Pattern
Unde = where; cum = how. Place at the start of the question: Unde ești? (Where are you?), Cum te simți? (How do you feel?).
Explanation
Unde asks about location: Unde ești? (Where are you?), Unde locuiești? (Where do you live?), Unde mergi? (Where are you going?). Romanian doesn't distinguish "where" and "where to" — unde covers both.
Cum asks about manner or condition: Cum te numești? (What's your name? — literally "How are you called?"), Cum ești? (How are you?), Cum se face asta? (How is this done?). It also appears in greetings: Cum merge? (How's it going?).
Romanian question word order is flexible. The question word goes first, followed by the verb, then the subject (if any). Unde locuiește Maria? (Where does Maria live?). For yes/no questions, no question word is needed — intonation does the work: Vii? (Are you coming?).
Examples
| Romanian | English |
|---|---|
| Unde locuiești? | Where do you live? |
| Unde mergi acum? | Where are you going now? |
| Cum te numești? | What's your name? |
| Cum te simți astăzi? | How are you feeling today? |
| Cum se ajunge la gară? | How do you get to the station? |
Common mistakes
- Adding "to" or "from" with unde: Romanian unde covers both directions; for "from where" use de unde.
- Translating "what's your name?" with "ce": It's Cum te numești? not Ce te numești?
- Forgetting question intonation: Without a question word, rise your voice at the end: Vii?