Moldova Language: What Do They Speak in Moldova?
The official language of Moldova is Romanian. In Romanian, the country is called Moldova. Romanian is used in government, education, media and everyday life across the country.
🗣️ Language at a Glance
About the Romanian Language
Romanian grew from the Latin spoken in the Roman province of Dacia, conquered in 106 AD, and developed in isolation from its Romance sisters for centuries. It is the official language of Romania and of Moldova, and it preserves features the western Romance languages abandoned, most famously a working case system inherited from Latin. Romanian is the easternmost Romance language, descended from Latin like Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese; of the majors, Italian is its closest match in vocabulary. Cut off from the rest of the Romance world by Slavic-speaking neighbours for a millennium, it absorbed a notable layer of Slavic words while keeping its Latin core: even the country's name declares the land of the Romans.
The Latin alphabet (Romanian variant): How Romanian is Written
Romanian uses the Latin alphabet with five special letters: ă, â, î, ș and ț. It was actually written in Cyrillic for centuries, switching to Latin only in the 1860s, and Soviet-era Moldova was made to use Cyrillic again until 1989. The spelling today is largely phonetic.
Is Romanian a Tonal Language?
No, Romanian is not a tonal language. Stress is variable but meaning rests on vowels and consonants, as in the other Romance languages.
🗨️ Useful Romanian Phrases
A few everyday phrases in Romanian, written in a simple romanized pronunciation so you can read them aloud. Tones and exact sounds vary by region, so treat these as a starting point.
How Hard is Romanian to Learn?
Romanian sits in the US Foreign Service Institute's easiest category for English speakers, around 600 to 750 class hours, with recognisable Latin vocabulary throughout. Its extra twists compared with Spanish or Italian are the noun cases, the definite article attaching to the end of the noun, and the two central vowels ă and â that English lacks.
Language Tips for Visitors to Moldova
The official language of Moldova is Romanian, which may be unfamiliar to many international travellers. While English speakers can often be found in larger cities and tourist-heavy areas, it is advisable to learn a few basic phrases before your trip. Locals greatly appreciate any effort to use the local language, even if imperfect. Simple greetings, thank-yous and asking for directions in Romanian will go a long way. The country is officially known as Moldova in Romanian, and the international dialling code is +373.
🌍 Other Countries Where Romanian is Spoken
Romanian is not exclusive to Moldova; it is also spoken in these countries:
Frequently Asked Questions about Language in Moldova
What language do they speak in Moldova?
The official language of Moldova is Romanian.
Is English spoken in Moldova?
English is not an official language in Moldova. The main language is Romanian. English may be spoken in tourist areas.
What is Moldova called in its own language?
Moldova is called "Moldova" in Romanian.
What writing system does Romanian use?
Romanian is written in the Latin alphabet (Romanian variant). Romanian uses the Latin alphabet with five special letters: ă, â, î, ș and ț. It was actually written in Cyrillic for centuries, switching to Latin only in the 1860s, and Soviet-era Moldova was made to use Cyrillic again until 1989. The spelling today is largely phonetic.
Is Romanian a tonal language?
No, Romanian is not a tonal language. Stress is variable but meaning rests on vowels and consonants, as in the other Romance languages.
How do you say hello in Romanian?
"Hello" in Romanian is "buna ziua (BOO-nuh ZEE-wah)".
Is Romanian hard to learn?
Romanian sits in the US Foreign Service Institute's easiest category for English speakers, around 600 to 750 class hours, with recognisable Latin vocabulary throughout. Its extra twists compared with Spanish or Italian are the noun cases, the definite article attaching to the end of the noun, and the two central vowels ă and â that English lacks.
How many official languages does Moldova have?
Moldova has one official language: Romanian.
Do I need to speak Romanian to visit Moldova?
It is not required but learning basic phrases in Romanian is strongly recommended and appreciated.
What is the calling code for Moldova?
The international dialling code for Moldova is +373.
What is the population of Moldova?
Moldova has a population of approximately 2.6M, all of whom use Romanian as the official language.