Frequently asked questions

What is Čiriklo?

Čiriklo (also written Ciriklo) is a mobile app for learning the Romani language (Romani čhib) with short, game-like lessons. It teaches North Central Romani, also called Slovak Romani, through 12 units and 48 lessons with pictures, listening, sentence building and spaced review. Čiriklo means “bird” in Romani.

Can I learn Romani with an app?

Yes, an app is a good way to learn the basics: everyday words and phrases, pronunciation and simple sentences, a few minutes a day. To become fluent you will also need contact with speakers, listening to Romani music and radio, and books or courses. Our guide How to learn Romani lists resources.

Is there an app like Duolingo for Romani?

Duolingo does not offer a Romani course (as of October 2026). Čiriklo uses a similar bite-sized, gamified approach – a learning path, streaks, XP, hearts and quests – but it is an independent app and is not affiliated with Duolingo. A few other small Romani apps exist, mostly for other dialects or as grammar references.

Is Čiriklo free?

Yes. The full course is free to download and use, with ads. The optional Čiriklo Pro subscription adds unlimited hearts, removes ads and unlocks 6 real-life conversations and 25 Romani proverbs. In Czechia it costs 99 CZK per month or 599 CZK per year, with a 7-day free trial on the yearly plan for new subscribers; the App Store sets prices in other countries.

Which Romani dialect does Čiriklo teach?

North Central Romani, often called Slovak Romani (slovenská romština) – the variety spoken by most Roma in Czechia and Slovakia – written in the standard Czech-Slovak Romani spelling. Where eastern Slovak pronunciation differs, the app shows the variant (for example Lačho ďives / Lačho džives). See Romani dialects.

Can beginners use Čiriklo?

Yes. The course starts from zero with greetings and introductions and introduces each new word with its pronunciation before you practise it. Each unit has a short guide with grammar and culture tips.

Is Čiriklo available for Android and iOS?

Čiriklo is available for iPhone on the App Store (iOS 17.0 or later). The Android version is in testing on Google Play and is not publicly available yet.

What language is the app in? Can English speakers use it?

The interface and all explanations are in Czech, because Čiriklo is made for Czech speakers; Slovak is planned. English speakers can follow the pictures and audio, but the translations are Czech, so the app is easiest if you read Czech or Slovak.

How is Romani different from Romanian?

They are unrelated languages. Romani is an Indo-Aryan language that came from India with the ancestors of the Roma about a thousand years ago and is related to Hindi and Punjabi. Romanian is a Romance language descended from Latin and is the official language of Romania. The similar names are a coincidence.

How long does it take to learn basic Romani?

It depends on your time and your first language. With about ten minutes a day, many learners can greet, introduce themselves and handle simple everyday phrases within a few weeks; holding real conversations takes months of practice with speakers. Speakers of Slavic languages such as Czech or Slovak will recognise the case system and many loanwords.

Do I need an account?

No. Čiriklo works without registration and stores your learning progress on your phone.

Who makes Čiriklo, and how can I report a mistake in the Romani?

Čiriklo is made by an independent developer, Rudolf Cicko. The content is based on academic dictionaries, textbooks and school materials. If you find a mistake or have an idea, please write to rudolfcickodev@gmail.com – corrections from speakers help improve the course.