Ședința începe curând.

Breakdown of Ședința începe curând.

ședința
the meeting
a începe
to start
curând
soon

Questions & Answers about Ședința începe curând.

Why is it ședința and not just ședință?

Because ședința is the definite form of the noun, meaning the meeting/session.

  • ședință = a meeting, a session
  • ședința = the meeting, the session

Romanian often adds the definite article to the end of the noun instead of putting a separate word like the before it.

So:

  • Ședința începe curând. = The meeting starts soon.
  • O ședință începe curând. = A meeting starts soon.
What kind of word is ședință exactly?

Ședință is a feminine noun. It usually refers to a meeting, session, or sometimes a formal gathering such as a business meeting, court session, or therapy session, depending on context.

Its basic forms are:

  • singular indefinite: ședință
  • singular definite: ședința
  • plural indefinite: ședințe
  • plural definite: ședințele
Why does începe mean starts and not start?

Because începe is the 3rd person singular form of the verb a începe (to begin / to start).

Here the subject is ședința = the meeting, which is it in English. So Romanian uses the form meaning:

  • it begins
  • it starts

A few present tense forms of a începe are:

  • eu încep = I begin
  • tu începi = you begin
  • el/ea începe = he/she/it begins
  • noi începem = we begin
  • voi începeți = you (plural) begin
  • ei/ele încep = they begin

So Ședința începe literally means The meeting begins.

Why is there no word for is in the sentence?

Because Romanian does not need a separate auxiliary here. The verb începe already means begins / starts by itself.

In English, we might say:

  • The meeting starts soon.

There is no is there either.

If you tried to copy an English structure like is starting, that would be a different construction. Romanian can express that idea too, but in this sentence the simple present începe is the natural choice.

Can Romanian use the present tense here even though it refers to the near future?

Yes. Very commonly.

Ședința începe curând uses the present tense to talk about something scheduled or about to happen, just like English does in sentences such as:

  • The meeting starts soon.
  • The train leaves at six.

So Romanian present tense is often used for:

  • habitual actions
  • general truths
  • scheduled events
  • near-future events
What does curând mean exactly? Is it more like soon or shortly?

Curând means soon, shortly, or before long.

In everyday use, curând is a very normal way to say that something will happen in a short time.

Examples:

  • Vin curând. = I’m coming soon.
  • Te sun curând. = I’ll call you soon.

In your sentence, curând modifies the verb începe, so it tells you when the meeting starts.

Is the word order fixed? Could I also say Curând începe ședința?

Yes, Romanian word order is fairly flexible, and Curând începe ședința is also possible.

The most neutral version is:

  • Ședința începe curând.

If you move curând to the front:

  • Curând începe ședința.

that can sound a bit more marked or stylistic, with slightly more focus on soon.

Romanian often keeps the basic order subject + verb + adverb, but other orders are possible depending on emphasis.

How do I pronounce Ședința începe curând?

A helpful approximate pronunciation is:

sheh-DEEN-tsa in-CHEH-peh koo-RUND

A few important sounds:

  • ș = sh as in ship
  • ț = ts as in cats
  • ce in începe sounds like che in check, not like English see
  • â and î represent the same Romanian vowel, a central sound that does not exist exactly in English

Word by word:

  • Ședința ≈ sheh-DEEN-tsa
  • începe ≈ in-CHEH-peh
  • curând ≈ koo-RUND

The stress is usually:

  • șeDINța
  • înCEpe
  • cuRÂND
Why do I see both â and î in Romanian, like in curând and începe?

They represent the same sound, but Romanian spelling has rules about where each letter is used.

Very roughly:

  • î is used at the beginning and end of words
  • â is usually used inside words

So:

  • începe starts with î
  • curând has â in the middle

Even though the letters differ, the vowel sound is the same.

Could I replace începe with startează?

Usually, a începe is the more natural and standard choice here.

  • Ședința începe curând. = natural, standard Romanian

A starta / startează exists in modern Romanian, especially in technical, business, or informal contexts, but it is more of a borrowing from English and is not the best default choice for a sentence like this.

For a meeting, a începe is the safest and most idiomatic verb.

Do I have to include the subject ședința, or could Romanian just say Începe curând?

Yes, Romanian could say Începe curând, because the verb form începe already shows it is 3rd person singular.

However, without ședința, the subject becomes understood from context rather than explicitly stated. So:

  • Ședința începe curând. = The meeting starts soon.
  • Începe curând. = It starts soon / It begins soon, depending on context

Romanian often omits subjects when they are clear, but including the noun makes the sentence more explicit.

AI Language TutorTry it ↗
Your avatar
“What's the best way to learn Romanian grammar?”
Romanian grammar becomes intuitive with practice. Focus on understanding the core patterns first — how sentences are structured, how verbs change form, and how words relate to each other. Our course breaks these concepts into small lessons so you can build understanding step by step.

Sign up free — start using our AI language tutor

Start learning Romanian

Master Romanian — from Ședința începe curând to fluency

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓Infinitely deep — unlimited vocabulary and grammar
  • ✓Fast-paced — build complex sentences from the start
  • ✓Unforgettable — efficient spaced repetition system
  • ✓ AI tutor to answer your grammar questions