Language/Romanian/Grammar/Definite-and-Indefinite-Articles

Romanian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Plurals and Articles → Definite and Indefinite Articles

As a Romanian language teacher for over 20 years, I have taught students from different backgrounds and nationalities who are interested in learning the Romanian language. In this lesson, you will learn about definite and indefinite articles in Romanian, which are essential components of the language. This lesson is part of the "Complete 0 to A1 Romanian Course" and assumes that you have already learned basic Romanian greetings, personal pronouns, present tense of verbs, numbers, time, adjectives, adverbs, family members, prepositions, conjunctions, common foods, drinks, forming questions, and negations.

Consider broadening your understanding by checking out these related lessons: 0 to A1 Course & Direct and Indirect Speech.

Defining Definite and Indefinite Articles

Articles are words that specify and describe the noun in the sentence. They are used to indicate whether the noun is specific or not, which then determines whether to use definite or indefinite articles. Romanian articles are gender-specific and must agree with the gender of the noun.

In general, definite articles are used to refer to an identified or specific element or item, while indefinite articles are used when talking about a general or unidentified element or item.

In Romanian, there are two types of articles: - Definite articles ["the"]: "the" in Romanian is expressed through different endings added at the end of the noun (suffixes), unlike in other languages, where there is a distinct word for "the". - Indefinite articles ["a" or "an"]: unlike in English, Romanian has multiple indefinite articles that vary depending on the gender and the initial letter of the word that follows.

The rules for using articles can be tricky, but don't worry, with enough practice you will get the hang of it. Let's dive into the specifics.

Definite Articles

In Romanian, definite articles are placed after the noun and are gender-specific. They indicate that the noun is a specific item that has already been mentioned or is widely known.

Here are the definite articles in Romanian:

Masculine singular

-ul or -le

Example: băiat (boy) → băiatul (the boy)

Feminine singular

-a or -ia

Example: casă (house) → casa (the house)

Masculine and neuter plural

-ii or -i

Example: băieți (boys) → băieții (the boys)

Feminine plural

-le

Example: fete (girls) → fetele (the girls)

A few things to keep in mind: - Definite articles are not used with proper nouns (names of people, places, titles, etc). - The masculine singular article "-ul" has an alternate form "-le" and is used when the noun ends in a consonant, except for "-r". - The feminine singular article "-a" has an alternate form "-ia" and is used when the noun ends in a vowel. - The masculine and neuter plural article "-ii" has an alternate form "-i" and is used when the noun ends in "-i". - The feminine plural article "-le" is used for all feminine plural nouns.

Let's see some examples:

Romanian	Pronunciation	English
băiatul	buhy-ah-tool	the boy
fata	fah-tah	the girl
copiii	koh-pee-ee	the children (masculine and neuter plural)
mamele	mah-meh-leh	the mothers (feminine plural)

Notice how the definite article is always attached, using a hyphen, to the end of the noun.

Indefinite Articles

Unlike in English, Romanian has multiple indefinite articles depending on the gender and the initial letter of the noun that follows. Romanian indefinite articles are placed before the noun and, as with the definite ones, are gender-specific.

Here are the indefinite articles in Romanian:

Masculine singular

Before a consonant or a vowel other than "a", "e", "i", "o", "u": un (a)

Example: om (man) → un om (a man)

Before a feminine noun that starts with a consonant: un (a)

Example: fată (girl) → o fată (a girl)

Feminine singular

Before a consonant: o (a)

Example: casă (house) → o casă (a house)

Masculine and neuter plural

Before a consonant or a vowel: niște (some)

Example: copii (children) → niște copii (some children)

Feminine plural

Before a consonant or a vowel: niște (some)

Example: fete (girls) → niște fete (some girls)

A few things to keep in mind: - Unlike in English, Romanian indefinite articles are always used, even when talking about a general concept.

Let's see some examples:

Romanian	Pronunciation	English
un băiat	oon buhy-aht	a boy
o fată	oh fah-tah	a girl
niște copii	neesh-teh koh-pee-ee	some children (masculine and neuter plural)
niște fete	neesh-teh feh-teh	some girls (feminine plural)

Notice how the indefinite article agrees with the gender and number of the noun.

Practice Makes Perfect

Now that you know the rules, it's time to put them into practice. Here are some exercises for you to practice using definite and indefinite articles:

• Add the definite article to the following nouns:

1. carte (book) → ______ carte

2. tablă (blackboard) → ______ tablă

3. frate (brother) → ______ frate

• Add the indefinite article to the following nouns:

1. casă (house) → ______ casă

2. artist (artist) → ______ artist

3. cățel (puppy) → ______ cățel

• Translate into Romanian:

1. The cat is sleeping. →

2. I want an apple. →

3. They bought the car. →

• Translate into English:

1 Ei au o pisică. →

2. Vreau un sandwich. →

3. Cumpărăm cărți. →

Conclusion

Congratulations, you have completed this lesson on definite and indefinite articles in Romanian. Articles are essential components of the language and are used to describe and define nouns in a sentence. Understanding how to use definite and indefinite articles is crucial, as it is a fundamental part of the language's grammar. I hope this lesson has been helpful, and remember, practice makes perfect! Good luck with your studies.

Upon wrapping up this lesson, take a look at these related pages: Adjectives and Adverbs & Ablative Case in Romanian.

Table of Contents - Romanian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Pronouns and Verbs

• Personal Pronouns
• Present Tense of Verbs

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Basic Adjectives
• Basic Adverbs

  ---

Family and Friends

• Family Members
• Describing Relationships

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Basic Prepositions
• Basic Conjunctions

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Common Foods
• Common Drinks

  ---

Questions and Negations

• Forming Questions
• Negation

  ---

Locations and Directions

• Common Locations
• Giving Directions

  ---

Plurals and Articles

• Plural Nouns
• Definite and Indefinite Articles

  ---

Hobbies and Activities

• Common Hobbies
• Describing Activities

  ---

Romanian Culture and Traditions

• Romanian Holidays
• Romanian Cuisine

  ---

Imperatives and Requests

• Imperative Form
• Polite Requests

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Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Vocabulary

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Romanian Geography and History

• Geography of Romania
• Romanian History

Other Lessons

• Ablative Case in Romanian
• Comaratives and Superlatives
• Verbs and Conjugation
• Indefinite Articles in Romanian
• How to Use Be
• The Accusative Case in Romanian
• Gender
• Greetings in Romanian
• Basic Conjunctions
• Forming Questions

Sources

• Romanian language lesson: Definite and indefinite article in ...
• Romanian grammar - Wikipedia
• Romanian lesson: the article