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Questions & Answers about Răspunsul este simplu.
What is the literal breakdown of Răspunsul?
Răspunsul = răspuns (answer) + definite article -ul, so it literally means the answer.
Why is the definite article attached to the end of the noun?
Romanian uses enclitic definite articles. Instead of separate words like the, a suffix attaches to the noun: masculine -ul, feminine -a.
How do you pronounce the letter ă in răspunsul?
The letter ă is a schwa [ə], like the 'a' in sofa. So răspunsul sounds roughly rə-spuns-ul, with [ə] in the first syllable.
Where is the stress in răspunsul and simplu?
răspunsul: stress on the second syllable → răs-PUN-sul.
simplu: stress on the first syllable → SIM-plu.
Why does simplu end in -u?
Adjectives agree with their noun in gender and number. răspunsul is masculine singular, so the adjective takes the masculine singular ending -u.
What role does este play? Could I use e instead?
este is the full 3rd person singular form of a fi (to be). e is a colloquial contraction: Răspunsul e simplu is common in speech and informal writing.
Can you drop este and just say Răspunsul simplu?
Without este, Răspunsul simplu is a noun phrase meaning the simple answer. It’s fine as a title or bullet point but not a complete sentence stating The answer is simple.
Why does the adjective follow the noun here? Could it come before?
In predicative position (with este), adjectives almost always follow the verb: Răspunsul este simplu. Placing it before (Simplu este răspunsul) is grammatically possible for emphasis or poetic style but sounds marked in everyday speech.