Learn Hardcore Romanian: Andrei aduce telefonul la ședință. - Andrei is bringing the phone to the meeting.

aduce is the third-person singular present indicative of a aduce (“to bring”). So Andrei aduce means “Andrei brings” or “Andrei is bringing.”

Why is telefonul used instead of telefon?

Romanian marks the definite article as a suffix on the noun. telefon = “a phone”; telefonul = “the phone.”

How do you form the definite article on Romanian nouns?

For singular masculine nouns you add -ul or -le (e.g., băiat → băiatul, om → omul).
For singular feminine nouns you add -a (e.g., casă → casa, ședință → ședința).

Why is there no article on ședință after la? Shouldn’t it be la ședința?

After certain prepositions of motion or participation (like la), Romanian often drops the article to express “to the X” generically—similar to a merge la școală (“to go to school”). La ședință naturally means “to the meeting.” You can say la ședința, but it sounds more marked or emphasizes exactly that particular meeting.

What is the function of la in this sentence? Could we use a different preposition?

la marks motion toward a place or event (“to”). Using în would mean “in” or “inside” (în ședință = “in the meeting”), which changes the meaning.

How do you pronounce ședință? What are the diacritics?

ș = /ʃ/ (like “sh” in “ship”)
e = /e/ (like “e” in “met”)
d = /d/
i = /i/ (like “ee” in “see”)
n = /n/
ț = /ts/ (like “ts” in “cats”)
ă = /ə/ (schwa, like the “a” in “sofa”)
Altogether: [ʃeˈdintsə].

What’s the difference between ședință and întâlnire?

Both can mean “meeting,” but ședință is a more formal or official session (board meeting, committee), whereas întâlnire is a general meeting, appointment, or even a date.

Can Andrei aduce telefonul la ședință also mean “Andrei is going to bring…” or is it strictly present?

Romanian simple present (aduce) covers English present simple and continuous, and even near future (“will bring”) by context. To stress continuous you’d use a periphrasis (este aducând), but that’s less common.

Is the word order fixed? Could you say Andrei aduce la ședință telefonul?

Romanian word order is fairly flexible. Andrei aduce la ședință telefonul is grammatically correct; it shifts slight emphasis onto la ședință but retains the same basic meaning.