Meaning
Eating the first meal of the day.
Cultural Background
Breakfast is often savory. A typical spread includes 'telemea' cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, and eggs. Sweet breakfasts are less common than in Western Europe. In cities, the 'covrig' (pretzel) culture is huge. Many people 'take breakfast' on the go by stopping at a 'simigerie' (pretzel shop). Due to Austro-Hungarian influence, breakfast might be more substantial, including cold cuts like 'salam de Sibiu' and various types of smoked meats. The 'business breakfast' (mic dejun de afaceri) is a growing trend in Bucharest, replacing long lunch meetings for busy professionals.
The 'Take' Rule
Always remember that in Romanian, you 'take' meals. This applies to 'a lua prânzul' (lunch) and 'a lua cina' (dinner) as well.
Avoid 'Have'
Never say 'Am micul dejun' unless you mean 'I have the breakfast [in my bag].'
Meaning
Eating the first meal of the day.
The 'Take' Rule
Always remember that in Romanian, you 'take' meals. This applies to 'a lua prânzul' (lunch) and 'a lua cina' (dinner) as well.
Avoid 'Have'
Never say 'Am micul dejun' unless you mean 'I have the breakfast [in my bag].'
Ordering like a local
When ordering in a cafe, say 'Aș dori micul dejun [Name of dish]' to sound more natural.
Test Yourself
Conjugate the verb 'a lua' correctly in the present tense.
Eu ___ micul dejun la ora șapte.
The first person singular of 'a lua' is 'iau.'
Choose the most natural way to say 'I have breakfast' in Romanian.
Care variantă este corectă?
In Romanian, we use the verb 'a lua' (to take) for meals.
Complete the dialogue in a hotel setting.
Turist: Bună dimineața! Unde pot să ___ micul dejun?
While 'iau' is standard, 'mănânc' and 'servesc' are also understood in this context, though 'iau' is best.
Match the phrase to the correct time of day.
Când luăm micul dejun?
Micul dejun is the morning meal.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Romanian Breakfast Components
Mâncare
- • Omletă
- • Telemea
- • Roșii
Băutură
- • Cafea
- • Ceai
- • Suc
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEu ___ micul dejun la ora șapte.
The first person singular of 'a lua' is 'iau.'
Care variantă este corectă?
In Romanian, we use the verb 'a lua' (to take) for meals.
Turist: Bună dimineața! Unde pot să ___ micul dejun?
While 'iau' is standard, 'mănânc' and 'servesc' are also understood in this context, though 'iau' is best.
Când luăm micul dejun?
Micul dejun is the morning meal.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsAs a noun, yes (e.g., 'Micul dejun e gata'). But as an action, you need the verb 'a lua' or 'a mânca'.
No, it's very common and perfectly understood, though 'a lua' is considered slightly more 'proper' Romanian.
Because it's a specific noun phrase that requires the definite article '-ul' (the).
Usually savory: eggs, cheese (telemea), tomatoes, and coffee.
Related Phrases
A lua masa
similarTo have a meal (general)
A mânca pe fugă
builds onTo eat on the run
A sări peste micul dejun
contrastTo skip breakfast
Mic dejun continental
specialized formContinental breakfast
