Romania is one of the most beautiful countries on Earth, and the people make it that much more enjoyable. If you want the full experience, you’ll have to learn the language, and picking up on Romanian food idioms is one of the main signs you’ve mastered it. Use them in the right situations, and you’ll be sure to impress the natives around you.
FRECȚIE LA PICIOR DE LEMN
This Romanian idiom means “a lot of work for little gain” and it comes from the old days when people used to travel by foot. Nowadays, you can use it to describe any situation where you feel like you’re doing a lot of work for very little reward. This idiom may sound silly, but it makes enough sense if you think about it. After all, if you had a wooden leg, you wouldn’t be able to feel it, and a rub wouldn’t provide much comfort outside of the sentiment.
A se face cârnați și slănină
This roughly translates to “to make sausages and bacon” and it means to do something without really thinking about it. It’s often used to describe someone who takes on too many tasks without really considering the consequences.
A fugi ca din puii de arici
If you’ve ever seen a hedgehog roll into a ball, you know exactly what this idiom means. It’s used to describe someone who is running away from something, usually in a hurry or in a panic.
A se împinge cu capul de pereți
This idiom translates to “to push one’s head against the walls” and it means to be stubborn or refuse to listen to reason. It’s often used to describe someone who is being needlessly difficult or making things harder than they need to be.
A se trezi cu coada în gură
This idiom literally translates to “to wake up with a tail in one’s mouth” and it means to be caught off guard or unprepared. It can also be used to describe someone who is late to the party or missing out on something important.
A se zbate ca un sarpe în coșul de rufe
This idiom translates to “to struggle like a snake in a laundry basket” and it means to be in a difficult or hopeless situation. It’s often used to describe someone who is trying unsuccessfully to escape from a bad situation.
A trage pe sfoară
This idiom literally translates to “to pull on the rope” and it means to take advantage of someone or exploit their goodwill. It’s often used to describe someone who is taking advantage of a friend or family member.
A înghiți muierea
This idiom translates to “to swallow one’s wife” and it means to accept something without question or hesitation. It’s often used to describe someone who is being too easily accepting or trusting of others.
A înghiți sec
This idiom literally translates to “to swallow dry” and it means to take something without pleasure or enthusiasm. It’s often used to describe someone who is forced to do something they don’t want to do or eat something they don’t like.
A se scoate la capătul rândului
This idiom translates to “to reach the end of the line” and it means to be at the end of one’s rope or patience. It’s often used to describe someone who is fed up with a situation or person and is ready to give up.
A se încurca în propria-și limbă
This idiom literally translates to “to get tangled in one’s own language” and it means to be at a loss for words or unable to express oneself. It’s often used to describe someone who is feeling tongue-tied or flustered.