Cer răspunsul în scris.

Cer is the 1st person singular present tense of the verb a cere.

So:

• a cere = to ask for / to request
• cer = I ask for / I request

In this sentence, the subject is understood as I, even though Romanian does not state it explicitly.

Romanian often leaves out subject pronouns when they are not needed, because the verb ending already shows who is doing the action.

Here, cer already means I ask/request, so eu is unnecessary.

You could say:

• Eu cer răspunsul în scris.

but that usually adds emphasis, something like:

• I am asking for the answer in writing.

Without eu, the sentence sounds more neutral and natural.

Răspunsul means the answer, while răspuns means just answer.

Romanian usually puts the definite article at the end of the noun, not as a separate word like English the.

So:

• răspuns = answer
• răspunsul = the answer

In this sentence, the speaker is asking for the answer, not just any answer, so the definite form is used.

Yes, în scris is a very common expression meaning in writing or written down.

Literally:

• în = in
• scris = written

So în scris means in written form.

It is used much like English in writing:

• Vreau confirmarea în scris. = I want the confirmation in writing.
• Cer răspunsul în scris. = I request the answer in writing.

Because răspunsul is the direct object of cer.

The verb a cere often works directly with the thing being requested:

• cer un document = I ask for a document
• cer ajutor = I ask for help
• cer răspunsul = I ask for the answer

English often uses ask for, but Romanian does not need an extra preposition here.

It is often a bit stronger than simple to ask.

Depending on context, a cere can mean:

• to ask for
• to request
• to demand

In Cer răspunsul în scris, the tone can sound fairly formal and firm, like:

• I request the answer in writing
• I require the answer in writing

So it is not necessarily rude, but it is definitely stronger than a very soft request.

It breaks down like this:

• Cer = verb, I request
• răspunsul = direct object, the answer
• în scris = adverbial phrase, in writing

So the structure is:

• Verb + direct object + manner/form

Very literally:

• I request the answer in writing

No, Romanian word order is fairly flexible, although some versions sound more natural than others.

The neutral order here is:

• Cer răspunsul în scris.

You may also hear:

• Cer în scris răspunsul.

That can put more emphasis on în scris.

Because Romanian uses endings and articles to show grammatical relationships, it can move words around more easily than English. Still, the original version is clear and natural.

A few points help:

• ă is a short central vowel, like a very reduced uh
• r is rolled or tapped
• sc before r in scris is pronounced like skr

Approximate pronunciation:

• Cer ≈ chair but shorter, with a tapped r
• răspunsul ≈ ruh-spoon-sul
• scris ≈ skrees

The exact Romanian sounds are a bit different from English, but that approximation can help you get started.

Yes. That is a very natural translation.

Possible English versions include:

• I ask for the answer in writing.
• I request the answer in writing.
• I want the answer in writing.
  
  • this is less literal, but sometimes fits the tone
• I require the answer in writing.
  
  • this sounds stronger

The best translation depends on context, especially how formal or forceful the speaker is being.

Yes, but it would change the meaning.

• Cer răspunsul în scris. = I request the answer in writing.
• Cer un răspuns în scris. = I request an answer in writing.

The first suggests a specific answer is expected.
The second means some answer, not necessarily a specific one already known in context.

So the definite article matters a lot here.