Meaning
To speak incessantly.
Cultural Background
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.
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!
Meaning
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!
The 'Numai' alternative
Switch 'tot' with 'numai' (A fi numai o gură) to sound even more like a local from the Moldova region.
Social Glue
Remember that in Romania, being 'tot o gură' is often seen as being a good host or a lively guest.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Maria a băut trei cafele și acum este ______ o gură.
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?
'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
'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.
The context of someone talking all evening fits 'tot o gură' perfectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Talkativeness Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesMaria a băut trei cafele și acum este ______ o gură.
In this idiom, 'tot' is the standard adverbial form used.
Cum spui că un copil vorbește mult?
'Tot o gură' is the correct idiomatic expression. 'Tot un ochi' means being very attentive/watching closely.
Match: 1. A fi tot o gură, 2. A fi o moară stricată, 3. A tăcea ca peștele
'Tot o gură' is lively, 'moară stricată' is repetitive/annoying, and 'ca peștele' is silent.
A: De ce ești așa obosită? B: Pentru că prietena mea a fost ______ toată seara și nu m-a lăsat să dorm.
The context of someone talking all evening fits 'tot o gură' perfectly.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsUsually 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.
Related Phrases
A fi o moară stricată
similarTo talk non-stop and repetitively.
A-i merge gura ca melița
synonymTo talk very fast and incessantly.
A tăcea ca peștele
contrastTo be completely silent.
A fi gură-spartă
specialized formTo be a blabbermouth/unable to keep secrets.
A nu-i mai tăcea gura
similarTo not stop talking.
