How does a Moldovan wedding differ from a Russian one? Moldavian wedding The purpose of the conversation is about the Moldavian wedding and traditions.
Moldova is a small country located on a hilly plain between Ukraine and Romania. The complex, changeable fate of the Moldovan people is reflected in cultural traditions and holidays. People here have been farming for centuries, and many customs are associated with the wheel of the year, fertility and seasonal work. From ancient times to the present day, hospitable, welcoming Moldovans have carefully preserved their cultural heritage and the wisdom of their ancestors. A Moldavian wedding is the embodiment of the rebellious spirit of a small country, a time when you can touch with trepidation the amazing traditions of this people and plunge into the atmosphere of ancient folk festivities.
Residents of Moldova are very careful about their heritage and are happy to share the heritage of their ancestors with everyone who wants to hear and see. These friendly, hospitable people welcome fun and holidays with plentiful food. At celebrations, they always sing melodious folk songs and dance energetic, fiery dances. And how beautiful and original are traditional dresses decorated with embroidery! It was in Moldova that incredibly beautiful carpets and hand-embroidered masterpieces were created.
Traditional marriage rituals
Wedding celebrations were traditionally scheduled in the fall. After the end of the harvest season, the best time came for a walk with the whole world, and with all the breadth of the soul. The bins were bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables, and the new wine was ripening, and the main hard work in the fields was over.
A wedding in Moldova was never hastily planned. A year, or even more, passed from the young couple's meeting to the wedding day. All this time, preparations were being made for the grandiose action and the subsequent feast. Every little detail was scrupulously taken into account, and the wedding date was chosen with all care: it should not fall on fasting or unfavorable days. Wedding witnesses and nashaul advisers were selected. They could only be a strong married couple, older than the newlyweds, but younger than their parents, who would help the newlyweds during the celebrations, and then begin to give wise advice in family life.
Matchmaking and engagement
The ancient traditions of a Moldovan wedding involve a mandatory matchmaking ritual. For this purpose, favorable days were always chosen - Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, but not on major church holidays or on days of fasting. Matchmakers were sent to the chosen girl's house, and the presence of the groom was not required. They described in colorful terms all the advantages of the young successful hunter who had spotted such a desired prey. In allegorical speeches and careful observance of the time-honored ritual, there is a sacred meaning: only in this way will the future family be protected from misfortunes.
If the girl’s parents gave preliminary consent to the marriage, then her personal belongings were handed over to the groom or his representative. Then followed a heated bargaining between both parties, when a ransom, sometimes quite serious, was demanded for the bride. Once the parties reached an agreement, a date for final agreement was set. This time, usually up to two weeks, was given to think and weigh all the pros and cons. At the end of this period, the agreement could either be confirmed or terminated without mutual claims. After this, an engagement was scheduled. Usually the preparation for it lasted about seven to ten days.
On this day, the bride's relatives paid a return visit to the groom's house, making sure that everything said about him by the matchmakers was true. And a young hunter is a truly worthy choice; he is a strong owner with skillful hands and will be able to adequately support his family. Hospitable hosts served a rich feast, and a leisurely conversation began. They discussed the details of future wedding celebrations, the list of guests, the day and the bride's dowry were set.
Considerable disputes often flared up over the size of the dowry. Usually the girl was given luxurious hand-embroidered carpets and carpet runners for the floor, embroidered towels and linen, and kitchen utensils. The boy’s parents, for their part, allocated a plot of land, materials for building a house, a work horse and tools.
Preparation period
The selection of nashauls was approached with great care. Not every couple was suitable for such a responsible role. And without their presence, the wedding could not have taken place at all - this is as indisputable an element of a Moldovan wedding as the newlyweds. The chosen married couple had to have family ties with the newlyweds and be happily married. Also, an important criterion was their strong financial situation and willingness to help and mentor the young family.
Invitation cards were baked goods lovingly baked by the hands of the young housewife - bagels, rolls or gingerbread. Ignoring an invitation was considered a serious insult, so such a responsible mission was not refused without a serious reason. In essence, these people became second parents for the newlyweds.
Nowadays, good acquaintances, friends of parents, or married couples from among the newlyweds’ peers are invited to play the role of nashauls. After this, an application for marriage registration is submitted to the registry office, a banquet hall is selected and booked if the wedding is planned to be held in a restaurant, and the holiday scenario is specified.
Traditional robes and modern outfits
National wedding costumes of Moldovans are masterpieces, hand-embroidered with amazing patterns. Making them takes a lot of time and effort, but it is worth it - no store-bought dress can compare with the exquisite simplicity and amazing patterns of folk wedding vestments. Silk, dyed cotton threads, beads, and beads are used for embroidery. The base is white, onto which red, black and blue patterns are sewn. Shirts, sashes and trousers are sewn for the groom, the dress for the bride must be embroidered along the hem, collar and sleeves, and an embroidered apron and belt are tied.
Modern newlyweds can also order outfits from an atelier, but the embroidery will be done by machine. Also, classic outfits for the bride and groom are quite popular among urban youth.
Customs of a Moldovan wedding
The traditional celebration began with a visit to the house of the Nashauls. The festively dressed groom, bowing, respectfully held out a freshly baked pastry on an embroidered towel, asking him to become the seated parents. Meanwhile, relatives and friends looked into every house, calling all the neighbors to the wedding. After which the groom, accompanied by nashauls and witnesses, went for the bride.
At the girl’s house they were greeted by a locked gate and very determined men of the family. The groom and best man came forward and respectfully told the old legend about the lord and the beautiful forest fairy. And they said that a long and difficult road had brought the young prince to the house where his beloved lived. The gates were opened, but the groom’s trials did not end there.
Rite of vestment
Before the wedding, the bride was dressed by her friends in the outfit brought by the groom. Ritual songs of farewell to girlhood, to parents and stepfather's house were sung. When ready, she went out to the groom and guests, presenting her gifts on an embroidered towel - a shirt and belt, entirely made by her.
Bride ransom ritual
Before seeing the bride, the groom had to go through difficult tests prepared for him. A sharp knife was definitely woven into the joint. If the bride agreed to the wedding, her witness removed the blade, and the groom received the right to lead her down the aisle. The bridesmaid and his best man, with the possible help of the nashauls, organized various tests and competitions, where the groom appeared as a skilled hunter, an excellent worker and a competent owner, and the bride acted as a trembling hunted doe and a beautiful magical fairy.
The house greeted guests ceremoniously decorated with embroidered towels, garlands and wreaths of flowers, ribbons, canopies of richly embroidered fabrics, carpets and runners. Sweet baked goods were always present on the tables - rolls, bagels, gingerbread.
Now ancient traditions are diluted with modern inclusions. Questionnaire posters are drawn, poems, humorous songs and quizzes are composed that suit the occasion. Competitions include both those with whom our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers married, as well as modern ones.
All arrangements in the bride's house depend entirely on the bridesmaids; they are the ones who set the tone for the holiday.
Wedding ceremonies and modern marriage registration
A wedding in a church was necessarily preceded by confession and holy communion the day before. Also, preliminary conversations were held about the value and sanctity of family ties. The bride entered the temple only with her head torn; for this, a shawl or veil of the finest workmanship was prepared. They never entered the temple drunk or even after drinking wine.
Before the marriage ritual, the newlyweds broke the rolls and treated all the single guests. When the wedding train left the gate, the bride's mother threw grains of wheat and small sweets after her to ensure well-being and harmony.
Ceremonial feast and folk dances
Moldova is famous for its hospitable people, generous with food. Weddings were celebrated with all their hearts, with tables laden with a wide variety of dishes. Both cold and hot dishes of national cuisine, young wine, fruits and berries were sure to be present.
Traditional dishes were stuffed peppers, mashed beans, entrecotes and zrazy. Vegetable soups with meat or fish broth, broth with vegetables and eggs were also served. A huge amount of sweet pastries was piled on flat dishes. These are a variety of rolls, pies with fillings, fried flatbreads and rolls.
Songs and dances are an obligatory attribute of a Moldovan wedding. Not a single identity can do without them. Live music, beautiful voices, melodic national songs and fiery round dances - well, how can you sit still here? The following dance rituals remain obligatory to this day: “Veils”, “Shirts” and “Masks”.
Interesting customs and signs of a Moldovan wedding
Moldovans attach great importance to various signs and zealously observe them so that the life of the newlyweds is cloudless and happy.
- If during the period of “thinking” after the matchmaking the groom’s parents or he himself abandoned their intentions, the bride could perform a special ceremony “on the stove” and marry the guy to herself in spite of everything. For his part, the rejected groom could simply kidnap his beloved.
- In the south of Moldova, the bride could live in the groom’s house after the engagement, but in the north - only after the wedding.
- Each guest had to not only present a gift to the newlyweds, but also explain in detail in front of everyone what exactly his gift was. This custom contributed to the creation of a strong, unbreakable bond between newlyweds and relatives.
- On the eve of the wedding, on Thursday, a little boy and girl were sifting flour through a sieve with a couple of coins. They took the coins as payment, and from the flour they kneaded dough for butter rolls.
- The ritual of sewing a ceremonial shirt for the mother-in-law was obligatory. Measurements were taken, and the girl had to sew and embroider a gift before the wedding day.
- When blessed by their parents, the newlyweds had to kneel on the sheepskin - this promised wealth and happiness.
- The bride price was and still is carried out not only with money, but also with sweets, baked goods, and symbolic little surprises.
- Following the birth of a child, a christening was required with carefully chosen godparents. And the total number of godfathers who came to congratulate the newborn on his baptism could number up to fifty.
The final chord of the wedding ceremony was the “undressing of the bride.” Women removed the wedding veil from an already married woman and gave it to the girl. Meanwhile, the groom handed the boutonniere to his single friend. In exchange, a blanket or scarf was thrown over the young wife’s head, which henceforth showed her married status. And those young men and women who received gifts from the newlyweds had to dance together.
After the wedding: the beginning of a new life
The day after the first wedding night was dedicated to the parents. It started from lunch and lasted until the evening. The guests gathered in modest, almost casual clothes. Parents and nashauls collected old, unnecessary things that needed to be flogged with nettle rods or thoroughly smeared in mud. Chicken broth with noodles was served on the table. On this day, they rode around in carts, played outdoor games, sang and danced.
A Moldavian wedding is the clearest illustration of the ancient culture of this people. Original, full of charm and ancient wisdom, it fascinates with its beauty and overflowing fun.
Traditionally, a Moldovan wedding is celebrated in the autumn. This state is famous for its harvest of vegetables and fruits. And these products occupy the main place on the wedding table. And, of course, Moldovan wine also takes pride of place at the holiday.
Loved ones begin preparations long before the wedding celebration. First, you need to decide on the date of the wedding; it should not fall during Lent. Secondly, it is necessary to select witnesses and nashaulami. The Nashauls are a couple who, after the holiday, will help the young family with advice.
The beginning of preparations for the wedding begins with presenting an invitation to the Nashauls. The groom presents a treat to the seated couple - kalachi. At this time, all friends are notified of the upcoming event. But the parents of the chosen one are closing the entrance to the house. Matchmakers tell the groom a parable to win the trust of the bride's parents. Now comes the time to redeem your beloved. Before the start of the action, a knife is stuck into the gate; if the girl agrees to the marriage, then the declared witness removes the knife from the ground. With this sign they make it clear that the groom has been chosen and let him into the house. After the ritual, the father and mother bless this marriage, and the young people go to the registry office or to church.
Ceremony traditions
After the official wedding, the entire procession goes to the designated place for the celebration. Before entering the room where the newlyweds will have a banquet, the parents greet them with bread and salt. Each spouse dips the roll in salt and eats it. This custom protects a young family from possible quarrels.
After the ceremony, all those invited go to. A festive banquet should be luxurious and the table should be bursting with treats. Guests enter the hall in pairs and are presented with rich gifts and flowers. The first word is given to the new family, which thanks everyone present for accepting the invitation.
All the action is accompanied by ancient national music. Be sure that everyone present is dressed in traditional attire. After the wedding, the bride ties her head with a scarf. At this moment, the newlyweds are wrapped in donated carpets, curtains and fabrics.
Dancing is an integral part of the wedding ceremony. Two national dances are required to be danced, the first “Hora” (a sign of the official marriage) and the final “Dance of Masks”. The celebration lasts three days.
Present
During the feast, the seated couple goes around friends and relatives with a wicker basket. Everyone must put money in the basket and announce the amount. In gratitude for the monetary gift, a national melody is played to the guest.
Moldovans present either household items or large amounts of money as gifts. The entire donated amount is spent on home improvements or on a honeymoon.
The final stage of the feast is cutting the cake. The accomplished spouse independently cuts the treat into pieces. Each piece is given to the guest, this is how the bride shows her care for her family for the celebration.
Have you had the opportunity to visit the extraordinary Moldova, get acquainted with all its traditions and mentality? An unforgettable journey, beautiful places, and vibrant locals await you. However, one problem that may arise while traveling is not knowing the language. To prevent this unpleasant factor from ruining your vacation, we provide you with a wonderful Russian-Moldovan phrasebook, which is freely available on our website. Everything here is thought out to the smallest detail. There is nothing superfluous in our phrasebook, so that you don’t flip through dozens of pages with unnecessary phrases. We have collected in this phrasebook only the most necessary and important sections with frequently used phrases, so that you can comfortably communicate in the Moldovan language without making much effort.
When traveling across the expanses of Moldova, you will undoubtedly want to visit famous places, go to a restaurant, rent a hotel room, but in order to do all this, you need to at least know the basic phrases of the Moldovan language that will help you with this. There are a lot of such phrases and words, so we have created compact sections that will include the basis of communication, thanks to which you can explain what you need without any difficulties, everything you need for this, just go to the appropriate section and select a phrase or word what needs to be said in a given situation. Below is a list of these sections.
Common expressions
| Good evening! | Bune seara! |
| Good morning! | Bune diminea'tsa! |
| Good afternoon | Bune ziua! |
| Hello! | Bune ziua, bune seara, minok! |
| I wish you good luck and happiness! | Mink! |
| Hello! | Salut! |
| We greet you! | Ve salutem! |
| Greetings! | We salute! |
| Let me greet you on behalf of... | Permi'tetsim se ve salut yn numele... |
| Welcome! (welcome!) | Bine ats venit! |
| Welcome! | Bukurosh de oa’special! |
| Glad (glad) to see you! | Bine you (team) gesit! |
| What a pleasant meeting! | Che plachere! |
| Long time no see! | Well neam vezut de un kar de an! |
| Goodbye! | La revedere! |
| All the best (all the best!) | Kubinet! |
| Good night! | Noa'pte bu'ne! |
| Till tomorrow! | Pe myine! |
| Be healthy! | Se fits senetos |
| Be healthy! | Se fiy senetos! |
| I wish you good luck and happiness! | Ve doresk sukche's, ferichire! |
| Happy Stay! | Ramy'nets ku bine |
| See you soon! | Pe chickens'nd |
| Hope to see you soon! | First, we don’t lead yn chickens! |
| Please say hi to your friend. | Transmi’tets, ve rog, saluter, priye’tenului |
| Goodbye! goodbye! | Adi'yo! |
| Have a nice (bon) journey! | Drum boon! |
| Young woman! | Dudu'e/domnişoare! |
| Girl! | Feti'tso! |
| Boy! | Beetsa'shule! |
| Young man! | Ti'nere! |
| Dear friends! | Drudge Prietene! |
| Can I ask you…? | Pot se ve rog...? |
| Can I ask you...? | Pot se ve yntreb...? |
| Let me ask you...? | Ym dats voe se ve intreb..? |
| Tell me please.. | Spunetsim, ve rog... |
| Be kind…. | Fitz amabil... |
| Allow me please... | Permitetsim (datsim voe), ve rog... |
| do you know each other? | Ve kuno’ashtets? |
| Do we know each other. | Not kunoashtem. |
| Meet me! | Fa'chet kunoshtintse! |
| What's your last name? | Kare este numele dumnevoa’stre de familie? |
| What is your name? | Kare este numele dumnevoaster? |
| What is your name? | Kum ve numits? |
| My last name… | Noumele meu de familie este... |
| Let me introduce you... | Datsim voe se ve prezint… |
| My friend | Pe prietentul meu |
| My friend | Pe pritena mea |
| my wife | Pe soci'ya mea |
| My wife | Pe nevasta mea |
| My husband | Pe sotsul meu |
| My husband | Pe babatul meu |
| My son | Pe fiul meu |
| my daughter | Pe fiika mea |
| My father | Pe tatel mea |
| My sister | Pe sora mea |
| My brother | Pe fratele meu |
Tourism
| We arrived in Moldova.. | Am sucking yn Moldova... |
| With the delegation | Qu o delegation de spécialism |
| To the international conference | La o konferinze internationale |
| With a group of tourists | Ku un group de tourism |
| On vacation/holidays | Eun konchediu / eun vakatse |
| Please tell me where...street, hotel, museum, park, theater, exhibition? | Spunetsim, ve rog, unde este...strada, hotelul, muzeul, parkul, theaterul, exposition? |
| How far is it...bus stop, taxi rank, pharmacy, square? | Este de parte... station de autobus, station de taximeter, pharmacy, piaca? |
| How to get to…? | Kum se poate azhunje la...? |
| How does is called? | Kum se numeshte achasta? |
| What is this? | Why do you eat achasta? |
| Excuse me, what did you say? | What's wrong, what's wrong? |
| What are we talking about?/What's the matter? | Despres what is a vorba? |
| What's happened? | Che sa intimplat? |
| Who you are? | Chine sontets dumneavoastre? |
| Who is he/she/? | Why do you eat dynsul/dynsa? |
| What do you want? | What's wrong? |
| What is your/his/her last name? | Kare este numele dumneavoastre/al dynsuluy/al dynsey |
| What is your name? | Kare este prenumele dumneavoaster? |
| How is your health? | Kum stats ku senetatea? |
| Where are we going tonight? | Unde merjem diseare? |
| What time is it now? | Whoa este chasul? |
| How are you?/How are you doing? | Che mai fačets/godfather o ducets? |
| My sincere congratulations! | Feliciter cordiale! |
| Happy New Year! | La mult anh! |
| Happy Birthday! | La mult anh! |
| Congratulations...on your arrival in our country/in our city! | Ve felicit...ku okaziya sosiriy dumneavoastre yn tsara noastre/in orashul nostra! |
| I wish you happiness and health! | Va doresque minor shi senetate! |
| Good morning! | Se fie yntrun chas bun! |
| For your health! | Eun senetatea dumneavoastre! |
| Cheers! | Eun senetatacha ta! |
| For the health of everyone present! | Eun senetatea tutulor chelor de face! |
| For our friendship! | Pentru Prieteniya Noastre! |
| Thank you | Multsumesk! |
| Thank you! | Multsumesk! |
| Thank you/you! | Ve / yts / multsumesk! |
| Thank you for attention! | Multsumesk pentru atentsiye! |
| Thank you very much! | Multsumesk frumos (ve foarte multsumesk) |
| Please! (response to gratitude) | Ku plechere/ forever pentru che! |
| Yes | Yes |
| Fine! | Binet! |
| I agree | Synt de acord |
| With pleasure! | Ku plachere! |
| No | Well |
| I can't | Well sweat |
| I don't want | Well vreau |
| Never! | Nichodate! |
| You are not right! | Well, here you go! |
| Incredible! | De nekrezut! |
| This is wrong | Well, yes, kiar asha |
| Excuse me, please! | Skuzats, ve rog! |
| What a pity! | Che packat! |
| I am very sorry | Regret foarte mult |
| Please accept my apologies! | Ve rog se primit skuzele mele! |
In public places
| Bus repair station | Reparations auto-moto/reparat,ii auto-moto |
| Pharmacy | Farmacie |
| Veterinary pharmacy | Farmacie veterinara` |
| Grocery | Bakenie/ba`ca`nie |
| Bar | Bar |
| Gas station | Peco |
| Ticket office | Casa de bilete |
| Bistro | Buffet express |
| Hospital | Spital |
| Used book store | Anticariat |
| Bakery | Franzeleriye/franzela`rie |
| Buffet | Buffet |
| Tourist Office | Agent,ie de turism |
| County Tourism Office | Oficiul judecean de tourism |
| Guilt | Vinuri |
| Exhibition | Expozit,ie |
| Newspapers magazines | Ziare, reviste |
| Haberdashery | Haberdashery/galanterie(mercerie) |
| Deli | Shop alimentar |
| Grocery store | Alimentara |
| Grocery store | Produse alimentare |
| Hats | Pelary/pa`la`rii |
| Hotel | Wanted/hotel |
| Women's hair salon | Coafor |
| Delicacy | Delicatese |
| Child's world | Lumea copiilor/lumea copiilor |
| Mirrors.glass | Oglinz.jamur/oglinzi. Geamuri |
| Toys | Zhukarii/juca`rii |
| Pre-sale ticket office | Agent,ie de voiaj |
| Cafe-bar | Cafe-bar |
| Book Shop | Libra`rie |
| Carpets | Covoare |
| Leather goods | Marochina`rie |
| Sausages | Mezeluri |
| Commission shop | Consignat,ie |
| Confectionery | Coffee shop/cofeta`rie |
| Canned food | Canned food |
| Sweets, confectionery | Bomboane, dulciuri |
| Coffee | Cafea |
| Medicinal plants | Plante medicinale |
| First aid station | Punct sanitar |
| Milk | lapte |
| Dairy | Produse lactate/produse lactate(brinzeturi) |
| Meat | Carne |
| Currency exchange | Skimb de valuta` |
| Shoe workshop | Atelier de inca`lt,a`minte |
| Vegetables. Fruits | Legume. Fruit/legume. fruit |
| Cloth | Imbra`ca`minte |
| Optics. Glasses | Optics. Okelar/ optica. Ochelari |
| Bus stop | Statie de autobuz/ stat,ie de autobuz |
| Salon | Freezerie |
| Beer | Berariye/bera`rie |
| Present. Souvenirs | Kadoor. Amintiri/cadouri. Amintiri |
| Semi-finished products | Semipreparate |
| Mail. Post office | Post office Ofichiu poshtal/ pos,ta |
| Bee products | Produse apicole/ produse apicole |
| Bird | Peser/pa`sa`ri |
| Shoe repair | Cizma`rie |
| Repair…. | Reparations/reparat,ii….. |
| Shirts | Camesh/ca`ma`s,i |
| Stock | Deposit |
| Sporting goods | Articole sportive |
| Inquiry Office | Birou de information/ birou de informat,ii |
| Bags | Send/pos,ete |
| Tobacco. Tobacco products | Tutun. Tutundzherie/ tutun |
| Payphone | Telephone public |
| Fabrics | Textiles. Stophe/textile. Stofe |
| Knitwear | Knitwear/tricotaje |
| Decorations | Podoabe |
| Department store | Shop universal |
| Fruits | fruit |
| Bread | Piine |
| Household goods | Articole de menaj |
| Art Gallery | Galeriile de arte/ galeriile de arta |
| Artistic craft products | Artizanat |
| Flowers (flower shop) | Flori(florarie)/ flori(flora`rie) |
| Watch | Chasur/ceasuri |
| Jewelry repair shop | Djuvaergerie |
In transport
| Walking around the city | Pe jos prin oras, |
| Please tell me how to get to...? | Spunetsim, ve rog, kum se azhunje la....? |
| In approximately how many minutes can you get to...? | Eun kyte minute approximative, se poate azhunje pe zhos pyne la...? |
| What's the best way to go? | Kum se azhunnje mai bine? |
| Take trolleybus No.... And go to.... | Luats sau troleybuzul numerul…. Shi merjem pyne la…. |
| Go straight, back, left, right | Merdzhet drept ynainte, ynypoy, la stinga, la drepta |
| It is far from here? (no. It's not far) | Este de parte de aich? (well. Well, este de parte) |
| I really want to get acquainted with such an interesting city | Doresque foarte mult se kunosk un oras de interesant |
| I wish you success! | Ve doresk sucches! |
| Thank you, goodbye, all the best | Ve multsumesk, la revedere, cu binet |
Vegetables
| Eggplant | Vinete |
| Gogoshar (sweet pepper variety) | Gogoshar/ gogos,ari |
| Peas | Mazere / maza're |
| Zucchini | Dovlecei |
| Cabbage | Varze/ varza’ |
| Potato | Potato/ cartofi |
| Kohlrabi | Gulie, gulii/ gulie, gulii |
| Onion | Chape/ceapa’ |
| Leek | Praz/ praz |
| Carrot | Carrot/ morcovi |
| cucumbers | Kastravet/ castravet,i |
| Pepper | Ardey/ ardei |
| Parsley | Patrunjel / pa'trunjel |
| Tomatoes | Roshiy/ ros,ii |
| Radish | Ridichi-de-luna’ |
| Green salad | Salata verde |
| Beet | Sfekle / sfecla’ |
| Pumpkin | Dovleak/ dovleac |
| Dill | Marar/ma'rar |
| Beans | Uskate beans / fasoleuscata’ |
| Green beans | Beans verde |
| Horseradish | Hrean/hrean |
| Garlic | Usturoi |
Fruits
Common Expressions
| Give me please… | Datsim, ve rog… / dat, i-mi, va’ rog… |
| …2 kg of potatoes | Doue kilogram de potato |
| ...half a kilo of onions | About jumetat kilogram de chape |
| ...a bunch of green onions | About legature de chape verde |
| ... 3 kg apples | Trey kilogram de mere |
| Please let me know... | Kinteritsim, ve rog |
| ...big watermelon | Un pepene verde, mare |
| ...this melon | Acest pepene galben |
| ...two lemons | Doue lamy |
| ...a kilogram of pears | Un kilogram de pere |
| ...three kilograms of plums | Trey kilogram de prune |
| How much should I pay for everything? | Why do you need to pay the pentra? |
| What is the price? | Kyt coste? |
| I like/dislike this | Achasta yum cry / num cry |
| Where is the cash desk? | Unde este casa? |
| I would like to buy | Ash vrea se kumper |
| Show me please... | Aretatsim, ve rog... |
| Please show me... | Fits Bune, Aretatsim |
Numbers
| 1 | Un, unu / unu, un |
| 2 | Doi, doue / doi, doua` |
| 3 | Trey/ trei |
| 4 | Patru/ patru |
| 5 | Chinch/cinci |
| 6 | Shase/ s,ase |
| 7 | Shapt/ s,apte |
| 8 | Wholesale |
| 9 | Noua/ noua’ |
| 10 | Zeche/ zece |
| 11 | Unsprezeche / unsprezece |
| 12 | Doisprezeche/ doisprezece |
| 13 | Treisprezece |
| 14….19 | Paisprezeche…….nouesprezeche/ paisprezece……. Noua'sprezece |
| 20 | Douezech / doua’zeci |
| 21 | Douezeci shi unu/ doua’zeci s,i unu |
| 22 | Douezechi shi doi/ doua’zeci s,i doi |
| 30 | Treizeci |
| 31 | Treizeci s,i unu/ treizeci s,i unu |
| 40…..90 | Patruzeci….. Nouezeci/patruzeci….noua’zeci |
| 100,101, 200, 300….900 | O sute, o sute unu, doue sute, trey sute…..noue sute / ….o suta’….. |
| 1000, 1001, 2000, 5000, 10000 | O mie, oh mie unu, doue mii, chinch mii, zeche mii/ ….. O mie…… |
| 100000 | O sute de mii / o suta’ de mii |
| 1000000 | Un million |
Ordinals
General expressions - this section will help you greet one of the local residents, say goodbye, call a young man, woman or child if you need it.
Tourism is a very important section for tourists. Having opened and read it, you can find out the name of the person you need, ask how to get to the stop, ask about someone’s well-being, ask what time it is. You can also express your indignation or, conversely, admiration. In addition to the above, this section contains many more important and useful words and phrases that will help you find a common language with the population.
Places – this section gives you the opportunity to quickly and easily navigate the area. You can find out where you are, how to get to the bus stop, hotel, and even to the women's hairdresser. This section has translations for almost any establishment you may need while traveling.
Transport – general phrases that will help you get on the appropriate tram, trolleybus or minibus. Also thanks to this section you will learn where to find a taxi or rent a car.
Vegetables – If you are a lover of tasty and healthy food, this section will come in handy for you. Here you will find a translation of any vegetable that can be purchased on the Moldovan market.
Fruits – a section that includes all kinds of fruits that are sold in supermarkets and markets in Moldova.
Everyday expressions are phrases that are most often used in shops and markets, which are also very important to know or have their translation at hand. Thanks to our phrasebook, you can find out the cost of certain products, ask how to get to the checkout, ask the seller to weigh the goods.
Numbers – A section that indicates the translation of numbers, starting from one and ending with a million. Translating numbers can be very useful when traveling.
Ordinal numbers – translation of ordinal numbers.
A Moldavian wedding is one of many national weddings in the world. Having absorbed a special character and southern flavor, it became one of the most enchanting and colorful. None of the weddings are planned in a hurry.
Young people need at least a year to plan and prepare all the details of the future celebration. You definitely need to choose a date according to the church calendar, be sure to bypass fasting, invite the nashauls (the second main couple at the wedding, advisers to the young family), bake bread, prepare homemade wine, etc. Let's talk about all the details right now.
Moldovans begin the first official conversation about the upcoming wedding at the bride's matchmaking ceremony.
Matchmakers are sent to the young woman's house. Their responsibilities include a detailed description of all the advantages of the future groom and posing the main question.
Matchmakers should anticipate the answer in advance by finding out about the parents’ intentions to marry off their daughter. Mandatory days for matchmaking were: Thursday, Saturday or Sunday, if major church holidays did not fall on them. They were considered successful. Traditionally, there are several matchmaking requests when:
- the bride is represented as the prey, and the groom as the hunter;
- bargaining is carried out between the groom and parents for the bride as for a commodity;
- the fact is stated that there is a bride and groom.
In all these cases, the participants clearly communicate the intentions of the parties by performing certain actions prescribed by custom. According to faith, this helps protect the future family from misfortunes. A positive response to matchmakers is the transfer of any item of the bride into the hands of the groom. His presence, by the way, is not necessary.
But most young people do not miss the opportunity to participate in this ritual.
At the end of the matchmaking, the day of engagement and the day of the final answer are set. The time difference between them can be a week. The total time to think and change a decision is two weeks or more.
On the day of the engagement, the bride's parents came to the groom's house, checking the veracity of the matchmakers' words about his condition and ability to run a household. At the set table, the details of the future wedding, the day, the number of invited guests, etc. were discussed.
The bride's dowry was definitely discussed. If within the allotted time the groom or his parents abandoned their intentions, the bride could, if she wished, perform a special ritual “On the stove”. He gave her the right to annul the refusal herself and marry her fiancé, even against the will of his parents.
If the refusal occurred on the part of the bride’s parents, she could simply be “stolen.”
Wedding preparations
The most crucial moment in preparing a wedding celebration in Moldova is the choice of weddings. This is the second couple, whose presence is as mandatory as the presence of the young. Without them, the wedding simply cannot take place.
Making a choice is not easy; there are special criteria. Thus, a married couple who:
- necessarily older than the young, but younger than their parents;
- has family ties with young people;
- fairly wealthy;
- ready to become a patron and mentor of a young family.
Gingerbread cookies, rolls or other rich pastries serve as an invitation letter in this role. Refusal is considered a sign of disrespect, so generally the couple accepts the gifts and agrees. The duties of nashauls include assistance in organizing a wedding, supporting the newlyweds during the celebration and helping them during their future family life. In fact, they become second parents for the young. Today, the role of nashaul can also be played by acquaintances of married couples, friends of parents or newlyweds.
The next stage of preparation is submitting an application to the registry office, booking a restaurant, final collection of the dowry, clarifying the details of the script for the celebration itself, etc.
Celebration
The morning of the wedding day begins with the bride price. This custom is very similar to Russian, the only difference is the name of the witnesses.
The groom represents the bride, and the groom represents the groom. They are the main ringleaders of the ransom. The competition program and questions for the groom are always developed by the groom, and if desired, Nashaula can help her.
Ransom must be fun. The introduction of roles as on the day of matchmaking is encouraged. The bride is “goods”, “doe”, “forest fairy”, the groom is “merchant” or “hunter”.
Much attention is paid to props and decoration of the bride's house.
Required attributes are:
- embroidered towels;
- ribbons and fabrics;
- flower crowns;
- rolls.
Modern posters, questionnaires, poems, jokes and much more are also woven into the traditional ransom. It all depends on the imagination of the bridesmaids, because it has nothing to do with the preparation of the ransom.
A feature of the Moldovan ransom is that it is accepted not only in money, but also in sweets, baked goods, and symbolic gifts. The next step is official registration at the registry office. Next, if everything has been carefully planned, the wedding ceremony takes place in a church or temple. This is an important point.
The day before, the young people must confess and receive communion. This is a prerequisite for a wedding.
Some temples also host preliminary talks on the values of seed life, and attendance is welcomed and encouraged.
The bride must enter the temple with her head covered, so it is worth putting on a veil or shawl in advance. A wedding wreath does not count. It will have to be changed. You should also not enter the temple after drinking wine. Therefore, the newlyweds are not served alcohol until the end of the official ceremony.
After the official part, it is time for the festive banquet. Usually it is held in a restaurant or in the groom's house, because... after the marriage is registered, the bride goes to live with him. According to tradition, on the way to the restaurant, children unexpectedly pour a bucket of water at the feet of the bride and groom, this means an obstacle in their lives.
It is important to go through it with a smile. From this moment the ceremonial part begins.
She is always full of fun and enthusiasm. Traditional competitions and rituals are held. There are toasts and a variety of music. Everyone is sure to dance and sing.
The romantic wedding music of the first dance of the newlyweds – “chora” – deserves special attention. It is chosen several months before the wedding and is performed with special reverence, becoming a symbol of the family.
After the dance there are toasts to the new family, parents and children. There will definitely be choral singing. The Moldavian wedding drinking song adds a special flavor to the celebration. It not only wishes the newlyweds happiness and love, but also talks about the difficulties of family life.
A Moldavian wedding lasts until the morning. And it is celebrated for three days.
After the wedding
The second day after the wedding is considered parenting day. It starts at two o'clock in the afternoon and lasts until the evening.
In this video they will tell you everything about the traditions of a Moldovan wedding:
On this day, it is customary to come in more modest clothes, and parents and nashauls choose very old things, since, according to tradition, they can be beaten with nettles or smeared with mud. If they don't want it, they'll have to buy it off. On the second day’s table they put a strong chicken soup-broth with homemade noodles - “zamu”.
On this day they ride on carts and hold fun moving competitions and, of course, dance, dance, dance.
This is a Moldavian wedding. Revelry, cheerful, with a nod to tradition and faith. Would you like to participate in such a wedding?
In any country wedding– this is a significant and responsible event. Preparations for the wedding begin long before the scheduled day. Weddings can be luxurious, big or small, fun or not, modern or traditional.
First, the newlyweds decide on a wedding date. It is advisable that the date does not coincide with a religious fast, otherwise they may have problems with the wedding in church. Having decided on the date, the lovers choose “nanashek”. In Moldova, Nanashki is a name for a married couple, usually older than those getting married, so that in the future they can help the young with advice, raising children, perhaps even financially. They should set an example for the newlyweds. The bride and groom also choose witnesses for their wedding. The bride chooses a friend or sister, and the groom chooses a friend or brother. In Moldova they are called vornichika and vornichel. On the wedding day, the bride and groom should not see each other. And even if they lived together before, they dress separately, each at home. A vornichel helps the groom get dressed, and a vornichel and other bridesmaids help the bride.
When groom already ready, he and his friends are going to “redeem” bride. Ransom- This is a kind of test of the groom. The bridesmaids prepare special fun competitions, for example, asking questions from the bride’s life, which the groom must answer correctly, or asking him to sing his favorite song. If desired, friends help the groom. If the groom passes all the prepared tests, the bride comes out to him.
After the ransom, the bride and groom and the young people go for nanashki. But the bride is driving in one car, and the groom is in another. Nanashki awaits them with snacks and wine or champagne. All together they go to MARRIAGE REGISTRY. After the newlyweds officially become husband and wife, they go to church in the same car to get married.
At the entrance to the Celebration Hall, the newlyweds are waiting for their parents with large rolls (loaves) in their hands. The newlyweds should break off a piece of kalach and, dipping it in salt, treat each other. The essence of this custom is that all the salt young They eat until they live together, and then live in perfect harmony.
When guests begin to enter the hall and congratulate the newlyweds, a traditional Moldovan wedding march sounds. Music at a wedding must be live.
Guests can donate money immediately upon arrival. Near bride and groom Usually there is a beautiful basket for money. But often the money is collected by the middle of the wedding. The newlyweds, together with their witnesses, go around the guests, who say toasts and wishes to the bride and groom and throw money into the basket. If desired, the guest can order a melody for congratulations.
What else is different? Moldovan wedding, so it's an abundance of dancing. It is impossible to stand still to the sounds of the Moldovan choir. Everyone starts dancing - both old and young. There is a favorite traditional dance - “Pelenitsa” or “Besmelutsa” - a handkerchief. The essence of the dance is that people dance in a large circle, holding hands, and one person (let's say a man) with a handkerchief in his hands dances inside the circle. Then he chooses a girl as a partner and dances with her for a short time. After this, the man lays a handkerchief on the floor, kneels on one knee and kisses his companion, thus, as if passing the baton to her. And already the girl, while dancing, chooses a partner, etc. The dance lasts about 15 minutes.
And of course, not a single Moldovan wedding takes place without theft. They kidnap the bride. But don’t rush to be horrified... Naturally, the theft is also a joke. The bride's brothers or friends quietly take the bride away, hide her somewhere nearby and announce this to the groom. They may demand money as a ransom, but most often, in order to amuse everyone, the “thieves” ask the groom, for example, to eat a lemon, dance a dance for his beloved, or come up with other entertainment. But it happens that the groom can be kidnapped, so the bride shouldn’t relax either.
At the end of the wedding, a traditional ritual begins - undressing the bride. The groom sits on a chair and a pillow is placed on his lap. The bride sits on the pillow. To the accompaniment of sad national music, Nanashka takes off the bride’s veil and puts it on the witness. She is believed to be the next to get married. A headscarf is put on the newly-made wife's head and an apron is tied. Now she is a young housewife. Guests approach the newlyweds if they wish, give gifts, and put as much money as they can into the bride’s scarf.
After this ritual, the wedding cake is brought into the hall, and the bride and groom cut it and distribute it to the guests.
On the second day of the wedding, the closest relatives and friends are traditionally invited “to the ceremony.” Zama is a traditional, incredibly tasty soup with homemade noodles and chicken. The fun continues.