, Sleeping Muse, and The Kiss, he went on to create many sculptures and other forms of artwork. Brancusi was especially well-known for his use of clean lines and symbolism, and is now considered a major influence of modernism. Two of his most famous pieces are Bird in Space and Endless Column.

2. Date of Brancusi Day

Each year, Romanians observe Brancusi Day on February 19, the date of his birth in 1876.

3. Brancusi Day Celebrations

While Brancusi Day isn’t a public holiday, those who truly appreciate his work still find ways to observe this day. Some of the most common ways to do this include visiting art muzee (“museums” ), holding art licitatii (“auctions”), and attending art expoziţii (“exhibitions”).

To celebrate Brancusi Day, people may observe Constantin Brancusi sculptures and other forms of his artwork in museums, and simply contemplate on Brancusi’s life. Sometimes, speeches and lectures about Brancusi and his work are given in art museums as well.

4. Constantin Brancusi Quotes

There are a few popular quotes attributed to Brancusi. Two of these are:

1. “Nothing can grow under big trees.”
2. “Work like a slave; command like a king; create like a god.”

What are your thoughts on these sayings? We’d love to hear from you!

→ Are you interested in learning more quotes about success in Romanian? Be sure to read our relevant vocabulary list!

5. Must-Know Vocabulary for Brancusi Day

Ready to review some of the vocabulary words from this article? Here’s the essential vocabulary you need to know for Brancusi Day in Romania!

• Pasăre — “Bird”
• Fotografie — “Photograph”
• Muzeu — “Museum”
• Sculptură — “Sculpture”
• Formă — “Shape”
• Infinit — “Infinity”
• Lemn — “Wood”
• Statuetă — “Statuette”
• Licitație — “Auction”
• Monument — “Monument”
• Piatră — “Stone”
• Expoziție — “Exhibition”
• A sculpta — “Carve”

Visit our Romanian Brancusi Day vocabulary list to hear each of these words pronounced, and to read them alongside relevant images.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Constantin Brancusi offered the world several unique glimpses into the culture of Romania, and offered Romania several unique glimpses of the world. Not afraid of looking under the surface, or of exposing to everyone what was underneath, Brancusi made a lasting impact on the world, reflected in the February 19 holiday each year.

Do you have a favorite Constantin Brancusi sculpture? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!

To learn more about Romanian culture, check out the following pages on RomanianPod101.com:

• All About Romanian Culture and Society
• Top Five Things You Need to Know About Romanian Pop Culture
• How You Can Master Romanian Customs in No Time Flat
• How to Celebrate Bukovina Day in Romania
• Essential Idioms That Will Make You Sound Like a Native Speaker
• Tourist Attractions in Romania

Whatever your reasons for developing an interest in Romanian culture or the language, know that RomanianPod101.com is the best way to increase your knowledge and improve your skills. With tons of fun and effective lessons for beginners, intermediate learners, and more advanced students, there’s something for everyone!

Create your free lifetime account today and start learning Romanian like never before.

On Bukovina Day, Romanians commemorate the joining of Bukovina to Romania in 1918. Bukovina is considered a significant city within the country, and has quite a history.

In this article, you’ll learn a little bit about that history, as well as how this acquisition is celebrated in Romania today. In learning about this momentous occasion in Romanian history, you’ll be gaining much insight into the overall culture of the country and see it through a clearer lens.

At RomanianPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative!

Let’s get started.

1. What is Bukovina Day in Romania?

Bukovina is an important city within the country, and is divided into Northern and Southern Bukovina, both of which have strong historical significance rooted in World War II.

Bukovina Day marks the date in 1918 that the region of Bukovina voted to be joined with Romania. Prior to this, Bukovina was a part of Moldavia, and for 144 years leading up to its vote, suffered many abuses and severe freedom limitations. Seeing Romania as an escape and liberation from these wrongs, Bukovina (headed by Iancu Flondor) made the decision to be joined “unconditionally and forever,” to Romania.

However, the June 1940 Soviet Ultimatum created another obstacle. The Soviet Union demanded that Romania hand over Northern Bukovina to it, in order to compensate for the Soviet Union’s heavy losses during Romania’s control of Bessarabia. In the Paris Peace Treaty of 1947, Romania was made to give up the Northern Bukovina to the USSR.

Today, over half of what was Northern Bukovina is now the Chernivtsi Oblast in Ukraine. Southern Bukovina is still very much part of Romania.

2. When is Bukovina Day?

Each year, Bukovina Day is observed on November 28, the date in 1918 that Bukovina’s people voted to be united with Romania.

3. Bukovina Day Celebrations & Observations

1- Great Union Day

There are no extravagant celebrations to commemorate Bukovina Day on November 28.

Rather, Romanians celebrate a more well-known and inclusive holiday called Great Union Day each year on December 1. On this day, which is also a national holiday, Romanians celebrate the overall expansion of its territory following the First World War.

Not only did Bukovina become (officially) a part of Romania on this date, but so did Transylvania and Bessarabia. Having added these three territories, all of which had populations consisting mostly of Romanians, Romania became two times larger!

2- Celebrations

Celebrations and traditions for Great Unity Day vary from region to region, with the largest and most popular celebrations being in Bucharest and Alba Iulia (where the document confirming the union of Transylvania to Romania was read to many people).

Common traditions that thread through Romania include military parades and performances, religious ceremonies, aircraft shows, free museum admissions, music concerts, and fireworks. Television networks capture footage of numerous events, particularly the parades.

4. Bessarabia & Transylvania

Bessarabia’s reunion to Romania following WWI was brief, and today most of what was Bessarabia belongs to Moldova.

Transylvania was the most significant gain to Romania during the Union, and is today considered a historical region within the country.

5. Vocabulary You Need to Know for Bukovina Day

Here are some vocabulary words you should know for Bukovina Day!

• Albastru — Blue
• Munte — Mountain
• Pădure — Forest
• Turist — Tourist
• Biserică — Church
• Pictură — Painting
• A diviza — Divided
• A alipi — Join
• Frescă — Fresco
• Necunoscut — Unknown
• Peisaj — Landscape
• Fag — Beech

Hear the pronunciation of each word, and read them alongside relevant images, by visiting our Romanian Bukovina Day word list!

Final Thoughts

What are your thoughts on this holiday, and the Great Union Day holiday? What’s your country’s national day? Let us know in the comments; we always love to hear from you!

Learning about a country’s history and culture may be the most fascinating and enriching aspects of trying to master its language. If you enjoyed this article, you may want to check out other culture-related pages on RomanianPod101.com:

• All About Romanian Culture and Society
• Tourist Attractions in Romania
• Essential Idioms That Will Make You Sound Like a Native Speaker
• Top Five Things You Need to Know About Romanian Pop Culture
• National Holidays

At RomanianPod101, we make every effort to make your language-learning process as painless and effective as possible. That means practical and relevant information on numerous topics, fun and simple learning materials, and multiple ways to learn Romanian based on your needs and goals.

If you’re serious about advancing your Romanian skills, be sure to create your free lifetime account today!

A country’s national anthem is more than lyrics and spirited music. From an anthem’s conception, it becomes a part of history and culture, set to the beat of its people’s hearts in unity. An anthem accompanies a country through its changes, its wars, its times of peace, its victories, and its defeats. It reflects the philosophy and mindset of its writers and composers, and rings true in the ears of the entire country.

Romania’s National Anthem is no different, and each year the Romanian people commemorate this anthem and the events surrounding it on its National Anthem Day.

Learn more about the creation of the Romanian National Anthem and its holiday with RomanianPod101.com! We hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative!

1. What is National Anthem Day in Romania?

National Anthem Day, though not a public holiday, is a holiday for Romanians to sing, listen to, and fully appreciate the Romanian National Anthem. This anthem, titled Deșteaptă-te, române! (or “Awaken Thee, Romanian!” in English), is near Romanians’ hearts as it has been from its first performance in 1848—the year of the trying 1848 Revolution.

The Romania National Anthem has helped Romanians remain strong and united through many a trial since, including the Russo-Turkish War, World War I, World War II (as Romania decided to turn against Germany and its Nazism), and the Romanian Revolution (1989).

Once you hear the Romanian National Anthem lyrics, it won’t be hard to understand why Romanians cling to it in times of trouble or change. Unity, confidence, and patriotism resound in its words, and that’s what any country needs to remain strong. Hence the presence of National Anthem Day in Romania.

2. When is National Anthem Day?

Each year, Romanians observe their National Anthem Day on July 29.

3. How is the National Anthem Celebrated?

On National Anthem Day, people still have to work and go to school, seeing as it’s not a public holiday. However, a public ceremony is still held in a popular, historical place in Romania each year—typically the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

During this ceremony, the Romanian President is present, along with many other political and government leaders, as well as those who serve or have served in the Romanian military. There’s a twenty-one-gun salute, followed by speeches from the leaders in attendance. These speeches cover topics such as the country’s history, people worthy of mention, and what to expect for Romania’s future.

Romanians raise their flag high, and as expected, they sing the national anthem in its entirety.

4. The Author

So, who wrote the Romanian National Anthem?

Andrei Mureșanu wrote the lyrics of Romania’s National Anthem in 1848, based on an old religious tune.

Mureșanu grew up under the influence of his small business-owning family, and after studying philosophy and religion, he became a professor Brașov to publish his first sample of poetry not long after.

To give context to his work writing the Romanian National Anthem, Mureșanu also worked as an activist around the time of the 1848 Revolution.

5. Vocabulary You Need to Know for National Anthem Day

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for National Anthem Day in Romania!

• Preşedinte — President
• Ceremonie — Ceremony
• Cântec — Song
• A trezi — Wake up
• Libertate — Liberty
• Patriotism — Patriotism
• Strofă — Stanza
• 21 de salve de tun — 21-gun salute
• Somn — Sleep
• Tiran — Tyrant
• Veteran — Veteran
• Revoluție — Revolution

To hear each vocabulary word pronounced, check out our Romanian National Anthem Day vocabulary list!

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed learning about National Anthem Day in Romania with us. Does your country have a holiday celebrating its national anthem? Let us know about it in the comments! We look forward to hearing from you!

To continue in your Romanian studies, explore RomanianPod101.com and take advantage of our fun and practical learning tools. Read more insightful blog posts like this one and study our free Romanian vocabulary lists, to start! By upgrading to Premium Plus, you can also begin learning Romanian with your own teacher and personalized plan with our MyTeacher program!

Learning Romanian can be a tough journey, but know that your determination and hard work will pay off. You’ll be speaking, writing, and reading Romanian like a native before you know it, and RomanianPod101 will be here to help every step of the way.

Romanian Unification Day was first celebrated in 2015, and commemorates one of the most significant events in Romania’s history: when it officially became Romania in 1866. Learn more about the Unification of Romania and how this holiday is celebrated with RomanianPod101.com!

We’ll go over its history, some vocabulary, and why Unification Day in Romania is so significant!

1. Why Should You Know About Romanian Unification Day?

Despite only recently becoming a celebrated holiday, Romanian Unification Day may just be the most important and significant Romanian holiday. This is because if the event it commemorates never took place, there would be no Romania as we know it today. Romanian Unification Day observes the day that Romania became Romania.

That said, in order to fully appreciate Romania and its language, it’s vital that you know as much about this day as possible, as well as the history surrounding it.

2. What is Romanian Unification Day?

On January 24, Unification Day in Romania is celebrated. There’s a lot of background to cover here, but essentially this commemorates the 1862 unification of Moldavia and Wallachia, which later became Romania.

Here’s a quick rundown of this holiday’s history.

1- Moldavia and Wallachia Before Unification

The two principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia were once called the Danubian Principalities, during the 14th century. In a sense, these two principalities were grouped together—following the 1774 Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca—because this made it easier to identify them as having a similar geopolitical stance.

2- Events Leading up to their Unification

While several events occured before the unification of Moldavia and Wallachia (and Transylvania), here are a few of the most significant:

• Power struggles and battles involving the Russians and Habsburgs
• Involvement in the Greek Independence War in the 1800s
• Russo-Turkish War (1828-29)
• Crimean War (1853-56)
• Treaty of Paris (1856)
• Formation of “The Great Powers”
• Ad hoc Divans allows Alexander Ioan Cuza to rule United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia

3- The Unification in 1862

In 1862, the United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia was shortened to the Romanian United Principalities, thus paving the way for the creation of the Romanian Kingdom four years later, in 1866.

3. When is Unification Day in Romania?

Each year, Romania celebrates its Unification Day on January 24.

This new holiday was first celebrated in 2015, though it commemorates the day in 1862 when the United Principalities were formed from Moldavia and Wallachia. Four years later, this came to be called Romania, thus making this one of the most important events to happen in Romania’s history.

4. How is Romania Unification Day Celebrated?

Romanian Unification Day only became a largely celebrated holiday in 2015, and so there aren’t really set traditions for celebrations. However, this is a Sărbătoare națională or “public holiday,” meaning that the majority of Romanians take this day off of work and school.

On Unification Day, Romanians often celebrate with the following:

• Fireworks
• Speeches
• Singing and praying

And celebrations of this day aren’t limited to Romania—there are some other places around the world which find reason to celebrate this day, including Vancouver, Canada!

5. Additional Information

1- Romania’s Great Union Day

A quick note on this holiday:

Be sure not to confuse Romanian Unification Day with Romania’s Great Union Day.

The latter takes place on December 1 each year, and is Romania’s national holiday. It celebrates the day in 1918 when Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina officially united with The Romanian Kingdom.

While there isn’t too much information on Romanian Unification Day or its celebrations as of yet—considering its newer status as an official holiday—you can hopefully see why it really does deserve its own day. This is not a holiday to be undermined considering its significance and the weight it bears in Romania’s history.

6. Must-know Vocab for Unification Day in Romania

In order to celebrate Romanian Unification Day to its fullest, there’s some basic vocabulary you should know. Check out our list below:

• Bancă — Bank
• Discuţie — Discussion
• Companie — Company
• Ianuarie — January
• Istorie — History
• Constituție — Constitution
• Sărbătoare națională — Public holiday
• Închis — Closed
• Unit — United
• Oficial — Official
• Succes — Success
• A crea — Create

To hear the pronunciation of each word, you can visit our Romanian Unification Day vocabulary list, and listen to the audio file alongside each phrase.

7. Reading Practice: Alexander Ioan Cuza

Read, in Romanian, this paragraph about Alexander Ioan Cuza—the man who came to rule the united Moldavia and Wallachia!

1- Romanian

După ce a fost ales pe tronurile Moldovei și Valahiei, Alexandru Ioan Cuza a început să facă unii pași pentru unirea Principatelor Române într-o singură națiune. El a încercat să obțină recunoașterea oficială a celor două principate de către restul lumii, iar unii dintre liderii europeni, precum Napoleon al III-lea al Franței, au fost de acord să recunoască unirea, deși ministrul austriac a refuzat să o aprobe la Congresul de la Paris, din 1858. Din cauza problemelor recunoașterii unirii de către restul Europei, sultanul Abdulaziz al Imperiului Otoman nu a recunoscut autoritatea lui Cuza până în 1861.

2- English Translation

After being elected to the thrones of both Moldavia and Wallachia, Alexandru Ioan Cuza began making strides toward bringing the Romanian Principalities together into one nation. He sought to get the combination of the two principalities formally recognized by the rest of the world, and some European leaders, like Napoleon III of France, agreed to recognize the union, although the Austrian ministry refused to approve it at the 1858 Congress of Paris. Because of the problems getting the union recognized by the rest of Europe, Sultan Abdulaziz of the Ottoman Empire didn’t recognize his authority until 1861.

Conclusion

There you have it! Some of the most important information surrounding Romania Unification Day (January 24). What do you think about this holiday, and is there a similar holiday in your own country? Let us know about it!

If you want to learn even more about Romania’s history and culture, be sure to check us out at RomanianPod101.com! We have an array of blog posts and vocabulary lists to help you grasp the language quickly in the most entertaining way possible; we even an online community where you can discuss your learning with other language-learners! And for a one-on-one teaching experience, you can download our MyTeacher app.

We wish you the best as you seek to understand Romania’s culture and learn its language!

Learn all the Romanian New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join RomanianPod101 for a special Romanian New Year celebration!

Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March – December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.

So, how do you say Happy New Year in Romanian? Let a native teach you! At RomanianPod101, you will learn how to correctly greet your friends over New Year, and wish them well with these Romanian New Year wishes!

Table of Contents

1. How to Celebrate New Year in Romania
2. Must-Know Romanian Words & Phrases for the New Year!
3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions in Romanian
4. Inspirational New Year Quotes
5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes
6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages
7. How RomanianPod101 Can Help You Learn Romanian

But let’s start with some vocabulary for Romanian New Year celebrations, very handy for conversations.

1. How to Celebrate New Year in Romania

Two of the dances Romanians perform on New Year’s Day are the Dance of the Bear and the Dance of the Goat. Both involve wearing masks and elaborate costumes. The Dance of the Bear is meant to symbolize the previous year’s death and the New Year’s birth. Of course, one of the main characters in the dance is the bear, but a gypsy also features prominently in the story behind the dance. The gypsy chains up the bear and forces it to perform to earn money. The Dance of the Goat symbolizes nature’s death and rebirth and includes elders and beautiful and ugly people in addition to a goat.

Happy New Year!
Să ai un An Nou fericit!

2. Must-Know Romanian Words & Phrases for the New Year!

1- Year

an

This is pretty self-explanatory. Most countries follow a Gregorian calendar, which has approximately 365 days in a year, while in some cultures, other year designations are also honored. Therefore, New Year’s day in Romania could fall on a different day than in your country. When do you celebrate New Year?

2- Midnight

miezul nopţii

The point in time when a day ends and a new one starts. Many New Year celebrants prefer to stay awake till midnight, and greet the new annum as it breaks with fanfare and fireworks!

3- New Year’s Day

Ziua de Anul Nou

In most countries, the new year is celebrated for one whole day. On the Gregorian calendar, this falls on January 1st. On this day, different cultures engage in festive activities, like parties, parades, big meals with families and many more.

4- Party

petrecere

A party is most people’s favorite way to end the old year, and charge festively into the new one! We celebrate all we accomplished in the old year, and joyfully anticipate what lies ahead.

5- Dancing

dans

Usually, when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year officially begins, people break out in dance! It is a jolly way to express a celebratory mood with good expectations for the year ahead. Also, perhaps, that the old year with its problems has finally passed! Dance parties are also a popular way to spend New Year’s Eve in many places.

6- Champagne

șampanie

Originating in France, champagne is a bubbly, alcoholic drink that is often used to toast something or someone during celebrations.

7- Fireworks

artificiu

These are explosives that cause spectacular effects when ignited. They are popular for announcing the start of the new year with loud noises and colorful displays! In some countries, fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits. In others, the use of fireworks is forbidden in urban areas due to their harmful effect on pets. Most animals’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans’, so this noisy display can be very frightful and traumatising to them.

8- Countdown

numărătoare inversă

This countdown refers to New Year celebrants counting the seconds, usually backward, till midnight, when New Year starts – a great group activity that doesn’t scare animals, and involves a lot of joyful shouting when the clock strikes midnight!

9- New Year’s Holiday

vacanță de Anul Nou

In many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday – to recuperate from the party the previous night, perhaps! Families also like to meet on this day to enjoy a meal and spend time together.

10- Confetti

confeti

In most Western countries, confetti is traditionally associated with weddings, but often it is used as a party decoration. Some prefer to throw it in the air at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

11- New Year’s Eve

ajunul Anului Nou

This is the evening before New Year breaks at midnight! Often, friends and family meet for a party or meal the evening before, sometimes engaging in year-end rituals. How are you planning to give your New Year greetings in 2018?

12- Toast

toast

A toast is a type of group-salutation that involves raising your glass to drink with others in honor of something or someone. A toast to the new year is definitely in order!

13- Resolution

rezoluție

Those goals or intentions you hope to, but seldom keep in the new year! Many people consider the start of a new year to be the opportune time for making changes or plans. Resolutions are those intentions to change, or the plans. It’s best to keep your resolutions realistic so as not to disappoint yourself!

14- Parade

paradă

New Year celebrations are a huge deal in some countries! Parades are held in the streets, often to celebratory music, with colorful costumes and lots of dancing. Parades are like marches, only less formal and way more fun. At RomanianPod101, you can engage in forums with natives who can tell you what Romanian New Year celebrations are like!

3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions

So, you learned the Romanian word for ‘resolution’. Fabulous! Resolutions are those goals and intentions that we hope to manifest in the year that lies ahead. The beginning of a new year serves as a good marker in time to formalise these. Some like to do it in writing, others only hold these resolutions in their hearts. Here are our Top 10 New Year’s resolutions at RomanianPod101 – what are yours?

Learn these phrases and impress your Romanian friends with your vocabulary.

1- Read more

Citește mai mult.

Reading is a fantastic skill that everyone can benefit from. You’re a business person? Apparently, successful business men and women read up to 60 books a year. This probably excludes fiction, so better scan your library or Amazon for the top business reads if you plan to follow in the footsteps of the successful! Otherwise, why not make it your resolution to read more Romanian in the new year? You will be surprised by how much this will improve your Romanian language skills!

2- Spend more time with family

Petrece mai mult timp cu familia.

Former US President George Bush’s wife, Barbara Bush, was quoted as having said this: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” This is very true! Relationships are often what gives life meaning, so this is a worthy resolution for any year.

3- Lose weight

Slăbește.

Hands up, how many of you made this new year’s resolution last year too…?! This is a notoriously difficult goal to keep, as it takes a lot of self discipline not to eat unhealthily. Good luck with this one, and avoid unhealthy fad diets!

4- Save money

Economisește bani.

Another common and difficult resolution! However, no one has ever been sorry when they saved towards reaching a goal. Make it your resolution to save money to upgrade your subscription to RomanianPod101’s Premium PLUS option in the new year – it will be money well spent!

5- Quit smoking

Renunță la fumat.

This is a resolution that you should definitely keep, or your body could punish you severely later! Smoking is a harmful habit with many hazardous effects on your health. Do everything in your power to make this resolution come true in the new year, as your health is your most precious asset.

6- Learn something new

Învață ceva nou.

Science has proven that learning new skills can help keep brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay! It can even slow down the progression of the disease. So, keep your brain healthy by learning to speak a new language, studying towards a qualification, learning how to sew, or how to play chess – no matter how old you are, the possibilities are infinite!

7- Drink less

Bea mai puțin.

This is another health resolution that is good to heed any time of the year. Excessive drinking is associated with many diseases, and its effect can be very detrimental to good relationships too. Alcohol is a poison and harmful for the body in large quantities!

8- Exercise regularly

Fă sport regulat.

This resolution goes hand-in-hand with ‘Lose weight’! An inactive body is an unhealthy and often overweight one, so give this resolution priority in the new year.

9- Eat healthy

Mâncă sănătos.

If you stick with this resolution, you will lose weight and feel better in general. It is a very worthy goal to have!

10- Study Romanian with RomanianPod101

studiind limba română cu RomanianPod101.com

Of course! You can only benefit from learning Romanian, especially with us! Learning how to speak Romanian can keep your brain healthy, it can widen your circle of friends, and improve your chances to land a dream job anywhere in the world. RomanianPod101 makes it easy and enjoyable for you to stick to this resolution.

4. Inspirational New Year Quotes

Everyone knows that it is sometimes very hard to stick to resolutions, and not only over New Year. The reasons for this vary from person to person, but all of us need inspiration every now and then! A good way to remain motivated is to keep inspirational quotes near as reminders that it’s up to us to reach our goals.

Click here for quotes that will also work well in a card for a special Romanian new year greeting!

Make decorative notes of these in Romanian, and keep them close! Perhaps you could stick them above your bathroom mirror, or on your study’s wall. This way you not only get to read Romanian incidentally, but also remain inspired to reach your goals! Imagine feeling like giving up on a goal, but reading this quote when you go to the bathroom: “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” What a positive affirmation!

5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes

Still undecided whether you should enroll with RomanianPod101 to learn a new language? There’s no time like the present to decide! Let the following Language Learning Quotes inspire you with their wisdom.

Click here to read the most inspirational Language Learning Quotes!

As legendary President Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So, learning how to say Happy New Year in Romanian could well be a way into someone special’s heart for you! Let this year be the one where you to learn how to say Happy New Year, and much more, in Romanian – it could open many and unexpected doors for you.

6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages

Here’s a lovely bonus for you! Why stop with Romanian – learn how to say Happy New Year in 31 other languages too! Watch this video and learn how to pronounce these New Year’s wishes like a native in under two minutes.

7. Why Enrolling with RomanianPod101 Would Be the Perfect New Year’s Gift to Yourself!

If you are unsure how to celebrate the New Year, why not give yourself a huge gift, and enroll to learn Romanian! With more than 12 years of experience behind us, we know that RomanianPod101 would be the perfect fit for you. There are so many reasons for this!

• Custom-tailored Learning Paths: Start learning Romanian at the level that you are. We have numerous Learning Pathways, and we tailor them just for you based on your goals and interests! What a boon!
• Marked Progress and Fresh Learning Material Every Week: We make new lessons available every week, with an option to track your progress. Topics are culturally appropriate and useful, such as “Learning how to deliver negative answers politely to a business partner.” Our aim is to equip you with Romanian that makes sense!
• Multiple Learning Tools: Learn in fun, easy ways with resources such 1,000+ video and audio lessons, flashcards, detailed PDF downloads, and mobile apps suitable for multiple devices!
• Fast Track Learning Option: If you’re serious about fast-tracking your learning, Premium Plus would be the perfect way to go! Enjoy perks such as personalised lessons with ongoing guidance from your own, native-speaking teacher, and one-on-one learning on your mobile app! You will not be alone in your learning. Weekly assignments with non-stop feedback, answers and corrections will ensure speedy progress.
• Fun and Easy: Keeping the lessons fun and easy-to-learn is our aim, so you will stay motivated by your progress!

There’s no reason not to go big in 2018 by learning Romanian with RomanianPod101. Just imagine how the world can open up for you!

Do you know any ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Romanian? RomanianPod101 brings you easy-to-learn translations and the correct pronunciation of Romanian Christmas phrases!

Christmas is the annual commemorative festival of Christ’s birth in the Western Christian Church. It takes place on December 25th and is usually celebrated with much food and fanfare! However, not all cultures celebrate Christmas. In some countries, Christmas is not even a public holiday! However, many countries have adapted Christmas and its religious meaning to tally with their own beliefs, or simply in acknowledgment of the festival’s importance to other cultures. If you want to impress native Romanian speakers with culturally-appropriate Christmas phrases and vocabulary, RomanianPod101 will teach you the most important ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Romanian!

Table of Contents

1. How to Celebrate Christmas in Romania
2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes
3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary
4. Twelve Days of Christmas
5. Top 10 Christmas Characters
6. How RomanianPod101 Can Help You

1. How to Celebrate Christmas in Romania

Did you know?

Because Romanian Christmas meals are centered on pork, the slaughter of a pig plays a major role in the festivities. On St. Ignatie Day, which is December 20, Romanians traditionally slaughter the pig they will cook for their Christmas meal. Traditionally, it was believed that the night before St. Ignatie Day, the pigs would dream about their death the following day. The slaughter of the pig symbolizes the death and resurrection of Christ. After the slaughter, Romanians prepare the pig by burning the skin, removing the rest of the hair, and cleaning it with water. This pig slaughtering tradition is more common in rural areas than in urban ones.

2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes for the Holiday Season

1- Merry Christmas!

Crăciun fericit!

Do you know how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Romanian? Learn here how to pronounce it perfectly! ‘Merry’ means to be joyful, to celebrate and generally be in good spirits. So, with this phrase you are wishing someone a joyful, celebratory remembrance of Christ’s birth!

2- Happy Kwanzaa!

Kwanzaa fericit!

Surprise your African-American, or West African native friends with this phrase over the Christmas holidays! Kwanzaa is a seven-day, non-religious celebration, starting on Dec 26th each year. It has its roots in African American modern history, and many people celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas!

3- Have a happy New Year!

Să ai un An Nou fericit!

In countries where Christmas is not officially celebrated, but a Gregorian calendar is observed, this would be a friendly festive-season wish over New Year.

4- Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah fericit!

Hanukkah is the beautiful Hebrew festival over November or December each year. It is also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated to commemorate the Jewish freedom of religion.

5- Have a great winter vacation!

Să ai o vacanță de iarnă grozavă!

This is a good phrase to keep handy if someone doesn’t observe any religious festival over the Christmas holidays! However, this will only be applicable in the Northern hemisphere, where it is winter over Christmas.

6- See you next year!

Ne vedem anul viitor!

Going away on holiday over Christmas season, or saying goodbye to someone about to leave on vacation? This would be a good way to say goodbye to your friends and family.

7- Warm wishes!

Calde salutări !

An informal, friendly phrase to write in Romanian Christmas cards, especially for secular friends who prefer to observe Christmas celebrations without the religious symbolism. It conveys the warmth of friendship and friendly wishes associated with this time of year.

8- Happy holidays!

Sărbători fericite!

If you forget how to say ‘Merry Christmas!’ in Romanian, this is a safe, generic phrase to use instead.

9- Enjoy the holidays!

Bucurați-vă de concediu!

After saying ‘Merry Christmas’ in Romanian, this would be a good phrase with which to wish Christmas holiday-goers well! It is also good to use for secular friends who don’t celebrate Christmas but take a holiday at this time of the year.

10- Best wishes for the New Year!

Cele mai bune urări pentru noul an!

This is another way of wishing someone well in the New Year if they observe a Gregorian calendar. New Year’s day would then fall on January 1st.

3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary

Christmas is associated with many traditions and religious symbols in multiple countries across the world. It originated centuries ago in the West with the birth of Christianity, and the celebrations are often embedded with rich cultural significance. So, by now you know how to say Merry Christmas in Romanian! Next, learn pertinent vocabulary and phrases pertaining to Christmas, as well as how to pronounce them correctly. At RomanianPod101, we make sure you sound like a native speaker!

1- Christmas

Crăciun

This is the Romanian word for ‘Christmas’. Most happy Christmas wishes in Romanian will include this word!

2- Snow

zăpadă

In most Northern-hemisphere countries, Christmas is synonymous with snow, and for Christmas, the snowman is often dressed as Santa Claus.

3- Snowflake

fulg de nea

Snowflakes collectively make up snow. A single snowflake is small, white, light like a feather and icy cold! When put under a microscope, the snowflake reveals itself to have the most beautiful, symmetrical patterns. These patterns have become popular Christmas decorations, especially in Western countries.

4- Snowman

om de zăpadă

As you guessed – a snowman is only possible to build if it is snowing! What a fun way to spend Christmas day outside.

5- Turkey

curcan

Roast turkey is the traditional main dish on thousands of lunch tables on Christmas day, mainly in Western countries. What is your favorite Christmas dish?

6- Wreath

coroană

Another traditional Western decoration for Christmas, the wreath is an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring. Many families like to hang a Christmas wreath outside on their houses’ front doors.

7- Reindeer

ren

Reindeer are the animals commonly fabled to pull Santa Claus’ sled across the sky! Western Christmas folklore tells of Father Christmas or Santa Claus doing the rounds with his sled, carrying Christmas presents for children, and dropping them into houses through the chimney. But who is Santa Claus?

8- Santa Claus

Moş Crăciun

Santa Claus is a legendary and jolly figure originating in the Western Christian culture. He is known by many names, but is traditionally depicted as a rotund man wearing a red costume with a pointy hat, and sporting a long, snow-white beard!

9- Elf

spiriduș

An elf is a supernatural creature of folklore with pointy ears, a dainty, humanoid body and a capricious nature. Elves are said to help Santa Claus distribute presents to children over Christmas!

10- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Rudolf, renul cu nasul roșu

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ is a Christmas song based on an American children’s story book with the same name. Rudolph is one of Santa’s reindeer. The song became more famous than the book, and can still be heard playing in many shopping malls over Christmas time across the globe!

11- North Pole

Polul Nord

The cold North Pole is where Santa Claus is reputed to live with his reindeer!

12- Sled

sanie

A sled is a non-motorised land vehicle used to travel over snow in countries where it snows a lot, and is usually pulled by animals such as horses, dogs or reindeer. This one obviously refers to Santa’s sled! Another word for sled is sleigh or sledge.

13- Present

cadou

Gift or present giving is synonymous with Christmas Eve and the greatest source of joy for children over this festive time! This tradition signifies that Christ’s birth was a gift to mankind, but not all people who hand out presents over Christmas observe the religious meaning.

14- Bell

clopot

On Christmas Day, or Christmas Eve, many religious celebrants enjoy going to church for a special sermon and Christmas rituals. The start of the sermon is often announced with bells or a bell, if the church has one. For this reason, the sound of ringing bells is often associated with Christmas Day.

15- Chimney

șemineu

The chimney is the entrance Santa Claus uses to deliver children’s presents on Christmas Day, according to folklore! Wonder how the chubby man and his elves stay clean…?!

16- Fireplace

șemineu

In most countries where it snows, Christmas is synonymous with a fire or burning embers in houses’ fireplaces. Families huddle around its warmth while opening Christmas presents. Also, this is where Santa Claus is reputed to pop out after his journey down the chimney!

17- Christmas Day

Ziua Crăciunului

This is the official day of commemorative celebration of Christ’s birth, and falls each year on December 25.

18- Decoration

globuri

Decorations are the colourful trinkets and posters that make their appearance in shops and homes during the Christmas holiday season in many countries! They give the places a celebratory atmosphere in anticipation of the big Christmas celebration. Typical Christmas decorations include colorful photographs and posters, strings of lights, figurines of Santa Claus and the nativity scene, poinsettia flowers, snowflakes and many more.

19- Stocking

șoseată

According to legend, Santa Claus places children’s presents in a red stocking hanging over the fireplace. This has also become a popular decoration, signifying Christmas.

20- Holly

ilice

Holly is a shrub native to the UK, and parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It is characterised by glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries. Ironically, its significance for Christmas relates to Christ’s crucifixion and suffering rather than his birth. However, the leaves’ distinctive shape and image have become popular Christmas decorations.

21- Gingerbread house

căsuță de turtă dulce

According to legend, the gingerbread house synonymous with Christmas is related to Christ’s birth place, Bethlehem. Bethlehem literally means ‘House of Bread’. Over centuries, it has become a popular treat over Christmas time in many non-religious households as well.

22- Candy cane

bomboane de zahăr

According to folklore, Christmas candy canes made their appearance first in Germany in the 16th century. A choir master gave children the candy canes to suck on in church in order to keep them quiet during the Christmas sermon! Apparently, the candy is shaped like a cane in remembrance of the shepherds who were the first to visit the baby Jesus. Today, like gingerbread houses, they are still a popular sweet over the festive season!

23- Mistletoe

vâsc

Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on certain trees. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the mistletoe has magical powers, and could protect a household from evil if hung above a door during December. The belief didn’t last but the habit did, and the mistletoe is another popular Christmas decoration!

4. Twelve Days of Christmas

Wow, you’re doing extremely well! You know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Romanian, and you learned pertinent vocabulary too! The Twelve Days of Christmas is not very well known in modern times, so, you’re on your way to becoming an expert in Christmas traditions and rituals. Well done!

The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a traditional festive period of 12 days dedicated to celebrate the nativity of Christ. Christmas Day is, for many who observe Twelvetide, the first day of this period.

‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is also a popular Christmas song about a series of gifts given on each day of Twelvetide. According to experts, these gifts were created as a coded reference to important symbols in the Christian church. Here is a list of those gifts mentioned in the song! Do you recognise them?

5. Top 10 Christmas Characters in American Culture

This is fantastic, you know how to explain almost everything about Christmas in Romanian! However, do you know the most popular Christmas characters in American culture? Your knowledge will not be complete without this list.

6. RomanianPod101 Is One Of The Best Online Language Schools Available!

We don’t just say this – we can prove it! Geared to your personal needs and goals, we have several learning paths from which to choose. From Romanian for Absolute Beginners to Advanced Romanian, lessons are designed to meet you where you are, and increase your language abilities in fun, easy and interactive lessons! Mastering a new language has never been this easy or enjoyable.

We have over a decade of experience and research behind us, and it shows! With thousands of audio and video lessons, detailed PDF lessons and notes, as well as friendly, knowledgeable hosts, RomanianPod101 is simply unbeatable when it comes to learning correct Romanian. Plenty of tools and resources are available when you study with us. New lessons are added every week so material remains fresh and relevant. You also have the option to upgrade and enjoy even more personalised guidance and services. This is a sure way to fast-track your learning!

So, this Christmas, why don’t you give yourself a present and enroll in RomanianPod101? Or give an enrollment as a present to a loved one. It will be a gift with benefits for a whole lifetime, not just over Christmas!