Public notices, manuals, and labels often use an impersonal construction based on the infinitive instead of the standard imperative.
Affirmative Instructions: "A se..."
To give a general instruction, Romanian uses the preposition a followed by the reflexive pronoun se and the short infinitive of the verb.
Pattern: a + se + [short infinitive]
While this translates literally to a passive phrase like "to be shaken," it functions as a direct command.
| Shake well! | A se agita bine! |
| To be diluted with cold water. | A se dilua cu apă rece. |
| Protect from moisture. | A se proteja de umezeală. |
Formal Prohibitions: "A nu se..."
To express that an action is forbidden, insert the negative word nu directly between a and se. You will see this structure everywhere on public signs.
Pattern: a + nu + se + [short infinitive]
| Do not throw trash on the lawn! | A nu se arunca gunoiul pe gazon! |
| Do not shake the bottle! | A nu se agita sticla! |
| No parking or waiting! | A nu se parca sau staționa! |
| No smoking inside the building. | A nu se fuma în interiorul clădirii. |
Because these function as standardized rules, you will sometimes hear or read them quoted directly inside normal sentences:
| The instruction says: do not dilute. | Instrucțiunea spune: a nu se dilua. |
Common Warnings
There are a few fixed phrases using this impersonal structure that frequently appear on packaging or in public spaces like airports.
| Do not leave within the reach of children. | A nu se lăsa la îndemâna copiilor. |
| Do not leave the luggage unattended. | A nu se lăsa bagajul nesupravegheat. |