Learn Romanian: Tu ai paisprezece colegi? - Do you have fourteen colleagues?

Tu ai paisprezece colegi?

Do you have fourteen colleagues?

Breakdown of Tu ai paisprezece colegi?

Questions & Answers about Tu ai paisprezece colegi?

Why is fourteen paisprezece and not patrusprezece?

Romanian numbers from 11 to 19 are usually built by combining the base number + spre (towards) + zece (ten). However, the number four (patru) slightly drops some letters and changes its shape to pai to make it easier to say, creating paisprezece.

Do I need to add the word de between the number and the noun here?

No, you don't. For numbers from 1 to 19, the number goes directly before the noun, just like in English (paisprezece colegi). You only start adding the connecting word de for numbers 20 and above (for example, douăzeci de colegi).

What is the singular form of colegi and how does the pronunciation change?

Colegi is the plural of the masculine noun coleg (colleague). When we add the plural -i ending, the hard 'g' sound in coleg (like in 'go') changes to a soft 'g' sound (like the 'g' in 'magic' or 'gym').

Can I drop the word Tu and just say Ai paisprezece colegi?

Yes! Romanian verbs change their form for each person, so ai already means 'you have'. Including Tu is entirely optional and is usually just done to add a little extra emphasis to the question.