Question 1

Why do we use acel instead of acea for "that"?

Accepted Answer

Acel is the form used for masculine and neuter nouns in the singular, while acea is for feminine nouns. The word document is a neuter noun, so it uses the masculine form acel when there is only one.

Question 2

The English translation says "on the table", but masă doesn't have a definite article at the end. Why?

Accepted Answer

In Romanian, after many simple space prepositions like pe (on), în (in), or sub (under), you usually just use the plain dictionary form of the noun. So we say pe masă rather than attaching the "the" suffix (pe masa), even though we mean "on the table".

Question 3

Could I put the word for "that" after the noun instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the grammar changes slightly! If you put the demonstrative first, it's just acel document. If it goes after the noun, you must add the "the" suffix to the noun and use a slightly longer form of "that": documentul acela. Putting acel first is often much easier for beginners!

Question 4

Since document is spelled exactly like in English, is it pronounced the same way?

Accepted Answer

It is very similar, but you must use Romanian vowel sounds and stress. The "u" makes an "oo" sound (like in "boot"), and unlike the English word, the emphasis goes on the very last syllable: do-cu-MENT.

Acel document este pe masă.

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