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Questions & Answers about Pâinea este mare azi.
Why is it pâinea and not just pâine?
Romanian marks definiteness by attaching an article to the noun. pâine = “bread” in general; pâinea = “the bread.” In English we say “the bread,” but in Romanian the article is a suffix.
Why is este used instead of a contraction or omission?
este is the full 3rd-person singular of a fi (“to be”), meaning “is.” You can use the colloquial contraction e (Pâinea e mare azi) but you cannot omit it completely in standard Romanian.
Why doesn’t the adjective mare change its ending to agree with pâinea (feminine singular)?
Most adjectives in Romanian have separate feminine forms (ex. înalt/ înaltă), but mare is irregular: in the nominative singular it stays mare for both masculine and feminine.
Can I drop este and just say Pâinea mare azi?
No. Romanian normally requires the copula este (or its contraction e) in present‐tense linking sentences. Omitting it is ungrammatical.
Why is azi (today) at the end of the sentence? Can I put it at the start?
Romanian word order is flexible. Pâinea este mare azi or Azi pâinea este mare are both correct. Placing azi first emphasizes the time.
Is azi the only way to say “today”? What about astăzi?
Both mean “today.” azi is more colloquial/brief, astăzi slightly more formal or emphatic. You can use either.
How would I say “The breads are big today” in Romanian?
Use the plural definite article and match verb/adjective:
Pâinile sunt mari azi.
- pâine
- -le = pâinile (“the breads”)
- sunt = 3rd pers. pl. of a fi
- mari = plural of mare
Why is there no article before azi?
azi is an adverb of time, not a noun. Adverbs in Romanian do not take articles.
Can mare ever mean “great” or “many,” like in English?
No. mare means “big, large” in size or extent. For “great” (excellent), use grozav or minunat. For “many,” use mulți (masc. pl.) / multe (fem. pl.).
How do I pronounce Pâinea este mare azi?
Roughly: PÂY-neh-ah ES-teh MAH-reh AH-zee.
- â is somewhat like the “i” in “bird” (British accent) but more closed.
- Stress usually falls on the first syllable of each word here.