A chapter that expresses the creativity of Romanians is, without a doubt, their everyday language. In most cases, their sayings convey something different from the literal meaning of the words used. Many such examples highlight Romanians’ humor and character. Most of these are difficult for an “outsider” to understand, but once explained, you’ll start to understand and maybe even adopt them. Let’s discover and understand together some of the most commonly used and, implicitly, amusing Romanian sayings:
“I-a picat fața” (His face fell off)
This saying is used when someone is surprised by an event. When talking about something surprising, Romanians often say, “My face fell off!” This is their colorful way of expressing that they were left speechless.
“I-a sărit muștarul” (His mustard jumped)
If you hear this expression, it means someone has lost their temper. When a Romanian gets angry, they say that “their mustard jumped.”
“Ești varză” (You are cabbage)
Though the connection might seem nonsensical, Romanians have found an unusual connotation for this vegetable. For instance, when someone is tired or going through a chaotic period, they’ll say they are “cabbage.” They also use this expression for a messy house or room, saying, “It’s cabbage.”
“A scoate pe cineva din pepeni” (To take someone out of their melons)
If someone tells you this, it means you’ve upset them. When a Romanian loses patience, they say they’ve been “taken out of their melons.” It’s a way to express that someone is angered or frustrated.
“A vinde gogoși” (To sell donuts)
At first, this expression doesn’t sound negative—after all, donuts are a delicious treat. However, in this case, it has a different meaning: “to sell donuts to someone” means to lie.
“A lua țeapă” (To take a stake)
When describing a situation where they were deceived, Romanians say they “took a stake.” Similarly, when talking about a scam, they’ll call it a big “stake.”
“A freca menta” (To rub the mint)
If they see you wasting time, a Romanian will tell you not to “rub the mint” and to stop being lazy and start working. It’s a way of saying someone isn’t using their time productively.
“A se îmbăta cu apă rece” (To get drunk on cold water)
When you’re fooling yourself and being unrealistic, it means you’re “getting drunk on cold water.” This expression marks the idea that you’re deceiving yourself.
“Te aburește” (They are fogging you up)
If someone is feeding you lies, they aren’t necessarily deceiving you; rather, they’re “fogging you up.” This is often used when a Romanian feels they’ve been misled or “charmed” with words.
“Se simte cu musca pe căciulă” (Feels with the fly on their hat)
When someone knows they are guilty, Romanians say they “feel the fly on their hat.” This expression signifies a guilty conscience or awareness of wrongdoing.
“A bate câmpii” (To beat the fields)
When someone strays off-topic, it means they’re “beating the fields.” This is a way Romanians say someone is rambling or talking nonsense.
“A umbla cu cioara vopsită” (To walk with a painted crow)
This is a way of saying that someone is lying or pretending. When you’re “walking with a painted crow,” it means you’re being deceitful and trying to mislead someone.
“A fi prins cu pisica în sac” (To be caught with the cat in the sack)
This saying expresses the moment when someone is caught lying or cheating. When “you’re caught with the cat in the sack,” there’s no escape, and you must admit your mistake.
“A avea ac de cojocul cuiva” (To have a needle for someone’s coat)
This Romanian saying is a way of telling someone you’ve found a way to get back at them. When someone wrongs a Romanian, they often say, “I have a needle for their coat,” meaning they’re ready to teach them a lesson.
“Plimbă ursul” (Walk the bear)
When they’re annoyed by something and want to be left alone, Romanians often say, “Walk the bear.” It’s a way of asking for space to cool down or organize their thoughts.
“Are pitici pe creier” (Has dwarfs on the brain)
If someone says you have “dwarfs on the brain,” it means you’ve done or said something crazy or unusual. It’s a colorful expression that plays with the image of little creatures dancing around on someone’s head during moments of madness.
“La Paștele Cailor” (At the Horses’ Easter)
When a plan or idea seems unrealistic or unlikely to happen, Romanians say it will occur “at the Horses’ Easter.” If something has no known timeline or, worse, will never happen, you’ll hear this saying.
“Frecție la picior de lemn” (A massage to a wooden leg)
When something is described as “a massage to a wooden leg,” it means it’s a useless action or effort. This expression refers to an action that has no significance and will be of no help.
“Dus cu pluta” (Gone with the raft)
If you’re spaced out or acting absent-minded, Romanians will say you’re “gone with the raft.” It’s a way they describe someone’s eccentric behavior.
“Te duce cu preșul” (Taking you with the rug)
When someone is trying to fool you, mislead you, and isn’t honest with you, it means they are “taking you with the rug.
