You’re walking through the Old Town in Bucharest, and you hear a snippet of conversation. It sounds like Italian, but then you catch a Slavic-sounding "da" or a rhythmic cadence that feels more like Spanish. Welcome to the linguistic puzzle of the Balkans. Honestly, most people visiting or moving here expect a standard Eastern European language experience, but the reality of what are the languages spoken in Romania is a lot more layered and, frankly, cooler than you’d think.
Romania is basically a Latin island in a Slavic sea. That’s the cliché, but it’s 100% true. However, if you stick around long enough, you’ll realize that "Romanian" is only the first chapter of a much longer book. From the deep-rooted Hungarian enclaves in Transylvania to the surprisingly high English proficiency among the Gen Z crowd, the country’s linguistic map is constantly shifting.
The Heavyweight: Romanian (The Official Tongue)
Romanian isn't just the official language; it’s the heartbeat of the country. Around 91% of the population speaks it as their primary language. If you speak a bit of Italian or Spanish, you’ll likely find yourself reading street signs and menus with a weird sense of "I think I actually get this."
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It’s the only Romance language that kept the cases from Latin. That means if you decide to learn it, you’ll be dealing with nominatives and genitives that disappeared from French or Portuguese centuries ago. It’s a bit of a flex, linguistically speaking. But the cool part is the vocabulary. While the grammar is Latin, about 10-15% of the words are Slavic in origin, and you'll find Turkish, Greek, and even German loanwords scattered throughout.
Transylvania’s "Second" Language: Hungarian
When you're asking what are the languages spoken in Romania, you cannot skip Hungarian. It is by far the largest minority language, spoken by about 6% of the population—that’s over a million people.
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In some counties like Harghita and Covasna, you’ll see bilingual signs everywhere. In fact, in those spots, Hungarian is often the dominant language on the street. It’s not just a "minority" thing; it’s a living, breathing culture with its own newspapers, theaters, and schools. If you’re traveling through central Transylvania, knowing a few words of Magyar (Hungarian) will get you a very wide smile from the locals.
The Romani Dialects
Romani is the language of the Roma community, and it's a fascinating part of Romania's linguistic fabric. It’s an Indo-Aryan language, which means it’s actually more closely related to Hindi than to Romanian.
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The 2021 census data suggests about 1.2% of people speak it as a mother tongue, though the actual number of speakers is likely higher because many Roma are bilingual and might only use Romani at home. There are several dialects—Vlax Romani being the most common—and it has a huge influence on Romanian slang. If you hear someone using the word mișto (meaning "cool" or "nice"), they’re using a word with Romani roots.
The "Foreign" Language Hierarchy
Here is where things get interesting for the modern era. If you’re a tourist or a digital nomad wondering about the communication barrier, don't sweat it.
- English: Romania consistently ranks high on the EF English Proficiency Index—taking the 11th spot globally in 2025. Basically, if you are in a city like Cluj, Timișoara, or Bucharest and you speak to anyone under 40, they probably speak English better than some native speakers.
- French: Romania is a proud member of the Francophonie. Back in the day, French was the language of the elite. While it’s losing ground to English, about 15-20% of the population can still hold a conversation in it. It’s still a mandatory subject in many schools.
- German: Mostly found in Transylvania and the Banat region, thanks to the Saxon and Swabian history. While many ethnic Germans emigrated in the 90s, the language stayed behind in the form of German-language schools that are highly prestigious.
- Italian & Spanish: Thanks to the massive Romanian diaspora in Italy and Spain, plus the linguistic similarity, many Romanians pick these up almost by "osmosis" through TV shows or family connections.
The Niche Players: From Ukrainian to Turkish
It doesn't stop there. Head north to Maramureș, and you’ll hear Ukrainian. Go to the Dobrogea region by the Black Sea, and you might stumble upon Turkish or Tatar communities. There are even pockets of Russian-speaking Lipovans (Old Believers) in the Danube Delta who have kept their language and customs alive for centuries.
Actionable Tips for Navigating Romania
- Don't assume everyone speaks Russian. This is a common mistake. Romanian is NOT a Slavic language. While some older people might have learned Russian in school during the communist era, it's not widely used and can sometimes be a sensitive topic.
- Use the "Latin Advantage." If you speak French, Italian, or Spanish, try to find the cognates. Words like apă (water), pâine (bread), or noapte (night) will look familiar.
- English in the cities, patience in the villages. In rural areas, you’ll need a translation app or some basic Romanian phrases. People are incredibly hospitable, but the language gap is real once you leave the big hubs.
- Learn the basics. Even a simple Mulțumesc (Thank you) goes a long way. It’s pronounced "mool-tzoo-mesk." Say it right, and you're basically a local.
Romania is a place where you can hear a medieval German dialect in the morning, a Latin-based official tongue at lunch, and high-level corporate English by the evening. It's a linguistic crossroads that’s still evolving as the country becomes a tech hub for Europe. If you're planning to visit or live here, start with the official language, but keep your ears open for the symphony of minority voices that make the country what it is today.