If you have recently moved to Romania, one of your first questions may be: ‘How long will it take me to learn Romanian?’

The honest answer is that there is no universal timeline. Your progress will depend on your previous language-learning experience, the languages you already speak, the amount of time you can dedicate to studying and, most importantly, how often you use Romanian outside the classroom.

However, understanding the CEFR levels — A1, A2, B1 and B2 — can help you set realistic goals and choose the right Romanian language course.

Is Romanian difficult to learn?

Romanian may seem difficult at first, especially because of its noun endings, gender system and verb forms. However, it is a Romance language, which means it shares many features with Italian, Spanish, French and Portuguese.

If you already speak one of these languages, you may recognise a considerable amount of vocabulary. English speakers may also find many familiar words, although Romanian grammar will require regular practice.

Pronunciation is relatively consistent: once you understand the main sound–letter relationships, you can usually pronounce a written word correctly.

For many learners, the greatest challenge is not understanding Romanian but speaking it spontaneously. This is why an effective Romanian course should include communication from the very first lesson.

How many hours does it take to learn Romanian?

The number of hours required varies significantly from one learner to another. Rather than promising fluency after a fixed number of lessons, it is more useful to think in terms of stages.

As a broad guide, a motivated learner attending classes regularly and studying between sessions may need:

  • approximately 60–100 hours of guided study to build an A1 foundation;
  • a further period of regular study and practice to reach A2;
  • several months of consistent learning to progress towards B1;
  • sustained practice in a wider range of situations to reach B2.

These figures are only estimates. Attending a course for a certain number of hours does not automatically guarantee a particular level. Progress also depends on attendance, individual study, exposure to Romanian and opportunities to communicate.

What can you do at Romanian A1 level?

A1 is the beginner level. At this stage, you learn to communicate in simple and predictable situations. You may be able to:

  • introduce yourself and give basic personal information;
  • use greetings and polite expressions;
  • understand numbers, dates and prices;
  • order food and drinks;
  • ask for simple directions;
  • understand short, clear instructions;
  • talk briefly about your family, home or job.

At A1, conversations still require patience from the other person. The objective is not grammatical perfection, but managing essential interactions and beginning to use Romanian with confidence.

What can you do at Romanian A2 level?

At A2, you can handle a wider range of everyday situations. You are no longer limited to memorised expressions and can begin to combine familiar words and structures more independently. You may be able to:

  • describe your daily routine;
  • discuss past activities in simple terms;
  • make an appointment;
  • communicate at a shop, restaurant or pharmacy;
  • explain a basic problem;
  • understand short messages and announcements;
  • talk about your work and responsibilities.

You may still make frequent grammatical mistakes, but your message is usually clear when discussing familiar topics. For many expatriates, A2 provides an important level of practical independence.

What can you do at Romanian B1 level?

B1 is often described as the intermediate or independent-user level. It represents an important step because you can communicate in Romanian in many situations without depending constantly on English or translation. You may be able to:

  • follow the main points of a clear conversation;
  • describe experiences and events;
  • explain plans and intentions;
  • give simple reasons for an opinion;
  • deal with most everyday situations;
  • communicate with colleagues about familiar tasks;
  • write straightforward emails and messages.

You will still hesitate and make mistakes, particularly when discussing unfamiliar or abstract subjects. Nevertheless, you can maintain a conversation and find alternative ways to express an idea.

What can you do at Romanian B2 level?

At B2, communication becomes more fluent and detailed. You can interact with native speakers with greater spontaneity and participate in professional discussions within familiar areas. You may be able to:

  • understand extended conversations on a range of topics;
  • explain and defend a point of view;
  • participate actively in meetings;
  • discuss advantages and disadvantages;
  • write clear, detailed emails and reports;
  • understand the main ideas of more complex texts;
  • adapt your language to different social and professional contexts.

A B2 learner will not necessarily sound like a native speaker. Errors may still occur, but they do not usually prevent effective communication.

What influences the learning timeline?

1. The languages you already speak

Speakers of other Romance languages may recognise vocabulary and grammatical patterns more quickly. Knowing how to learn a foreign language is also an advantage, regardless of your mother tongue.

2. The frequency of your lessons

One lesson a week can help you progress, but the learning process will usually be slower. Two or three points of contact with the language each week create greater continuity.

3. Your contact with Romanian outside the classroom

Living in Romania gives you a valuable advantage, but exposure does not happen automatically. Progress becomes faster when you intentionally use Romanian at shops and cafés, with neighbours and colleagues, while reading signs or during everyday appointments.

4. Your attendance and individual study

Missing lessons regularly makes it difficult to build on previous content. Even 15–20 minutes of study on most days can make a considerable difference.

5. Your objective

Learning enough Romanian to manage basic interactions is different from learning Romanian for work, university, citizenship or a formal language examination. A clear objective helps the teacher select relevant vocabulary, tasks and materials.

Can you learn Romanian in three months?

You can make visible progress in three months, especially if you attend classes several times a week and practise between lessons. A complete beginner may build a useful foundation and begin managing predictable everyday situations. However, claims such as ‘become fluent in three months’ should be treated cautiously.

A better question is: ‘What would I like to be able to do in Romanian after three months?’ Possible goals include:

  • introduce myself and have a short conversation;
  • order food and go shopping;
  • understand basic workplace instructions;
  • speak to my child’s teacher;
  • manage a simple appointment;
  • communicate with colleagues about familiar tasks.

Group course or individual Romanian lessons?

Group courses provide interaction, variety and opportunities to practise with other learners. Individual lessons offer greater flexibility and allow the course to focus closely on one learner’s professional or personal needs.

A group course may suit you if you enjoy learning with others, can attend on a fixed schedule and want regular conversation practice. Individual lessons may be more appropriate if your schedule changes frequently, you need Romanian for a specific profession or you want to progress at your own pace.

The best option is the one you can attend consistently.

Online or face-to-face Romanian courses?

Both formats can produce good results. Online courses are convenient for busy learners, people who travel or students who do not live in Bucharest. Face-to-face courses provide direct interaction and may help learners who prefer a traditional classroom environment.

The quality of the programme, the learner’s participation and the amount of communication practice matter more than the format itself.

How can you learn Romanian faster?

You do not need to study for several hours every day. Consistency is more important than occasional intensive effort. Try to:

  • learn complete expressions, not only isolated words;
  • speak Romanian from the beginning;
  • review new material on the same day;
  • listen to Romanian every day;
  • keep a short vocabulary notebook;
  • practise phrases connected to your real life;
  • accept that hesitation is part of the learning process;
  • attend your lessons regularly.

Most importantly, do not wait until your Romanian is ‘good enough’ before using it. Speaking is not the reward you receive after learning the language. Speaking is part of how you learn it.

Start with a Romanian language assessment

If you already understand or speak some Romanian, an initial assessment can help identify your current level and the course that would suit you best.

At Echo – Centre for Foreign Languages, Romanian courses for foreigners are organised according to the participant’s level, objectives and availability. Courses can be delivered online or face to face, individually or in groups, for general communication or professional purposes.

The programme focuses on practical communication while also developing grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening, reading and writing.

How long does it take to learn Romanian? You can build a basic foundation in a few months, but reaching an independent level requires regular study, meaningful practice and frequent contact with the language.

Instead of focusing only on the number of hours, set clear communication goals and monitor what you can actually do in Romanian.

Would you like to discover your current level or start learning Romanian from the beginning? Contact Echo for information about Romanian language courses for foreigners.