A Pocket Guide to Romanian Verbs
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When diving into learning a new language, learning how to conjugate the verbs is crucial. You can always improve your vocabulary with nouns, adjectives and adverbs as you go, but verbs are the foundation of any language.
First things first, let's talk about how Romanian verbs work. Like in many languages, verbs in Romanian change depending on who's doing the action, when it's happening, and even how many people are involved. Sounds complicated, right? Not to worry! With a little guidance and a lot of practice, you'll be conjugating like a pro in no time.
Most common Romanian verbs
I will start with presenting you 13 (for the luck) of the most used verbs in the Romanian language and their conjugation in the present tense.
1. A fi (to be) - Ah, the ever-elusive verb "to be." In Romanian, it's "a fi." This little guy pops up everywhere, so it's essential to master its conjugations. Here's a quick rundown:
- Eu sunt (I am)
- Tu ești (You are)
- El/ea este (He/she is)
- Noi suntem (We are)
- Voi sunteți (You all are)
- Ei/ele sunt (They are)
Example: Eu sunt aici - I am here
2. A avea (to have) - Need to express possession? Look no further than "a avea."
- Eu am (I have)
- Tu ai (You have)
- El/ea are (He/she has)
- Noi avem (We have)
- Voi aveți (You all have)
- Ei/ele au (They have)
Example: Ele au un cadou pentru tine – “They have a gift for you”
3. A face (to do/make) - Whether you're doing chores or making plans, "a face" has got you covered.
- Eu fac (I do/make)
- Tu faci (You do/make)
- El/ea face (He/she does/makes)
- Noi facem (We do/make)
- Voi faceți (You all do/make)
- Ei/ele fac (They do/make)
Example: Nu îți faci temele?- “Don’t you do your homework?”
4. A mânca (to eat) - Time to satisfy those cravings with "a mânca."
- Eu mănânc (I eat)
- Tu mănânci (You eat)
- El/ea mănâncă (He/she eats)
- Noi mâncăm (We eat)
- Voi mâncați (You all eat)
- Ei/ele mănâncă (They eat)
Example: Mananci ultima prăjitura? - “Are you eating the last cake?”
5. A bea (to drink)
- Eu beau (I drink)
- Tu bei (You drink)
- El/ea bea (He/she drinks)
- Noi bem (We drink)
- Voi beți (You all drink)
- Ei/ele beau (They drink)
Example: Eu beau un pahar de apa - “I drink a glass of water”
6. A merge (to go) Ready to hit the road? "A merge" is your ticket to adventure.
- Eu merg (I go)
- Tu mergi (You go)
- El/ea merge (He/she goes)
- Noi mergem (We go)
- Voi mergeți (You all go)
- Ei/ele merg (They go)
Example: Merg pana la piața - “I am going to the market”
7. A vedea (to see) Do you see how good you’re becoming at this already?
- Eu vad (I see)
- Tu vezi (You see)
- El/ea vede (He/she sees)
- Noi vedem (We see)
- Voi vedeți (You see)
- Ei/ele vad (They see)
Example: Ea vede bine la distanta - She sees well at a distance.
8. A vrea (to want) No matter if you want some extra dessert or to take a trip, “a vrea” is the way to ask for it.
- Eu vreau (I want)
- Tu vrei (You want)
- El/ ea vrea (He/she wants)
- Noi vrem (We want)
- Voi vreți (You want)
- Ei/ele vor (They want)
Example: Ele vor să meargă la munte - They want to go to the mountains.
9. A trebui (must/ have to) – Here’s an example of an irregular verb in Romanian, meaning it looks the same in the present tense! Easy, right?
- Eu trebuie (I must)
- Tu trebuie (You must)
- El/ ea trebuie (He/she must)
- Noi trebuie (We must)
- Voi trebuie (You must)
- Ei/ele trebuie (They must)
Example: Eu trebuie sa ajung acolo – I must get there.
10. A alerga (to run)
- Eu alerg (I run)
- Tu alergi (You run)
- El/ ea alearga (He/she runs)
- Noi alergam (We run)
- Voi alergati (You run)
- Ei/ele alearga (They run)
Example: Ele aleargă cam repede – They run too fast.
11. A citi (to read) Talking about – what’s your favourite book? Feel free to share it in this discussion topic. We started a mini book club here on OLS and we’d like to have participate!
- Eu citesc (I must)
- Tu trebuie (You must)
- El/ ea trebuie (He/she must)
- Noi trebuie (We must)
- Voi trebuie (You must)
- Ei/ele trebuie (They must)
Example: Voi trebuie sa plecati imediat – You must leave now.
12. A scrie (to write)
- Eu scriu (I write)
- Tu scrii (You write)
- El/ ea scrie (He/she write)
- Noi scriem (We write)
- Voi scrieti (You write)
- Ei/ele scriu (They write)
Example: Nu ar fi rau sa scrii intr-un jurnal tot ce se intampla – It wouldn’t harm to write in a journal everything that’s happening.
13. A învăța (to learn/ study) Just so you know how to express everything you’re learning on OLS!
- Eu învăț (I learn/ study)
- Tu înveți (You learn/ study)
- El/ ea învată (He/she learn/ study)
- Noi învătăm (We learn/ study)
- Voi învătati (You learn/ study)
- Ei/ele învață (They learn/ study)
Example: Ea invata pana tarziu – She studies until late.
Phew! That was a lot to take in, wasn't it? But don't worry if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed. Learning a new language is all about taking baby steps and practicing regularly.
So, how can you put all this newfound knowledge into action? Simple! Start by incorporating these verbs into your daily conversations. Whether you're chatting with a friend, ordering food at a restaurant, or simply practicing in front of the mirror, every little bit helps.
And remember, mistakes are all part of the learning process. Don't be afraid to mess up! The more you practice, the more confident you'll become.
Here I prepared for you a quiz to practice what you have just learnt. Make me proud by answering in the comments of this discussion topic!
Roxana, OLS Community Manager – Romanian
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