When? Why? Which?
You already ask with ce, unde and cine. Three more question words complete the everyday set. They go first, and the verb follows.
| When do you eat? | Când mănânci? |
| Why are you sleeping now? | De ce dormi acum? |
| Which pen is new? | Care pix este nou? |
Care asks which one of several. Put it straight before a noun with no article (care pix, care băiat), or use it alone with este.
| Which boy is singing? | Care băiat cântă? |
Because
Answer de ce with pentru că (because). It opens a full clause with its own verb.
| Why are you reading? Because the novel is interesting. | De ce citești? Pentru că romanul este interesant. |
| I am sleeping because I am tired. | Dorm pentru că sunt obosit. |
Când also joins two clauses, like English when:
| I listen to music when I read. | Ascult muzică când citesc. |
Or, while, maybe
| word | meaning | use |
|---|---|---|
| sau | or | a choice: cafea sau ceai? |
| iar | and (in contrast), while | sets two people or things side by side |
| poate | maybe | an unsure answer |
| Do you drink coffee or tea? | Bei cafea sau ceai? |
| I am reading, while he is writing. | Eu citesc, iar el scrie. |
| Where is the father? Maybe he is working. | Unde este tatăl? Poate lucrează. |
Yes, I am!
To contradict a negative question, Romanian does not say da but ba da — oh yes I am, oh yes I do.
| Aren't you tired? Yes, I am. | Nu ești obosit? Ba da, sunt. |
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