Dative prepositions (datorită)

The Dative Case and Prepositions

While many Romanian prepositions require the Accusative or Genitive case, a special group of prepositions requires the Dative case. Fortunately, definite noun endings in the Dative case are identical to those in the Genitive case: you will use the endings -lui or -ului for masculine and neuter nouns, and -ei or -ii for feminine nouns.

These prepositions are highly useful for citing sources, ascribing credit, and summarizing official information.

Datorită and Mulțumită (Due to / Thanks to)

To express that an outcome was achieved because of someone or something, use datorită (due to) or mulțumită (thanks to). These are generally used for positive or neutral outcomes.

Notice how studiul (the study - neuter) becomes studiului, and declarația (the statement - feminine) becomes declarației.

Conform and Potrivit (According to)

When citing a report, a news source, or a poll (sondajul), you will use conform or potrivit. Both mean "according to" and are completely interchangeable in this context.

Working with Adjectives in the Dative

When a noun in the Dative case is followed by an adjective, the noun takes the definite Dative article. The adjective must also agree with the noun's case. Feminine adjectives will take an oblique (Genitive/Dative) ending, while masculine and neuter adjectives typically remain unchanged in the singular.

Observe how sursa oficială (the official source - feminine) becomes sursei oficiale, whereas studiul oficial (the official study - neuter) becomes studiului oficial.