Further back in the past
Demult (long ago) answers the question când? (when?). Spell it as one word. Written as two words, de mult means for a long time and answers de când? (since when?): N-a mai venit de mult (He hasn't come in a long time). Cândva is at some point, and it can point to the past or to the future.
| We met a long time ago, at school. | Ne-am cunoscut demult, la școală. |
| A long time ago, there was a forest here. | Demult, aici era o pădure. |
| We were good friends once. | Cândva am fost prieteni buni. |
| Someday I'd like to live by the sea. | Cândva, aș vrea să locuiesc la mare. |
Recently, now, for now
| expression | meaning |
|---|---|
| de curând | recently |
| în prezent | at present, currently |
| deocamdată | for now, for the time being |
În prezent describes the current state of things and sounds a little formal. Deocamdată suggests that things may change later. Said to a waiter, deocamdată nu is a polite not for now.
| I recently found out that Maria got married. | Am aflat de curând că Maria s-a căsătorit. |
| At present, I work as a teacher. | În prezent, lucrez ca profesor. |
| — Would you like anything else? — No, thank you, not for now. | — Mai doriți ceva? — Nu, mulțumesc, deocamdată nu. |
Then and later
Pe urmă (then, afterwards) is a conversational alternative to apoi and după aceea. Mai târziu (later) is the everyday word. Ulterior (later on, subsequently) belongs to reports, news and formal storytelling. Mai târziu also follows a length of time: două ore mai târziu (two hours later).
| First it rained, then the sun came out. | Mai întâi a plouat, pe urmă a ieșit soarele. |
| Two hours later, the train still hadn't arrived. | Două ore mai târziu, trenul nu sosise încă. |
| Later on, I found out that he had lied. | Ulterior, am aflat că mințise. |
Again
Iarăși means the same as din nou (again). It can stand before the verb or after it.
| You're late again! | Iarăși ai întârziat! |
| It's raining again. | Plouă iarăși. |
