Copilul se naște azi.

In Romanian, the definite article is usually attached to the end of the noun, not written as a separate word like English the.

So:

• copil = child
• copilul = the child

This is one of the first big differences English speakers notice in Romanian.

Because the Romanian verb for to be born is a se naște, which is a pronominal/reflexive verb.

• a naște = to give birth (to someone)
• a se naște = to be born

So:

• Mama naște copilul = The mother gives birth to the child
• Copilul se naște = The child is born / is being born

Here, se is not really translated as himself/herself. It is simply part of the verb a se naște.

No. That is a very common question.

Sometimes se really is reflexive, but in many Romanian verbs it is just part of the standard verb form and should not be translated word-for-word.

In se naște, you should understand the whole expression as is born or is being born, not as births itself.

It is present tense, third person singular.

The verb is a se naște and the present-tense forms are:

• eu mă nasc
• tu te naști
• el/ea se naște
• noi ne naștem
• voi vă nașteți
• ei/ele se nasc

So Copilul se naște azi uses the he/she/it form, because copilul is singular.

Romanian often uses the present tense for something happening now, around now, or on the current day.

So Copilul se naște azi can mean something like:

• The child is being born today
• The child is born today

Depending on context, Romanian can also use the future, but the present is perfectly normal for an event happening today or very soon.

That is the most neutral and natural word order here.

Romanian word order is fairly flexible, but:

• Copilul se naște azi. = neutral, standard
• Azi se naște copilul. = emphasizes today
• Se naște azi copilul. = possible, but more marked or context-dependent

Putting azi at the end is a very common way to add a time expression without special emphasis.

Yes.

• azi = today
• astăzi = today

They mean the same thing. In many contexts, azi is a bit shorter and more conversational, while astăzi can sound slightly more formal or careful. Both are correct.

So you can say:

• Copilul se naște azi.
• Copilul se naște astăzi.

Copil usually means child, but depending on context it can sometimes refer to a baby as well.

Still, if you specifically mean a newborn or a baby, Romanian often uses:

• bebeluș = baby
• nou-născut = newborn

So this sentence is grammatical, but in a childbirth context, some speakers might more naturally say bebelușul instead of copilul, depending on the situation.

Romanian does not build this idea the same way English does.

English uses:

• is born = form of to be
  • past participle

Romanian usually uses:

• se naște = a single pronominal verb form

So instead of literally copying English structure, Romanian expresses the idea with its own verb pattern.

A few sounds may be unfamiliar to English speakers:

• ă = a short central vowel, like a very reduced uh
• ș = sh
• e at the end is pronounced, not silent

So naște sounds roughly like NAH-shteh, but with a short Romanian ă rather than a full English vowel.

Also:

• Copilul ≈ ko-PEE-lool
• azi ≈ AH-zee

These are only rough English approximations, but they help at first.

Because Romanian verbs already show the person and number in the verb ending.

In se naște, the form already tells you it is third person singular. Since the noun copilul is present, there is no need for an extra pronoun.

Romanian often leaves out subject pronouns unless they are needed for emphasis or contrast.

Copil is grammatically masculine in the singular, but it can refer to a child of either sex.

So copilul does not automatically mean the boy. It can still mean the child, regardless of whether the child is male or female.

This is a case where grammatical gender and real-life gender do not always match in the way English speakers expect.