Romanian Language B1: How to Use the Subjunctive Mood
Understanding the Subjunctive Mood in Romanian Grammar
Learning Romanian becomes increasingly rewarding as you progress to more nuanced aspects of the language, such as the subjunctive mood. At the B1 level, Romanian learners are introduced to the subjunctive—a verbal mood used to express desires, obligations, doubts, hopes, or hypothetical situations. This step is essential for developing natural, complex, and context-sensitive communication.
What Is the Subjunctive Mood?
The subjunctive mood in Romanian is primarily introduced using specific verbs followed by the conjunction „să”, such as:
vreau să (I want to)
pot să (I can)
trebuie să (I must)
doresc să (I wish to)
These constructions are followed by the verb in the subjunctive form. For example:
Eu vreau să scriu tema. – I want to write the homework.
Tu trebuie să mergi. – You have to go.
Ea dorește să învețe română. – She wants to learn Romanian.
At B1 level, students move from simply understanding these structures to producing them independently and fluently in everyday contexts.
Romanian Subjunctive Form: Formation and Examples
In the present tense, the subjunctive is often identical to the indicative form for most persons, especially in the first and second person singular. However, for the third person singular and plural, specific endings such as -e (for -a verbs) and -ă (for -e verbs) are used.
Here are a few typical patterns:
Verb: a merge (to go)
să merg
să mergi
să meargă
să mergem
să mergeți
să meargă
Verb: a citi (to read)
să citesc
să citești
să citească
să citim
să citiți
să citească
The distinction is clearer with irregular verbs, where the subjunctive helps learners internalize Romanian conjugation patterns.
Practical Activities from Class
On a practical level, learners are guided through structured tasks where they are encouraged to write 5 personalized sentences using modal constructions with verbs like a vrea, a putea, a trebui, a dori. These exercises develop both fluency and grammatical accuracy. Examples include:
Eu vreau să vizitez Franța.
Noi trebuie să învățăm conjugarea verbelor.
Tu poți să scrii un text?
Such constructions are foundational to expressing intention, making requests, or formulating polite commands in Romanian.
Integrating the Subjunctive in Real Conversations
Once students grasp the subjunctive’s structure, they learn how to apply it in real-life contexts. Talking about responsibilities, plans, or personal goals often requires verbs like a vrea or a trebui, paired naturally with the subjunctive:
Eu vreau să particip la curs.
Trebuie să cumperi pâine.
El dorește să vorbească mai bine românește.
Encouraging learners to use these patterns in spoken interactions builds confidence and supports deeper integration of grammatical concepts.
Ready to Dive Deeper into the Romanian Subjunctive?
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For additional grammar explanations, check out our recommended grammar resources.
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