Signification
Explaining your proficiency level in Romanian.
Contexte culturel
Romanians are very proud of their Latin heritage. Saying you speak 'a little' often leads to them complimenting you excessively, saying 'Vorbești foarte bine!' (You speak very well!) even if you only know five words. In the Republic of Moldova, the same phrase is used. However, you might hear more Russian influence in the surrounding conversation. Using Romanian there is highly respected. In regions with Hungarian minorities, specifying that you speak 'Romanian' (românește) is a clear marker of which local language you are attempting. Among expats in Bucharest, 'Vorbesc puțin' is often a joke about how long one can live in a country without becoming fluent. It's a badge of 'trying'.
Smile while saying it
This phrase is a social tool. A smile shows you are friendly and making an effort, which matters more than perfect grammar.
Don't say 'prost'
Avoid saying 'Vorbesc prost' (I speak badly). It's too negative. 'Puțin' is much more polite and common.
Signification
Explaining your proficiency level in Romanian.
Smile while saying it
This phrase is a social tool. A smile shows you are friendly and making an effort, which matters more than perfect grammar.
Don't say 'prost'
Avoid saying 'Vorbesc prost' (I speak badly). It's too negative. 'Puțin' is much more polite and common.
Add 'încă'
Say 'Încă vorbesc puțin' (I still speak a little). It implies you are actively improving!
Expect English
In Bucharest, many people will switch to English immediately after you say this. Don't be offended; they are just trying to be helpful.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to say 'I speak a little Romanian'.
Vorbesc _______ românește.
'Puțin' is the correct adverb for 'a little'.
Which sentence is the most natural for a beginner?
How do you tell someone you are learning?
It is the standard, polite way to state basic proficiency.
Complete the dialogue.
Native: Vorbiți română? You: Da, _______.
This directly answers the question about language ability.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are in a taxi and the driver is talking very fast.
This alerts the driver to slow down or simplify.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Ways to describe your level
Beginner
- • Vorbesc puțin
- • Nu înțeleg
- • Sunt începător
Intermediate
- • Mă descurc
- • Înțeleg bine
- • Vorbesc destul de bine
Advanced
- • Vorbesc fluent
- • Sunt avansat
- • Limba maternă
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesVorbesc _______ românește.
'Puțin' is the correct adverb for 'a little'.
How do you tell someone you are learning?
It is the standard, polite way to state basic proficiency.
Native: Vorbiți română? You: Da, _______.
This directly answers the question about language ability.
You are in a taxi and the driver is talking very fast.
This alerts the driver to slow down or simplify.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsBoth are correct. 'Românește' is an adverb (speaking in a Romanian way), while 'română' is the noun (the Romanian language). 'Românește' is more traditional for this phrase.
Yes! 'Vorbesc un pic' is very common and slightly more informal than 'vorbesc puțin'.
No. The verb ending '-esc' already means 'I'. Adding 'Eu' makes you sound like a beginner or a textbook.
'Mic' is for physical size (a small dog). 'Puțin' is for uncountable quantities or degrees of action.
Almost never. Romanians are generally very happy and surprised when foreigners try to speak their language.
Vorbesc puțin, dar înțeleg totul.
No, language names and adverbs are not capitalized in Romanian unless they start a sentence.
It is exactly like the 'ts' in 'cats' or 'tsunami'.
Only as an icebreaker. For a professional assessment, use 'Nivel începător' (Beginner level).
Say 'Vorbesc foarte puțină română'.
Expressions liées
Înțeleg, dar nu vorbesc
similarI understand, but I don't speak.
Vorbiți mai rar, vă rog
builds onSpeak more slowly, please.
Cum se spune...?
builds onHow do you say...?
Nu înțeleg
similarI don't understand.
Vorbesc fluent
contrastI speak fluently.
