Language/Romanian/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-Counting

Romanian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Basic Romanian Vocabulary → Numbers and Counting

Introduction

In this lesson, we will delve into the fascinating world of numbers and counting in Romanian. Numbers are an essential part of any language, and mastering them will greatly enhance your ability to communicate in Romanian. Whether you are counting objects, telling the time, or expressing quantities, a solid foundation in numbers is crucial. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently count and use numbers in various situations.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding, we will start with the basics and gradually progress to more complex concepts. We will cover cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages. Additionally, we will explore how numbers are used in telling the time, expressing dates, and discussing quantities. Along the way, we will provide numerous examples and practice exercises to reinforce your learning.

Before we dive into the world of numbers, let's take a moment to appreciate the cultural significance of numerals in Romania. The history of numerals in Romanian dates back centuries, influenced by the country's rich cultural heritage and linguistic evolution. Throughout the lesson, we will highlight interesting cultural facts and anecdotes related to numbers in Romanian, giving you a deeper appreciation of the language and its context.

So, let's embark on this exciting journey of numbers and counting in Romanian! Get ready to expand your vocabulary, sharpen your mathematical skills, and discover the beauty of Romanian numerals.

Cardinal Numbers

Numbers 0-10

Let's start with the basics and learn the cardinal numbers from 0 to 10 in Romanian. These numbers are the building blocks of the numerical system and will serve as the foundation for further learning. Pay close attention to the pronunciation as well, as it will greatly aid your communication skills.

Here is a table showcasing the cardinal numbers 0 to 10 in Romanian:

Romanian	Pronunciation	English Translation
zero	ˈze.ro	zero
unu	ˈu.nu	one
doi	doj	two
trei	trej	three
patru	ˈpa.tru	four
cinci	ˈt͡ʃinʲkʲ	five
șase	ʃaː.se	six
șapte	ʃa.te	seven
opt	opt	eight
nouă	no.uə	nine
zece	ˈze.ke	ten

Now, let's practice using these numbers in context with some simple examples:

• I have zero apples. (Am zero mere.)
• She has three cats. (Ea are trei pisici.)
• We bought five books. (Am cumpărat cinci cărți.)
• They are eight years old. (Ei au opt ani.)
• Can you count to ten? (Poți număra până la zece?)

Take your time to practice these numbers and their pronunciation until you feel comfortable with them. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Numbers 11-20

Moving on from the basic numbers, let's now explore the numbers from 11 to 20 in Romanian. These numbers have their unique forms and patterns, so pay close attention to their structure and pronunciation.

Here is a table showcasing the numbers 11 to 20 in Romanian:

Romanian	Pronunciation	English Translation
unsprezece	un.spre.ze.ke	eleven
doisprezece	doj.spre.ze.ke	twelve
treisprezece	trej.spre.ze.ke	thirteen
paisprezece	paj.spre.ze.ke	fourteen
cincisprezece	t͡ʃin.spre.ze.ke	fifteen
șaisprezece	ʃa.is.pre.ze.ke	sixteen
șaptesprezece	ʃap.te.spre.ze.ke	seventeen
optsprezece	opt.spre.ze.ke	eighteen
nouăsprezece	no.uə.spre.ze.ke	nineteen
douăzeci	do.uə.zekʲ	twenty

Let's practice using these numbers in context:

• He has thirteen siblings. (El are treisprezece frați.)
• We will meet at fifteen o'clock. (Ne vom întâlni la ora cincisprezece.)
• She is seventeen years old. (Ea are șaptesprezece ani.)
• They bought eighteen tickets. (Au cumpărat optsprezece bilete.)
• I have twenty books. (Am douăzeci de cărți.)

Take your time to practice these numbers and their pronunciation until you feel comfortable with them. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Numbers 30-100

Now, let's move on to the numbers from 30 to 100 in Romanian. These numbers follow a pattern similar to the previous ones, with some variations in pronunciation and structure. Pay close attention to these nuances to ensure accurate communication.

Here is a table showcasing the numbers 30 to 100 in Romanian:

Romanian	Pronunciation	English Translation
treizeci	trej.zetʃʲ	thirty
patruzeci	pa.tru.zetʃʲ	forty
cincizeci	t͡ʃin.zetʃʲ	fifty
șaizeci	ʃaj.zetʃʲ	sixty
șaptezeci	ʃap.te.zetʃʲ	seventy
optzeci	opt.zetʃʲ	eighty
nouăzeci	no.uə.zetʃʲ	ninety
o sută	o su.tə	one hundred

Let's practice using these numbers in context:

• She has forty-two pencils. (Ea are patruzeci și doi creioane.)
• We will meet at fifty minutes past the hour. (Ne vom întâlni la cincizeci de minute după ora fixă.)
• He is seventy-three years old. (El are șaptezeci și trei de ani.)
• They bought eighty-nine apples. (Au cumpărat optzeci și nouă mere.)
• The price is one hundred lei. (Prețul este o sută de lei.)

Take your time to practice these numbers and their pronunciation until you feel comfortable with them. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Ordinal Numbers

Forming Ordinal Numbers

Now that we have explored the cardinal numbers, let's move on to ordinal numbers. Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position or order of something in a series. In Romanian, ordinal numbers are formed by adding the suffix "-lea" to the cardinal number, with some exceptions and variations.

Here is a table showcasing the formation of ordinal numbers from 1 to 10 in Romanian:

Cardinal Number	Ordinal Number
unu	primul
doi	al doilea
trei	al treilea
patru	al patrulea
cinci	al cincilea
șase	al șaselea
șapte	al șaptelea
opt	al optulea
nouă	al nouălea
zece	al zecelea

Let's practice using these ordinal numbers in context:

• She is the first person in line. (Ea este prima persoană în rând.)
• We are the second group to arrive. (Suntem a doua grupă care a sosit.)
• They won the third prize. (Au câștigat al treilea premiu.)
• It is the fourth house on the left. (Este a patra casă pe stânga.)
• He is the fifth student in the class. (El este al cincilea elev din clasă.)

Take your time to practice these ordinal numbers until you feel comfortable with them. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Exceptions and Irregularities

While most ordinal numbers in Romanian follow a regular pattern, some have exceptions and irregularities. Here are a few examples:

• For the number 1, instead of "primul", we use "întâiul" or "primul" depending on the context. Both forms are correct, but "întâiul" is more formal and often used in official or literary contexts.

• For the number 2, instead of "al doilea", we use "al doilea" or "al doilelea" depending on the noun's gender. If the noun is masculine, we use "al doilea". If the noun is feminine, we use "al doilelea". This distinction is important for proper agreement in Romanian grammar.

• For the numbers 3, 4, șase (6), and zece (10), we add the suffix "-lea" directly to the cardinal number without any changes.

Let's practice these exceptions in context:

• She is the first student in the class. (Ea este prima elevă din clasă.)
• He is the second boy in line. (El este al doilea băiat în rând.)
• They won the third prize. (Au câștigat al treilea premiu.)
• It is the fourth house on the left. (Este a patra casă pe stânga.)
• We are the sixth group to arrive. (Suntem a șasea grupă care a sosit.)
• He is the tenth student in the class. (El este al zecelea elev din clasă.)

Take your time to practice these exceptions and irregularities until you feel comfortable with them. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Fractions, Decimals, and Percentages

Fractions

Fractions are an important part of everyday life and are used to express parts of a whole. In Romanian, fractions are formed by using the cardinal numbers for the numerator and the ordinal numbers for the denominator.

Here are some commonly used fractions in Romanian:

• 1/2 - jumătate (yoo.mə.ˈtat.e)
• 1/3 - o treime (o ˈtre.jme)
• 1/4 - un sfert (o͡on sfert)
• 1/5 - un cincime (o͡on t͡ʃin.ˈt͡ʃi.me)
• 1/6 - un șesime (o͡on ˈʃe.si.me)
• 1/8 - un optime (o͡on ˈop.ti.me)
• 1/10 - un zeceime (o͡on ˈze.t͡ʃe.jme)

Let's practice using these fractions in context:

• I ate half of the cake. (Am mâncat jumătate din tort.)
• She drank a quarter of the bottle. (A băut un sfert din sticlă.)
• We shared a third of the pizza. (Am împărțit o treime din pizza.)
• They each received an eighth of the prize. (Au primit câte o optime din premiu.)

Take your time to practice these fractions until you feel comfortable with them. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Decimals

Decimals are used to express numbers between whole numbers in Romanian. The decimal point is represented by a comma (",") in Romanian, opposite to the decimal point used in English. The decimal numbers are read digit by digit, with each digit separated by the word "virgulă" (comma).

Here are some examples of decimal numbers in Romanian:

• 1.5 - unu virgulă cinci (o͡on vir.ˈgu.lə ˈt͡ʃiŋkʲ)
• 2.75 - doi virgulă șapte cinci (doj vir.ˈgu.lə ʃa.te t͡ʃiŋkʲ)
• 0.25 - zero virgulă două cinci (ˈze.ro vir.ˈgu.lə do.uə.ˈt͡ʃiŋkʲ)
• 3.14159 - trei virgulă unu patru unu cinci nouă (trej vir.ˈgu.lə unu pa.tru unu ˈt͡ʃiŋkʲ no.uə)

Let's practice reading these decimal numbers in context:

• The price is 1.99 lei. (Prețul este unu virgulă nouă nouă lei.)
• She ran 2.5 kilometers. (A alergat doi virgulă cinci kilometri.)
• We need 0.75 liters of milk. (Avem nevoie de zero virgulă șapte cinci litri de lapte.)
• Pi is approximately 3.14159. (Numărul pi este aproximativ trei virgulă unu patru unu cinci nouă.)

Take your time to practice reading these decimal numbers until you feel comfortable with them. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Percentages

Percentages are used to express a portion of a whole as a fraction of 100. In Romanian, percentages are formed by using the cardinal numbers followed by the word "la sută" (percent).

Here are some examples of percentages in Romanian:

• 25% - douăzeci și cinci la sută (do.uə.ˈze.bi ʃi t͡ʃi.ˈze.bi la ˈsu.tə)
• 50% - cincizeci la sută (t͡ʃin.zetʃʲ la ˈsu.tə)
• 75% - șaptezeci și cinci la sută (ʃap.te.ˈze.bi ʃi t͡ʃi.ˈze.bi la ˈsu.tə)
• 100% - o sută la sută (o ˈsu.tə la ˈsu.tə)

Let's practice using these percentages in context:

• She scored 80% on the test. (A obținut optzeci la sută la test.)
• We received a discount of 50% off the original price. (Am primit o reducere de cincizeci la sută din prețul inițial.)
• The battery is charged at 75%. (Bateria este încărcată la șaptezeci și cinci la sută.)
• You need to complete 100% of the tasks. (Trebuie să finalizezi o sută la sută din sarcini.)

Take your time to practice using these percentages until you feel comfortable with them. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Telling Time

The 12-Hour Clock

Telling time is an essential skill in any language, and Romanian is no exception. In Romania, the 12-hour clock system is commonly used, with some variations in informal speech. To tell the time in Romanian, you need to be familiar with the cardinal numbers and some specific vocabulary related to time.

Here are some examples of telling time in Romanian:

• 1:00 - una fix (oo.na fiks) or ora unu (o.ra o.nu)
• 7:15 - șapte și un sfert (ʃap.te ʃi o͡on sfert)
• 12:30 - douăsprezece și jumătate (do.uə.spre.ˈze.t͡ʃe ʃi yoo.mə.ˈtat.e)
• 3:45 - patru și patruzeci și cinci (pa.tru ʃi pa.tru.ˈzet͡ʃʲ ʃi ˈt͡ʃiŋkʲ)
• 9:55 - nouă și cinci minute înainte de zece (no.uə ʃi ˈt͡ʃiŋkʲ mi.ˈnut.e ɨn.ˈajn.te de ˈze.ke)

Let's practice telling time in Romanian:

• What time is it? (Cât este ceasul?)
• It's two o'clock. (Este ora două.)
• The meeting starts at half past three. (Întâlnirea începe la trei și jumătate.)
• The train departs at quarter to five. (Trenul pleacă la patru și cincizeci și cinci.)
• The movie starts at five minutes to ten. (Filmul începe la zece minute înainte de zece.)

Take your time to practice telling time in Romanian until you feel comfortable with it. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

The 24-Hour Clock

In addition to the 12-hour clock system, Romania also uses the 24-hour clock system, especially in formal or official contexts. The 24-hour clock system eliminates any confusion regarding AM (ante meridiem) and PM (post meridiem) designations.

To express time using the 24-hour clock system in Romanian, simply use the cardinal numbers without any additional vocabulary. For example, 1:00 PM would be expressed as "13:00", and 7:30 PM would be expressed as "19:30".

Let's practice expressing time in the 24-hour clock system:

• What time is it? (Cât este ceasul?)
• It's 14:30. (Sunt 14:30.)
• The meeting starts at 16:00. (Întâlnirea începe la 16:00.)
• The train departs at 20:45. (Trenul pleacă la 20:45.)
• The movie starts at 22:15. (Filmul începe la 22:15.)

Take your time to practice expressing time in the 24-hour clock system until you feel comfortable with it. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Expressing Dates

Expressing dates is an important skill for daily communication, whether you are discussing upcoming events or writing formal documents. In Romanian, dates are typically expressed in a day-month-year format, with some variations in formal writing.

Here are some examples of expressing dates in Romanian:

• 21st of May, 2022 - douăzeci și unu mai, 2022 (do.uə.ˈze.bi ʃi unu maj doj.milə.ˈdou.t͡ʃe.de.ˈsju)
• 6th of September, 1990 - șase septembrie, 1990 (ʃa.se sep.ˈtem.bri.e doj.milə.ˈnoj.ʃe.de)
• 10th of December, 2023 - zece decembrie, 2023 (ˈze.ke de.ˈt͡ʃem.bri.e doj.milə.ˈdoi.t͡ʃe.trej)
• 3rd of July, 2005 - trei iulie, 2005 (trej ju.ˈli.e doj.milə.ˈpak.te)

Let's practice expressing dates in Romanian:

• What is today's date? (Care este data de azi?)
• Today is the 8th of March, 2022. (Astăzi este 8 martie, 2022.)
• Our anniversary is on the 12th of June. (Aniversarea noastră este pe 12 iunie.)
• The deadline is the 5th of April. (Termenul limită este pe 5 aprilie.)
• The concert will be on the 27th of November. (Concertul va avea loc pe 27 noiembrie.)

Take your time to practice expressing dates in Romanian until you feel comfortable with it. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Quantities and Measurements

Counting Objects

Counting objects is a fundamental skill in any language, and Romanian is no exception. To count objects in Romanian, you can use the cardinal numbers we have learned so far.

Here are some examples of counting objects in Romanian:

• one book - o carte (o ˈkar.te)
• two pens - două stilouri (do.uə sti.ˈlo.u.ri)
• three chairs - trei scaune (trej ˈskau.ne)
• four cups - patru cești (pa.tru ˈt͡ʃeʃtʲ)
• five apples - cinci mere (t͡ʃinʲkʲ ˈme.re)

Let's practice counting objects in Romanian:

• How many chairs are there? (Câte scaune sunt?)
• There are six chairs. (Sunt șase scaune.)
• I have three cats. (Am trei pisici.)
• She bought five shirts. (A cumpărat cinci cămăși.)
• We need two more bottles of water. (Avem nevoie de încă două sticle de apă.)

Take your time to practice counting objects in Romanian until you feel comfortable with it. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Quantifying with Cardinal Numbers

In addition to counting objects, cardinal numbers can also be used to quantify or express quantities in Romanian. Whether you are discussing quantities of food, people, or time, cardinal numbers are essential for accurate communication.

Here are some examples of quantifying with cardinal numbers in Romanian:

• I have a lot of books. (Am multe cărți.)
• They ate a few apples. (Au mâncat câteva mere.)
• We need several chairs. (Avem nevoie de câteva scaune.)
• She has many friends. (Ea are mulți prieteni.)
• There are few opportunities. (Sunt puține oportunități.)

Let's practice quantifying with cardinal numbers in Romanian:

• How much milk do you need? (Câtă lapte ai nevoie?)
• I need two liters of milk. (Am nevoie de doi litri de lapte.)
• How many people are coming to the party? (Câți oameni vin la petrecere?)
• There will be fifteen guests. (Vor fi cincisprezece invitați.)
• Can I have a couple of apples? (Pot să iau câteva mere?)

Take your time to practice quantifying with cardinal numbers in Romanian until you feel comfortable with it. Remember that repetition and practice are key to mastering any language skill.

Cultural Insights

Romania, with its rich cultural heritage, has a unique perspective on numbers. Here are some interesting cultural insights related to numbers in Romanian:

• Superstitions: Like many cultures, Romanians have their fair share of superstitions related to numbers. For example, the number 13 is considered unlucky in Romanian culture, similar to other Western cultures.

• Lucky numbers: On the other hand, certain numbers are considered lucky in Romanian culture. For example, the number 7 is often associated with good luck and is considered a fortunate number.

• Regional variations: While Romanian is the official language of Romania, there are regional variations in vocabulary and pronunciation. This can also be observed in the usage and understanding of numbers. Some regions may have unique dialectal words or pronunciations for certain numbers, adding a fascinating layer of linguistic diversity.

• Historical influences: Romania's history, shaped by various influences and conquests, has left its mark on the country's language and culture. Throughout history, Romania has been influenced by neighboring countries such as Hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey, which may have had an impact on the language's numerical system.

These cultural insights provide a glimpse into the vibrant and diverse aspects of Romanian culture. By understanding the cultural context of numbers in Romanian, you can develop a deeper appreciation for the language and its nuances.

Exercises

Now that you have learned the basics of numbers and counting in Romanian, it's time to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you reinforce your learning:

1. Write the cardinal numbers from 1 to 20 in Romanian.

2. Express the following decimal numbers in Romanian: 0.5, 2.25, 1.75, 3.14159.

3. Practice telling the time in Romanian using both the 12-hour clock and the 24-hour clock systems.

4. Write the following dates in Romanian: 15th of June, 1999; 7th of December, 2021; 20th of January, 2005.

5. Count the following objects in Romanian: three pens, five books, two chairs, four cups.

6. Express the following quantities in Romanian: a lot of friends, a few apples, several hours, many books.

Take your time to complete these exercises and check your answers. This will help solidify your understanding of numbers and counting in Romanian.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have reached the end of this comprehensive lesson on numbers and counting in Romanian. Throughout this lesson, you have learned the cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages in Romanian. You have also practiced telling time, expressing dates, and quantifying with numbers. By incorporating cultural insights and engaging exercises, we hope to have made your learning experience enjoyable and memorable.

Numbers are an essential part of everyday life, and mastering them will greatly enhance your communication skills in Romanian. Remember to practice regularly and use numbers in real-life situations to reinforce your learning. With time and dedication, you will become proficient in Romanian numbers and counting.

In the next lesson, we will explore another exciting topic in the realm of basic Romanian vocabulary. Stay tuned and keep up the great work!

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

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Vocabulary

  ---

Romanian Geography and History

• Geography of Romania
• Romanian History

Sources

• Romanian Numbers: How to Count in Romanian
• Romanian games and flashcards: learn Romanian online for free

Other Lessons

• Fruits
• Beverages
• Work and Business
• Greetings and Introductions
• Feelings and Emotions
• Colors
• Legal Terminology and Justice System
• Adjectives in Romanian
• Count to 10
• Food