How to Use the Present Subjunctive Mood in Romanian for English Speakers

Understanding the Present Subjunctive Mood in Romanian

The subjunctive mood in Romanian expresses wishes, doubts, possibilities, or actions that are not certain to happen. It is often used after certain verbs and conjunctions to indicate subjectivity or uncertainty. In this article, we focus on the present subjunctive forms, which are essential for everyday communication.

When to Use the Present Subjunctive in Romanian

The present subjunctive is commonly used after verbs that express desire, necessity, emotion, or doubt, such as a vrea (to want), a dori (to wish), a spera (to hope), and a fi nevoie (to be necessary). It also appears after conjunctions like să, which introduces the subjunctive clause.

Forming the Present Subjunctive: The Role of "Să"

In Romanian, the present subjunctive is formed by placing the particle să before the verb in its subjunctive form. This particle is essential and signals that the verb is in the subjunctive mood.

For example:
Să merg – (that) I go
Să vorbești – (that) you speak
Să fim – (that) we be

Conjugation Patterns of the Present Subjunctive

The present subjunctive conjugation is similar to the first person singular of the present indicative but with some differences. Below are the conjugation endings for regular verbs in the present subjunctive.

• Eu: -e (or -ă)
• Tu: -i
• El/Ea: -ă
• Noi: -em
• Voi: -eți
• Ei/Ele: -e

Note that the exact endings can vary depending on the verb conjugation group (first, second, or third conjugation). Let's look at examples for each group.

Examples of Present Subjunctive Conjugations

Here are examples of the present subjunctive conjugations for regular verbs from each conjugation group, preceded by să.

• a vorbi (to speak) – 1st conjugation
  Eu să vorbesc
  Tu să vorbești
  El/Ea să vorbească
  Noi să vorbim
  Voi să vorbiți
  Ei/Ele să vorbească
• a vedea (to see) – 2nd conjugation
  Eu să văd
  Tu să vezi
  El/Ea să vadă
  Noi să vedem
  Voi să vedeți
  Ei/Ele să vadă
• a dormi (to sleep) – 3rd conjugation
  Eu să dorm
  Tu să dormi
  El/Ea să doarmă
  Noi să dormim
  Voi să dormiți
  Ei/Ele să doarmă

Common Verbs Used with the Present Subjunctive

Many verbs that express wishes, commands, or emotions are followed by the present subjunctive. Here are some common examples:

Tips for English Speakers Learning the Romanian Present Subjunctive

English does not have a direct equivalent to the Romanian subjunctive mood, so it can be challenging at first. Here are some tips to help you master it:

1. Remember that să is the key marker of the subjunctive mood.
2. Practice conjugating regular verbs in the subjunctive to recognize patterns.
3. Learn common verbs and expressions that require the subjunctive.
4. Listen to native speakers and repeat subjunctive phrases to improve fluency.
5. Use the subjunctive in simple sentences to build confidence.

Summary: Key Points About the Romanian Present Subjunctive

• The present subjunctive expresses wishes, doubts, or possibilities.
• It is introduced by the particle să.
• Verb endings change according to conjugation groups.
• Common after verbs expressing desire, necessity, or emotion.
• Essential for polite requests and expressing uncertainty.