Replacing Nouns with "The One"
When shopping or comparing items, you often want to avoid repeating the same noun. In English, you do this by saying "the one" or "the ones" (e.g., "the red dress is nice, but the elegant one is cheap").
In Romanian, you use the demonstrative adjectival article. Its form changes to match the gender and number of the noun it replaces.
| Number | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter |
|---|
| Singular | cel | cea | cel |
| Plural | cei | cele | cele |
Here are examples using the singular forms cel (masculine/neuter) and cea (feminine). Notice how they are followed directly by the adjective.
Direct Objects and pe
When "the one" is the specific direct object of a verb (like when you are pointing out exactly which item you prefer), it takes the preposition pe. You must also use the matching direct object pronoun (like îl) right before the verb.
For plural nouns, use cei for masculine nouns (like pantaloni) and cele for feminine and neuter nouns (like coșuri or cămăși).
Describing Materials: "The Cotton One"
In English, we often use materials directly as adjectives, like "the cotton shirt." In Romanian, you use the preposition din (of/from) followed by the material, such as bumbac (cotton) or mătase (silk).
To say "the cotton one" or "the silk ones," simply combine the demonstrative article with din + the material.
