Dialogue - Romanian

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Vocabulary

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mulţumesc thank you
oraș city
a vedea to see
a (se) numi to (be) call(ed)
bună hi
încântat glad, delighted
a fi to be
drag dear; pleasure
a (se) cunoaște to meet (each other) (for the first time), to get acquainted

Lesson Notes

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Lesson Focus

The Focus of This Lesson is Grammar to Introduce Yourself

  1. Bună, mă numesc Masanobu.
    "Hi, my name is Masanobu."
  2. Bună, eu sunt Andreea.
    "Hi, I'm Andreea."
  3. Să mergem să vedem orașul!
    "Let's go see the city!"

 

In this lesson, we will learn how to:

1. Say "to call, to name" in the reflexive form to mean "my name is"

2. Use "to be"

3. Make sentences with "let's!"

 




1. How to say
"to call, to name" in the reflexive form to mean "my name is"


 

 

 

In Romanian, the phrase commonly used to express "my name is" is mă numesc and it literally means "I name myself." Also, in Romanian the pronoun is usually omitted, therefore we have only two words. "I" is Eu as we will see in the chart below. means "myself" and is a reflexive pronoun, while numesc is a numi ("to name"/"to call") conjugated in the singular 1st person. You can use mă numesc to mean "my name is" in just about any situation where you want to introduce yourself. Below we can see the conjugation chart for each of the reflexive pronouns and for the verb a numi ("to name"/"to call").

Reflexive pronouns conjugation chart

singular

eu

"I"

"myself"

tu

"you"

te

"yourself"

el/ea

"he/she"

se

"himself/herself"

plural

noi

"we"

ne

"ourselves"

voi

"you"

"yourselves"

ei/ele

"they"

se

"themselves"

 

Verb a numi = "to name"/"to call" conjugation chart (present tense)

singular

(eu) numesc

"I name"

(tu) numești

"you name"

(el/ea) numește

"he/she names"

plural

(noi) numim

"we name"

(voi) numiți

"you name"

(ei/ele) numesc

"they name"


Sentence Structures

reflexive pronoun (conjugated) + verb (conjugated)


For example:

  1. mă numesc  / lit. "(I) name myself"

 

Let's see some example sentences using this phrase:

  1. Bună, eu mă numesc Mike.
    "Hi, my name is Mike."
  2. Tu cum te numești?
    "What is your name?"
  3. Mă numesc Andrei.
    "My name is Andrei."

2. How to use "to be"


 

 

 

As in many languages, in Romanian too the verb "to be" is one of the most frequently used and important verbs. In Romanian it is a fi. The a is the infinitive particle of the verb and fi is the verb itself in the infinitive (original) form. Just like in English, it can mean "to exist" or "to be something" (indicating occupation, qualities etc.). In this latter case it has the function of copula.

Let's take a look at the conjugation chart of the verb a fi in present tense below:

singular

(eu) sunt

I am

(tu) ești

you are

(el/ea) este (informal: e)

he/she is

plural

(noi) suntem

we are

(voi) sunteți

you are

(ei/ele) sunt

they are

Now let's take a look at how the verb can be used in some actual examples.

  1. Ei sunt aici.
    "They are here."
  2. Eu sunt american.
    "I am American."
  3. Noi suntem fericiți.
    "We are happy."

3. How to make sentences with "let's!"


 

 

 

In Romanian, the incentive phrase "let's" is expressed using the verb tense called conjunctiv, equivalent to the English "conjunctive." In Romanian, it is marked by the conjunction

. It usually means "to" (as in "to eat"), but in this case it carries the meaning of "let's."

Now let's see how to actually make a sentence using .

To actually say "let's do something," you attach the conjunctive particle before the present tense of the verb. Because this expression refers to the 1st person in its plural form (i.e. noi, "we"), the verb is conjugated to the plural 1st person.


Sentence Structures

+ present tense of the verb (conjugated in 1st person plural)


Now let's see some examples that use the phrase pattern we just learned:

  1. Să mergem în România!
    "Let's go to Romania!"
  2. Să vorbim!
    "Let's talk!"
  3. Să scriem în română!
    "Let's write Romanian." (Lit. "Let's write in Romanian.")

Examples from the Dialogue:

  1. Bună, eu sunt Andreea. Bine ai venit în România!
    "Hi, I'm Andreea. Welcome to Romania!"
  2. Și eu sunt încântată de cunoștință. Să mergem să vedem orașul!
    "I'm pleased to meet you as well. Let's go see the city!"

Sample Sentences


 

 

  1. El se numește Masanobu.
    "His name is Masanobu."
  2. Eu mă numesc Andreea și sunt din România.
    "My name is Andreea and I'm from Romania."
  3. Să mâncăm!
    "Let's eat!"

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

Bună!
"Hi!"


 

 

This is one of the most basic greeting expressions. It literally means "good" (from "good day").

The closest translation in English is "hi," so it is used in rather casual situations, such as when greeting peers or friends. However, in formal situations, such as when greeting people older than you, your teachers, supervisors etc., the longer versionbună ziua, "hello"—is usually used. In this case, we have the full, literal expression "good day."

Why is this expression only "usually" used? Because there are exceptions. Even if the person you're addressing is older than you or is higher in rank/your teacher/supervisor, you can use the casual bună, "hi." If he or she has previously let you, it is ok to do so.

For example:

  1. Bună, sunt Masanobu.
    "Hi, I'm Masanobu."

Încântat (ă) de cunoștință
"Pleased to meet you"


 

 

This phrase is made out of încântat, which is an adjective meaning "delighted" or "pleased," and the noun cunoștință, "acquaintance."

It can be used in virtually any situation when meeting someone for the first time, regardless of the person.

Încântat is used for male speakers and încântată for female speakers. Also, like in English, you can omit sunt "I am." So you can just say încântat de cunoștință, which would be the equivalent of "pleased to meet you."

For example:

  1. Încântat de cunoștință, Andreea.
    "Pleased to meet you, Andreea."

Cu drag
"Gladly"


 

 

The word drag can be an adjective or a noun. When it is an adjective, it means "dear"—it means "pleasure" when it's a noun. However, the expression cu drag means "gladly," which in English is an adverb. To understand why this is, let's break the phrase down to see its literal meaning: cu means "with," and drag is in this case a noun, so it means "pleasure." Therefore the phrase would sound something like "with pleasure," hence its adverbial property.

This is used in formal situations as well as informal ones, but mostly when you mean to convey that it's a pleasure to do something. This is a phrase you'd rather use in an informal context, between friends, family etc., so it would sound unnatural in a business context.

For example:

  1. Te ajut cu drag.
    "I will gladly help you."

Cultural Insights

Meeting someone for the first time in Romania


 

When meeting someone for the first time in Romania, you should generally use formal speech. However, when you are in a non-business situation and if you can tell the person is in the same age group as you, it's ok to use informal language.

Also, physical contact usually only takes the form of a firm handshake if it is between males. Lighter handshakes are also ok in rather formal situations between men and women. Romanian culture used to also include the greeting where a man would lightly kiss a woman's hand. However, this has become rather uncommon in the past years and should be avoided.

Making frequent eye contact is also good for a positive first impression, but no longer than 3-4 seconds at a time. However, if you grew up in a culture which typically has less eye contact, less should not cause any significant hindrance in your communication with whom you're becoming acquainted.

Useful expression:

  1. a da noroc
    "to shake hands"

Lesson Transcript

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INTRODUCTION
Asia: Hi everyone, and welcome back to RomanianPod101.com. This is Absolute Beginner Season 1 Lesson 1 - Introducing Yourself in Romanian. Asia Here.
Mihai: Bună. I'm Mihai.
Asia: In this lesson, you’ll have a basic introduction to grammar. The conversation takes place at an airport.
Mihai: It's between Andreea and Masanobu.
Asia: The speakers are friends, therefore, they will speak informal Romanian. Okay, let's listen to the conversation.
DIALOGUE
Masanobu: Bună, mă numesc Masanobu.
Andreea: Bună, eu sunt Andreea. Bine ai venit în România!
Masanobu: Mulțumesc. Sunt încântat să te cunosc în sfârșit.
Andreea: Și eu sunt încântată de cunoștință. Să mergem să vedem orașul!
Masanobu: Cu drag.
Asia: Listen to the conversation one time slowly.
Masanobu: Bună, mă numesc Masanobu.
Andreea: Bună, eu sunt Andreea. Bine ai venit în România!
Masanobu: Mulțumesc. Sunt încântat să te cunosc în sfârșit.
Andreea: Și eu sunt încântată de cunoștință. Să mergem să vedem orașul!
Masanobu: Cu drag.
Asia: Listen to the conversation with the English translation.
Masanobu: Hi, my name is Masanobu.
Andreea: Hi, I'm Andreea. Welcome to Romania!
Masanobu: Thank you. I'm glad to finally meet you.
Andreea: I'm pleased to meet you as well. Let's go see the city!
Masanobu: Gladly.
POST CONVERSATION BANTER
Asia: First meetings are always awkward, but that seemed to go okay.
Mihai: It did, didn’t it?
Asia: How should you act when you meet someone for the first time in Romania?
Mihai: It’s best to use formal speech. But, if it’s not a business situation and the person is the same age as you, then you can use informal speech.
Asia: Are there any kinds of physical greetings? Like a handshake?
Mihai: If it’s guys greeting each other, there might be a firm handshake. In formal situations, men and women will shake hands too, although less firmly!
Asia: So, just handshakes?
Mihai: In the past, a man would lightly kiss a woman’s hand, but this is uncommon now, so don’t do it!
Asia: Guys, take notice!
Mihai: Eye contact is important too.
Asia: How much eye contact do Romanian people usually have?
Mihai: Around 3 to 4 seconds, maximum. If that’s too long for you to feel comfortable with, then don’t worry. You can do less and it’s fine.
Asia: Okay, now onto the vocab.
VOCAB LIST
Asia: Let’s take a look at the vocabulary from this lesson. The first word is...
Mihai: bună [natural native speed]
Asia: hi
Mihai: bună[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: bună [natural native speed]
Asia: Next we have...
Mihai: a (se) numi [natural native speed]
Asia: to (be) call(ed)
Mihai: a (se) numi[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: a (se) numi [natural native speed]
Asia: Next we have...
Mihai: mulțumesc [natural native speed]
Asia: thank you
Mihai: mulțumesc[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: mulțumesc [natural native speed]
Asia: Next we have...
Mihai: încântat [natural native speed]
Asia: glad, delighted
Mihai: încântat[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: încântat [natural native speed]
Asia: Next we have...
Mihai: a fi [natural native speed]
Asia: to be
Mihai: a fi[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: a fi [natural native speed]
Asia: Next we have...
Mihai: a (se) cunoaște [natural native speed]
Asia: to meet (each other) (for the first time), to get acquainted
Mihai: a (se) cunoaște[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: a (se) cunoaște [natural native speed]
Asia: Next we have...
Mihai: a merge [natural native speed]
Asia: to go
Mihai: a merge[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: a merge [natural native speed]
Asia: Next we have...
Mihai: a vedea [natural native speed]
Asia: to see
Mihai: a vedea[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: a vedea [natural native speed]
Asia: Next we have...
Mihai: oraș [natural native speed]
Asia: city
Mihai: oraș[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: oraș [natural native speed]
Asia: And last...
Mihai: drag [natural native speed]
Asia: dear; pleasure
Mihai: drag[slowly - broken down by syllable]
Mihai: drag [natural native speed]
KEY VOCAB AND PHRASES
Asia: Let's have a closer look at the usage of some of the words and phrases from this lesson. The first word is...
Mihai: Bună!
Asia: meaning "Hi!" What can you tell us about this word?
Mihai: This is a basic greeting. It literally means “good,” but is used as “hi.”
Asia: So it’s a casual word to use with friends and in informal situations.
Mihai: That’s right. In formal situations, you usually use the longer bună ziua.
Asia: Which literally means “good day,” but is used as “hello.”
Mihai: In some situations, you can use the informal bună with superiors too, if you have a good relationship with them.
Asia: Can you give us an example using this word?
Mihai: Sure. For example, you can say, Bună, sunt Masanobu.
Asia: ...which means "Hi, I'm Masanobu.”
Asia: Okay, what's the next phrase?
Mihai: Încântat (ă) de cunoștință
Asia: meaning "Pleased to meet you." What can you tell us about this sentence?
Mihai: The word încântat is an adjective meaning “delighted” or “pleased.” Cunoștință is a noun that means “acquaintance.”
Asia: It can be used on any occasion when you meet someone for the first time.
Mihai: Încântat is used for male speakers and încântată for female speakers.
Asia: Can you give us an example using this phrase?
Mihai: Sure. For example, you can say, Încântat de cunoștință, Andreea.
Asia: ...which means "Pleased to meet you, Andreea."
Asia: Okay, what's the next word?
Mihai: Cu drag
Asia: meaning "Gladly." What can you tell us about this phrase?
Mihai: The word drag can be an adjective or a noun.
Asia: Does the meaning change?
Mihai: As an adjective, it means “dear.” And as a noun, it means “pleasure.”
Asia: So how does that translate “gladly?”
Mihai: Well cu means “with.” So, cu drag is like saying “with pleasure.”
Asia: Ah, that makes sense. Can you give us an example using this phrase?
Mihai: Sure. For example, you can say, Te ajut cu drag.
Asia: ...which means "I will gladly help you."
Asia: Okay, now onto the lesson focus.

Lesson focus

Asia: In this lesson, you'll be introduced to basic grammar.
Asia: Let’s start at the beginning, by introducing ourselves.
Mihai: You can say “my name is” in Romanian by saying mă numesc.
Asia: Can you break that down for us?
Mihai: Ok. First, in Romanian we usually omit the pronoun, so there is no “I” in there. Mă means “myself” and is a reflexive pronoun. Numesc is the singular first person for “name.”
Asia: So it’s literally more like “I name myself.”
Mihai: Right. Other reflexive pronouns include te for “yourself” and se for “himself” and “herself.”
Asia: You mentioned that “name” was conjugated into singular first person. So that will change, depending on who the subject is.
Mihai: Yes. A numi is the verb “to name.” If we wanted to use it with tu, which is “you,” we would use numești.
Asia: There are tables with more examples of these conjugations in the lesson notes, so be sure to check them out!
Mihai: Yes, please do! In Romanian, one of the most important verbs is a fi.
Asia: This is “to be,” and it’s a pretty important verb in many languages, including English. Like in English, it can be used for “to exist” or “to be something.”
Mihai: Again, it conjugates depending on the subject. For example, “I am” is eu sunt.
Asia: What is “you are?”
Mihai: tu ești.
Asia: In both of these examples, the second word is the “to be” part. And again, there are more examples in the lesson notes. Let’s hear a sentence example.
Mihai: Eu sunt american.
Asia: “I am American.” Let’s finish this lesson by looking at...well, “let’s!”
Mihai: Yes, let’s! In Romanian, we express “let’s” with the conjunction să. This usually means “to,” but in these sentences it means “let’s.”
Asia: How do we make a sentence using this conjunction? How do we say “let’s do something?”
Mihai: You attach the conjunctive particle să before the present tense of the verb.
Asia: Let’s hear that in action. We’ll use the example “Let’s go to Romania!”
Mihai: Să mergem în România!
Asia: Or how about “Let’s write in Romanian!”
Mihai: Să scriem în română!
Asia: I hope you can do both of those, listeners!

Outro

Asia: Okay, that’s all for this lesson. Thank you for listening everyone, and we’ll see you next time! Bye!
Mihai: La revedere.