How to Use Possessive Pronouns and Adjectives in Romanian

Understanding Possessive Pronouns and Adjectives in Romanian

In Romanian, possessive pronouns and adjectives are used to indicate ownership or relationship, similar to English. However, their forms change depending on the gender, number, and sometimes the case of the noun they refer to. This article will guide English speakers through the basics of using these important parts of speech in Romanian.

What Are Possessive Adjectives?

Possessive adjectives in Romanian are words that come before a noun to show possession, like my, your, or their in English. They agree in gender and number with the noun they modify, not with the owner.

For example, the English phrase my book translates to cartea mea in Romanian, where mea agrees with cartea (feminine singular).

Romanian Possessive Adjectives Table

• my - meu (m. sg.), mea (f. sg.), mei (m. pl.), mele (f. pl.)
• your (singular informal) - tău, ta, tăi, tale
• his/her/its - său, sa, săi, sale
• our - nostru, noastră, noștri, noastre
• your (plural or formal) - vostru, voastră, voștri, voastre
• their - lor (does not change)

Note that the possessive adjective agrees with the noun possessed, not the possessor. For example, his book is cartea lui or cartea sa, but his friends is prietenii lui or prietenii săi depending on formality and emphasis.

What Are Possessive Pronouns?

Possessive pronouns replace a noun and show ownership, like mine, yours, or theirs in English. In Romanian, they also agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.

Romanian Possessive Pronouns Table

• mine - al meu, a mea, ai mei, ale mele
• yours (singular informal) - al tău, a ta, ai tăi, ale tale
• his/hers/its - al său, a sa, ai săi, ale sale
• ours - al nostru, a noastră, ai noștri, ale noastre
• yours (plural or formal) - al vostru, a voastră, ai voștri, ale voastre
• theirs - al lor, a lor, ai lor, ale lor

These forms are often used with the definite article and agree with the gender and number of the noun they replace. For example, the book is mine translates to cartea este a mea.

Examples of Possessive Pronouns and Adjectives in Sentences

• Aceasta este casa mea. (This is my house.)
• Cartea ta este pe masă. (Your book is on the table.)
• Prietenii lui sunt veseli. (His friends are cheerful.)
• Mașina noastră este nouă. (Our car is new.)
• Aceasta este ideea voastră. (This is your idea.)
• Câinii lor sunt afară. (Their dogs are outside.)
• Aceasta este a mea. (This one is mine.)
• Aceștia sunt ai tăi. (These are yours.)

Tips for English Speakers Learning Romanian Possessives

1. Remember that possessive adjectives agree with the noun possessed, not the possessor. This is different from English and important for correct usage.

2. The possessive pronouns in Romanian often require the definite article and change form based on gender and number.

3. Practice with common nouns and possessive forms to get comfortable with the agreement rules.