Common Romanian Expressions of Quantity and Measure for English Learners

Understanding Quantity and Measure in Romanian

When learning Romanian, expressions of quantity and measure are essential for everyday communication. These expressions help you describe amounts, sizes, and measurements accurately. This article will guide you through common Romanian phrases and vocabulary related to quantity and measure, making it easier for English speakers to grasp and use them effectively.

Basic Romanian Words for Quantity

Romanian uses specific words to express different quantities. Here are some of the most common ones:

• mult – much, a lot
• puțin – a little, few
• foarte – very
• câteva – some, a few
• toate – all
• nimic – nothing

Common Expressions of Quantity

Below are typical Romanian expressions you will encounter or use when talking about quantities:

• un kilogram de mere – a kilogram of apples
• o sticlă de apă – a bottle of water
• două litri de lapte – two liters of milk
• o bucată de pâine – a piece of bread
• un pahar de vin – a glass of wine
• o mână de nuci – a handful of nuts

Units of Measurement in Romanian

Romanian uses the metric system, similar to most European countries. Here are some common units of measurement:

• kilogram (kg) – kilogram
• gram (g) – gram
• litru (l) – liter
• metru (m) – meter
• centimetru (cm) – centimeter
• milimetru (mm) – millimeter

Using Quantifiers with Nouns

In Romanian, quantifiers often precede the noun and are followed by the preposition de when specifying the type or amount. For example:

• un kilogram de carne – one kilogram of meat
• două litri de suc – two liters of juice
• o grămadă de cărți – a pile of books

Expressions for Approximate Quantities

Sometimes, you want to express an approximate amount. Romanian has phrases for this:

• cam – about, approximately
• aproximativ – approximately
• mai mult sau mai puțin – more or less

Example: Am cumpărat cam trei kilograme de mere. (I bought about three kilograms of apples.)

Practice with Romanian Quantity Expressions

Try using these expressions in sentences to become more comfortable:

• Am nevoie de o sticlă de apă. – I need a bottle of water.
• Ai câteva mere? – Do you have some apples?
• Am mâncat multă pâine. – I ate a lot of bread.
• Vreau două litri de lapte. – I want two liters of milk.