One of the first questions I hear from new students is: is Romanian hard to learn? It’s a fair question — and as a native Romanian tutor who has taught students from over 39 countries, I can give you an honest, grounded answer. The short version? Romanian is not as hard to learn as you might think, especially if you speak English. But let me walk you through exactly what to expect.
Romanian Is Officially One of the Easier Languages for English Speakers
Let’s start with some reassuring data. The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) — the US government body that trains diplomats in foreign languages — classifies Romanian as a Category I language. That puts it in the same group as Spanish, French, Italian, and Portuguese. In other words, Romanian is among the most accessible languages for native English speakers, requiring around 600 to 750 hours of study to reach professional proficiency.
So is Romanian hard to learn compared to, say, Japanese or Arabic? Absolutely not. Those languages fall into Category V and require over 2,200 hours. Romanian is genuinely one of the friendlier options on the map.
What Makes Romanian Easy to Learn for English Speakers
1. A Shared Latin Vocabulary
English has absorbed a huge amount of Latin-rooted vocabulary through French and through centuries of academic and scientific language. As a result, you already recognise more Romanian words than you think.
Words like natură (nature), familie (family), important (important), perfect (perfect), or conversație (conversation) will feel immediately familiar. This shared vocabulary gives beginners a real confidence boost in the early stages of learning Romanian.
2. The Latin Alphabet
Unlike Russian, Arabic, or Greek, Romanian uses the Latin alphabet — the same one you already know. You won’t need to learn a new writing system before you can read a single word. In addition, Romanian spelling is very consistent: words are almost always written exactly as they sound, which makes reading and pronunciation more predictable.
3. Pronunciation Is Manageable
Romanian pronunciation is straightforward for most English speakers. There are a few unique sounds — such as ă, â/î, and the rolled r — but these are easy to practise and pick up quickly. Furthermore, most Romanian consonants behave in ways that English speakers will find intuitive. In my experience, students are able to produce clear, understandable Romanian within just a few weeks of regular practice.
How Difficult Is Romanian to Learn? The Real Challenges
I want to be honest with you, because I believe realistic expectations are the foundation of good learning. So is Romanian hard to learn in any specific areas? Yes — a few.
1. Grammar Cases
Romanian has five grammatical cases: nominative, accusative, dative, genitive, and vocative. This means that nouns and adjectives change their endings depending on their role in a sentence. For example:
- Mama (nominative) → mamei (genitive)
- Un om (a man) → omului (of the man)
This is the aspect of Romanian that surprises students the most. However, with consistent practice and a structured approach, these patterns become second nature. Moreover, Romanian has fewer cases than languages like Russian (six cases) or Finnish (fifteen), so the system remains manageable.
2. The Definite Article Is Attached to the Noun
In English, you say “the book.” In Romanian, the article is added as a suffix directly to the noun: carte (book) becomes cartea (the book). This concept is unusual for English speakers at first, but it quickly becomes intuitive with practice.
3. Limited Resources for Learning Romanian
Unlike Spanish or French, Romanian has fewer apps, textbooks, and YouTube channels dedicated to it. This means that learning Romanian on your own can feel isolating. As a result, working with a native tutor makes a significant difference — you get structured guidance, real conversation practice, and immediate feedback on your mistakes.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Romanian?
Based on the FSI classification and my own experience teaching Romanian online, here is a rough guide:
- Beginner (A1-A2): 3 to 6 months of consistent study
- Intermediate (B1-B2): 12 to 18 months total
- Advanced (C1): 2+ years of regular, structured practice
The key word is consistent. Short daily sessions — even 20 minutes — outperform occasional long study marathons. Learning Romanian as an English speaker is much faster when you practise speaking regularly with a native tutor rather than relying on apps alone.
Is Romanian Hard to Learn? My Final Take
As a native tutor, I see students from all backgrounds make real progress in Romanian every week. Is it the easiest language in the world? No. Does it have its quirks? Yes. But is Romanian hard to learn for English speakers? Not really — not when you compare it to what else is out there.
What matters most is not the difficulty of the language. It is your consistency, your motivation, and the quality of the guidance you get. Furthermore, having a structured learning plan from day one makes a huge difference. With the right approach, Romanian is absolutely within reach.
If you are curious about your own level or want to know where to start, I offer a free 30-minute assessment where we can map out your learning path together. Book your free session here →
