Romanian Grammar: Definite and Indefinite Articles Explained
As you begin to learn Romanian, understanding the mechanics of articles is crucial. In Romanian, both definite and indefinite articles are essential in building accurate and fluent sentences. While their function may resemble those in English or other Romance languages, Romanian articles often appear as suffixes and vary depending on gender and number—an exciting challenge for language learners.
What Are Indefinite Articles in Romanian?
In Romanian, indefinite articles correspond to the English “a” and “an.” They precede a noun to introduce it for the first time or when it is not previously known to the speaker or listener.
Masculine singular: un (e.g., un băiat – a boy)
Feminine singular: o (e.g., o fată – a girl)
These forms are placed before the noun. There is no plural form of the indefinite article in Romanian; instead, the words niște (some) or the bare plural form of the noun are used.
Examples:
un frate – a brother
o soră – a sister
niște copii – some children
This early grammar topic helps students form basic statements and describe people and objects effectively.
What Are Definite Articles in Romanian?
Romanian takes a unique approach to definite articles: they are postposed, meaning they attach to the end of the noun, unlike English or French.
Masculine singular: -ul (e.g., băiatul – the boy)
Feminine singular: -a (e.g., fata – the girl)
Neuter (same forms as masculine): -ul
Plural masculine: -ii (e.g., băieții – the boys)
Plural feminine: -le (e.g., fetele – the girls)
This suffixation may seem unusual at first, but with guided practice it becomes intuitive.
Examples:
copilul – the child
cartea – the book
cățeii – the puppies
fetele – the girls
Understanding how these endings change based on gender and number is key to mastering Romanian grammar and ensuring agreement within sentences.
Practice Makes Perfect: Learning through Context
Throughout our beginner courses, learners are encouraged to apply these rules through vocabulary matching, sentence building, and reading dialogues that include both article forms. From describing family members and objects to forming short stories, these articles form the backbone of communicative competence.
Common classroom activities include transforming nouns from indefinite to definite forms and vice versa. For example:
un profesor → profesorul (a teacher → the teacher)
o școală → școala (a school → the school)
Why These Article Forms Matter
Proper use of articles in Romanian conveys clarity and grammatical precision. Romanian is a language rich in morphology, and even subtle endings can alter the entire meaning of a sentence. Knowing when and how to use un vs. -ul, or o vs. -a, is fundamental to advancing your fluency.
Join Us and Start Practicing with Real Romanian Lessons
Ready to put this grammar into practice? Our interactive courses offer practical contexts where you’ll use Romanian definite and indefinite articles naturally and confidently. Whether you’re forming your first full sentences or aiming for fluent descriptions, our Romanian lessons will support your journey toward proficiency.
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For additional grammar explanations, check out our recommended grammar resources.
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