Substratul are pietriș.

The substrate has gravel.

Breakdown of Substratul are pietriș.

• a avea: to have
• substratul: the substrate
• pietrișul: the gravel

Questions & Answers about Substratul are pietriș.

Why is substratul written with -ul at the end?

In Romanian, the definite article is usually attached to the end of the noun instead of being a separate word like the in English.

So:

• substrat = substrate
• substratul = the substrate

The ending -ul is the masculine/neuter singular definite article here.

What part of speech is are?

Are is the 3rd person singular form of the verb a avea, which means to have.

So:

• eu am = I have
• tu ai = you have
• el/ea are = he/she/it has

In Substratul are pietriș, are means has.

Why is there no word for some or a before pietriș?

Romanian often leaves out an article in cases where English might say some or use a bare noun.

Here, pietriș means gravel, which is usually treated like an uncountable material noun, similar to sand or water in English.

So:

• Substratul are pietriș = The substrate has gravel
• It can also feel like The substrate contains gravel

You do not need an article before pietriș in this sentence.