Meaning
Unpleasant atmospheric conditions like rain or wind.
Cultural Background
Complaining about the weather is a national pastime. It's not seen as being negative, but rather as a way to connect with others. If you don't complain about 'vreme urâtă', people might think you're not paying attention. In villages, 'vreme urâtă' is often linked to the 'păcală' (trickster) stories, where the weather is a character that tries to ruin the hero's work. There are many superstitions about how to 'chase away' ugly weather. In the capital, 'vreme urâtă' is synonymous with 'trafic de coșmar' (nightmare traffic). The two phrases are almost always used together in the morning. In the eastern part of Romania, 'vreme urâtă' is often met with a specific kind of stoic humor and an invitation to drink a glass of wine to 'warm up'.
The Small Talk King
If you don't know what to say to a Romanian, just mention the 'vreme urâtă'. It works 100% of the time.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget the 'ă' at the end of 'urâtă'. 'Vreme' is a lady, and she needs her adjectives to match!
Meaning
Unpleasant atmospheric conditions like rain or wind.
The Small Talk King
If you don't know what to say to a Romanian, just mention the 'vreme urâtă'. It works 100% of the time.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget the 'ă' at the end of 'urâtă'. 'Vreme' is a lady, and she needs her adjectives to match!
Add 'iar'
Saying 'Iar e vreme urâtă' (It's ugly weather again) makes you sound like a local who is truly tired of the rain.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the adjective 'urât'.
Afară este o vreme ______.
'Vreme' is a feminine singular noun, so the adjective must be 'urâtă'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to complain about the rain?
Choose the best option:
'Vremea' is the correct word for weather, and 'urâtă' matches its gender.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a bus stop and it starts to pour rain. What do you say to the person next to you?
This is the standard social response to sudden bad weather.
Complete the dialogue.
Andrei: Mergem la plimbare? Elena: Nu, uită-te pe fereastră! Este ______.
Elena is giving a reason not to go for a walk based on the view from the window.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What makes 'Vreme Urâtă'?
Precipitații
- • Ploaie
- • Lapoviță
- • Ninsoare
Cer
- • Nori gri
- • Cer închis
- • Fără soare
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAfară este o vreme ______.
'Vreme' is a feminine singular noun, so the adjective must be 'urâtă'.
Choose the best option:
'Vremea' is the correct word for weather, and 'urâtă' matches its gender.
You are at a bus stop and it starts to pour rain. What do you say to the person next to you?
This is the standard social response to sudden bad weather.
Andrei: Mergem la plimbare? Elena: Nu, uită-te pe fereastră! Este ______.
Elena is giving a reason not to go for a walk based on the view from the window.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes, 'vreme rea' (bad weather) is perfectly correct, but 'vreme urâtă' is more common in casual conversation.
In a way, yes! Romanians personify the weather and judge its appearance.
Because 'timp' refers to duration or time on a clock, not the atmosphere.
Not necessarily. It can mean wind, extreme cold, or just a very gray, depressing sky.
You say 'Se strică vremea' (The weather is breaking/spoiling).
Related Phrases
Vreme mohorâtă
similarGloomy, overcast weather.
Vreme frumoasă
contrastBeautiful, sunny weather.
Vreme de câine
specialized formTerrible, 'dog' weather.
A se strica vremea
builds onFor the weather to turn bad.
