Demonstrative Adjectives & Pronouns in Romanian
Demonstrative Adjectives and Pronouns (acest, acel)
Romanian distinguishes proximity (acest = this) and distance (acel = that), with forms varying based on whether they precede or follow the noun.
Romanian *Demonstratives (demonstrativele) indicate relative spatial or temporal distance, distinguishing proximity (acest = this/these) from remoteness (acel = that/those)*.
Two Syntactic Positions with Distinct Forms: 1. Pre-nominal position (before the unarticulated noun): - Proximity: acest băiat (this boy), această fată (this girl), acești băieți (these boys), aceste fete/scaune (these girls/chairs). - Distance: acel băiat (that boy), acea fată (that girl), acei băieți (those boys), acele fete/scaune (those girls/chairs). 2. Post-nominal position (after the definite-articled noun): - When placed after the noun, the noun must take the definite article, and the demonstrative takes a lengthened suffix -a: - Proximity: băiatul acesta* (this boy), fata aceasta (this girl), băieții aceștia, fetele acestea. - Distance: băiatul acela (that boy), fata aceea (that girl), băieții aceia, fetele acelea*.
Demonstrative Pronouns: When standing alone without a noun, the post-nominal forms serve as standalone demonstrative pronouns: Acesta este prietenul meu (This is my friend), Aceea este casa noastră (That is our house).
Colloquially, shortened forms are ubiquitous: ăsta / asta (this one) and ăla / aia (that one).
Examples
Acest profesor universitar explică mereu conceptele dificile foarte clar.
This university professor always explains difficult concepts very clearly.
Clădirea aceea veche din piață a fost complet renovată anul trecut.
That old building in the square was completely renovated last year.
Aceste cărți noi de istorie conțin documente de arhivă extrem de valoroase.
These new history books contain extremely valuable archive documents.
Acesta este cel mai bun restaurant tradițional din întregul oraș.
This is the best traditional restaurant in the entire city.
Related terms
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