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Questions & Answers about Cartea este mică.
Why is Cartea used instead of carte?
In Romanian, the definite article is attached to the end of the noun (enclitic). So carte means “book,” and adding -a gives cartea, which means “the book.”
Why does the adjective mică end with -ă instead of just mic?
Romanian adjectives must agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify. Cartea is feminine singular, so its adjective takes the feminine singular form mică. The base form mic is masculine singular.
Why is the adjective placed after the noun (“Cartea este mică”) instead of before it?
Unlike English, Romanian normally places descriptive adjectives after the noun they modify. So “the small book” literally becomes cartea mică. In this sentence, we have the full clause Cartea este mică (“The book is small”).
What is the little hook vowel ă, and how do I pronounce it?
The letter ă (called “a-breve”) represents a mid-central vowel, like the schwa in the English words about or sofa. It’s a quick, neutral sound.
What part of speech is este in this sentence?
Este is the third person singular present indicative of the verb a fi (“to be”). So Cartea este mică literally translates as “The book is small.”
Can I say Cartea e mică instead of este?
Yes. In informal speech and writing, Romanians often shorten este to e: Cartea e mică. You’ll also hear the literary contraction Cartea-i mică, where -i replaces este.
How would I say “a small book” (indefinite) instead of “the book is small”?
Use the indefinite article o before the noun and keep the adjective after: O carte mică means “A small book.”
Why is there no separate word for “the” before cartea?
Romanian uses enclitic definite articles (-a, ‑ul, ‑le, etc.) attached to the noun itself, so you don’t need a standalone word for “the.”