Copilul se naște azi.

The child is born today.

Breakdown of Copilul se naște azi.

• azi: today
• copilul: the child
• a se naște: to be born

Questions & Answers about Copilul se naște azi.

Why does copilul end in -ul?

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.

Why is it se naște and not just naște?

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.

Does se literally mean himself/herself/itself here?