Romanian verbs can seem daunting at first, but they follow logical patterns - most of the time. Whether you're tackling present tense or wrestling with the subjunctive, this guide will help you navigate the quirks of Romanian conjugation.
The Basics: Romanian Verb Groups
Romanian verbs fall into four main conjugation groups, each with its own endings. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- 1st conjugation (-a verbs): These are the most common. Examples include a cânta (to sing) and a lucra (to work).
- 2nd conjugation (-ea verbs): Less common, with verbs like a vedea (to see).
- 3rd conjugation (-e verbs): Includes a merge (to go) and a crede (to believe).
- 4th conjugation (-i/-î verbs): Verbs like a dormi (to sleep) and a hotărî (to decide).
Present Tense Conjugation Patterns
Here’s how the present tense looks for each group. Notice the endings:
| Pronoun | 1st Conjugation (-a) | 2nd Conjugation (-ea) | 3rd Conjugation (-e) | 4th Conjugation (-i/-î) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eu (I) | cânt | văd | merg | dorm |
| Tu (You, singular) | cânți | vezi | mergi | dormi |
| El/Ea (He/She) | cântă | vede | merge | doarme |
| Noi (We) | cântăm | vedem | mergem | dormim |
| Voi (You, plural) | cântați | vedeți | mergeți | dormiți |
| Ei/Ele (They) | cântă | văd | merg | dorm |
Notice how some forms repeat (e.g., el cântă and ei cântă). This is a quirk of Romanian - don’t overthink it.
Common Irregular Verbs
Like any language, Romanian has its share of irregular verbs. Here are three you’ll use constantly:
A fi
/a fi/“To be”
A avea
/a ˈave̯a/“To have”
A vrea
/a vre̯a/“To want”
Practical Tips for Memorisation
- Learn pronouns with verbs: Instead of just memorising cânt, drill eu cânt. It helps with recall.
- Use flashcards: Apps like Anki work well for drilling conjugations.
- Listen to native speakers: Romanian music, podcasts, or even proverbs can help internalise patterns.
- Practice out loud: Conjugations are useless if you can’t say them smoothly. Try narrating your day in Romanian.
Final Thoughts
Romanian verb conjugations aren’t as chaotic as they seem. Focus on one group at a time, master the irregulars early, and practice consistently. For more on Romanian, check out our guide to everyday vocabulary for travel or perfecting your accent.
