Lessons for English speakers

Learn to read Romanian

A short, active path into reading Romanian: decode real words from a small sound guide, learn why the word for “the” is welded onto the end of the noun, meet the past that fables are told in, and read a whole fable before opening your first book.

13 core sections · ≈ 34 min + 3 optional lookups · ≈ 49 min with everything

A new reading: try it before revealing help

≈ 3 min

What you'll learn

This time the pronunciation and the English begin hidden.
Aim for the scene, not a perfect translation.
If a line feels scrambled, find the verb first and read its ending.
This is the passage promised in the first section, one step longer.

A mouse and a rabbit

Read each line aloud, say what you think happened, then reveal.

Într-o zi șoarecele Mina a văzut un iepure în pădure.
one day · the mouse · the story past of vede · a rabbit · in the wood
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Într-o zi șoarecele Mina a văzut un iepure în pădure.IHN-troh zee SHWAH-reh-cheh-leh MEE-nah ah vuh-ZOOT oon YEH-poo-reh ihn puh-DOO-reh“One day Mina the mouse saw a rabbit in the wood”
„Bună ziua”, a spus Mina. „Unde mergi?”
The speaker comes after the verb.
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„Bună ziua”, a spus Mina. „Unde mergi?”BOO-nuh ZEE-wah, ah spoos MEE-nah. OON-deh mehrj(y)““Good day,” said Mina. “Where are you going?””
„Merg acasă, pentru că mi-e foame”, a răspuns Tobi.
The last two words before the tag are a state, not a possession.
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„Merg acasă, pentru că mi-e foame”, a răspuns Tobi.mehrg ah-KAH-suh, PEN-troo kuh myeh FWAH-meh, ah ruhs-POONS TOH-bee““I am going home, because I am hungry,” answered Tobi”
„Vino cu mine”, a spus Mina. „Am apă și o casă bună.” Și iepurele a mers cu șoarecele.
Two things carry an ending for “the” in the last sentence.
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„Vino cu mine”, a spus Mina. „Am apă și o casă bună.” Și iepurele a mers cu șoarecele.VEE-noh koo MEE-neh, ah spoos MEE-nah. ahm AH-puh shee oh KAH-suh BOO-nuh. shee YEH-poo-reh-leh ah mehrs koo SHWAH-reh-cheh-leh““Come with me,” said Mina. “I have water and a good house.” And the rabbit went with the mouse”