Learn Hardcore Romanian: Îl iau acum.

îl is the third‐person singular masculine direct‐object pronoun (accusative). It replaces a previously mentioned masculine noun (animate or inanimate), for example telefonul (the phone) or băiatul (the boy). In English it corresponds to “it” (for a masculine noun) or “him” (if referring to a male person).

Why is the pronoun îl placed before the verb iau instead of after it?

Romanian clitic pronouns can appear before (proclisis) or after (enclisis) the verb.
• Without any trigger word, the neutral placement is enclisis: Iau-l acum.
• Pronouns move before the verb (proclisis) when there’s a negative word (nu), certain adverbs (doar, nici), question words, or subordinate conjunctions.
• In spoken and written Romanian, you’ll also see Îl iau acum by analogy or for slight emphasis on the object.

Could I write Iau-l acum instead of Îl iau acum?

Yes. Iau-l acum (enclitic pronoun) is perfectly correct and in many contexts is actually the preferred neutral form. Both versions mean “I take it now” or “I’ll take it now,” but enclisis is the default in the absence of a proclisis trigger.

How is iau formed, and why isn’t it just lu or iu?