When giving instructions to a group of people (or formally to a single person using dumneavoastră), use the plural command form.
The rule for plural commands is simple: for all verb conjugations, the affirmative plural command is identical to the present tense voi (you all) form.
| Infinitive | Command (voi) | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| a tăia | Tăiați! | Cut! / Chop! |
| a amesteca | Amestecați! | Mix! |
| a coace | Coaceți! | Bake! |
Here are some basic kitchen instructions using the plural command:
| Add the salt and the pepper! | Adăugați sarea și piperul! |
| Pour the dough into the tray! | Turnați aluatul în tavă! |
| Bake the bread in the oven! | Coaceți pâinea în cuptor! |
Comparative Adverbs
In English, we say "faster" or "more slowly" to describe how an action should be done. In Romanian, making an adverb comparative is straightforward: just place the word mai (more) directly in front of the adverb.
- repede (fast) -> mai repede (faster)
- bine (well) -> mai bine (better)
- încet (slowly) -> mai încet (more slowly)
- mărunt (finely) -> mai mărunt (more finely)
Combine these comparative adverbs with plural commands to give precise culinary instructions:
| Cut the meat faster! | Tăiați carnea mai repede! |
| Mix the salad better! | Amestecați salata mai bine! |
| Mix the flour and the dough more slowly! | Amestecați făina și aluatul mai încet! |
Comparisons with "decât" (Than)
When you need to compare two actions or things directly, use the word decât (than) after the comparative phrase.
| Please, cut the tomato more finely than the onion! | Vă rog, tăiați roșia mai mărunt decât ceapa! |
| The oven is hotter than the room. | Cuptorul este mai cald decât camera. |