Personal Pronouns & Politeness Forms in Romanian
Personal Pronouns (Subject & Politeness)
Romanian subject pronouns (eu, tu, el, ea, noi, voi, ei, ele) are pro-drop, and formal address employs polite pronouns (dumneavoastră, dumneata).
Romanian *Subject Personal Pronouns (pronumele personale în nominativ) distinguish person, number, and gender in the third person: - 1st sg.: eu (I) - 2nd sg. informal: tu (you) - 3rd sg. masc.: el (he / it masc./neuter) - 3rd sg. fem.: ea (she / it fem.) - 1st pl.: noi (we) - 2nd pl. informal: voi (you all) - 3rd pl. masc.: ei (they masc./neuter) - 3rd pl. fem.: ele* (they fem.).
Pro-Drop Characteristics: Because Romanian verb endings unambiguously indicate person and number (merg = I go, mergi = you go, mergem = we go), subject pronouns are typically omitted in unmarked sentences. They are explicitly uttered only for contrast (Eu citesc, iar tu dormi), clarification, or emotional emphasis.
*Polite Pronouns (Pronumele de politețe): 1. Dumneavoastră (polite 'You', singular or plural, derived from Domnia Voastră = Your Lordship): Used in all formal, professional, and respectful interactions, agreeing with 2nd person plural verbs (Dumneavoastră știți = You know). 2. Dumneata (semi-formal singular, agreeing with 2nd person singular verbs: Dumneata știi). 3. Dumnealui / Dumneaei / Dumnealor* (polite 3rd person: he / she / they).
Examples
Noi învățăm limba română în fiecare zi cu mult entuziasm.
We learn the Romanian language every day with great enthusiasm.
Dumneavoastră cunoașteți foarte bine istoria acestui oraș vechi.
You know the history of this old city very well.
Eu prefer să citesc o carte, iar el preferă să asculte muzică.
I prefer to read a book, while he prefers to listen to music.
Ele au plecat devreme la gară pentru a prinde trenul de dimineață.
They (women) left early for the station in order to catch the morning train.
Related terms
Learn ro in context — free dictionary and practice.