Questions about the basics of romanian!
Salut!

I have just started learning Romanian this week and am picking it up very fast! I just had a few questions.

1. What does "Bine" actually mean? I know that it is used in phrases like este bine, sunt bine, or bine ați venit. All of these phrases mean different things so is it kind of like a filler word or does it have an exact meaning?

2. What is the difference between Ce faci and Ce mai faci? I have seen it both ways and was wondering what the difference is?

3. What is the correct way to say "my name is" and "what is your name"? I have seen lots of different versions and I was wondering what is the correct way to say this.

To anyone who can help answer these questions, vă mulțumesc frumos! :)

~ Claire

Question

Questions about the basics of romanian!
Salut!

I have just started learning Romanian this week and am picking it up very fast! I just had a few questions.

1. What does "Bine" actually mean? I know that it is used in phrases like este bine, sunt bine, or bine ați venit. All of these phrases mean different things so is it kind of like a filler word or does it have an exact meaning?

2. What is the difference between Ce faci and Ce mai faci? I have seen it both ways and was wondering what the difference is?

3.  What is the correct way to say "my name is" and "what is your name"? I have seen lots of different versions and I was wondering what is the correct way to say this.

To anyone who can help answer these questions, vă mulțumesc frumos! :)

~ Claire

Answer

Hey again, Claire! :)

1.  That's an easy one. :) 
     BINE is FINE or GOOD or WELL, depending on the context. So:
      * I'M FINE = (EU) SUNT BINE (in Romanian, the subject is not mandatory like it is in English)
      * BINE ATI VENIT! = WELCOME! (an expression we use when someone comes to visit for example), I think you could translate it by IT'S GOOD THAT YOU CAME!
      * BINE SPUS! = WELL SAID!

2.   When 2 people meet, they can either say CE MAI FACI?, or CE FACI?, both meaning HOW ARE YOU?...HOW ARE THINGS?.... WHAT'S UP? ( btw, the answer is usually BINE! as in FINE! )
       However, CE FACI? can also be used as WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

3.   MY NAME IS... = NUMELE MEU ESTE.... or (EU) MA NUMESC ..... , or simply I AM .... It all depends on the person who asked you about your name. If you go to an interview or you simply want to be more formal, use one of the first two options. If you're talking to me, the latter is just fine.

Cu placere! :)