Learning the dictionary definitions of a new language will help you survive in a new country, but knowing the idioms of a new language will help you understand the culture. Some expressions are hard to translate, and when you are talking to a native speaker you might realize this the hard way if you don’t understand what they are saying. Romanians have so many fun ways to express their feelings or everyday occurrences. Here on this page, we are going to share some of the most interesting words and expressions commonly used throughout this country. Some of them are similar to idioms said in English, while others are completely different!
1. “Freci menta”: You are rubbing the mint
This one basically means you are wasting your time or doing something fruitless. It is also a way to say you are being lazy. Another similar expression is “tai frunza la caini,” meaning “you are cutting leaves for the dogs.”
2. “A fi prins cu mata-n sac”: to be caught with the cat in the bag
This is the equivalent in English to “being caught red handed.” Basically, it is used when someone is caught cheating or lying.
3. “Umbli cu cioara vopsita”: You are walking around the painted crow
This one is similar to the one before; it is used to mean that you are trying to fool somebody, or you are trying to lie to someone.
4. “Să știi ca pe Tatăl Nostru”: To know it like the Lord’s Prayer
This is equivalent to the English “to know it like the back of your hand.” Romanians are quite religious, one of the most religious countries in all of Europe, so this expression is very fitting – and reminds you to memorize your prayers!
5. “A-ți lua inima în dinți”: To take your heart in your teeth
This one basically means to do something bravely or daringly.
6. “A băga mâna în foc pentru cineva”: To put your hand in fire for somebody
This means putting yourself out there for someone, in their defense.
7. “Să faci din rahat bici”: To make a whip out of shit
This is kind of a vulgar expression, but the meaning is that one can do so much with so little. You can make something out of nothing.
8. “Am eu ac de cojocul tau”: I have the needle for your coat
This means that you know exactly what to do to get revenge on someone.
9. “Te duce cu presul”: He carries you with the rug
The English equivalent for this one might be “He’s pulling the wool over your eyes.” Basically, it means that someone is trying to fool or deceive you.
10. “Mi-a picat fisa”: My coin dropped
This one does not mean that you dropped something, but that you got it. It means that you finally got it, or finally understand something. It is like “the lightbulb went off” for you.
11. “Mi-a picat fata”: My face dropped
This one looks similar to the previous expression, but it has a totally different meaning. This simply means that you are really surprised or shocked of something.
12. “La Pastele cailor”: At the horses’ Easter
The English equivalent to this one is “when pigs fly.” Basically it means that something will never happen, or that it might happen but at a future date that you cannot even imagine right now (and so effectively never).
13. “Ma scoti din pepeni”: You take me out of the watermelons
This means that someone is really, really upset. An English equivalent might be “you are pushing my buttons” or “you are driving me crazy”.
14. “A vinde gogosi”: selling donuts
If someone says this to you, it means that they believe you are lying.
15. “I-a sărit muștarul”: His mustard has jumped off
An English equivalent to this is “He blew his top.” Basically, he is really angry.
16. “A dat cu mucii în fasole”: He threw his boogers in the beans
This means someone messed something up so badly, there is no way to fix it. How do you take a single booger out of a whole pot of beans? They are ruined irreparably!
17. “Te îmbeți cu apă rece”: To get drunk with cold water
This one means you are fooling yourself – you cannot get drunk on water alone!
18. “A face umbră pământului degeaba”: To cast a shadow in vain
This one is a rather cold expression. It is used for someone who is viewed as a good-for-nothing or a person who does not with their life. Basically, they are so useless that they do not even deserve to a shadow; even a shadow is wasted on them.
19. “A bate șaua să priceapă iapa”: To beat the saddle so the mare gets the point
This basically just means to drop a hint, or to get the point across.
20. “a călca pe bec”: To step on a light bulb
This means to get pregnant, especially in a shameful way, such as out of wedlock. Now it also means to get into any kind of trouble.
21. “a-i lipsi o doagă”: To be missing a stave
This means to be dumb, loopy, looney, or to “lose your marbles.”
22. “a o căuta cu lumânarea”: to look for something with a lit candle
To be looking for trouble.
23. “a se uita ca vițelul la poarta nouă”: to stare like a calf at a new gate
This one is kind of fun to picture! How do you think a calf stares at a new gate? Why, in confusion, of course!
24. “Vinzi castraveti gradinarului”: You’re selling cucumbers to the gardener
The English equivalent to this is, “you are preaching to the choir.” Basically, you are telling someone something that they already know, or you are explaining something to a person who already knows the truth.
25. “Mi-a ajuns cutitul la os”: The knife has reached my bone
The English equivalent to this is, “that’s the last straw,” or “you have reached the limit.”
Maybe that was your limit for Romanian idioms – try some of these sayings out when you visit the country and impress the locals!