Bârnova is a small Romanian-speaking commune about 15 km west of Iași, and every useful interaction with locals — from the pension host to the bus driver on route toward Iași — happens in Romanian. Even a few polite phrases make a real difference in a village where English is rarely spoken outside younger residents and city day-trippers.
Pair these phrases with awareness of Moldavian rural customs: removing shoes indoors, accepting offered food, and dressing modestly at the nearby Copou Monastery. The emergency number across Romania is 112, and the closest hospitals, pharmacies, and a 24/7 cab network are in Iași rather than in Bârnova itself.
Open every interaction with 'Bună ziua' (Good day) and 'Bună seara' (Good evening) before asking anything. Use 'Mă numesc…' (My name is…) when introduced to a pension host. A warm 'Mă bucur să vă cunosc' (Pleased to meet you) is appreciated in rural Iași County, where hosts may not switch to English automatically.
Essential
Ask 'Unde este stația de autobuz?' (Where is the bus stop?) and 'Cât costă un bilet?' (How much is a ticket?). Confirm direction with 'Acest autobuz merge la Bârnova?' (Does this bus go to Bârnova?). For a taxi, say 'Doresc un taxi la Bârnova, vă rog' (I'd like a taxi to Bârnova, please); expect to pay in RON cash.
Transit
Ask 'Ce aveți de mâncare?' (What do you have to eat?) and 'Ce recomandați?' (What do you recommend?). Common dishes: mămăligă, sarmale, mititei, ciorbă. Say 'Nota de plată, vă rog' (The bill, please) when finishing. 'Sănătate!' or 'Noroc!' is the standard toast with țuică or wine.
Dining
Dress modestly and use quiet phrases: 'Pot face fotografii?' (May I take photos?) — often 'Nu' inside churches. 'Sfinția Voastră' addresses clergy. 'Vă mulțumesc' (Thank you) and 'Dumnezeu să vă binecuvânteze' (God bless you) signal respect at the iconostasis and during Orthodox services.
Etiquette
Universal Romanian emergency phrase: 'Ajutor!' (Help!). Say 'Sunați la 112, vă rog' (Please call 112) or 'Am nevoie de un doctor' (I need a doctor). For the nearest hospital, ask 'Unde este cel mai apropiat spital?' — Iași has the main hospitals serving Bârnova. 'Mă simt rău' means 'I feel unwell.'
Safety
Keep 'Vă rog' (please), 'Mulțumesc' (thank you), 'Scuzați-mă' (excuse me), 'Da' (yes), and 'Nu' (no) ready. 'Nu vorbesc românește' (I don't speak Romanian) plus 'Vorbiți engleză?' (Do you speak English?) helps signal you need patience; younger residents in Iași are most likely to respond in English.
Everyday