5 Unique Romanian Letters Every Kid Should Know

Romanian is the official language of Romania, and while it might sound a little different at first, that’s part of the fun! After all, every language sounds strange until you get to know it. Let’s explore what makes Romanian unique—especially its alphabet.

More Letters Than English?

Yes! The English alphabet has 26 letters, but Romanian has 31. That’s five extra letters, and they’re the reason Romanian has its own rhythm and sound. Let’s meet these five special characters and see how familiar they really are!

The Letter “Ț” – Like Pizza!

Think of the word pizza. Hear that sharp “ts” sound in the middle? That’s exactly what the Romanian letter “ț” (a “t” with a little tail) sounds like. It’s common in words like țară (country) or piață (market). So, if you can say pizza, you can say ț!

The Letter “Ș” – Sasha’s Sound

Ever said the name Sasha? That “sh” sound is just like the Romanian “ș” (an “s” with a little hat). It appears in many Romanian words like școală (school) and șarpe (snake). You already know this sound—it’s just spelled differently!

The Letter “Ă” – The Thinking Sound

Have you ever said “uhhh…” when you’re thinking? That’s the sound of the Romanian letter “ă”! It’s used in words like mămăligă (cornmeal porridge) and fată (girl). Romanians use it a lot—both in speech and when they’re pausing to think.

The Letters “Δ and “” – The Twin Roofs

These two letters—“î” and “â”—make the same sound, kind of like a deep “uh.” The only difference? “î” appears at the start or end of words, while “â” is used in the middle. They both have a little roof on top (Romanians call it a “hat”), like in înțeleg (I understand) and România.

Learning Romanian with Dinolingo

Curious to hear how these letters sound? Dinolingo makes it easy and fun for kids to learn Romanian. Through engaging activities like:

• Interactive videos and songs featuring pronunciation practice
• Flashcards and games with Romanian vocabulary
• Printable worksheets and storybooks
• A fun rewards system to keep kids motivated
• Web, iOS, and Android access for anytime learning
• All in one subscription for up to 6 users, perfect for families

With Dinolingo, kids aged 2–14 can explore the Romanian alphabet and language in playful, exciting ways.

Final Thought

Romanian may have a few extra letters, but with fun comparisons like pizza, Sasha, and thoughtful “uhh”s, they’re not so strange after all. By learning how these letters sound, your child will be well on their way to speaking like a native. And the best part? They’re already halfway there!