Ziarul de azi este pe masă.

Today's newspaper is on the table.

Breakdown of Ziarul de azi este pe masă.

• a fi: to be
• azi: today
• de: of
• masa: the table
• pe: on
• ziarul: the newspaper

Questions & Answers about Ziarul de azi este pe masă.

Why does ziarul have the ending -ul instead of a separate word for “the”?

Romanian uses enclitic definite articles, attaching them to the noun. For masculine singular nouns like ziar (“newspaper”), the definite article is -ul:
• ziar + ul → ziarul (“the newspaper”)
For feminine singular nouns you’d use -a (e.g. carte → cartea, “the book”).

What role does de play in ziarul de azi, and why can’t I just say ziarul azi?

de is a preposition meaning “of” (genitive) when showing possession or relation. ziarul de azi literally means “the newspaper of today,” i.e. today’s newspaper.
If you omit de, you end up with ziarul azi, which sounds like you’re trying to use azi as an adverb without linking it. Correct alternatives are:
• Azi ziarul este pe masă. (“Today the newspaper is on the table.”)
• Ziarul de azi (“the newspaper of today,” the edition that came out today).

What’s the difference between azi and astăzi?

Both mean “today.”
• azi is more colloquial and common in speech.
• astăzi is slightly more formal or emphatic and often used in writing.
Their meanings are interchangeable.

Which tense and person is este, and can I replace it with e?

este is the 3rd person singular present indicative of a fi (“to be”). In informal spoken Romanian, it's often contracted to e:
• Ziarul de azi e pe masă.
In writing or formal speech, you’ll usually see este.

Why is it pe masă without an article, instead of pe masa or pe o masă?

• pe masă is the normal locative expression meaning “on/at the table.” Romanian typically omits the definite article after locative prepositions: în cameră (“in a room”), la școală (“at school”), pe masă (“on the table”).
• To say “on a table” (indefinite) use pe o masă.
• pe masa (with the article) is uncommon in modern usage.

Can you break down Ziarul de azi este pe masă into its grammatical parts?

• ziar (noun “newspaper”)
• -ul (definite article for masculine singular) → ziarul (“the newspaper”)
• de (preposition “of”)
• azi (adverb “today”)
• este (3rd person singular present of a fi, “to be”)
• pe (preposition “on/top of”)
• masă (noun “table,” feminine singular, indefinite form)

What gender are ziar and masă, and how can I recognize their gender?

• ziar is masculine (ends in a consonant in its base form; takes -ul as the definite article).
• masă is feminine (ends in -ă; takes o as the indefinite article: o masă, and -a as the definite article: masa).
General tips: many nouns ending in a consonant or -e are masculine; those ending in -ă, -țiune, or -e can be feminine—but always verify in a dictionary for exceptions.

Is the word order in Ziarul de azi este pe masă fixed, or can I move words around?

Romanian is relatively flexible. The default is Subject–Verb–(Location):
• Ziarul de azi (S) este (V) pe masă (Loc).
You can reorganize for emphasis:
• Pe masă este ziarul de azi. (Focus on where it is.)
• Ziarul de azi, pe masă este. (More poetic or dramatic.)
Changing the order shifts the nuance or emphasis.

Where does the stress fall in Ziarul de azi este pe masă?

• ZI-a-rul
• de a-ZI
• ES-te
• pe MA-să

How can I type the letter ă on my keyboard?

• Windows (US-International layout): Right Alt + A → ă, Right Alt + Shift + A → Ă.
• Windows (Romanian layout): Ă has its own key (usually next to P).
• Mac: install the Romanian – QWERTY layout; press A where that key appears.
• Mobile: long-press A and select ă.
• Alternatively, use a character map or input tool if you don’t have a Romanian layout installed.