A1 Idiom Informel

A fi tot o gură

To talk too much

Signification

To speak incessantly.

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Contexte culturel

In villages, the 'șezătoare' was a social hub where being 'tot o gură' was almost a requirement for social standing. Storytellers were highly respected. In cities, the phrase is often used for 'taximetriști' (taxi drivers) who are famously talkative about politics and life. Romanian parents use this phrase with a mix of pride and exhaustion. A talkative child is seen as 'deștept' (smart). The focus on the 'mouth' as a symbol of social presence is common across the Balkans, reflecting a culture of open, loud, and frequent communication.

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Use it for kids

This is the most natural way to describe an excited child who won't stop talking. It sounds very native and warm.

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Watch your tone

If you say it with a smile, it's a compliment. If you roll your eyes, it's a complaint. The context is everything!

Signification

To speak incessantly.

💡

Use it for kids

This is the most natural way to describe an excited child who won't stop talking. It sounds very native and warm.

⚠️

Watch your tone

If you say it with a smile, it's a compliment. If you roll your eyes, it's a complaint. The context is everything!

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The 'Numai' alternative

Switch 'tot' with 'numai' (A fi numai o gură) to sound even more like a local from the Moldova region.

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Social Glue

Remember that in Romania, being 'tot o gură' is often seen as being a good host or a lively guest.

Teste-toi

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.

Maria a băut trei cafele și acum este ______ o gură.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : tot

In this idiom, 'tot' is the standard adverbial form used.

Which sentence is the most natural way to describe a talkative child?

Cum spui că un copil vorbește mult?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Copilul este tot o gură.

'Tot o gură' is the correct idiomatic expression. 'Tot un ochi' means being very attentive/watching closely.

Match the idiom to the situation.

Match: 1. A fi tot o gură, 2. A fi o moară stricată, 3. A tăcea ca peștele

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 1-B, 2-A, 3-C

'Tot o gură' is lively, 'moară stricată' is repetitive/annoying, and 'ca peștele' is silent.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

A: De ce ești așa obosită? B: Pentru că prietena mea a fost ______ toată seara și nu m-a lăsat să dorm.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : tot o gură

The context of someone talking all evening fits 'tot o gură' perfectly.

🎉 Score : /4

Aides visuelles

Talkativeness Levels

Positive/Neutral
tot o gură lively chatterbox
Negative
moară stricată broken mill/repetitive
Slang
meliță fast talker

Banque d exercices

4 exercices
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom. Fill Blank A1

Maria a băut trei cafele și acum este ______ o gură.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : tot

In this idiom, 'tot' is the standard adverbial form used.

Which sentence is the most natural way to describe a talkative child? Choose A2

Cum spui că un copil vorbește mult?

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Copilul este tot o gură.

'Tot o gură' is the correct idiomatic expression. 'Tot un ochi' means being very attentive/watching closely.

Match the idiom to the situation. situation_matching B1

Match: 1. A fi tot o gură, 2. A fi o moară stricată, 3. A tăcea ca peștele

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 1-B, 2-A, 3-C

'Tot o gură' is lively, 'moară stricată' is repetitive/annoying, and 'ca peștele' is silent.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: De ce ești așa obosită? B: Pentru că prietena mea a fost ______ toată seara și nu m-a lăsat să dorm.

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : tot o gură

The context of someone talking all evening fits 'tot o gură' perfectly.

🎉 Score : /4

Questions fréquentes

12 questions

Usually no. It's more of a colorful observation. However, it can be used to complain about someone who is annoying.

Yes, it is gender-neutral. 'El e tot o gură' is perfectly correct.

'Vorbăreț' is a simple adjective (talkative). 'A fi tot o gură' is an idiom that implies more energy and a temporary state of excitement.

No, it's too informal. Use 'sunt o persoană comunicativă' instead.

No, in this specific idiom, 'tot' remains unchanged as an adverb.

Yes, it implies the whole group is talking at once or very excited.

Yes, 'a fi o moară stricată' (to be a broken mill) is more negative.

You can use 'vorbăreț' (m) or 'vorbăreață' (f), or the informal 'trăncănici'.

Yes, it is universally understood across all regions of Romania and Moldova.

Not really. It's for someone who is talking a lot, not necessarily loudly or angrily.

This idiom doesn't mean lying. Use 'a minți' or 'a băga strâmbe'.

Yes, especially in classic Romanian literature to describe lively, talkative characters.

Expressions liées

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A fi o moară stricată

similar

To talk non-stop and repetitively.

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A-i merge gura ca melița

synonym

To talk very fast and incessantly.

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A tăcea ca peștele

contrast

To be completely silent.

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A fi gură-spartă

specialized form

To be a blabbermouth/unable to keep secrets.

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A nu-i mai tăcea gura

similar

To not stop talking.

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