prânz

Prânz is the Romanian term for lunch, the midday meal typically eaten in Romania, Moldova, and other Romanian-speaking communities. It often represents the main meal of the day for many households, though patterns vary with work, school, and lifestyle.

The word derives from Latin prandium, the classical term for a midday meal, and entered Romanian through Latin and Romance-language development. In Romanian usage, prânz is widely understood and used in everyday speech, with the phrase masa de prânz meaning the lunch meal.

A traditional prânz commonly includes a first course such as a soup or broth, followed by a main dish that features meat or fish and a side, like potatoes, rice, or mămăligă. Dessert or fruit and a beverage are frequent accompaniments. In rural areas the meal can be substantial, reflecting agricultural work rhythms, while in urban settings lunches may be lighter or eaten away from home.

In modern life, the timing and size of prânz have diversified due to work schedules, school timetables, and globalization, but the concept remains a defined midday meal in Romanian cuisine and discourse. The term is part of everyday vocabulary and is often contrasted with other meals of the day, such as cina (dinner) or dejun (breakfast).