Prietenul este aici azi.

The friend is here today.

Breakdown of Prietenul este aici azi.

• a fi: to be
• azi: today
• aici: here
• prietenul: the friend

Questions & Answers about Prietenul este aici azi.

Why does prietenul end in -ul instead of just prieten?

In Romanian, the definite article is attached as a suffix to the noun. For masculine singular nouns like prieten (friend), you add -ul to make it “the friend.” So:
• prieten = “a friend” (indefinite)
• prietenul = “the friend” (definite)

How would I say “a friend is here today” instead of “the friend”?

You simply use the indefinite article un before the noun, without the suffix:
• Un prieten este aici azi.

What tense and person is este?

este is the third person singular present tense of the verb a fi (“to be”). It corresponds to English “is.”

Can I use e instead of este?

Yes. In everyday speech and informal writing, Romanians often contract este to e. So you’ll hear or see:
• Prietenul e aici azi.

What’s the difference between azi and astăzi?

Both mean “today.”
• azi is more colloquial and very common in speech.
• astăzi is a bit more formal or emphatic, but interchangeable in most contexts.

Can I put azi at the beginning of the sentence?

Yes. Romanian word order is flexible for emphasis. You can say:
• Azi prietenul este aici.
This emphasizes today, rather than the friend or being here.

Why isn’t there a preposition before aici?

aici is an adverb meaning “here.” Adverbs of place in Romanian don’t take prepositions. They stand alone:
• aici = here
• acolo = there

How would I form the negative of this sentence?

Place nu (not) before the verb este:
• Prietenul nu este aici azi.

Can I drop the subject prietenul and just say Este aici azi?

Yes, if context makes it clear you’re talking about the friend. Romanian often omits the subject pronoun or noun when it’s understood:
• E aici azi. = “He/She/It is here today.”

How do I ask “Where is the friend today?”

Use unde (where) at the start and keep the verb–subject order:
• Unde este prietenul azi?